United News of Bangladesh

US President Donald Trump has hinted at easing tensions in Minnesota following a second fatal shooting involving federal immigration agents, but there were few visible changes on the ground as enforcement operations and protests continued across Minneapolis and St. Paul. Trump sought to strike a more conciliatory tone by praising Democratic Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey after separate phone calls, saying he shared “a similar wavelength” with the governor and that “progress” was being made with city leaders. He also sent his top border adviser to Minnesota to oversee immigration enforcement. Despite the rhetoric, activists continued to track and confront federal agents on city streets. Journalists reported aggressive behavior by officers toward the media, including threats of arrest, as protests led to pepper spray use, broken car windows and detentions. Attorney General Pam Bondi said 16 people were arrested Wednesday for interfering with law enforcement. Fear remains widespread among immigrant communities. Latino business owners said many families are still afraid to leave their homes, and several immigrant-run shops have remained closed for weeks. Community members questioned the credibility of federal agents and their tactics. Legal scrutiny has intensified as a federal judge warned Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over repeated failures to comply with court orders, citing dozens of violations this month alone. Meanwhile, residents continued to mourn victims of recent violence, with a growing memorial honoring nurse Alex Pretti. Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar accused the administration of using immigration enforcement to intimidate minority communities, saying the approach is rooted in fear rather than public safety.

Growing tensions over US President Donald Trump’s plans to take control of Greenland are straining relations between the MAGA movement and Europe’s far-right parties, exposing divisions over foreign intervention and national sovereignty. Far-right leaders in Germany, Italy and France have openly criticised Trump’s stance on Greenland. Even Nigel Farage, a long-time Trump ally and leader of Britain’s Reform UK party, described the move as “a very hostile act.” During a debate in the European Parliament this week, far-right lawmakers who usually align with Trump largely backed suspending an EU-US trade pact, citing concerns over what they called “coercion” and “threats to sovereignty.” The rift has surprised some observers, given the strong ideological alignment between Trump and Europe’s nationalist parties. In 2024, far-right groups surged across the European Union and now hold about 26 percent of seats in the European Parliament, according to the German Institute for International and Security Affairs. Less than a year ago, many of these parties gathered in Madrid under the slogan “Make Europe Great Again” to celebrate Trump’s election. However, Trump’s foreign policy moves on Greenland, Venezuela and Iran have forced European allies to balance ideological affinity with concerns over sovereignty. Read More: Greenland, tariffs and Trump dominate Davos talks France’s National Rally, which has praised Trump’s nationalist views, has recently shifted tone. Party president Jordan Bardella criticised US actions in Venezuela as “foreign interference” and denounced Trump’s “commercial blackmail” over Greenland, warning, “Our subjugation would be a historic mistake.” Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni echoed the criticism, saying Trump’s tariff threats linked to Greenland were “a mistake.” In contrast, some eastern European leaders have avoided confrontation. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán defended Trump, calling Greenland an internal NATO issue, while leaders in Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia have largely refrained from criticism. Analysts say the episode highlights growing fault lines within the trans-Atlantic far right and raises questions about whether shared ideology can withstand disputes over national sovereignty.

British military veterans and families of soldiers killed in Afghanistan have expressed anger over remarks by US President Donald Trump, saying his comments downplayed the role of Nato allies in the war. Trump said in a recent interview that America’s Nato partners sent “some troops” to Afghanistan but stayed away from the front lines, a claim strongly rejected by veterans and relatives of the dead. Andy Reid, a former British soldier who lost both legs and an arm after stepping on a Taliban explosive device in Helmand province, said Trump should apologise. He said British and American troops served side by side on the front lines. Many veterans said the remarks were disrespectful to those who were injured or killed during the conflict. A total of 457 British service members died in Afghanistan, while thousands more were wounded. British forces were deployed in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014 after the US invoked Nato’s Article 5 following the 9/11 attacks. At its peak, the UK had around 11,000 troops in the country, making it the second-largest contributor after the US. Andy Allen, a former soldier injured by an improvised explosive device in 2008, said he plans to write to the White House to stress that Nato troops fought alongside US forces on the front lines. Relatives of fallen soldiers also voiced their pain. Diane Dernie, whose son Ben Parkinson was severely injured in Afghanistan, said the comments were shocking and ignored the sacrifices made by allied troops. Other Nato veterans from Canada and the US also criticised Trump’s remarks, saying the mission could not have been carried out without allied support.   With inputs from BBC

