United News of Bangladesh

The White House on Saturday clarified that President Donald Trump’s newly announced $100,000 fee for skilled-worker visas will not apply to existing H-1B visa holders, following confusion and rising anxiety among immigrant workers. Trump on Friday, alongside Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, signed a proclamation requiring the hefty fee for new H-1B visas, which allow U.S. companies to hire foreign professionals in specialized fields. The new rule takes effect at 12:01 a.m. ET Sunday and will remain in place for a year, with the option of extension. “Those who already hold H-1B visas and are currently outside of the country will NOT be charged $100,000 to re-enter,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on X. “This applies only to new visas, not renewals, and not current visa holders.” Officials also stressed the measure does not affect the ability of current visa holders to travel to and from the U.S. Even so, immigration lawyers warned that the move creates chaos. Kathleen Campbell Walker, an attorney in Texas, wrote that the administration had “inserted total chaos into the H-1B process with barely a day’s notice.” While Lutnick initially suggested the new fee would be an annual cost for companies, a White House official later described it as a one-time fee, adding that its application to renewals remains “under discussion.” India, whose nationals account for over 70% of H-1B visas, voiced concern over the policy. The Ministry of External Affairs said it is reviewing the plan, warning that the measure could disrupt families and have “humanitarian consequences.” The changes also include a $1 million “gold card” visa for wealthy individuals seeking a path to U.S. citizenship, and a $5 million “Trump Platinum Card” that would allow foreigners to spend up to 270 days in the U.S. annually without paying U.S. taxes on foreign income. Critics say the dramatic hike — raising fees from the current $215 to $100,000 — will effectively slash the number of H-1B visas issued each year, making it “uneconomic” for companies to bring in foreign talent. Lutnick argued the shift would push employers to train more Americans, while advocacy groups opposing H-1Bs applauded the move. Tech companies, however, remained silent. Amazon, Apple, Google, and Meta did not immediately respond to requests for comment, while Microsoft declined. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce expressed concern, warning of negative consequences for employees, their families, and American businesses. Trump’s overhaul is expected to face strong legal challenges, with critics calling the plan politically motivated and potentially unlawful. Doug Rand, a former U.S. immigration official, described the measure as “fan service for immigration restrictionists” that may not withstand judicial scrutiny. Historically, H-1B visas are distributed by lottery, with Amazon topping the list of recipients this year, followed by Tata Consultancy, Microsoft, Apple, and Google. Analysts note that while the program is designed for highly skilled positions, many visas go to entry-level roles through consulting firms, particularly those based in India, raising ongoing debates about its impact on U.S. wages and jobs.  

President Donald Trump on Saturday announced that he will nominate senior White House aide Lindsey Halligan as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, a post left vacant following the abrupt departure of the office’s top prosecutor a day earlier. In a social media post before leaving the White House for an event at Mount Vernon, Trump said Halligan “will be fair, smart, and will provide desperately needed justice for all.” The move comes as Trump has been urging Attorney General Pam Bondi to accelerate investigations into several political opponents, including New York Attorney General Letitia James, a longtime adversary. The Virginia prosecutor’s office has faced growing political pressure from administration officials to pursue charges against James in a mortgage fraud case tied to her Brooklyn townhouse and a Virginia property. Erik Siebert, who had led the office, resigned Friday amid the mounting pressure, though Trump later said on social media: “He didn’t quit, I fired him!” Siebert had previously received backing from Virginia’s Democratic senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, prompting Trump to remark: “Next time let him go in as a Democrat, not a Republican.” The Justice Department has been investigating the case for months but has yet to present any evidence that could warrant an indictment. James has denied the allegations, describing the probe as politically motivated. Halligan, a lawyer closely tied to Trump’s legal team for several years, previously represented him during the FBI’s investigation into classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. She has also recently taken part in a White House initiative targeting what the administration described as “improper ideology” in Smithsonian institutions. Earlier on Saturday, Trump publicly pressed Bondi for swift action, saying, “We have to act fast — one way or the other. If they’re not guilty, that’s fine. If they are guilty or if they should be charged, they should be charged. And we have to do it now.” Despite the pressure, Trump later praised Bondi in a separate post, saying she was “doing a GREAT job.” Halligan’s nomination followed an interim appointment. Hours before Trump’s announcement, conservative lawyer Mary “Maggie” Cleary informed staff by email that she had been named acting U.S. attorney. Cleary, who has previously denied false accusations of involvement in the January 6 Capitol riot, told employees she was “humbled” to take on the role.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has said China and the United States can achieve mutual success and shared prosperity if both sides work together in the spirit of respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. Xi made the remarks during a phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua. The two leaders held candid and constructive discussions on bilateral ties and global issues, providing strategic guidance for the future development of relations. Recalling that China and the U.S. were allies during World War II, Xi said the Chinese people would never forget America’s support in the fight against Japanese aggression. He urged both sides to remember history, honor fallen heroes, and safeguard peace while pursuing common development. Xi stressed that recent consultations between the two countries show that major issues can be managed for win-win outcomes. He cautioned the U.S. against unilateral trade restrictions and called for a fair business environment for Chinese companies. On the TikTok issue, Xi reiterated that solutions should follow market principles and mutual interests. Trump praised China’s recent military parade, calling it “phenomenal and beautiful.” He said U.S.-China ties are the world’s most important bilateral relationship, adding that Washington seeks long-term cooperation, stronger trade links and joint efforts to promote peace and stability.

