United News of Bangladesh

US President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to impose a 50 percent tariff on any aircraft sold in the United States by Canada, marking a sharp escalation in his trade dispute with Washington’s northern neighbor as tensions with Prime Minister Mark Carney intensify. Trump made the threat in a social media post, saying the move would come in response to Canada’s refusal to certify aircraft produced by Gulfstream Aerospace, which is based in Savannah, Georgia. He said the United States would retaliate by decertifying all Canadian aircraft, including jets made by Bombardier, the country’s largest aircraft manufacturer. “If this situation is not immediately corrected, I am going to charge Canada a 50 percent tariff on any and all aircraft sold into the United States of America,” Trump wrote. He added that he was “hereby decertifying” Bombardier’s Global Express business jets. According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, about 150 Global Express aircraft are currently registered in the United States and operated by 115 different owners. Bombardier’s Global series directly competes with Gulfstream’s latest business jet models in the high end market. Trump orders reopening of Venezuela commercial airspace, signals travel resumption Trump’s latest warning follows an earlier threat over the weekend to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on Canadian imports if Ottawa proceeded with a planned trade deal with China. However, he did not specify when the proposed aircraft tariffs would take effect. Bombardier and the Canadian transport minister did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Aviation expert John Gradek of McGill University said certification decisions are based on safety considerations and using them as a trade weapon would be unprecedented. He noted that many Gulfstream aircraft have long been certified for use in Canada. “This is taking the dispute to an extreme,” Gradek said, calling the move a new escalation in the growing trade conflict between the two countries. The United States has previously targeted Bombardier. During Trump’s first term in 2017, US authorities imposed duties on a Bombardier commercial jet, alleging it was sold below cost with the help of unfair government subsidies. The US International Trade Commission later ruled that the sales did not harm American industry. Bombardier has since shifted its focus to business and private jets, particularly its Global and Challenger families, which are widely used by individuals, corporations and fractional jet operators. Analysts say losing access to the US market would deal a major blow to the Quebec based company. Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned Carney this week that his recent criticism of US trade policy could have consequences ahead of the formal review of the US Mexico Canada Agreement. Carney rejected suggestions that he had softened his stance, saying Canada plans to reduce its dependence on the United States by pursuing new trade deals. At the World Economic Forum in Davos last week, Carney drew international attention by condemning economic pressure by major powers on smaller countries, remarks widely seen as aimed at Washington. Iran dismisses Trump’s threats, vows swift response to any US attack Canada is also home to other major aircraft manufacturers, including De Havilland Aircraft of Canada and Airbus, which produces A220 jets and helicopters in the country. Under a long standing World Trade Organization agreement, signatories are required to eliminate tariffs on civil aircraft and related components, highlighting the deep integration of the US and Canadian aerospace industries.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday said the United States has no plans to take additional military action in Venezuela, while defending the Trump administration’s recent operation that led to the capture of President Nicolas Maduro. Rubio told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the US is not positioned, nor does it intend, to carry out any military action in Venezuela, adding that the only American military presence in the country would be marine guards at the US Embassy in Caracas. Starmer and Xi seek closer UK-China relations as global order faces strain He noted that President Donald Trump, as commander‑in‑chief, never rules out any options to protect US national interests. However, the use of force would only be considered in response to a direct threat, such as the presence of an Iranian drone facility targeting US forces. Rubio said the January 3 operation to capture Maduro was aimed at removing what the US considered a major national security threat in the Western Hemisphere. Responding to concerns that Maduro’s capture could amount to an act of war, Rubio emphasised that Washington retains the right to act in its national interest and to ensure its security. He expressed optimism that the situation in Venezuela is improving, noting that progress has been made over the past month. Rubio reiterated that Washington’s ultimate goal is a democratic transition in Venezuela, with free, fair, and prosperous elections, and a future that is friendly to the US. He added that Venezuela had once been a strong US ally before the era of former President Hugo Chavez, and Washington hopes to restore that relationship, though the process is still in its early stages. #With inputs from Agencies

A passenger aircraft crashed in northern Colombia on Wednesday, killing all 15 people aboard, according to confirmation from state-owned airline Satena. The airline said the Beechcraft 1900 plane was involved in a “fatal accident,” without providing further details, reports BBC. The wreckage was later found in a mountainous area. Read More: Machado vows to lead Venezuela when time is right The official passenger manifest included congressman Diógenes Quintero Amaya as well as Carlos Salcedo, a candidate in the forthcoming parliamentary elections. Satena earlier reported that communication with the aircraft was lost 11 minutes before its scheduled arrival in the city of Ocaña, near the Venezuelan border, at 12:05 pm local time.  

The Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) has announced the formation of the Board of Directors of the Centre for Governance Studies, USA (CGS USA), marking an important step in expanding its engagement with global policy discourse and research collaboration. The Centre for Governance Studies, USA (CGS USA) is an independent, non-partisan, and non-profit organisation incorporated in the United States, said a press release issued on Thursday. CGS USA has been established to advance research, dialogue, and policy engagement on governance, democracy, security, and global affairs, with a focus on cross-regional perspectives and emerging global challenges. Although CGS USA is legally and institutionally independent, it draws on long-standing experience in policy research and dialogue-building, and seeks to contribute to informed debates by producing research, convening policy dialogues and fostering networks among scholars, policymakers, and practitioners in the United States and internationally. Board of Directors – CGS USA includes--Zillur Rahman – Founding Board Chair, CGS USA; President, Centre for Governance Studies (Bangladesh) Dr. Clay Goodloe Wescott – President, International Public Management Network, USA, Dr. Ali Riaz – distinguished Professor, Illinois State University, USA, Aarya Nijat – Co-Founder, Innovation Ticker (iTicker), USA, Dr. Mohammed Parvez Imdad – Former Lead Economist, Asian Development Bank, Selcuk Kyle Inan – Economist, USA, Parvez Karim Abbasi – Executive Director, Centre for Governance Studies. CGS USA will focus on producing policy-relevant research, curating inclusive platforms for dialogue, and supporting cooperation among institutions and individuals working on governance and public policy issues across regions. The organisation aims to serve as a bridge between academic research and policy practice in an increasingly complex and interconnected global environment.

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.

US President Donald Trump said his administration would “de-escalate a little bit” its operations in Minnesota following the second fatal shooting of a US citizen by federal immigration officers in the state this month. Speaking in a Fox News interview on Tuesday, Trump described the incidents as tragic. “Bottom line, it was terrible. Both of them were terrible,” he said. In early January, Renee Good was fatally shot by an immigration officer. That was followed by the death of Alex Pretti, who was killed after being stopped by border agents over the weekend. Pretti’s death sparked protests in Minnesota and renewed criticism from lawmakers across party lines, increasing pressure on the administration to scale back its presence in the state. North Korea fires suspected ballistic missiles into sea, regional officials say On Monday, the Department of Homeland Security removed the leader of its Minnesota mission, Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino. DHS said White House border adviser Tom Homan would take charge of operations and meet local officials. Homan later said he had met Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and local law enforcement leaders. Addressing reporters ahead of a rally in Iowa on Tuesday night, Trump described Pretti’s killing as “a very unfortunate incident”. Asked whether he agreed with claims that Pretti was a “domestic terrorist”, Trump said he had not heard that characterization, adding: “He shouldn't have been carrying a gun.” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Pretti was shot after “brandishing” a gun during a confrontation. Local authorities, however, said the firearm was legally registered and that Pretti was shot after it had been removed. DHS said agents fired in self-defence after Pretti resisted efforts to disarm him, but eyewitnesses and local officials disputed that account, saying he was holding a phone, not a weapon. In comments following the shooting, Noem accused Pretti of “domestic terrorism”, saying he was not there to protest peacefully but to incite violence. Pretti’s death, coming just weeks after the killing of 37-year-old Renee Good, angered residents and prompted renewed calls from state and city leaders for the withdrawal of around 3,000 immigration agents from Minnesota. Despite signalling a de-escalation, Trump defended the operation, saying it had removed “thousands of hardened criminals” from the state and contributed to improved crime figures. “That's all working out, we have Tom Homan there now,” he said. White House aide Stephen Miller told CNN that DHS had been instructed to use additional personnel for fugitive operations and to separate arrest teams from protesters. He said the administration was reviewing whether those guidelines were followed. Several Republican leaders have also called for an investigation into Pretti’s death, including Vermont Governor Phil Scott and US Senator Pete Ricketts of Nebraska. Ricketts said the country had witnessed a “horrifying situation” and urged a transparent investigation, while reaffirming his support for funding immigration enforcement. Trump hikes US tariffs on South Korean goods to 25 percent A federal judge has ordered DHS not to destroy or alter any evidence related to the case. Trump did not address the Minnesota situation in detail during his Iowa rally, instead highlighting his broader immigration crackdown and citing a December Harvard Harris poll that suggested strong public support for deporting undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes.  #With inputs from BBC