The United States has formally withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO), removing itself as one of the UN agency’s largest donors and a key participant in global health initiatives. The decision stems from an executive order signed by US President Donald Trump a year ago, after he repeatedly criticised the WHO for being overly “China-centric” during the Covid-19 pandemic. The US Department of Health and Human Services said the withdrawal was due to the WHO’s alleged mishandling of the pandemic, its inability to implement meaningful reforms, and political influence from certain member states. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus rejected the US claims, saying the withdrawal is a “loss for both the United States and the world.” The organisation highlighted its global contributions, including efforts to eradicate polio, combat HIV and AIDS, reduce maternal mortality, and enforce its international treaty on tobacco control. Following the pandemic, WHO member states worked on an international pandemic treaty to ensure fair sharing of vaccines and treatments and strengthen preparedness for future outbreaks. The treaty, finalised in April 2025, was agreed upon by all member states except the US. Traditionally, the United States has been one of the largest financial contributors to the WHO, but Washington did not pay its membership fees for 2024 and 2025, causing significant job losses within the organisation. While WHO lawyers maintain that the US is obliged to pay the arrears—estimated at $260 million—Washington has refused, stating there is no reason to do so. As part of the withdrawal, all US government funding to the WHO has been terminated, US personnel and contractors recalled from Geneva headquarters and offices worldwide, and hundreds of engagements with the agency have been suspended or discontinued. US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a joint statement that the WHO “tarnished and trashed everything that America has done for it” and “abandoned its core mission,” acting against US interests. They added that future US engagement with the WHO will be limited strictly to safeguard the health and safety of Americans. Officials noted that the US will continue disease surveillance and pathogen-sharing programs through bilateral relationships with other countries, but they did not specify which countries or partnerships have been established so far. In response to questions about US participation in global health initiatives like polio and HIV programmes, officials said partnerships would continue through NGOs and faith-based groups, though no specific arrangements have been disclosed. US engagement in global flu vaccine development and information-sharing remains uncertain. After Trump signed the withdrawal order at the start of his second term, the WHO expressed hope that the US would reconsider, stating that “the WHO and the USA have saved countless lives and protected Americans and all people from health threats.” The agency said reconsideration would serve the “health and well-being of millions worldwide.” The WHO confirmed on Friday that the US withdrawal would be discussed during its upcoming board meeting scheduled from February 2-7. Its secretariat said it will act according to the guidance provided by its governing bodies. The US exit could remove nearly one-fifth of the WHO’s budget. The defunding and withdrawal come amid criticism of pandemic responses worldwide, including in highly developed countries like the US and the UK, where delays in imposing lockdowns and mask mandates contributed to rapid virus spread. Drew Altman, former US public health official, said the federal government’s inconsistent Covid-19 guidance, politicisation of policy, and failure to implement nationwide preventive measures contributed to one of the highest death rates in the world. A 2020 study in the British Medical Journal accused the Trump administration of failing to provide national guidance and allowing state-level responses to diverge along political lines. Another research paper published in the UN National Library of Medicine labelled the US federal response as “slow and mismanaged.” The US withdrawal marks a significant moment for global health governance, highlighting tensions between national interests and multilateral cooperation in pandemic preparedness and response.   With inputs from BBC

Downing Street has rejected US President Donald Trump’s claim that Nato troops stayed away from the front lines during the war in Afghanistan, calling the remarks wrong and dismissive of allied sacrifices. The Prime Minister’s office said Trump was “wrong to diminish” the role of Nato forces, including British troops, who fought alongside the United States following the 9/11 attacks. Britain joined the US-led operation in 2001 after Nato invoked its collective defence clause for the first and only time. Trump’s comments, made in an interview with Fox News, triggered strong criticism across the UK political spectrum and among veterans. Armed Forces Minister Al Carns described the remarks as “utterly ridiculous” and “a real shame,” while Defence Secretary John Healey said British soldiers who died in Afghanistan should be remembered as heroes. Opposition leaders also condemned the statement. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called it “flat-out nonsense,” and Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said the prime minister should demand an apology from Trump. Veterans and families of those injured or killed expressed anger and hurt. Former soldiers said the suggestion that Nato forces avoided combat was disrespectful, noting that British and allied troops fought in some of the most dangerous regions, including Helmand province. According to official figures, 457 British service personnel were killed during nearly two decades of conflict in Afghanistan, with many more suffering life-changing injuries. Downing Street said their service and sacrifice, alongside US and other Nato allies, would never be forgotten.   With inputs from BBC