A growing number of Americans now say Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has “gone too far,” according to a new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The survey found that about half of U.S. adults view Israel’s actions in Gaza as excessive, up from 40% in November 2023, shortly after Hamas launched its October 7 assault on Israel that killed around 1,200 people and led to 251 hostages being taken. The shift in opinion comes as Israel pushes deeper into Gaza City, facing international condemnation and U.N. experts’ findings that its actions amount to genocide. Gaza’s Health Ministry says more than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, with vast destruction, famine and mass displacement across the enclave. The poll revealed bipartisan concern. Nearly 70% of Democrats now believe Israel has overstepped, compared with 58% in November. Among independents, about half share that view, while Republican concern has risen slightly to 24%. At the same time, fewer Americans see negotiating a permanent ceasefire as a top U.S. priority. About half of respondents rated it as “extremely” or “very” important, down from 59% in March, largely due to declining Republican support. Approval of President Donald Trump’s handling of the conflict has also slipped to 37%, from 44% earlier this year. Meanwhile, support for U.S. military aid to Israel has fallen. Only about 20% of Americans consider it a high priority, compared with over a third at the war’s start. By contrast, 45% now say humanitarian relief for Palestinians should be a major U.S. focus. The poll also shows Democrats increasingly favor negotiating a Palestinian state, while Republicans remain far less supportive.

ABC has suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show indefinitely after he made comments about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk sparked backlash and led a group of ABC-affiliated stations to refuse to air the program. Kimmel, who has hosted Jimmy Kimmel Live! since 2003, drew controversy with remarks on Monday and Tuesday in which he accused “MAGA land” of trying to exploit Kirk’s assassination for political gain. The network acted swiftly after Nexstar Communications Group — which operates 23 ABC affiliates — announced it would pull the show. “Kimmel’s comments are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse,” said Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar’s broadcasting division. There was no immediate comment from Kimmel, whose contract with ABC expires in May 2026. The network did not specify a reason for the suspension. President Donald Trump praised ABC’s decision on Truth Social, saying, “Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done.” He also renewed attacks on other late-night hosts, including Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers, calling them “two total losers.” Trump had previously celebrated CBS’s cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s show, predicting Kimmel would be “next.” Audience members waiting to attend Wednesday’s taping of Kimmel’s show were informed at the last minute that it had been canceled. “They didn’t tell us what had happened… It seemed a bit extreme,” said Tommy Williams, a would-be audience member from Florida. Kimmel’s monologues this week took aim at Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and FBI Director Kash Patel, accusing them of politicizing Kirk’s death. Critics said he misrepresented facts about the suspected shooter, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who authorities say had recently embraced left-leaning views and LGBTQ rights. The controversy has also drawn in regulators. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee, called Kimmel’s remarks “some of the sickest conduct possible” and suggested suspension was justified. A conservative group, the Center for American Rights, filed a complaint accusing ABC of “reckless indifference” and political bias, urging regulators to take action. However, FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez criticized the administration’s pressure campaign, warning against “using the weight of government power to suppress lawful expression.” The dispute comes as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to police speech surrounding Kirk’s killing, with Vance even urging Americans to report those who mocked the assassination. Kimmel has long been a vocal critic of Trump, often clashing with conservatives over his satirical commentary. The indefinite suspension leaves uncertainty over the future of one of ABC’s longest-running late-night franchises.  

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday filed a $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times and four of its journalists, according to court documents. The suit, lodged in the U.S. District Court in Florida, targets several articles and a book written by two journalists of the publication in the lead-up to the 2024 election. It alleges that the pieces are “part of a decades-long pattern by The New York Times of intentional and malicious defamation against President Trump.” The lawsuit claims that the defendants published the statements “negligently, with knowledge of the falsity of the statements, and/or with reckless disregard of their truth or falsity.” Trump, in a Truth Social post announcing the suit, accused The New York Times of lying about him and called the newspaper “a virtual ‘mouthpiece’ for the Radical Left Democrat Party.” The New York Times did not immediately respond to a request for comment. This is not Trump’s first legal action against media outlets. In July, he filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal and media mogul Rupert Murdoch over a story linking him to financier Jeffrey Epstein.

