United News of Bangladesh

President Donald Trump is expected to accept a luxurious Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from Qatar’s ruling family during his upcoming Middle East trip — a gift U.S. officials say may serve as a temporary Air Force One. While Qatari authorities stated no final decision has been made, Trump endorsed the proposal, framing it as a financially responsible choice for the country. “So the fact that the Defense Department is getting a GIFT, FREE OF CHARGE, of a 747 aircraft to replace the 40 year old Air Force One, temporarily, in a very public and transparent transaction, so bothers the Crooked Democrats that they insist we pay, TOP DOLLAR, for the plane,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Sunday. “Anybody can do that!” Trump poised to accept luxury jet from Qatar’s Royal family, may be used as Air Force One According to ABC News, Trump would use the jet through the remainder of his presidency, with ownership eventually transferring to the foundation managing his planned presidential library. The announcement is anticipated during Trump’s visit to Qatar, which also includes stops in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — marking the most extensive foreign trip of his second term. Qatar’s media attaché, Ali Al-Ansari, previously said, “The possible transfer of an aircraft for temporary use as Air Force One is currently under consideration between Qatar’s Ministry of Defense and the US Department of Defense.” He added that legal departments are still reviewing the proposal. Anticipating scrutiny, administration officials have reportedly drafted a legal justification claiming the arrangement does not violate the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, which prohibits federal officials from accepting gifts from foreign states without congressional approval. Still, critics have raised alarms over the potential ethical and security implications. Kathleen Clark, a government ethics expert at Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, said Trump appears “committed to exploiting the federal government’s power, not on behalf of policy goals, but for amassing personal wealth.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer sarcastically remarked, “Nothing says ‘America First’ like Air Force One, brought to you by Qatar,” calling the deal “premium foreign influence with extra legroom.” Even some conservative commentators voiced concern, citing national security risks if the U.S. president were to use an aircraft provided by a foreign government. Trump reportedly plans to have the Qatari jet outfitted with secure communications and other necessary modifications. However, a former U.S. official told the Associated Press the plane would still fall short of current Air Force One capabilities and lack air-to-air refueling — a feature also missing from the upcoming VC-25B replacements. “This gift is unprecedented,” said Jordan Libowitz, spokesperson for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. “The totality of gifts given to a president over their term doesn’t get close to this level.” He questioned whether such gifts could impact Trump’s foreign policy decisions, especially in the Middle East.    

Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student activist currently detained in Louisiana as he resists deportation under the Trump administration, has written a heartfelt letter to his newborn son, expressing the pain of missing his birth. In the letter, published by The Guardian, Khalil tells his son, Deen, that his heart aches knowing “I could not hold you in my arms and hear your first cry, that I could not unfurl your clenched fists or change your first diaper”. A Palestinian, Khalil reflects that his absence mirrors the experiences of many fathers from his homeland. “Like other Palestinian fathers, I was separated from you by racist regimes and distant prisons. In Palestine, this pain is part of daily life,” he writes. “Babies are born every day without their fathers – not because their fathers chose to leave, but because they are taken by war, by bombs, by prison cells and by the cold machinery of occupation. The grief your mother and I feel is but one drop in a sea of sorrow that Palestinian families have drowned in for generations.” Khalil also describes himself as a political prisoner, saying he is behind bars because of his unwavering support for Palestinian freedom. “One day, you might ask why people are punished for standing up for Palestine, why truth and compassion feel dangerous to power. These are hard questions, but I hope our story shows you this: the world needs more courage, not less. It needs people who choose justice over convenience.”

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he's ordering a halt to nearly two months of US airstrikes on Yemen's Houthis, saying that the Iran-backed rebels have indicated that “they don’t want to fight anymore” and have pledged to stop attacking ships along a vital maritime corridor. “We’re going to stop the bombing of the Houthis, effective immediately,” Trump said at the start of his Oval Office meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, AP reports. Trump said that the Houthis had indicated to US officials that "they don't want to fight anymore. They just don't want to fight. And we will honour that, and we will stop the bombings.” That likely means an abrupt end to a bombing campaign that began in March, when Trump promised to use “overwhelming lethal force” after the Houthis said they would resume attacks on Israeli vessels sailing off Yemen in response to Israel's mounting another blockade on the Gaza Strip. At the time, they described the warning as affecting the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Arabian Sea. Trump said the Houthis had "capitulated but, more importantly, we will take their word that they say they will not be blowing up ships anymore. And that's what the purpose of what we were doing,” Trump said. “I think that's very positive," Trump added. "They were knocking out a lot of ships." Asked how the Houthis had communicated that they were looking to stop being targeted by US bombs, Trump offered few details, saying only with a chuckle that the information came from a “very good source.” Ukraine drone attacks briefly shut down Moscow's international airports A short time later, Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, confirmed that the US bombing campaign was ending, posting on X that discussions involving the US and Oman, as well as negotiators in Yemen, “have resulted in a ceasefire agreement between the two sides.” “In the future, neither side will target the other, including American vessels, in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, ensuring freedom of navigation and the smooth flow of international commercial shipping,” he wrote, calling the agreement a “welcome outcome.” The broad-based missile strikes Trump had ordered were similar to ones carried out against the Houthis multiple times by the administration of his predecessor, President Joe Biden, in response to frequent attacks against commercial and military vessels in the region.

