United News of Bangladesh

US President Donald Trump’s new global tariffs have taken effect at 10%, lower than his earlier pledge of a higher rate, after the Supreme Court blocked many sweeping import taxes. Although Trump later mentioned a 15% rate, official documents show the 10% duty was implemented from Tuesday. The White House has been asked for comment. Carsten Brzeski of ING said the shifting policy added to “chaos and mess,” increasing uncertainty for businesses and raising the risk of retaliation from US trading partners and a possible escalation into a full trade war. Trump warns of higher tariffs after court blocks levies An executive order signed Friday said the temporary 10% duty aims to address international payments imbalances and rebalance trade to benefit American workers, farmers and manufacturers. The levy is imposed under Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act, allowing a 150-day tariff without congressional approval. Trump argues tariffs are needed to shrink the US trade deficit, which rose 2.1% from 2024 to about $1.2 trillion (£890bn). The US has already collected at least $130bn in tariffs under the 1977 IEEPA, recent data show. The court ruled Friday Trump exceeded authority using IEEPA, raising prospects of billions in refunds. FedEx has sued for a full refund, while campaign group We Pay The Tariffs says it represents 900 firms seeking automatic refunds. Experts doubt repayments, and Trump said the issue could be litigated for five years. Justice Brett Kavanaugh warned the refund process could be a “mess.” Greenland rejects Trump’s offer of US hospital ship Trump criticised the ruling as “ridiculous” and “anti-American” and warned countries “playing games” with trade deals could face higher tariffs. The United Kingdom said reciprocal action was possible if agreements are not honoured, though it stressed no one wants a trade war. The European Union paused ratification of a summer deal, with MEP Brando Benifei urging clarity and coordinated response. India also deferred talks to finalise a recent agreement.

President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that he intends to increase global tariffs to 15%, up from the 10% he had previously announced a day earlier, after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down many of the extensive import taxes he had imposed in the past year. Trump's social media post signals that despite the court's limitation on his powers, the Republican president remains determined to escalate tariffs in unpredictable ways. Tariffs have been a key tool for Trump to reshape global trade and exert international pressure. The Supreme Court's decision on Friday invalidated tariffs Trump had applied on nearly all countries using emergency powers. In response, Trump stated he would pursue an alternative, though more restricted, legal authority. He had already signed an executive order to bypass Congress and impose a 10% tax on global imports, which was set to take effect on Tuesday, the same day as his State of the Union address. However, these tariffs will last only 150 days unless extended by legislation. The White House has yet to respond to inquiries about when Trump will sign an updated order to raise tariffs to 15%. In his social media post, Trump explained that his decision was based on a "thorough, detailed, and complete review" of what he called a "ridiculous, poorly written, and extraordinarily anti-American" Supreme Court ruling on tariffs. By a 6-3 vote, the justices declared that Trump cannot unilaterally impose and alter tariffs, as the authority to tax resides with Congress. In addition to the temporary 15% tariffs, Trump also indicated he would pursue tariffs under other sections of federal law, which require an investigation by the Commerce Department. He stated on Saturday that the Trump Administration would "determine and issue the new and legally permissible Tariffs" in the coming months, continuing the process of "Making America Great Again." After the Supreme Court ruling, Trump launched a personal attack on the justices who voted against him, including two of his own appointees, Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett. At a news conference on Friday, he called the decision "an embarrassment to their families." He continued to criticize them on social media, also attacking Chief Justice John Roberts, who joined the majority opinion. On Saturday morning, Trump declared Justice Brett Kavanaugh his "new hero" for writing a dissenting opinion, and praised Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, who also dissented. Tariffs have been a cornerstone of Trump’s economic policies, which he claims address issues like trade imbalances, reviving U.S. manufacturing, and pressuring foreign nations to take action on matters such as drug trafficking and international conflicts. Despite evidence to the contrary, Trump has frequently stated that foreign governments, not American consumers and businesses, would bear the cost of these tariffs. As of December, federal data showed that the Treasury had collected over $133 billion from the tariffs imposed under emergency powers. Trump has suggested that the funds could be used for purposes such as reducing the national debt or sending dividend checks to taxpayers. The Supreme Court’s ruling did not address the fate of these collected funds. Democrats quickly criticized Trump's tariff proposal. Members of the House Ways and Means Committee accused Trump of "pickpocketing the American people" with his new tariff increase. California Governor Gavin Newsom, a long-time Trump critic, added that "he does not care about you."  