A heavy winter storm sweeping across the United States has killed at least seven people and left more than 800,000 homes and businesses without electricity, triggering widespread disruptions to daily life. The storm brought heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain, forcing authorities to close schools and roads and cancel thousands of flights. The National Weather Service (NWS) warned that “life-threatening” conditions stretched from Texas to New England. Officials said two people died of hypothermia in Louisiana, while storm-related deaths were also reported in Texas, Tennessee and Kansas. In New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said at least five people died on Saturday, although the exact causes were still being investigated. He noted that extreme cold remains a serious seasonal threat for residents. More than 800,000 customers were without power by Sunday afternoon, according to PowerOutage.us. Meanwhile, FlightAware reported that over 11,000 flights were cancelled nationwide. Meteorologists said the storm could last several days and affect about 180 million people  more than half of the US population. Freezing rain, which instantly turns into ice on contact with surfaces, was described as one of the most dangerous elements of the storm due to its ability to damage trees, down power lines and make roads extremely slippery. National Weather Service meteorologist Allison Santorelli said,“The snow and ice will melt very slowly and won’t go away anytime soon, which will hinder recovery efforts.” Read More: Winter storm leaves millions without power across US New York Governor Kathy Hochul urged residents to stay indoors, calling it the coldest and most severe winter storm the state has experienced in years. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said ,the state was seeing more ice than initially forecast, increasing the risk of accidents. Nearly half of US states have declared emergencies, while many schools cancelled classes through Monday. The US Senate also postponed a scheduled vote due to the severe weather. Massive US winter storm cancels thousands of flights The storm has also affected Canada, where heavy snowfall has led to hundreds of flight cancellations. Ontario is expected to receive between 15 and 30 centimetres of snow. Weather experts said the storm was caused by a weakened polar vortex, allowing Arctic air to move southward. The extreme cold is forecast to persist into early February.   With inputs from BBC

A powerful winter storm sweeping across the United States has left hundreds of thousands of households without electricity, disrupted air travel and caused multiple deaths, as authorities warned of life-threatening conditions from Texas to New England. Snow, ice and freezing rain have affected a vast stretch of the country, with around 180 million people, more than half of the US population, facing dangerous weather, according to the National Weather Service. Officials said the extreme conditions could persist for several days. At least two people died of hypothermia in Louisiana, while another weather-related death was reported in Texas. In New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said at least five people died over the weekend, though the causes were still being determined. PowerOutage.us reported that more than one million households lost electricity by Sunday afternoon, as ice damaged trees and power lines. Air travel was also heavily disrupted, with more than 10,000 flights canceled nationwide, according to FlightAware. Several states declared emergencies as the storm intensified. Schools closed across large parts of the country, and the US Senate postponed a scheduled vote. In Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser said the capital was experiencing its heaviest snowfall in a decade. Governors warned residents to stay indoors and off roads, citing hazardous travel conditions. Weather experts said ice posed the greatest danger, contributing to hundreds of vehicle crashes, including more than 200 reported in Virginia. Meteorologists linked the storm to a weakened polar vortex, allowing Arctic air to plunge southward. Forecasts warned of prolonged cold and heavy snowfall continuing into early February.   With inputs from BBC

A powerful winter storm battered air travel across the United States on Sunday, triggering widespread flight cancellations and delays at many of the country’s busiest airports. The National Weather Service said snow, sleet and freezing rain threatened nearly 180 million people, more than half of the US population, across a vast corridor stretching from the southern Rocky Mountains to New England. After moving through the South, the storm advanced into the Northeast on Sunday, with forecasts calling for roughly 1 to 2 feet of snow from Washington to New York and Boston. Flight-tracking website FlightAware reported that more than 11,400 flights were canceled on Sunday. Aviation analytics firm Cirium said the disruption marked the largest cancellation event since the Covid-19 pandemic. By Sunday afternoon, cancellations dominated flight schedules at major airports, particularly in the Northeast. New York’s LaGuardia Airport suspended operations until 8pm, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. In Philadelphia, 94 percent of flights were canceled, while LaGuardia saw 91 percent of flights grounded. John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York canceled about 80 percent of its flights. All departing flights were also canceled at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Major hubs in Dallas-Fort Worth, Charlotte and Atlanta also reported significant disruption. American Airlines canceled more than 1,790 flights, while Delta, Southwest, United and JetBlue also reported heavy losses to their schedules. Aviation expert Vikrant Vaze said recovery could take days, warning that cascading delays may affect travelers even outside storm-hit regions.

Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, an intensive care nurse at a VA hospital, was shot and killed by a U.S. Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis on Saturday, his family said. Pretti, a U.S. citizen from Illinois, was known for his compassion, love for the outdoors, and concern over immigration policies under President Donald Trump. Pretti had participated in protests following the Jan. 7 killing of Renee Good by an ICE officer. Family members said he never had a criminal record beyond minor traffic tickets and had a concealed carry permit, though they had never seen him carry a handgun in public. The Department of Homeland Security said Pretti was shot after he “approached” officers with a 9 mm handgun, but family and bystander videos show him holding a phone and shielding a woman from pepper spray, with no visible weapon. Neighbors described Pretti as quiet, warmhearted, and helpful, who enjoyed cycling and spending time with his dog. His parents expressed heartbreak and anger over top officials labeling him a “domestic terrorist,” calling the claims “reprehensible.” Authorities have not provided detailed information, and the family continues to seek answers regarding the circumstances of his death.