United News of Bangladesh

Alaska Airlines restored its operations on Friday after a major information technology outage forced the carrier to ground its planes for several hours, disrupting hundreds of flights. The airline said 229 flights were canceled due to the issue, while further delays remain likely as it works to reposition both aircraft and crew members. Alaska Airlines said efforts are underway to help stranded passengers reach their destinations, urging travelers to check their flight status before heading to airports. The outage halted operations at both Alaska Air and Horizon Air. Hawaiian Airlines, acquired by Alaska Air Group last year, reported normal flight schedules during the disruption. In July, Alaska Airlines temporarily grounded all flights for nearly three hours following a hardware failure at a data center. US airlines have increasingly faced temporary grounding incidents linked to computer system glitches across the industry.  

U.S. President Donald Trump announced late Thursday that he is terminating all trade negotiations with Canada, accusing the country of running a “fraudulent” television advertisement that misused former U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s image and misrepresented facts about tariffs. In a post on his social media platform, Trump said the ad, allegedly produced by the government of Ontario, was “fake” and aimed at influencing U.S. court decisions related to tariffs. “The Ronald Reagan Foundation has just announced that Canada has fraudulently used an advertisement, which is FAKE, featuring Ronald Reagan speaking negatively about tariffs,” Trump wrote. “Based on their egregious behavior, ALL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CANADA ARE HEREBY TERMINATED.” The move came shortly after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said his government plans to double exports to countries beyond the United States amid rising uncertainty over Trump’s trade policies. The decision is expected to further heighten tensions between the two neighboring nations, which have faced months of escalating tariff disputes. Earlier Thursday, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the Ontario government had “misrepresented” Reagan’s 1987 address on free and fair trade without permission. The foundation said it is considering legal action and urged the public to view the original video. Carney’s office did not immediately comment, as the prime minister prepared to leave for an Asian summit. Ontario Premier Doug Ford, whose administration reportedly funded the $75,000 ad, also declined to respond. Ford had promoted the campaign on social media, saying it aimed to oppose U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods and promote cooperation. Trump’s tariffs have particularly hurt Canada’s automotive sector, much of which is centered in Ontario. Earlier this month, automaker Stellantis announced plans to move a production line from Ontario to Illinois, citing tariff pressures. More than three-quarters of Canada’s exports go to the U.S., amounting to nearly C$3.6 billion (US$2.7 billion) in daily trade. Trump’s decision to end talks could complicate upcoming reviews of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the trilateral deal he helped broker during his first term but has since criticized.

Sudan is grappling with one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, with more than 30 million people requiring urgent assistance, including over 9.6 million internally displaced persons and nearly 15 million children, according to a joint statement by four UN agencies Thursday. The International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the World Food Programme (WFP) called for immediate international attention to the escalating crisis. “Over 900 days of brutal fighting, widespread human rights violations, famine, and the collapse of essential services have pushed millions, especially women and children, to the brink of survival,” the statement said. During recent visits to Sudan, senior officials from the agencies witnessed the devastating impact of the conflict across Darfur, Khartoum, and other affected areas. Now in its third year, the fighting has destroyed critical services, including healthcare and education. Parts of the country were declared famine-stricken last year, and malnutrition among children remains alarmingly high. The agencies highlighted that families returning to Sudan, many determined to rebuild their lives, reflect a fragile but hopeful shift. “Yet Sudan remains a country in deep crisis,” said Ugochi Daniels, IOM deputy director general for operations. Access to the hardest-hit populations remains extremely limited due to insecurity, bureaucratic obstacles, and logistical challenges, complicating the delivery of life-saving aid. “This is one of the worst protection crises we have seen in decades,” said UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner Kelly T. Clements. Funding shortfalls are worsening the situation. The 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan for Sudan, requiring $4.2 billion, has received only 25 percent of the needed funds. The agencies jointly urged for an immediate end to hostilities, protection of civilians, unhindered humanitarian access, simplified aid delivery procedures, urgent funding to scale up interventions, and continued support for displaced populations and nearly 900,000 refugees inside Sudan.   Source: Xinhua