President Donald Trump said Friday that a change in leadership in Iran “would be the best thing that could happen,” as his administration considers possible military action against Tehran. Trump made the remarks after visiting U.S. troops at Fort Bragg and confirming that he is deploying a second aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East. Responding to reporters’ questions about removing Iran’s Islamic clerical leadership, Trump said such a shift in power could be beneficial, noting that the current regime has been in place for decades. Although Trump has recently emphasized curbing Iran’s nuclear program as his primary objective, he suggested Friday that Washington expects broader concessions from Tehran beyond nuclear limits. During a visit to Washington this week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged that any agreement also address Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities and its support for regional proxy groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. Trump indicated that dismantling Iran’s nuclear activities — which were significantly damaged in U.S. strikes last year — would represent only part of a wider mission. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful. Prior to last year’s conflict, Tehran had enriched uranium to 60% purity, a level close to weapons-grade material. Trump’s comments about potentially ending the rule of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei came weeks after Secretary of State Marco Rubio cautioned that political change in Iran would be far more complicated than efforts to unseat Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Rubio noted in a Senate hearing that Iran’s leadership has been entrenched for decades and would require careful consideration if change were pursued. Trump also announced that the USS Gerald R. Ford, currently in the Caribbean, will head to the Middle East to join the USS Abraham Lincoln and other U.S. naval assets already in the region. He said the additional carrier would be needed if diplomatic efforts fail, adding that it would depart soon. While Trump had indicated new talks with Iran might take place this week, negotiations did not occur. Iranian officials instead traveled to Oman and Qatar to exchange messages through intermediaries. Gulf Arab states have warned that any military strike could trigger broader regional conflict, particularly as the Middle East remains tense following the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Inside Iran, authorities are facing renewed domestic pressure as citizens hold 40-day mourning ceremonies for those killed during recent nationwide protests. Netanyahu to press Trump to widen Iran nuclear talks during White House meeting The Ford strike group would add more than 5,000 personnel to U.S. forces in the Middle East, effectively doubling available aircraft and munitions. However, given its current location, it could take weeks before it reaches waters near Iran. Trump has repeatedly threatened military action if Iran does not agree to stricter limits on its nuclear activities. Indirect talks were held in Oman last week, and he warned that failing to reach a deal would have serious consequences. The Ford was previously redeployed to the Caribbean as part of the U.S. military buildup ahead of last month’s operation that led to Maduro’s capture. Extending the carrier’s deployment could place strain on its crew. The ship has been at sea since June 2025, approaching eight months. Navy officials have previously said prolonged deployments disrupt service members’ personal lives and complicate maintenance schedules. Aircraft carriers are typically deployed for six or seven months. Longer missions can increase wear on ships and delay scheduled repairs, as seen with the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, which underwent a nine-month Middle East deployment in 2023–24 and remains in maintenance beyond its planned completion date. Senior Navy leaders have recently expressed a preference for deploying smaller, newer vessels where possible instead of relying heavily on large aircraft carriers.  

