United News of Bangladesh

Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday expressed strong support for U.S. bishops who criticized the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, urging Americans to listen to the church leaders and treat migrants with dignity. The pope, the first American to lead the Catholic Church, was asked about the “special message” released last week by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops during their general assembly. The statement condemned mass deportations and the “vilification” of migrants, highlighting the fear and anxiety immigration raids have caused and the lack of pastoral care for those in detention centers. Leo praised the bishops’ message and said it is important for Catholics and all people of goodwill to heed their guidance. “I think we have to look for ways of treating people humanely, treating people with the dignity that they have,” he said. “If people are in the United States illegally, there are ways to treat that. There are courts, there’s a system of justice.” Acknowledging flaws in the U.S. migration system, Leo stressed that advocating for humane treatment does not mean advocating open borders. “But when people are living good lives, and many of them for 10, 15, 20 years, to treat them in a way that is extremely disrespectful to say the least — and there’s been some violence unfortunately — I think that the bishops have been very clear in what they said,” he added. The bishops’ statement marked a rare single-issue message, the first since 2013, and was accompanied by an Instagram video of bishops reading the text to emphasize its message. Leo also discussed upcoming travel plans for 2026, including possible visits to Peru, Portugal, Mexico, Argentina, and Uruguay, following the end of the Holy Year. Next week, he will undertake his first foreign trip as pope to Turkey and Lebanon.  

Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday denounced ABC News correspondent Mary Bruce as a “terrible reporter” and suggested revoking the network’s broadcast license after she posed pointed questions to him and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office. Bruce asked Trump about the appropriateness of his family’s business dealings in Saudi Arabia while he was president and questioned the Saudi leader regarding the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. U.S. intelligence has concluded that the crown prince likely played a role in the killing. Trump dismissed the findings, claiming “a lot of people didn’t like” Khashoggi, while the prince called the journalist’s death “a huge mistake.” Trump repeatedly criticized Bruce’s tone, calling her questions “horrible, insubordinate and just a terrible question.” He also addressed her inquiry about the White House’s delay in releasing correspondence related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. “People are wise to your hoax,” Trump said, adding that ABC News broadcasts “97% negative” coverage of him and questioning the credibility of the network and its reporter. He cited FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, suggesting that the commission should consider revoking ABC’s license. ABC News declined to comment on Trump’s remarks. Bloomberg News also responded to Trump’s earlier criticism of its reporter, Catherine Lucey, affirming the importance of journalists performing their duties without fear or favor.  

Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday declared one of the country’s largest Muslim civil rights organizations, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), as a “foreign terrorist organization” and a “transnational criminal organization,” citing a state law he signed this year aimed at blocking “foreign adversaries” from acquiring land. Abbott’s proclamation also included the Muslim Brotherhood. He said the move allows Texas to take steps to shut down the groups and prevent them from buying land in the state. The U.S. government, however, does not recognize either CAIR or the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizations. CAIR strongly rejected the designation, calling Abbott’s announcement baseless and accusing the governor of fueling “anti-Muslim hysteria.” Robert S. McCaw, CAIR’s government affairs director, said in a letter to Abbott that the governor has no legal authority to unilaterally label Americans or U.S.-based institutions as terrorists. Earlier this year, Texas Republicans had opposed a Muslim-centered planned community near Dallas’ East Plano Islamic Center, claiming it would impose Islamic law. EPIC City, representing the community, dismissed these claims as false and dangerous. A federal civil rights investigation into the project was closed earlier in 2025 without charges. The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in Egypt nearly a century ago, has branches worldwide and claims to pursue Islamic governance through peaceful means and elections. Critics, including several governments in the Middle East, consider it a threat.  