U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Thursday sharply criticized Israel’s parliament for advancing a symbolic bill supporting West Bank annexation, calling it “an insult” and a move that contradicts the Trump administration’s policy and peace efforts in Gaza. The Knesset narrowly approved the preliminary measure on Wednesday in a 25-24 vote. The proposal, pushed by far-right lawmakers, appeared aimed at embarrassing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while Vance was visiting the country. Only one member of Netanyahu’s Likud party supported it, and the bill is unlikely to become law. Speaking at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport before his departure, Vance condemned the vote, saying, “If this was a political stunt, it’s a very stupid one. I personally take some insult to it. The Trump administration’s policy is clear — the West Bank will not be annexed by Israel.” Palestinians regard the West Bank, captured by Israel in 1967, as part of their future state. Full annexation would effectively end hopes for a two-state solution, which remains the goal of most world powers. The United Arab Emirates, a key U.S. ally, has also warned that annexation would cross a “red line.” Meanwhile, Washington continues pushing for stability in Gaza. Earlier this week, Vance announced the creation of a civilian-military coordination center in southern Israel, where about 200 U.S. troops are working with Israeli and allied representatives to plan Gaza’s reconstruction. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he would soon visit the center and appoint a senior diplomat to coordinate with U.S. military leaders. Rubio also condemned Israeli hard-liners’ annexation push, saying Trump “has made clear that’s not something we’d support right now—it threatens the peace process.” During his trip, Vance visited Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulcher and sought to reassure Israelis that the U.S. does not seek to control them. “We don’t want a vassal state. We want a partner and ally,” he said alongside Netanyahu, who acknowledged differences but emphasized their shared goals. In Gaza, humanitarian conditions remain dire. The World Health Organization said 41 critically ill patients were evacuated Thursday, while thousands more await treatment. U.N. officials described the region as devastated, with women giving birth in tents and rubble due to destroyed hospitals. Separately, Israel’s Supreme Court held a hearing on whether to allow foreign journalists into Gaza, giving the state 30 days to respond. The Foreign Press Association expressed disappointment, calling the ongoing media ban “unacceptable.”

The United States military has expanded its campaign against drug trafficking, carrying out two new strikes on suspected drug-laden boats in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing five people, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday. The latest operations mark the ninth and tenth such strikes launched under President Donald Trump’s administration, which had previously focused on the Caribbean Sea. The twin attacks bring the total death toll to at least 37 since the campaign began last month. “These cartels are waging war on our border and our people—just as Al Qaeda did on our homeland,” Hegseth said on social media, pledging “no refuge or forgiveness—only justice.” Later, he described the alleged traffickers as “the Al Qaeda of our hemisphere.” Trump has defended the military actions, claiming the United States is in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels and citing the same legal grounds used by President George W. Bush in the post-9/11 war on terror. Asked about potential land strikes, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, “We’re totally prepared to do that. We’ll probably go back to Congress and explain exactly what we’re doing when we come to the land.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio backed the operations, saying, “If people want to stop seeing drug boats blow up, stop sending drugs to the United States.” Trump said the strikes are saving American lives, estimating that “every time you see that happen, you’re saving 25,000 lives.” Videos posted by Hegseth showed small boats packed with brown packages exploding after being hit, with debris and suspected drug bundles floating on the water. The strikes come amid an expanded U.S. naval presence in the Caribbean and off Venezuela, where President Nicolás Maduro faces narcoterrorism charges in the U.S. Officials say the eastern Pacific—where cocaine from Colombia and Peru is often shipped via Ecuador—is now the main smuggling corridor. The U.S. has refrained from prosecuting survivors of the targeted vessels, with two previously detained individuals repatriated to Ecuador and Colombia. Ecuadorian authorities later released one for lack of evidence. The ongoing strikes have triggered bipartisan concern in Congress. Democrats have questioned their legality under U.S. and international law, while some Republicans have sought clearer justification from the White House. “Expanding the geography simply expands the lawlessness and recklessness in the use of American military force,” said Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal. He argued that the proper approach should be to capture and interrogate smugglers rather than “destroy them at sea.” A Democratic-led effort to limit Trump’s war powers through a Senate resolution was recently defeated along party lines. Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana said he trusted Rubio’s legal assessment, adding, “He believes we’re on solid ground in attacking these narcoterrorists.” Source: AP

