United News of Bangladesh

The Environmental Protection Agency's new chief, Lee Zeldin, announced plans to revoke $20 billion in clean-energy grants awarded under the Biden administration, citing concerns over potential misuse and lack of accountability.  In a video posted on X, Zeldin said the agency would terminate contracts related to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, commonly referred to as the "green bank." The program, established through the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, aimed to support climate and clean-energy projects, particularly in disadvantaged communities. The funding was divided into two key initiatives: $14 billion and $6 billion, respectively, to be distributed to nonprofits, community development banks, and other organizations, AP reports.  Nearly everyone in the world breathes polluted air Zeldin criticised the initiative, calling it a reckless allocation of taxpayer money to "far-left activist groups." He referenced a video from Project Veritas, a conservative group known for undercover recordings, where a former EPA adviser suggested the Biden administration was hastily spending funds before Donald Trump potentially took office.  “There will be zero tolerance for waste and abuse,” Zeldin said. “The days of shoveling boatloads of cash in the name of environmental justice and climate equity are over.”  The green bank has been championed by Democrats, who passed the Inflation Reduction Act without Republican support. Former EPA Administrator Michael Regan had highlighted it as one of the agency's key achievements. However, Republicans have long criticized the fund, labelling it a “slush fund” with insufficient oversight.  Clean energy advocates condemned Zeldin’s decision, vowing legal action. Lena Moffitt, executive director of Evergreen Action, called the move “a blatant violation of the Constitution” and accused the administration of undermining programs designed to benefit American families.  The funds had already been allocated to eight nonprofit organizations, including the Coalition for Green Capital and Climate United Fund, which partnered with groups like Habitat for Humanity and Rewiring America.

The Bangladesh-Korea EPA negotiation launching ceremony was held in Seoul, the capital of South Korea, on Thursday to start the discussions for the Economic Partnership Agreement between the two countries. In the event, Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin and South Korean Minister for Trade Inkyo Cheong officially announced the inception of the negotiations for signing an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). Read: Bangladesh, South Korea eye stronger ties through bilateral trade and investment Besides, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the development of trade and investment Framework was signed between the two countries in the function as an initial step for signing the EPA. Commerce Secretary Selim Uddin and South Korean Deputy Minister for Trade Jongwon Park signed the MoU on behalf of their respective sides, said a PID handout.