Even before taking office, New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has emerged as a prime target for conservative media, facing intense criticism over his political views and background. Conservative outlets and commentators have labelled Mamdani with terms ranging from “Marxist” and “commie” to “jihadist sympathizer” and “seething leftist,” portraying him as a threat to American values. A post-election New York Post cover showing Mamdani holding the Soviet hammer and sickle symbol sold out quickly and was even listed on eBay. Experts say Mamdani’s appeal to working-class voters has made him a focus for conservative criticism, similar to previous targets like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Nancy Pelosi. “He’s colorful, controversial and not afraid of a fight,” said Howard Polskin, publisher of the Righting newsletter. Media outlets including Fox News, Newsmax, and the Washington Examiner have highlighted Mamdani’s election night speech and his membership in the Democratic Socialists of America, as well as his Muslim background, to question his suitability for office. Some commentators have wrongly conflated socialism with communism to amplify the criticism. Mamdani, however, has repeatedly denied being a communist and emphasized that his focus remains on addressing city issues. He has also condemned antisemitism and rejected extremist violence, while supporting human rights causes. The conservative backlash reflects a broader trend in which media portray prominent political figures as representative of their party’s perceived extremes. Analysts say Mamdani’s visibility among young and working-class voters may be fueling the attention from right-wing outlets, who see him as a potential influence on future elections. Despite the criticism, Mamdani continues preparations to assume office, while his team addresses the misinformation circulating in media and online platforms.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday harshly criticized ABC News’ chief White House correspondent Mary Bruce, calling her a “terrible reporter” and suggesting the network’s broadcast license should be revoked, after she asked pointed questions during a White House session with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Bruce was among the reporters allowed into the Oval Office to pose questions to both leaders. She first asked Trump about the appropriateness of his family’s business dealings in Saudi Arabia while he was president. She then addressed the crown prince: “Your Royal Highness, U.S. intelligence concluded that you orchestrated the brutal murder of a journalist. 9/11 families are furious that you are here in the Oval Office. Why should Americans trust you? And the same to you, Mr. President.” Khashoggi murder: US court dismisses lawsuit against Saudi crown prince MBS Trump immediately questioned which network she represented, labeled ABC “fake news,” and defended his family’s business activities. He dismissed intelligence findings suggesting the crown prince’s likely involvement in the 2018 killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, describing the journalist as “extremely controversial” and noting that many people disliked him. Prince Mohammed, for his part, called Khashoggi’s death “painful” and “a huge mistake.” Trump continued to criticize Bruce after she asked about the delayed release of correspondence from sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He said, “It’s not the question that I mind. It’s your attitude. I think you are a terrible reporter. It’s the way you ask these questions,” adding, “people are wise to your hoax” and suggesting that ABC’s FCC license should be reviewed. ABC News had no comment on the president’s remarks. Separately, Bloomberg News responded after Trump previously called one of its reporters, Catherine Lucey, “piggy” during a Q&A last Friday, reaffirming that its journalists perform “a vital public service” by asking questions without fear or favor. Source: AP 