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday he has agreed to join US President Donald Trump’s newly formed Board of Peace, reversing earlier concerns raised by his office over the composition of the board’s executive committee, which includes regional rival Turkey. In a statement, Netanyahu’s office confirmed he had accepted Trump’s invitation. Initially conceived as a small group of leaders to oversee a Gaza ceasefire framework, the Board of Peace has since expanded significantly. The Trump administration has broadened its scope, inviting dozens of countries and suggesting the body could play a role in mediating global conflicts, resembling an informal UN Security Council. Further details are expected Thursday, when Trump is scheduled to make an announcement about the initiative at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Although the board’s charter has not been officially released, a draft obtained by The Associated Press suggests substantial authority would rest with Trump. According to the draft, a $1 billion contribution would guarantee permanent membership. Read More: Israel hits multiple targets in Lebanon ahead of key Hezbollah disarmament talks At least eight countries- Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Hungary, Argentina and Belarus have agreed to participate. Invitations have also been sent to leaders in Paraguay, Canada, Egypt and Turkey, while Russia, India, Slovenia, Thailand and the European Union’s executive arm have confirmed receiving invitations. The Kremlin said it is reviewing the proposal. Trump has confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin was invited. The executive board includes senior US officials and international figures, while a separate Gaza Executive Board will oversee implementation of the ceasefire’s second phase, including security deployment, Hamas disarmament and reconstruction efforts.

Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez said Wednesday her government would continue releasing prisoners detained under former president Nicolás Maduro, describing the move as part of a “new political moment” following his removal by the United States earlier this month. Speaking at her first press briefing since Maduro was captured by US forces and flown to New York on Jan 3 to face drug trafficking charges, Rodríguez said the process of freeing detainees “has not yet concluded” and signaled that more releases were planned. Addressing reporters at the presidential palace in Caracas, she struck a conciliatory tone, promising a Venezuela that would allow political and ideological diversity while insisting that the rule of law would be strictly enforced. A leading Venezuelan human rights group estimates that about 800 political prisoners remain behind bars, including politicians, soldiers, lawyers and civil society activists. Rodríguez’s comments came after US President Donald Trump said he had held a “great conversation” with her, their first direct contact since Maduro’s arrest. “We had a long call. We discussed a lot of things, and I think we’re getting along very well with Venezuela,” Trump said at the White House. Unlike previous speeches that echoed Maduro’s anti-US rhetoric, Rodríguez avoided mentioning Washington directly, even as relations between the two countries shift rapidly. She acknowledged that prisoner releases were under way, a move widely seen as encouraged by the Trump administration, but insisted that the process had begun under Maduro in December as a gesture toward dialogue and tolerance. “Crimes related to the constitutional order are being evaluated,” she said, referring to detainees held on charges that human rights groups say are politically motivated. “Messages of hatred, intolerance and acts of violence will not be permitted.” Flanked by National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez and Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, she took no questions and said Cabello was overseeing the release process, which critics say has been slow and opaque. Venezuela’s leading prisoners’ rights group, Foro Penal, confirmed that at least 72 detainees have been freed so far, including political activist Nicmer Evans, journalist Roland Carreño and two campaign aides of opposition leader María Corina Machado. However, Foro Penal says more than 800 prisoners remain in custody on political grounds and has criticised the government for a lack of transparency. Rodríguez rejected such claims, accusing what she called “self-proclaimed nongovernmental organizations” of spreading falsehoods about Venezuela. “There will always be those who want to fish in troubled waters,” she said, adding that her government was committed to letting “the truth be reported.”

US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States will take ‘very strong action’ against Iran if it carries out executions of protesters, after earlier assuring Iranians that “help is on the way.” The warning comes as relatives of 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, detained last week, told BBC Persian that he is scheduled for execution today. A US-based rights group says more than 2,400 anti-government demonstrators have been killed in a violent crackdown by Iranian authorities. Trump has been considering military and other measures in response, having already imposed 25% tariffs on any country trading with Iran. Read More: Donald Trump halts all new student visa interviews Meanwhile, Iran’s government accused the US of trying to “manufacture a pretext for military intervention,” noting that “this playbook has failed before.” Although some Iranians are now able to make phone calls abroad, an ongoing internet blackout is hindering verification of information from inside the country.