A judge on Monday ordered the Trump administration to admit some 12,000 refugees into the United States under a court order partially blocking the president’s efforts to suspend the nation’s refugee admissions program. The order from U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead followed arguments from the Justice Department and refugee resettlement agencies over how to interpret a federal appeals court ruling that significantly narrowed an earlier decision from Whitehead. During a hearing last week, the administration said it should only have to process 160 refugees into the country and that it would likely appeal any order requiring it to admit thousands. But the judge dismissed the government’s analysis, saying it required “not just reading between the lines” of the 9th Circuit’s ruling, “but hallucinating new text that simply is not there.” “This Court will not entertain the Government’s result-oriented rewriting of a judicial order that clearly says what it says,” Whitehead wrote Monday. “The Government is free, of course, to seek further clarification from the Ninth Circuit. But the Government is not free to disobey statutory and constitutional law — and the direct orders of this Court and the Ninth Circuit — while it seeks such clarification.” Iran's top diplomat holds talks in Pakistan to mediate in escalation with India over Kashmir attack The refugee program, created by Congress in 1980, is a form of legal migration to the U.S. for people displaced by war, natural disaster or persecution — a process that often takes years and involves significant vetting. It is different from asylum, by which people newly arrived in the U.S. can seek permission to remain because they fear persecution in their home country. Upon beginning his second term on Jan. 20, President Donald Trump issued an executive order suspending the program. That triggered a lawsuit by individual refugees whose efforts to resettle in the U.S. have been halted as well as major refugee aid groups, who argued that they have had to lay off staff. The groups said the administration froze their funding for processing refugee applications overseas and providing support, such as short-term rental assistance for those already in the U.S. Whitehead, a 2023 appointee of former President Joe Biden, blocked enforcement of Trump’s order, saying it amounted to an “effective nullification of congressional will” in setting up the nation’s refugee admissions program. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals largely put Whitehead’s decision on hold in March, finding that the administration was likely to win the case given the president’s broad authority to determine who is allowed to enter the country. But the appeals court also said the government should continue processing those who had already been approved for travel to the U.S., some of whom had upended their lives abroad by selling property or quitting their jobs. Such people had relied on promises made by the federal government that they would be admitted, the court found. The appeals court said the government must continue processing refugees who already had “arranged and confirmable” travel plans before Jan. 20 to come to the U.S. The Justice Department put the number of refugees in that category at about 12,000. During a hearing last week over how to interpret and enforce the appeals court ruling, Justice Department lawyer David Kim said the government took it to mean that the only refugees who should be processed for entry to the U.S. are those who were scheduled to travel to the U.S. within two weeks of Trump’s order. There were far fewer refugees who met that definition — just 160, the department said. The judge and lawyers for refugee resettlement organizations disagreed with the government’s reading. They noted that nothing in the 9th Circuit’s order suggested a two-week window. Instead, Whitehead said, the order should apply to any refugees who had been approved to come to the U.S. and had established travel plans — regardless of when that travel was scheduled for. Whitehead ordered the administration within the next seven days to instruct agency offices and staff, including U.S. embassies, to resume processing the cases of refugees who are protected by the court order. He also told the government to immediately take steps to facilitate admission to the U.S. for those refugees whose clearances, including medical and security authorizations, have not yet lapsed.    