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday, where he is expected to push for expanding ongoing talks with Iran beyond its nuclear program. The meeting comes as Trump said he believes Tehran is willing to strike a deal. “We’ll see what happens. I think they want to make a deal,” Trump told Fox Business Network on Tuesday. “I think they’d be foolish if they didn’t. We took out their nuclear power last time, and we’ll have to see if we take out more this time.” He added, “It’s got to be a good deal. No nuclear weapons, no missiles.” Netanyahu’s office said he wants any new agreement to also address Iran’s ballistic missile program and its backing of armed groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. “I will present to the president our outlook regarding the principles of these negotiations  the essential principles which, in my opinion, are important not only to Israel, but to everyone around the world who wants peace and security in the Middle East,” Netanyahu said before leaving Israel. The two sides recently held indirect talks in Oman and signaled cautious optimism. However, deep mistrust remains. Trump’s world order looms over Europe ahead of crucial Munich security summit Tensions are still high after last June’s 12-day war between Israel and Iran. A series of airstrikes, including U.S. attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, killed nearly 1,000 people in Iran and around 40 in Israel. Trump claimed at the time that Iran’s nuclear capabilities were “obliterated,” though the full extent of the damage remains unclear. Recent satellite images have shown renewed activity at some sites. Israel has long demanded that Iran stop enriching uranium, curb its missile program and cut ties with regional militant groups. Iran has rejected those demands, saying it would only accept limits on its nuclear activities in exchange for relief from sanctions. The U.S. has strengthened its military presence in the region, deploying an aircraft carrier and other assets. Meanwhile, countries including Turkey and Qatar have urged restraint, warning that further escalation could destabilize the Middle East. The Gaza conflict is also expected to be discussed during the talks, as Washington weighs its broader diplomatic efforts in the region.

A former police chief in Florida told the FBI that Donald Trump called him in 2006 and said “everyone” knew about Jeffrey Epstein’s behaviour, according to a newly released FBI document. The document summarises a 2019 FBI interview with the former Palm Beach police chief, who said Trump contacted him after local authorities began investigating Epstein. According to the record, Trump said: “Thank goodness you’re stopping him, everyone has known he’s been doing this.” Although the officer’s name is blacked out in the document, it identifies the interviewee as the Palm Beach police chief at the time of the Epstein investigation. That position was held by Michael Reiter, who later told the Miami Herald that he received the call from Trump. President Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein and has said he was unaware of his crimes. The reported call could raise fresh questions about what Trump knew at the time. In 2019, after Epstein was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges, Trump told reporters he had no suspicions about him. “No, I had no idea. I had no idea. I haven’t spoken to him in many, many years,” he said. According to the FBI interview summary, Reiter said Trump told him in July 2006 that he had expelled Epstein from his Mar-a-Lago club and that “people in New York knew he was disgusting.” Reiter also claimed Trump described Ghislaine Maxwell as Epstein’s “operative” and said “she is evil and to focus on her.” Maxwell was convicted in 2021 for helping recruit underage girls for Epstein. The former police chief further told the FBI that Trump said he had been around Epstein when he was with teenage girls but “got the hell out of there.” The document also states that Trump was among the “very first people to call” Florida police after learning about the investigation. In 2006, Palm Beach police were investigating Epstein over allegations of sexually exploiting underage girls. The case was later transferred to federal prosecutors. In 2008, Epstein reached a controversial plea deal that included a non-prosecution agreement shielding him from more serious federal charges. In a statement to the BBC, a US Justice Department official said authorities were not aware of any evidence confirming that the president contacted law enforcement two decades ago. Epstein associate Maxwell refuses to testify, seeks clemency At a White House briefing on Tuesday, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the reported call “may or may not have happened in 2006” and that she did not know the answer. “What President Trump has always said is that he kicked Jeffrey Epstein out of his Mar-a-Lago club because Jeffrey Epstein was a creep,” she said. “And that remains true in this call. If it did happen, it corroborates exactly what President Trump has said from the beginning.” The BBC has contacted Reiter for comment. Trump and Epstein were seen together socially and photographed in the 1990s. The president and the