US President Donald Trump has called on Iranians to continue protesting against their government, saying “help is on its way.” He urged protesters to take note of the names of those responsible for killings and abuses. Trump cancelled meetings with Iranian officials until the violent crackdown on protesters stops. Thousands of people are feared dead after weeks of anti-government protests. Human rights groups estimate around 1,847 protesters have died, including children and security personnel. Iranian authorities have sentenced some protesters to death. One, 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, is reportedly due to be executed on Jan 14. Families say the process is fast, raising fears of execution without notice. Iranian security forces also seized a large shipment of Starlink satellite internet kits, alleging they were intended for espionage and sabotage. Use of Starlink devices is illegal in Iran, and internet blackouts are ongoing. Meanwhile, the UK government has summoned the Iranian ambassador over the crackdown. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper called the violence “the most brutal and bloody repression against public protests in Iran for at least 13 years” and said the UK plans to push for further sanctions in coordination with the EU and the UN. Trump’s threats have drawn criticism from Iran’s officials and Russia. Ali Larijani, adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, blamed Trump for protest deaths. Russia’s foreign ministry called US threats of strikes “categorically unacceptable” and warned of serious consequences in the Middle East. The White House said Trump’s national security team is discussing possible options for intervention in Iran. It is unclear what kind of “help” the president intends or when it might come. Economic sanctions are also escalating. Trump announced a 25% US tariff on trade with Iran’s partners. Analysts warn enforcement may be difficult, and secondary sanctions could further harm Iran’s struggling economy, already affected by inflation, reduced oil exports, and trade restrictions. Internet blackouts and censorship continue to make verification of events inside Iran difficult. Human rights groups say the shutdowns violate international law and limit the ability to document abuses. The protests and international response highlight growing tension over Iran’s human rights record, economic crisis, and geopolitical position.   With inputs from BBC

Bangladesh expects a tariff deal with the United States which will be a win-win position for both the countries, Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said on Tuesday following US President Donald Trump's letter to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. "Dhaka is looking forward to a tariff deal with Washington DC, which, we hope, will be a win-win one for both countries," he said, adding that another round of talks with the US is scheduled for July 9. Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin is in Washington DC, leading the country's trade talks with the United States. National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman is also part of the team. Alam said Bangladesh has received a letter from President Donald Trump on Monday declaring that the US would impose 35 percent tariffs on Bangladeshi goods from August 1. "The Bangladesh team has held several rounds of discussion with their American counterparts," said the Press Secretary, noting that Sk Bashir Uddin will lead the Bangladesh side during the discussion on July 9. President Trump in his letter said, "We look forward to working with you as your trading partner for many years to come. If you wish to open your heretofore closed trading markets to the United States, and eliminate your tariff, and non-tariff, policies and trade barriers, we will, perhaps, consider an adjustment to this letter." Trump said these tariffs may be modified, upward or downward, depending on their relationship with Bangladesh. "You will never be disappointed with the United States of America," President Trump wrote to Prof Yunus. Starting on August 1, 2025, the US President said they will charge Bangladesh a tariff of only 35% on any and all Bangladeshi products sent into the United States, separate from all sectoral tariffs. "Please understand that the 35% number is far less than what is needed to eliminate the trade deficit disparity we have with your country. As you are aware, there will be no tariff if Bangladesh, or companies within your country, decide to build or manufacture products within the United States and, in fact, we will do everything possible to get approvals quickly, professionally, and routinely - In other words, in a matter of weeks," Trump said. Challenges Ahead Talking to UNB, Mohiuddin Rubel, a leading exporter and former director of the BGMEA, raised concerns about its economic stability, especially in light of its current trade deficit as Bangladesh is home to a major ready-made garment industry. “That (if 35pc tariff imposed) could harm its economy, especially given its current trade deficit,” he said. In contrast, Vietnam, despite having a larger trade deficit, secured a lower 20% tariff, highlighting how Bangladesh’s existing trade barriers may have negatively influenced its position in global trade negotiations, Rubel said. The new tariffs pose a significant threat to employment in Bangladesh, as the United States remains its largest export destination, said the exporter. “The new tariffs raise worries about job losses in Bangladesh as the US is its main export market. Bangladesh needs to act quickly by engaging US importers to push for policy changes, resuming high-level trade talks, and highlighting the importance of its products,” Rubel told UNB, adding that strategic planning and partnerships are crucial to address the challenges. Best Trade Negotiator The White House in its fact sheets said President Trump is the best trade negotiator in history. “His strategy has focused on addressing systemic imbalances in our tariff rates that have tilted the playing field in favor of our trading partners for decades.” The White House said countries that are not serious about addressing the tariff and non-tariff trade barriers that impede American exports and harm American workers, farmers and businesses are facing the consequences. On July 7, President Trump signed an Executive Order determining that certain tariff rates, which were initially set to expire on July 9, will expire on August 1, 2025. President Trump also sent tariff letters to many countries informing them of their new reciprocal tariff rates, which will take effect on August 1. The US President may send more letters in the coming days and weeks. The countries he sent letters include: Bangladesh (35%), Japan (25%), Korea (25%), South Africa (30%), Kazakhstan (25%), Laos (40%), Malaysia (25%), Myanmar (40%), Tunisia (25%), Bosnia and Herzegovina (30%), Indonesia (32%), Serbia (35%), Cambodia (36%) and Thailand (36%).