A White House social media post intended to celebrate Star Wars Day on May 4th drew widespread criticism after it featured an AI-generated image of former President Donald Trump wielding a red lightsaber—commonly associated with villains in the Star Wars universe. The image, posted on the White House's official X account, depicted a muscular Trump holding a red Sith lightsaber against a backdrop of American flags and bald eagles. It was accompanied by a caption reading, “Happy May the 4th to all, including the Radical Left Lunatics who are fighting so hard to bring Sith Lords, Murderers, Drug Lords, Dangerous Prisoners, & well known MS-13 Gang Members, back into our Galaxy. You’re not the Rebellion—you’re the Empire. May the 4th be with you.” But instead of rallying support, the post quickly became the subject of mockery from Star Wars fans who pointed out the irony of portraying Trump with a red lightsaber—a weapon typically used by Sith Lords, the franchise’s antagonists. “You’re not the Rebellion—you’re the Empire,” one X user wrote. “Sith Lords, who are loyal to the Empire, use red lightsabers. I guess whoever made that AI garbage hasn’t watched Star Wars.” Another commenter remarked, “If you’re gonna post stuff like this from the OFFICIAL White House account, it pays to know that red lightsabers means Sith Lords. Jedi usually wield blue or green sabers.” Critics also noted the contradiction in the post’s attempt to label Trump’s opponents as the “Empire,” while portraying him with the hallmark weapon of the actual villains. “The lack of self-awareness and hypocrisy by calling the left ‘the Empire’ while showing Trump with a Sith lightsaber,” one user commented. A fan further explained, “The Jedi have blue and green lightsabers except for Mace Windu who has purple because Samuel L. Jackson wanted one, and the Sith have red lightsabers. So the White House is making Trump look a Sith because of the red lightsaber, which are the bad guys.” Source: The Indian Express

President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened sanctions on anyone who buys Iranian oil, a warning that came after planned talks over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program were postponed. Trump wrote on social media, “All purchases of Iranian Oil, or Petrochemical products, must stop, NOW!” He said any country or person who buys those products from Iran will not be able to do business with the United States “in any way, shape, or form.” It was unclear how Trump would implement such a ban as he threatened to levy secondary sanctions on nations that import Iranian oil. But his statement risked further escalating tensions with China — Iran’s leading customer — at a time when the relationship is severely strained over the U.S. president’s tariffs. Based on tanker tracking data, the U.S. Energy Information Administration concluded in a report published last October that “China took nearly 90% of Iran’s crude oil and condensate exports in 2023.” Trump has separately placed 145% tariffs on China as a way to raise federal revenues and rebalance global trade. Trump's social media threat came after Oman announced planned nuclear negotiations for this coming weekend had been postponed. Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi made the announcement in a post on the social platform X. Iran, US to hold next nuclear talks in Rome on Saturday “For logistical reasons we are rescheduling the US Iran meeting provisionally planned for Saturday May 3rd,” he wrote. “New dates will be announced when mutually agreed.” Al-Busaidi, who has mediated the talks through three rounds so far, did not elaborate. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also blamed “logistical and technical reasons” for the postponement. “On Iran’s part, there is no change in our determination to secure a negotiated solution,” he wrote on X. “We are more determined than ever to achieve a just and balanced deal: guaranteeing an end to sanctions, and creating confidence that Iran’s nuclear program will forever remain peaceful while ensuring that Iranian rights are fully respected.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, newly tapped to take over the duties of national security adviser in addition to his current role as America's top diplomat, reiterated that if Iran wants nuclear power plants, it can import enriched uranium. “Iran simply needs to say, ‘We’ve agreed to no longer enrich,’” Rubio said on Fox News Channel’s “Hannity” on Thursday night. About the talks, he added, “This is the best opportunity they’re going to have.” Explosion at Iranian Port tied to missile fuel kills 25, injures 800 Meanwhile, a person familiar with the U.S. negotiations said America “had never confirmed its participation” in a fourth round of talks in Rome. However, the person said the U.S. expected the talks to occur “in the near future.” The person spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door negotiations. Rome will see the Vatican begin its conclave next week to pick a new pope after the death of Pope Francis. Two other rounds of U.S.-Iran talks have been held in Muscat, the capital of Oman. The talks seek to limit Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of some of the crushing economic sanctions the U.S. has imposed on the Islamic Republic closing in on a half-century of enmity. The negotiations have been led by Araghchi and U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff. Trump has repeatedly threatened to unleash airstrikes targeting Iran’s program if a deal isn’t reached. Iranian officials increasingly warn that they could pursue a nuclear weapon with their stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels. The U.S. president with his threat on social media would be going after Iran's major economic resource. It produced an average of 2.9 million barrels a day in 2023 of crude oil, according to the Energy Information Administration. Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers did limit Tehran’s program. However, Trump unilaterally withdrew from it in 2018, setting in motion years of attacks and tensions. The wider Middle East also remains on edge over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, the U.S. continues an airstrike campaign, called “Operation Rough Rider,” that has been targeting Yemen's Houthi rebels, who long have been backed by Iran. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth early Thursday warned Iran over the rebels. “Message to IRAN: We see your LETHAL support to The Houthis. We know exactly what you are doing,” he wrote. “You know very well what the U.S. Military is capable of — and you were warned. You will pay the CONSEQUENCE at the time and place of our choosing.” Iran and the US hold hours of expert talks in Oman over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program Last Saturday's round of talks, which included experts drilling down into the details of a possible deal, also took place as an explosion rocked an Iranian port, killing at least 70 people and injuring more than 1,000 others.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris used a high-profile speech to sharply criticize President Donald Trump amid speculation about whether she will mount another presidential campaign or opt to run for California governor. In her most extensive public remarks since leaving office in January following her defeat to Trump, Harris said Wednesday she’s inspired by Americans fighting Trump’s agenda despite threats to their freedom or livelihood, reports AP. “Instead of an administration working to advance America’s highest ideals, we are witnessing the wholesale abandonment of those ideals,” Harris said a day after Trump reached 100 days in office. Before Wednesday, Harris had barely mentioned Trump by name since she conceded defeat to him in November. In a 15-minute speech, she spoke to the anxiety and confusion that have gripped many of her supporters since Trump took office but discouraged despair. “They are counting on the notion that if they can make some people afraid, it will have a chilling effect on others. But what they have overlooked is that fear is not the only thing that’s contagious,” Harris said. “Courage is contagious.” Trump went after Harris in a campaign-style rally Tuesday marking his 100th day in office. He sarcastically called her a “great border czar" and a “great candidate," and repeated some of the applause lines he routinely delivered during the campaign. Kamala Harris plans speech sharply criticising Trump's policies Until Harris replaced Joe Biden atop the Democratic ticket last summer, Trump said, “I knew nothing about her." Harris cautioned Americans against viewing Trump’s administration as merely chaotic, casting it instead as a “high-velocity event,” the culmination of extensive work on the right to remake government. “A vessel is being used for the swift implementation of an agenda that has been decades in the making," Harris said. “An agenda to slash public education. An agenda to shrink government and then privatize its services. All while giving tax breaks to the wealthiest among us.” Harris chose a friendly audience for her return to the political arena, addressing the 20th anniversary gala for Emerge America, an organization that recruits and trains Democratic women to run for office. It grew in part from Harris’ run for San Francisco district attorney in the early 2000s. The speech was delivered below luminous chandeliers in a gold-trimmed ballroom in the landmark Palace Hotel. Harris is ramping up her public presence as Democrats nationally search for a path forward after November's election, in which Republicans also won control of Congress. While a slate of high-profile Democrats — from governors to businessmen — seek leadership roles within the party, the former vice president retains unique influence and would reshape any future race she chooses to enter.