The family of a young Utah man accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk told authorities he had recently become “more political” and recalled a dinner table conversation where they discussed whether Kirk was spreading hate. Tyler James Robinson, 22, of Washington, Utah, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily harm, and obstruction of justice, according to a probable cause statement released Friday. A judge has ordered him held without bail. Robinson had recently mentioned Kirk’s scheduled visit to Utah Valley University — about three and a half hours from his family home in southern Utah — which sparked a discussion during dinner about his dislike of Kirk’s views, according to the family. State records show Robinson is registered to vote but unaffiliated with any political party and listed as inactive, having not voted in the last two general elections. His parents, who run a granite countertop business, are registered Republicans. Court records indicate Robinson has no prior criminal history. It was not immediately clear whether he had an attorney to speak on his behalf, and his family has not responded to media inquiries. Community in shock Police sealed off Robinson’s street on Friday as reporters gathered outside the family’s home in a suburb of St. George. Window blinds were drawn, and neighbors expressed shock online that someone from their close-knit community had been implicated in such a high-profile killing. Several praised the family for assisting authorities in his arrest. Neighbors described the Robinsons as quiet, outdoors-oriented, and active in family trips. Social media posts from previous years show the family vacationing in Disneyland, Hawaii, the Caribbean and Alaska, and engaging in boating, fishing, zip-lining and target shooting. One 2017 photo shows a smiling young Robinson holding the handles of a .50-caliber heavy machine gun during a visit to a military facility. Robinson had been baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, though church spokesperson Doug Andersen declined to provide further details about his involvement. Neighbors said they hadn’t seen the family at church services for years. Friends and acquaintances described him as intelligent, quiet and reserved. Robinson had been an honor roll student in high school, scoring in the 99th percentile on standardized tests. He earned a scholarship to Utah State University in 2021 but dropped out after one semester. He later enrolled in an electrical apprenticeship program at Dixie Technical College in St. George. How the arrest unfolded Utah Governor Spencer Cox said Friday that the breakthrough came when a family member reached out to a family friend with information that Robinson had confessed or implied involvement in the shooting. Authorities then confirmed the tip with a friend of Robinson’s, who showed them messages describing a note Robinson allegedly left behind. Discord, the social media platform where Robinson was reported to have shared gun-related discussions, later clarified that the communications in question were between Robinson’s roommate and another friend after the shooting, not posted by Robinson himself. When Robinson was arrested, authorities said he was wearing clothing consistent with surveillance footage of the shooter. Ammunition recovered at the scene bore engravings referencing meme culture and fascist imagery, according to Governor Cox.

President Donald Trump confirmed Friday that the suspect in the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk has been apprehended with "high certainty." Federal and state authorities had earlier released images and a video of the suspected shooter. Kirk, a prominent conservative figure and ally of Trump, was shot while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem. The attack occurred in broad daylight, with disturbing footage showing Kirk being struck by a bullet during a public address on social issues. Over 7,000 tips have been received as part of the investigation, but authorities have not yet identified the suspect or provided a motive. The FBI's Robert Bohls confirmed it was a "targeted event." The shooter fired from a rooftop and then blended into the crowd, disappearing after the attack. Trump, along with other political leaders, condemned the violence and announced plans to award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously. Kirk’s funeral will be attended by Trump, and his body was flown to Phoenix for services, where his organization, Turning Point USA, is based. Kirk, known for his divisive views, was taking questions on gun violence moments before the shooting. His appearance sparked protests on campus, with some students barricading themselves in classrooms for safety. The shooting continues to draw bipartisan outrage, reflecting ongoing concerns about political violence in the U.S.  

Charlie Kirk's casket arrived in his home state of Arizona aboard Air Force Two on Thursday as Vice President JD Vance honored the conservative activist with a final flight. Vance's wife, Usha, stepped off the plane with Kirk's widow, Erika. Both women wore black and sunglasses. The vice president was a few steps behind in a dark suit. Air Force Two arrived in Phoenix after a short flight from Salt Lake City, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) from Orem, Utah, where Kirk was assassinated while speaking at Utah Valley University. Vance helped carry Kirk's casket with a group of uniformed service members as it was loaded onto the plane. On Wednesday night, Vance wrote on social media that his relationship with Vance began several years ago after he appeared on Tucker Carlson’s show on Fox News. Kirk reached out to compliment him, “and that moment of kindness began a friendship.” Last year, Kirk advocated for Vance to be Donald Trump’s choice for vice president and frequently checked in on his family. Vance described him as “a true friend.” Kirk was co-founder and CEO of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, based in Phoenix.

A suspect on trial for attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump last year lost the right to continue his opening statement on Thursday after veering off topic to discuss Adolf Hitler and wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Ryan Routh, 59, representing himself, was warned by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon to stay on topic. His 10-minute initial statement was cut short for discussing unrelated matters. Prosecutors said Routh had plotted for weeks to kill Trump while he played golf in West Palm Beach on Sept. 15, 2024. A Secret Service agent spotted him and fired, forcing him to drop his rifle and flee without harming anyone. Routh faces charges of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and several firearm violations. He has pleaded not guilty. The trial, expected to last two to three weeks, began with a 12-member jury and four alternates sworn in on Wednesday.