The nation's most advanced aircraft carrier arrived in the Caribbean Sea on Sunday in a display of U.S. military power, raising questions about what the new influx of troops and weaponry could signal for the Trump administration's intentions in South America as it conducts military strikes against vessels suspected of transporting drugs. The arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford and other warships, announced by the Navy in a statement, marks a major moment in what the administration insists is a counterdrug operation but has been seen as an escalating pressure tactic against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Since early September, U.S. strikes have killed at least 80 people in 20 attacks on small boats accused of transporting drugs in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean. The Ford rounds off the largest buildup of U.S. firepower in the region in generations. With its arrival, the “Operation Southern Spear" mission includes nearly a dozen Navy ships and about 12,000 sailors and Marines. The carrier strike group, which includes squadrons of fighter jets and guided-missile destroyers, transited the Anegada Passage near the British Virgin Islands on Sunday morning, the Navy said. Rear Adm. Paul Lanzilotta, who commands the strike group, said it will bolster an already large force of American warships to "protect our nation’s security and prosperity against narco-terrorism in the Western Hemisphere.” Adm. Alvin Holsey, the commander who oversees the Caribbean and Latin America, said in a statement that the American forces “stand ready to combat the transnational threats that seek to destabilize our region.” Holsey, who will retire next month after just a year on the job, said the strike group's deployment is "a critical step in reinforcing our resolve to protect the security of the Western Hemisphere and the safety of the American Homeland.” In Trinidad and Tobago, which is only 7 miles from Venezuela at its closest point, government officials said troops have begun “training exercises” with the U.S. military that will run through much of the week. Minister of Foreign Affairs Sean Sobers described the joint exercises as the second in less than a month and said they are aimed at tackling violent crime on the island nation, which has become a stopover point for drug shipments headed to Europe and North America. The prime minister has been a vocal supporter of the U.S. military strikes. The exercises will include Marines from the 22nd Expeditionary Unit who have been stationed aboard the Navy ships that have been looming off Venezuela's coast for months. Venezuela’s government has described the training exercises as an act of aggression. It had no immediate comment Sunday on the arrival of the aircraft carrier. The administration has insisted that the buildup is focused on stopping the flow of drugs into the U.S., but it has released no evidence to support its assertions that those killed in the boats were “narcoterrorists.” Trump has indicated military action would expand beyond strikes by sea, saying the U.S. would "stop the drugs coming in by land.” The U.S. has long used aircraft carriers to pressure and deter aggression by other nations because their warplanes can strike targets deep inside another country. Some experts say the Ford is ill-suited to fighting cartels, but it could be an effective instrument of intimidation for Maduro in a push to get him to step down. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the United States does not recognize Maduro, who was widely accused of stealing last year’s election, as Venezuela’s legitimate leader. Rubio has called Venezuela's government a “transshipment organization” that openly cooperates with those trafficking drugs. Maduro, who faces charges of narcoterrorism in the U.S., has said the U.S. government is “fabricating” a war against him. Venezuela’s government recently touted a “massive” mobilization of troops and civilians to defend against possible U.S. attacks. Trump has justified the attacks on drug boats by saying the U.S. is in “armed conflict” with drug cartels while claiming the boats are operated by foreign terror organizations. He has faced pushback from leaders in the region, the U.N. human rights chief and U.S. lawmakers, including Republicans, who have pressed for more information on who is being targeted and the legal justification for the boat strikes. Senate Republicans, however, recently voted to reject legislation that would have put a check on Trump’s ability to launch an attack against Venezuela without congressional authorization. Experts disagree on whether or not American warplanes may be used to strike land targets inside Venezuela. Either way, the 100,000-ton warship is sending a message. “This is the anchor of what it means to have U.S. military power once again in Latin America,” said Elizabeth Dickinson, the International Crisis Group’s senior analyst for the Andes region. “And it has raised a lot of anxieties in Venezuela but also throughout the region. I think everyone is watching this with sort of bated breath to see just how willing the U.S. is to really use military force.”  

President Donald Trump signed a government funding bill Wednesday night, ending a record 43-day shutdown that caused financial stress for federal workers who went without paychecks, stranded scores of travelers at airports and generated long lines at some food banks. The signing ceremony came just hours after the House passed the measure on a mostly party-line vote of 222-209. The Senate had already passed the measure Monday. The shutdown magnified partisan divisions in Washington as Trump took unprecedented unilateral actions — including canceling projects and trying to fire federal workers — to pressure Democrats into relenting on their demands. Democrats wanted to extend an enhanced tax credit expiring at the end of the year that lowers the cost of health coverage obtained through Affordable Care Act marketplaces. They refused to go along with a short-term spending bill that did not include that priority. But Republicans said that was a separate policy fight to be held at another time.

President Donald Trump signed a funding bill late Wednesday, ending a historic 43-day government shutdown that left hundreds of thousands of federal workers unpaid, disrupted travel and food assistance, and deepened political divisions in Washington. The House passed the measure earlier in the day by a 222-209 vote, following Senate approval on Monday. The shutdown stemmed from partisan clashes over extending tax credits that help lower health insurance costs under the Affordable Care Act. Democrats demanded their renewal, while Republicans argued the issue should be debated separately. During the shutdown, around 670,000 federal employees were furloughed and 730,000 worked without pay. The crisis also affected food aid programs like SNAP and caused long lines at airports and food banks. The funding bill restores government operations and extends Medicare telehealth programs and hospital-at-home care through January 30. Essential workers are expected to receive back pay within days, according to White House officials. While the shutdown’s end brought relief, it left frustration in its wake. Many federal workers said they felt used as “political pawns.” Lawmakers on both sides traded blame — Republicans accused Democrats of leveraging public suffering for policy gains, while Democrats said the GOP prioritized tax breaks for the wealthy over working families’ health care. The closure’s financial and emotional toll will take time to recover from, with many questioning whether the weeks-long standoff was worth the hardship it caused.

California has announced plans to revoke 17,000 commercial driver’s licenses issued to immigrants after discovering that many had expiration dates extending beyond their authorized stay in the United States. The move follows mounting criticism from the Trump administration over state policies allowing people without permanent legal status to obtain commercial licenses. The issue gained national attention after a fatal Florida crash in August involving a truck driver who was in the country illegally. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the decision proves California “acted improperly” and accused Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration of misleading the public. “Now that we’ve exposed their lies, 17,000 illegally issued trucking licenses are being revoked,” Duffy said, adding that more reviews are underway. Newsom’s office rejected the accusation, saying all affected drivers had valid federal work authorizations when the licenses were issued. A later clarification noted that state law requires commercial licenses to expire no later than the holder’s authorized stay in the U.S. Newsom’s spokesperson Brandon Richards accused Duffy of spreading “falsehoods” to score political points. The revocation comes as the Trump administration imposes tighter rules on immigrants seeking commercial driving permits, limiting eligibility to a few visa categories such as H-2A, H-2B, and E-2. California risks losing up to $200 million in federal funds if it fails to meet new federal standards.   End/AP/UNB/SS Los Angeles, Nov 13 (AP/UNB) — California has announced plans to revoke 17,000 commercial driver’s licenses issued to immigrants after discovering that many had expiration dates extending beyond their authorized stay in the United States. The move follows mounting criticism from the Trump administration over state policies allowing people without permanent legal status to obtain commercial licenses. The issue gained national attention after a fatal Florida crash in August involving a truck driver who was in the country illegally. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the decision proves California “acted improperly” and accused Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration of misleading the public. “Now that we’ve exposed their lies, 17,000 illegally issued trucking licenses are being revoked,” Duffy said, adding that more reviews are underway. Newsom’s office rejected the accusation, saying all affected drivers had valid federal work authorizations when the licenses were issued. A later clarification noted that state law requires commercial licenses to expire no later than the holder’s authorized stay in the U.S. Newsom’s spokesperson Brandon Richards accused Duffy of spreading “falsehoods” to score political points. The revocation comes as the Trump administration imposes tighter rules on immigrants seeking commercial driving permits, limiting eligibility to a few visa categories such as H-2A, H-2B, and E-2. California risks losing up to $200 million in federal funds if it fails to meet new federal standards.  

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a government funding bill, ending a record 43-day shutdown that left federal employees unpaid, disrupted air travel and strained food banks nationwide. The House passed the measure earlier in the day by a 222–209 vote, following Senate approval on Monday. The bill funds three annual spending measures and extends the rest of government operations through January 30, while guaranteeing back pay for federal workers and halting further layoffs. Historic US government shutdown nears end with little satisfaction for anyone The shutdown stemmed from a dispute over extending enhanced health care tax credits under the Affordable Care Act. Democrats insisted on including the subsidies, while Republicans sought to separate the issue. Despite the deal, political tensions remain high as both parties prepare for another round of debate over health care funding in December. Source: AP