The United States and Ukraine on Wednesday finalized a long-anticipated agreement granting Washington access to Ukraine’s extensive reserves of critical minerals and natural resources. The deal, known as the United States-Ukraine Reinvestment Fund, is intended to compensate the U.S. for its ongoing support in helping Ukraine resist Russia’s invasion. While specific terms of the agreement remain largely undisclosed, officials indicated it will allow the U.S. to tap into Ukraine’s rich deposits of rare earth elements. In return, the deal is expected to provide Ukraine with added reassurance of continued American backing as the war with Russia continues. “This agreement signals clearly to Russia that the Trump administration is committed to a peace process centered on a free, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine over the long term,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement. “President Trump envisioned this partnership between the American people and the Ukrainian people to show both sides’ commitment to lasting peace and prosperity in Ukraine.” Kamala Harris plans speech sharply criticising Trump's policies The announcement comes at a critical moment in the three-year war as Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with both sides. The signing comes two months after a different but similar agreement was nearly signed before being derailed in a tense Oval Office meeting involving Trump has long criticized Zelenskyy, saying he didn’t “have the cards” to win the war and blaming him for prolonging the killing by not giving up Crimea, but in recent days has rebuked Russian President Vladimir Putin as well, saying he was complicating negotiations with “very bad timing” in launching deadly strikes on Kyiv. Trump said Wednesday night on NewsNation that the deal, “in theory,” means that the U.S. will get more from Ukraine than it contributed. “I wanted to be protected,” he said, adding that he didn’t want to be looking “foolish” by not getting money back for the investment. Ukraine praises signing as an ‘equal and good international deal’ For Ukraine, the agreement is seen as key to ensuring its access to future U.S. military aid. “Truly, this is a strategic deal for the creation of an investment partner fund,” said Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. “This is truly an equal and good international deal on joint investment in the development and restoration of Ukraine between the governments of the United States and Ukraine.” Ukraine’s economy minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, flew to Washington on Wednesday to help finalize the deal. “Together with the United States, we are creating the Fund that will attract global investment to our country,” she said in a post on X after the signing.   White House had raised doubts that agreement was ready Earlier Wednesday, Bessent said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House — hours after Ukrainian officials indicated a deal was nearly finalized — that there was still work to do. “The Ukrainians decided last night to make some last-minute changes,” Bessent said when asked about reports that Ukraine was ready to agree to the pact. “We’re sure that they will reconsider that. And we are ready to sign this afternoon if they are.” He didn’t elaborate as to the late changes he said Ukraine made. The U.S. has been seeking access to more than 20 raw materials deemed strategically critical to its interests, including some non-minerals such as oil and natural gas. Among them are Ukraine’s deposits of titanium, which is used for making aircraft wings and other aerospace manufacturing, and uranium, which is used for nuclear power, medical equipment and weapons. Ukraine also has lithium, graphite and manganese, which are used in electric vehicle batteries. After Kyiv felt the initial U.S. draft of the deal disproportionately favored American interests, it introduced new provisions aimed at addressing those concerns. According to Shmyhal, the latest version would establish an equal partnership between the two countries and last for 10 years. Financial contributions to a joint fund would be made in cash, and only new U.S. military aid would count toward the American share. Assistance provided before the agreement was signed would not be counted. Unlike an earlier draft, the deal would not conflict with Ukraine’s path toward European Union membership — a key provision for Kyiv.     The Ukrainian Cabinet approved the agreement Wednesday, empowering Svyrydenko to sign it in Washington. The deal still needs to be ratified by the Ukrainian Parliament before it can take effect. Putin wants answers before committing to a ceasefire The negotiations come amid rocky progress in Washington’s push to stop the war. Putin backs calls for a ceasefire before peace negotiations, “but before it’s done, it’s necessary to answer a few questions and sort out a few nuances,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Putin is also ready for direct talks with Ukraine without preconditions to seek a peace deal, he added. “We realize that Washington wants to achieve quick progress, but we hope for understanding that the Ukrainian crisis settlement is far too complex to be done quickly,” Peskov said during his daily conference call with reporters.   Trump has expressed frustration over the slow pace of progress in negotiations aimed at stopping the war. Western European leaders have accused Putin of stalling while his forces seek to grab more Ukrainian land. Russia has captured nearly a fifth of Ukraine’s territory since Moscow’s forces launched a full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022. Trump has long dismissed the war as a waste of lives and American taxpayer money — a complaint he repeated Wednesday during his Cabinet meeting. That could spell an end to crucial military help for Ukraine and heavier economic sanctions on Russia.    