U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday described the fragile ceasefire in Gaza as progressing “better than expected,” while acknowledging significant challenges ahead, including disarming Hamas and rebuilding a region devastated by two years of conflict. During his visit to Israel, Vance noted recent flare-ups of violence but said the truce between Israel and Hamas, which began on Oct. 10, is holding better than anticipated. U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff added that efforts are exceeding initial expectations. Vance and Witkoff toured a new center in Israel aimed at civilian and military coordination, amid ongoing questions about Gaza’s long-term governance and the potential deployment of an international security force. Vance emphasized that his visit—his first as vice president—was not an emergency measure to preserve the ceasefire. He expressed confidence in lasting peace but warned that Hamas would face “obliteration” if it failed to cooperate. Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and one of the architects of the truce, highlighted the transition from two years of intense conflict to a peacetime posture, describing the process as complex. Vance, who will remain in the region until Thursday to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials, also commented on the release of hostages. Late Tuesday, Israel returned the remains of two more Gaza hostages, bringing the total recovered since Oct. 10 to 15. Thirteen more remain in Gaza. He urged patience, noting that some hostages remain buried under rubble or their whereabouts are unknown. Under the ceasefire terms, Israel is releasing 15 Palestinian bodies in exchange for each deceased hostage. Gaza’s Health Ministry said Israel has transferred 165 bodies so far this month. Vance stressed the importance of security and rebuilding before discussing Gaza’s long-term governance. “Once both Gazans and our Israeli friends have some measure of security, then we’ll focus on governance,” he said, urging flexibility and acknowledging the difficulty of the work ahead. Although around 200 U.S. troops have been sent to Israel, Vance clarified that none would deploy to Gaza. Officials are conceptualizing an international security force for the territory, with Turkey, Indonesia, Jordan, Germany, Britain, and Denmark expected to participate. Britain has committed a small contingent of officers to monitor the ceasefire. Aid into Gaza is increasing, but prices for essential goods have surged. The World Food Program reported sending over 530 trucks in the past ten days, feeding nearly half a million people for two weeks. Hamas has cracked down on price gouging, closing shops and ensuring safe passage for aid trucks. Despite this, Gaza’s financial system remains in disarray, with banks and ATMs largely inoperable, forcing residents to rely on cash brokers for daily expenses. Meanwhile, Gaza health officials said some bodies returned by Israel bore signs of torture, including rope and metal bindings, deep wounds, and crushed limbs, and called for a U.N. investigation. The Israel Prisons Service denied mistreatment of detainees. Israeli hostages freed from Gaza have also reported harsh treatment, including shackling, beatings, and starvation. The Israel-Hamas war, sparked by the 2023 Hamas attack, has killed over 68,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, and Israel disputes these figures. Around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed in the initial attack, with 251 abducted as hostages.   Source: AP

U.S. markets showed little movement early Tuesday as investors awaited a wave of corporate earnings reports. Futures for the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq were largely unchanged before the opening bell. General Motors surged over 9% after lowering its full-year tariff impact estimate and raising its adjusted earnings forecast. Coca-Cola shares rose 3.1% following stronger-than-expected sales and profit, aided by a 6% price increase during the quarter. Netflix and Mattel are scheduled to report after the market closes Tuesday, while Tesla reports Wednesday. Analysts note that corporate profits are under scrutiny following a 35% rally in the S&P 500 since April, with investors watching for signs of sustainable earnings growth amid concerns over elevated stock valuations. Earnings reports are also gaining attention as key U.S. economic data has been delayed by the government shutdown, complicating the Federal Reserve’s assessment of inflation and the job market. The Commerce Department will release consumer price data Friday, marking the first government report since the shutdown began Oct. 1. Global markets were mostly higher. Japan’s Nikkei 225 edged up 0.3% as Sanae Takaichi became the country’s first female prime minister. Germany’s DAX gained 0.2%, France’s CAC 40 rose 0.5%, and Britain’s FTSE 100 advanced 0.3%. Asian markets also saw gains, including Hong Kong’s Hang Seng (+0.7%) and Shanghai Composite (+1.4%). U.S. crude rose 32 cents to $57.54 per barrel, while Brent crude increased 30 cents to $61.31. The euro slipped to $1.1619 from $1.1641.

President Donald Trump on Sunday said the United States might purchase beef from Argentina to help reduce domestic prices for American consumers. “We would buy some beef from Argentina,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One while flying from Florida to Washington. “If we do that, that will bring our beef prices down.” Earlier this week, Trump pledged to tackle rising beef costs as part of broader efforts to control inflation. U.S. beef prices have remained high due to drought conditions and limited imports from Mexico, where a flesh-eating pest has affected cattle herds. In addition, Trump has supported Argentina with a $20 billion credit swap and other financing measures from sovereign and private funds, aiming to stabilize the country’s faltering currency ahead of midterm elections for his ally, President Javier Milei.

Thousands of protesters took to streets across the United States on Saturday in the “No Kings” demonstrations, denouncing what they see as President Donald Trump’s drift toward authoritarianism. Crowds carrying signs with slogans like “Nothing is more patriotic than protesting” and “Resist Fascism” packed New York City’s Times Square and gathered in parks in Boston, Atlanta, and Chicago. Demonstrators marched through Washington and downtown Los Angeles and picketed outside state capitols in several Republican-led states, a courthouse in Billings, Montana, and hundreds of smaller public venues nationwide. While Trump’s Republican Party dismissed the rallies as “Hate America” events, many protests resembled street parties. Marching bands performed, giant banners of the U.S. Constitution’s “We The People” preamble were displayed for signatures, and participants wore inflatable costumes, particularly frogs, which have become a symbol of resistance in Portland, Oregon. This was the third major mobilization since Trump returned to the White House, occurring amid a government shutdown that has closed federal programs and services and is testing the balance of power as the executive branch challenges Congress and the courts. In Washington, Iraq War Marine veteran Shawn Howard said he had never protested before but joined the rally due to what he described as the Trump administration’s “disregard for the law.” He cited immigration detentions without due process and the deployment of troops in U.S. cities as “un-American” and signs of eroding democracy. “I fought for freedom and against extremism abroad,” said Howard, who also spent 20 years at the CIA on counter-extremism operations. “Now, I see extremists here at home pushing us toward civil conflict.” Meanwhile, Trump spent the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. In a Fox News interview before attending a $1 million-per-plate MAGA fundraiser, he said, “They say they’re referring to me as a king. I’m not a king.” A Trump campaign social media account mocked the protests with a computer-generated video showing him in royal attire. Nationwide demonstrations In San Francisco, hundreds of people spelled out “No King!” on Ocean Beach, while first-time protester Hayley Wingard, dressed as the Statue of Liberty, expressed concern over military deployments in U.S. cities, particularly Portland. Portland saw tens of thousands gather downtown for a peaceful demonstration. Later, a few hundred protesters and counterprotesters confronted federal agents outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement building, with tear gas deployed at times. The location has been the focus of nightly protests since June, prompting the Trump administration to attempt National Guard deployment, temporarily blocked by a federal judge. Salt Lake City hosted about 3,500 participants outside the Utah State Capitol, advocating hope and healing after a fatal shooting during the city’s first “No Kings” march in June. Birmingham, Alabama, drew over 1,500 participants, evoking the city’s history in the Civil Rights Movement. Jessica Yother, a mother of four, said, “It just feels like we’re living in an America I don’t recognize. Walking into this crowd, I thought, ‘Here are my people.’” Organizers aim to build opposition Democratic U.S. Senator Chris Murphy described the rallies as confidence boosters for citizens previously hesitant to speak out. Top Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Independent Senator Bernie Sanders, participated, highlighting opposition to Trump’s actions from free speech restrictions to military-style immigration raids. Organizers reported more than 2,600 rallies nationwide on Saturday. Sanders addressed the crowd in Washington, saying, “We’re here because we love America. The American experiment is in danger under Trump, but we the people will rule.” Republican response Republicans labeled protesters as far-left extremists responsible for the ongoing government shutdown. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana called the events a “Hate America rally,” claiming participants included “antifa types” and Marxists. Protesters responded with humor and theatrics, reflecting Trump’s own performative style. In New York, police reported no arrests. Democrats seek to regain footing Democrats have refused to vote to reopen the government without health care funding, while Republicans say they will discuss the issue only after the government reopens. Observers note this marks a shift from six months ago, when Democratic divisions allowed earlier funding bills to pass without challenging Trump. Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible, a key organizing group, said, “What we see now is Democrats showing some spine. The worst thing they could do is surrender.”   Source: AP

President Donald Trump announced Friday that domestic automakers will receive extended relief from tariffs on auto parts, prolonging a previously short-term rebate through 2030. The proclamation also formalized a 25% import tax on medium and heavy-duty trucks, effective Nov. 1. The measures aim to boost U.S. manufacturing while easing the higher costs on parts and raw materials caused by Trump’s import tariffs. Originally introduced in April, the rebate was scheduled to phase out by 2027. Trump had described it as short-term assistance “during this little transition,” anticipating that automakers would bring production lines back to the U.S. Senior administration officials, speaking anonymously, said the extension follows discussions with the auto industry, with the goal of expanding domestic production and improving competitiveness. The updated rebate offers 3.75% of the sales price on domestically assembled vehicles, calculated from the 25% tariff on parts that represent roughly 15% of a vehicle’s cost. Truck and engine manufacturers are now included in the rebate. Trump had previously announced new tariffs on imported trucks via social media on Oct. 6, while buses will face a 10% tariff. Imports covered under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) are exempt. The pact, effective since 2020, is scheduled for renegotiation next year. The moves come as U.S. consumers face record-high vehicle prices. Kelley Blue Book reported that the average new car buyer spent $50,080 in September, up 3.6% from last year.