White House have maintained that he was unaware of Epstein’s crimes and ended contact with him around 2004, years before Epstein’s first arrest. Trump has said their relationship ended after he learned Epstein was trying to recruit employees from Mar-a-Lago. “When I heard about it, I told him, we don’t want you taking our people,” Trump said in July. “He was fine and then not too long after that he did it again and I said ‘outta here’.” The renewed attention comes after Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence, testified virtually before the US House Oversight Committee on Monday. During the closed-door session, she declined to answer questions and invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, according to committee chairman James Comer. Maxwell’s lawyer said she would be willing to speak “fully and honestly” if granted clemency by President Trump. Trump has said he has not considered pardoning her.    #With inputs from BBC  

Trump has signed an executive order warning that the United States could impose new tariffs on countries that continue trading with Iran. The order, signed on Friday, allows for additional import taxes on goods entering the US from any country that “directly or indirectly” buys goods or services from Iran. While it does not set a specific tariff rate, it cites 25% as a possible example, reports BBC. Although Trump has not publicly addressed the order in detail, he reiterated that Iran must not obtain nuclear weapons while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday night. The move comes as senior US and Iranian officials hold talks in Oman, following weeks of escalating rhetoric between the two sides. Earlier this year, Trump had already warned that countries doing business with Iran could face a 25% tariff, writing on Truth Social in January that such penalties would apply immediately. At the time, he did not explain how the policy would be enforced. The White House said the new order reinforces the existing national emergency related to Iran and noted that the president could revise it if circumstances change. It said the administration is responding to Iran’s nuclear ambitions, support for terrorism, missile development, and actions that destabilize the region. Iran has not issued an immediate response. The discussions in Oman, which began on Friday, mark the first direct talks between US and Iranian officials since last June, when the US bombed three of Iran’s main nuclear sites. Iran was represented by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while the US delegation included special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Trump described the talks as “very good,” saying Iran appeared eager to reach an agreement. He warned that failure to do so would bring severe consequences and said another meeting is planned for early next week. Oman’s foreign minister, Badr Albusaidi, who mediated the talks, said they helped clarify each side’s positions and identify potential areas for progress. Araghchi also called the talks a “good start,” saying they were conducted in a positive atmosphere and that both sides had returned home for further consultations. Growing tensions between Washington and Tehran have raised concerns about a possible conflict. Trump recently said Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, should be “very worried” and has warned that the US could take military action if Iran refuses to negotiate over its nuclear programme. Iran maintains that its nuclear activities are peaceful and denies seeking nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, the US has increased its military presence in the region. Trump described this buildup as a “massive armada,” citing Iran’s violent crackdown on nationwide protests last month. Human rights groups report that thousands may have been killed, though the true scale is uncertain due to government-imposed internet restrictions since early January.

The Trump administration on Thursday unveiled TrumpRx, a new government-backed website it says will help Americans access prescription drugs at lower prices, as rising health care expenses and living costs remain a major concern for households. President Donald Trump, speaking at the launch event, said the initiative would significantly reduce costs for patients and benefit the broader health care system. “You’re going to save a fortune,” he said, adding that the move would have a positive impact on overall care. TrumpRx does not sell medicines directly. Instead, the website serves as a hub that directs consumers to pharmaceutical companies’ direct-to-consumer platforms, where drugs can be purchased, and also offers discount coupons for use at retail pharmacies. At launch, the site features more than 40 medications, including popular weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy. Trump urges US to move on from Epstein amid ongoing scrutiny The rollout is part of the administration’s broader effort to demonstrate action on affordability, an issue that has become politically sensitive ahead of the November midterm elections, as Americans continue to worry about the costs of housing, food, utilities and other essentials. Trump said the lower prices were achieved by pressing drugmakers to charge Americans the same prices as those offered in other developed countries. He argued that this would end what he described as the United States subsidizing cheaper medicines abroad, even if prices rise in foreign markets as a result. While the administration is highlighting what it calls substantial discounts, the real impact on household spending remains uncertain. The website notes that listed prices reflect out-of-pocket costs and that people with insurance may pay less. It also acknowledges that some patients may find cheaper options through generic alternatives. Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, praised the initiative, describing it as a major shift in access to care. He claimed that lower prices for weight-loss drugs could lead to significant health improvements nationwide and suggested that reduced costs for fertility treatments could boost birth rates. Trump first announced plans for TrumpRx in September, alongside the first of more than 15 agreements with pharmaceutical companies aimed at lowering U.S. drug prices to match the lowest levels in comparable countries. In December, he said the platform would offer “massive discounts,” though it remains unclear whether prices on manufacturers’ sites will consistently undercut what many insured consumers already pay. The website’s launch followed several delays that the administration has not publicly explained. Initial expectations last year pointed to a release before the end of 2025, with another planned launch in late January also postponed. In recent months, Trump has repeatedly highlighted his administration’s efforts to curb prescription drug prices, including agreements with major manufacturers such as Pfizer, Eli Lilly and Merck. Under these deals, some Medicaid drug prices are set to align with “most favored nations” rates, and certain new medicines are to be introduced to consumers at discounted prices through TrumpRx. US launches plan to reduce reliance on China for critical minerals However, many details of the agreements remain unclear, and drug costs in the United States continue to vary widely based on factors such as insurance coverage and market competition. Most Americans are shielded from full prices through employer-based insurance, private plans or government programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Separately, the administration has also secured lower prices for several drugs for Medicare beneficiaries through a direct negotiation program established under a 2022 law.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Iran is negotiating with the United States. “The plan is that (Iran is) in talks with us, and we’ll see whether anything can be achieved. Otherwise, we’ll see what happens,” Trump told a Fox News correspondent. He said that “the last time they negotiated, we had to remove their nuclear capability. It didn’t work, you know. Then we did it a different way, and we’ll see what happens.” “We have a large fleet moving there, larger than what we had and still have, actually in Venezuela,” Trump said. Read More: Trump hikes US tariffs on South Korean goods to 25 percent Trump also said the United States could not share military plans with Gulf allies while negotiations with Iran were under way. “We can’t tell them the plan. If I told them the plan, it would be almost as bad as telling you the plan it could be worse, actually,” he said, responding to reports that Gulf allies remain uninformed about potential U.S. intervention plans involving Iran.

Uncertainty remained Friday over the scope and timing of a pledge by Russia to temporarily suspend attacks on Ukraine, after U.S. President Donald Trump said he secured a short-term commitment from Russian President Vladimir Putin amid one of Ukraine’s harshest winters in years. Trump said late Thursday that Putin had agreed to halt strikes on Kyiv and other cities for a limited period as freezing temperatures continue to worsen living conditions for civilians. “I personally asked President Putin not to strike Kyiv or other cities for a week during this period of extreme cold,” Trump said during a White House Cabinet meeting, adding that Putin had agreed. Trump did not clarify when the request was made or when the pause would take effect. The White House did not immediately provide further details regarding the duration or scope of the reported halt. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Friday that Trump made a direct request to Putin to stop attacks on Kyiv until Feb. 1 in order to create conditions favorable for negotiations. However, the reference to Feb. 1 raised questions, as the date is only days away and the coldest weather is expected to arrive starting Sunday, making the rationale for such a narrow time frame unclear. Throughout the war, Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in what Ukrainian officials describe as an effort to deprive civilians of electricity, heating, and water during winter. When asked whether Moscow had accepted Trump’s proposal, Peskov replied affirmatively but declined to specify whether the pause would apply only to energy facilities or to all aerial attacks, or when it would formally begin. Conflicting signals on the ground President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that while Russian strikes hit energy facilities in several regions on Thursday, no such attacks were reported overnight. He added, however, that Russia continued to target logistics networks and residential areas with drones and missiles, as it has on most nights during the conflict. Although Trump characterized Putin’s response as a concession, Zelenskyy expressed doubt that Russia is genuinely seeking an end to the war, which will mark its fourth anniversary on Feb. 24. “I do not believe Russia wants to stop this war. There is substantial evidence suggesting otherwise,” Zelenskyy said Thursday. He reiterated that Ukraine is prepared to halt attacks on Russian energy assets, including oil refineries, if Moscow also stops targeting Ukraine’s power grid and related infrastructure. Read More: Ukraine, Russia, US discuss territorial concessions in Abu Dhabi According to Ukraine’s Air Force, Russia launched 111 drones and one ballistic missile overnight, injuring at least three people. Russia’s Defense Ministry said its air defenses intercepted 18 Ukrainian drones over several regions, as well as over Crimea and the Black Sea. Severe cold ahead Meteorologists warned that Kyiv and other areas, already suffering from electricity shortages, are facing an intense cold spell beginning Friday and extending into next week. In some regions, temperatures could plunge to minus 30 degrees Celsius (minus 22 Fahrenheit), according to the State Emergency Service. Zelenskyy said the idea of a temporary halt in energy-related attacks was discussed during talks in Abu Dhabi last weekend involving representatives from Ukraine, Russia and the United States. He said Ukraine agreed to a reciprocal approach. “If Russia refrains from attacking us, we will take corresponding steps,” Zelenskyy told reporters. Additional discussions were expected Sunday in Abu Dhabi, though those plans could be affected by rising tensions between the United States and Iran. No formal ceasefire Zelenskyy stressed that there is no official ceasefire in place and no formal agreement between Kyiv and Moscow. “There has been no direct dialogue or signed agreement on a ceasefire,” he said, noting that Ukraine had proposed a limited energy truce during talks in Saudi Arabia last year, but the proposal did not advance. Territorial disputes remain a central obstacle to peace, with Russia demanding control over occupied and unoccupied Ukrainian territory, Zelenskyy said. Ukraine is open to compromises that lead to a genuine end to the war, he said, but not at the expense of its territorial integrity. He added that the United States is aware of Kyiv’s position and has discussed a potential compromise involving a free economic zone, which Ukraine insists must remain under its control.

President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order authorizing tariffs on goods from any nation that sells or provides oil to Cuba, a step that could further strain the island amid a worsening energy crisis. The measure mainly targets Mexico, which has been a critical oil supplier to Cuba and has maintained ties with the island despite efforts by President Claudia Sheinbaum to foster a strong relationship with Trump. When asked if he intended to “choke off” Cuba, which he called a “failing nation,” Trump replied, “I’m not trying to, but it looks like it’s something that’s just not going to be able to survive.” Trump and Sheinbaum spoke by phone Thursday morning, though Sheinbaum said Cuba was not discussed. She noted that Mexico’s foreign affairs secretary had told U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that continuing humanitarian aid to Cuba was important, and Mexico was ready to act as an intermediary between the U.S. and Havana. Trump threatens 50% tariff on Canadian aircraft, escalating trade war Speculation has grown this week that Mexico might reduce oil shipments under U.S. pressure. Cuba, facing an economic and energy crisis partly fueled by U.S. sanctions, has relied heavily on oil from allies such as Mexico, Russia, and Venezuela. Following a U.S. operation that ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Trump announced no Venezuelan oil would be sent to Cuba. Mexico’s state oil company, Pemex, reported shipping nearly 20,000 barrels of oil per day to Cuba from January to September 2025, though experts tracking shipments via satellite say the amount has fallen to around 7,000 barrels. Sheinbaum has provided ambiguous answers regarding the shipments. She said some deliveries had temporarily paused due to normal supply fluctuations, calling the decision “sovereign” and not influenced by the U.S., while maintaining that Mexico would continue supporting Cuba. She emphasized that contracts with Pemex largely determine shipment schedules. Trump orders reopening of Venezuela commercial airspace, signals travel resumption The uncertainty highlights the intense pressure on Mexico and other Latin American nations as Trump escalates his confrontational stance following the Venezuela operation. It remains unclear how the executive order will affect Cuba, where long gasoline lines and growing anxiety underscore the island’s ongoing crisis. Cuban authorities did not immediately respond to requests for comment.