Former Vice President Kamala Harris plans to use a high-profile speech Wednesday to sharply criticise President Donald Trump amid speculation about whether she will mount another presidential campaign or opt to run for California governor. Harris will address the 20th anniversary gala for Emerge America, an organization that recruits and trains Democratic women to run for office that grew in part from Harris’ run for San Francisco district attorney in the early 2000s, according to AP. Her speech comes the day after Trump reached 100 days in office. It is expected to be her most extensive public remarks since leaving office in January following her defeat to Trump, with planned critiques of the Republican president's handling of the economy, US institutions and foreign policy. US inflation eases in March as consumers rush to beat Trump tariffs Harris is ramping up her public presence as Democrats nationally search for a path forward after November's election, in which Republicans also won control of Congress. While a slate of high-profile Democrats — from governors to businessmen — seek leadership roles within the party, the former vice president retains unique influence and would reshape any future race she chooses to enter. Harris, a former state attorney general and US senator from California, has not discouraged speculation that she might enter the race to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom, himself a potential contender for president. And she has not ruled out another run for the White House. She continues to fundraise, using a joint committee that includes Harris for President, the Democratic National Committee and state Democratic parties. The committee, the Harris Victory Fund, reported having about $4.5 million on hand at the end of March, according to federal records.

Iran said Wednesday the next round of negotiations over its rapidly advancing nuclear program it will have with the United States will be in Rome on Saturday. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the comment on the sidelines of a Cabinet meeting, adding that Iran also anticipated having a meeting Friday with France, Germany and the United Kingdom to discuss the talks, AP reports. The talks with the US again will be mediated by Oman. The sultanate has hosted two rounds of talks in Oman's capital, Muscat, and one round at its embassy in Rome. Massive wildfire near Jerusalem triggers evacuations and closes key highway The talks seek to limit Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of some of the crushing economic sanctions the US has imposed on the Islamic Republic closing in on a half-century of enmity. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to unleash airstrikes targeting Iran’s program if a deal isn’t reached. Iranian officials increasingly warn that they could pursue a nuclear weapon with their stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels.