United News of Bangladesh

President Donald Trump’s renewed push to acquire Greenland has triggered resistance from Republicans in Congress, with lawmakers increasingly uneasy about US military involvement overseas. However, it remains uncertain whether enough Republicans would join Democrats to stop a takeover of the island territory, or whether Trump would ignore Congress and move ahead on his own, as he has done repeatedly during a second term marked by deeper US entanglements abroad. What began as a debate over Greenland has now widened into a broader argument over the Trump administration’s unilateral use of military force, as well as diplomatic and economic pressure, to project American power in places such as Venezuela, Iran and beyond. Read More: Pro-Greenland protesters mock Trump's MAGA slogan with 'Make America Go Away' caps Republicans have largely supported Trump’s foreign policy since his return to the White House. But a growing number are now siding with Democrats in Congress and Nato allies who say that any attempt to take over Greenland would breach both US and international law, reports BBC. In recent days, several senior Republicans have said there is little appetite in Washington for buying Greenland or seizing it by force. Some GOP lawmakers have also joined Democrats in opposing Trump’s proposal to impose tariffs on countries that refuse to back his bid for the territory, which is self-governing but remains under Danish control. The proposed tariffs would be “bad for America, bad for American businesses, and bad for America’s allies,” Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina wrote on social media, warning that the move would benefit China and Russia. “It’s great for Putin, Xi and other adversaries who want to see Nato divided.” Other Republicans said Trump’s ambition to annex Greenland risked weakening the Nato alliance, of which both the United States and Denmark are members, at a time of growing strain between Washington and its European partners. Read More: US forces seize seventh Venezuela-linked oil tanker amid Trump oil crackdown “Respect for the sovereignty of the people of Greenland should be non-negotiable,” said Senator Lisa Murkowski, co-chair of the Senate Arctic Caucus. Trump has argued that the US must control the territory to compete more effectively with China and Russia in the Arctic and has vowed to take it “one way or another”. On Tuesday, he brushed aside concerns that the issue could damage Nato. Asked by the BBC whether he was prepared to see the decades-old security alliance collapse over Greenland, Trump repeated his view that ownership of the island was vital for US and global security. “We need [Greenland] for national security and even world security,” he said. Despite Trump’s insistence, the plan is becoming increasingly unpopular on Capitol Hill. If Republicans and Democrats decide to confront the president, Congress has several tools at its disposal. Lawmakers control federal spending and, in theory, would have to approve any funding used to buy Greenland, according to experts. Denmark and Greenland have both made clear that the island is not for sale. “If Trump wants to buy Greenland it would require an act of Congress to provide the funds to do so,” said Daniel Schuman, executive director of the American Governance Institute and a specialist in congressional procedure. He added that it would be unlikely for Congress to redirect existing funds for such a purchase. At the same time, the administration has expanded its use of executive power to implement Trump’s immigration and tariff agenda. Schuman said the White House might attempt to claim new authority to seize Greenland in a way that bypasses congressional opposition. Read More: Greenland, tariffs and Trump dominate Davos talks Lawmakers worried about a possible military move have signalled support for measures that would ban any US action in Greenland without congressional approval. But it is unclear whether those proposals have enough Republican backing to pass in either chamber. Earlier this month, five Senate Republicans joined Democrats to advance a bill aimed at blocking further US military action in Venezuela, following the December attack that removed former president Nicolás Maduro. That war powers resolution ultimately failed in the Senate, but it highlighted growing frustration among both Republicans and Democrats over Trump’s use of military force abroad, after he campaigned in 2024 on a pledge to scale back US involvement in foreign conflicts. Last week, a bipartisan congressional delegation visited Denmark in a symbolic show of support for Greenland. Questions also remain over how the Senate would respond if Washington and Copenhagen reached an agreement over part or all of Greenland. The US already has a 1951 defence agreement with Denmark allowing it to expand its military presence on the island. Murkowski and other Republicans argue that this arrangement is sufficient to meet US security needs in the region. The Senate could also try to block Trump by rejecting any treaty with Denmark. Treaties require a two-thirds majority for ratification, a threshold Republicans currently fall well short of. Some Republicans have already indicated they may break with Trump over Greenland. Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the former Senate majority leader, told reporters that a US takeover of the territory would “shatter the trust of allies”. Faced with growing unease within his own party, Trump could attempt to strike a deal that stops short of a formal treaty and avoids Senate approval. But analysts say it is unclear whether a president has the authority to conclude such an agreement without Congress. “Plenty of international agreements are concluded in forms other than treaties,” said Josh Chafetz, a law professor at Georgetown University, but added, “I’m sceptical that something of this magnitude could be concluded as a pure executive agreement.” On Tuesday, Trump declined to say whether he believed there were any limits on his pursuit of Greenland. Asked how far he was willing to go, he told reporters to wait and see. “I think something is going to happen that’s going to be very good for everybody,” Trump said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a meeting of US Congress members that "victory" in Gaza and "getting" Hamas' senior leadership in the enclave are only "a few weeks away."On Wednesday, Netanyahu told a bipartisan group from the US Congress, “We’ve killed many senior leaders [of Hamas], including number four in Hamas, number three in Hamas. We’ll get number two and number one. That’s victory. Victory is within reach. It’s a few weeks away," reports CNN. Hosting the congressional delegation in Jerusalem, which the Prime Minister's Office claimed was organised by the pro-Israel lobbying group American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), Netanyahu said it was "very important to maintain bipartisan support" but "especially in these trying times." Netanyahu stated that Israel "had no choice" but to enter Rafah because its "very existence is on the line." Netanyahu is an obstacle to peace: US Senate Majority Leader Chuck SchumerThe prime minister stated that Israel has had a "remarkable alignment" with the Biden administration since the October 7 Hamas attack, but they have fundamentally opposing views on an Israeli incursion into Rafah, the report said.Israel has received international condemnation before of its planned onslaught on the southern Gaza city, where over one million Palestinians are currently taking shelter. Netanyahu had previously stated to the delegation that displaced Palestinians in Gaza could "just move" out of Rafah and "move with their tents." Biden: Netanyahu 'hurting Israel' by not preventing more civilian deaths in Gaza"There is all of the Gaza Strip north of Rafah," Netanyahu remarked. "People can move up or down," he continued.Disagreements regarding the possible invasion of Rafah and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza have strained relations between Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden.Earlier this week, Netanyahu postponed a scheduled government trip to Washington in protest over the United States' abstention from a UN Security Council vote that allowed a resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza to pass, the report also said.The resolution, proposed by the 10 non-permanent members of the Security Council, demanded an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages and “the urgent need to expand the flow” of aid into Gaza. Netanyahu snaps back against growing US criticism after being accused of losing his way on Gaza

Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Muhammad Imran has met several congressmen and congresswomen over the last few weeks and briefed them about Bangladesh’s impressive socio-economic development that took place under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. They also discussed various other issues of bilateral interests like the Rohingya issue, peace-keeping, labor issues, trade cooperation, Indo-Pacific Strategy, and regional and global issues. Discussions underway on possibility of supplying LNG, wheat, fertilisers from Russia: Lavrov Ambassador Imran met House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY-08), who has joined as a member of Bangladesh Caucus recently, said the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington on Saturday. He also met four Co-chairs of the Bangladesh Caucus — Claudia Tenny (R-NY 24), Gerry Connolly (D-VA 11), Dwight Evans (D-PA 03) and Joe Wilson (R-SC 02) — at their respective offices. Dhaka, New Delhi sign 3 MoUs after Hasina-Modi talks The Ambassador also met congressmen Rep. William Keating (D-MA 09), Rep. James P McGovern (D-MA 02), Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA 21), Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ 09), Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA 06) and Chief of Staff of Congressman Rep. Barry Moore (R-LA 02) recently. UN goal of achieving gender equality by 2030 is impossible because of biases against women, UN says As part of regular engagement, the Ambassador and Embassy officials also had separate meetings with Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS 01), Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL 22), Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI 11), Rep. Grace Ming (D-NY 06), Rep. Mario Diaz Balart (R-FL 25) and other current and former congressmen/senators and their senior staffers.

On the occasion of Bangladesh’s 52nd anniversary of independence, the United States Congress introduced a resolution on March 29 — recognizing and commending Bangladesh and its remarkable socioeconomic progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Republican Congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina introduced the resolution at the Congress as the co-chair of the Congressional Bangladesh Caucus. Joe Wilson Sr. (born July 31, 1947) has been serving as the US representative for South Carolina's 2nd congressional district since 2001. He earlier served as the South Carolina state senator from the 23rd district from 1985 to 2001. Read more: Declare Pakistan army action in 1971 ‘Genocide’: US congressmen introduce resolution While placing the resolution, Congressman Wilson recalled that 51 years ago on April 4, 1972, the United States recognized Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan. During the nine-month-long Bangladesh Liberation War, members of the Pakistan Armed Forces and pro-Pakistani militias killed hundreds of thousands of people and injured many more, the resolution said. The war for independence was a struggle for democracy and freedom led by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, it noted. It said Bangladesh has made enormous strides in the last five decades from one of the poorest nations to having one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, with the GDP per capita increasing to $2,457 in 2021 according to the World Bank which now exceeds that of its regional neighbors. Read More: Japan is a true friend , trusted partner of Bangladesh since independence: Envoy The resolution mentioned since its independence in 1971, Bangladesh's economy has grown from $9 billion to $450 billion, life expectancy has risen from 47 years to 73 years, and the adult literacy rate has risen to more than 75 percent. Bangladesh, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has made substantial socioeconomic progress in food production, disaster resilience, poverty reduction, improved health, education, and women's empowerment, it noted. The resolution said Bangladesh has successfully maintained a moderate Muslim society and curbed extremism in the country, and its people have sought to maintain support for democracy and rule of law rather than descending into authoritarian rule. The resolution said the United States and Bangladesh have extensive cooperation on matters of regional and global security, counter terrorism, and climate change. Read More: India would help restore democracy as it helped gain independence: Fakhrul The US is the largest export market for Bangladesh and one of the largest sources of foreign direct investment, it said, adding the nation of Bangladesh has also contributed to the US economy through bilateral trade and international security cooperation in return. The resolution said the American people appreciate the generous and indispensable role that Bangladesh performs in accepting and sheltering more than 1 million Rohingya people from a genocide perpetrated by its neighbor, Myanmar. The United States has contributed the largest amount of humanitarian aid to address this crisis, totaling more than $2 billion. It said the American people welcome that Bangladesh is one of the world's largest contributors to United Nations’ peacekeeping efforts globally. Both countries seek to enhance their people-to people and government-to-government relationship for shared prosperity. The resolution mentioned that Bangladesh has expressed gratitude to the United States for contributing more than 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to the people of Bangladesh. Read More: Sultana Jesmin’s death in RAB custody won’t impact Bangladesh-US relations: Momen The resolution said the American people recognize and commend the nation and people of Bangladesh as they celebrate five decades of independence. The United States extends its sincere determination to remain a constructive partner of Bangladesh in achieving mutual economic, social and national security objectives now and into the future, the resolution concluded.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that she will not seek a leadership position in the new Congress, a pivotal realignment making way for a new generation of leaders after Democrats lost control of the House to Republicans in the midterm elections. Pelosi announced in a spirited speech on the House floor that she will step aside after leading Democrats for nearly 20 years and in the aftermath of the brutal attack on her husband, Paul, last month in their San Francisco home. The California Democrat, who rose to become the nation’s first woman to wield the speaker’s gavel, said she would remain in Congress as the representative from San Francisco, a position she has held for 35 years, when the new Congress convenes in January. “Now we must move boldly into the future,” Pelosi said. “I will not seek reelection to Democratic leadership in the next Congress,” Pelosi said. “For me, the hour has come for a new generation to lead the Democratic caucus that I so deeply respect.” Pelosi received a standing ovation after her remarks, and lawmakers and guests one by one went up to offer her hugs, many taking selfies of a moment in history. President Joe Biden spoke with Pelosi in the morning and congratulated her on her historic tenure as speaker of the House, the White house said. It’s an unusual choice for a party leader to stay on after withdrawing from congressional leadership but one befitting of Pelosi, who has long defied convention in pursuing power in Washington. Pelosi recapped her career, from seeing the Capitol the first time as a young girl with her father, a former congressman and mayor, to serving as speaker alongside U.S. presidents and doing “the people’s work.” “Every day I am in power of the majestic miracle of American democracy,” she said. Read: Pelosi makes first public remarks since husband’s assault Democrats cheered Pelosi as she arrived in the chamber at noon. On short notice, lawmakers filled the House, at least on the Democratic side, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer joined. The Speaker’s Gallery filled with Pelosi staff and guest. Some Republicans, including some newly-elected members, also attended. Schumer exchanged a long hug and kiss on the cheek with the speaker shortly after she finished her speech. Earlier, Pelosi had noted in a statement after The Associated Press called control of the chamber that, in the next Congress, House Democrats will have “strong leverage over a scant Republican majority.” The first woman to become speaker, and the only person in decades to be twice elected to the role, she has led Democrats through consequential moments, including passage of the Affordable Care Act with President Barack Obama and the impeachments of President Donald Trump. By announcing her decision, Pelosi could launch a domino effect in House Democratic leadership ahead of internal party elections next month as Democrats reorganize as the minority party for the new Congress. Pelosi’s leadership team, with Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland and Democratic Whip James Clyburn of South Carolina, has long moved as a triumvirate. Hoyer and Clyburn are also making decisions about their futures. All now in their 80s, the three House Democratic leaders have faced restless colleagues eager for them to step aside and allow a new generation to take charge. Democratic Reps. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Katherine Clark of Massachusetts and Pete Aguilar of California have similarly moved as a trio, all working toward becoming the next generation of leaders. Jeffries could make history if he enters the race to become the nation’s first Black speaker of the House. One idea circulating on Capitol Hill was that Pelosi and the others could emerge as emeritus leaders as they pass the baton to new Democrats. Clyburn, the highest-ranking Black American in Congress, has said he has no interest in being speaker or leader of the minority at this point in his life but expects to stay in Congress next year. “I do wish to remain at the leadership table,” Clyburn said a week after the midterms. “As to what capacity that will be, I will leave that up to our Democratic caucus.” Hoyer has not spoken publicly of his plans. Read: Pelosi’s Taiwan visit, China’s blockade and what next? First elected in 1987, Pelosi has been a pivotal figure in American politics, long ridiculed by Republicans as a San Francisco liberal while steadily rising as a skilled legislator and fundraising powerhouse. Her own Democratic colleagues have intermittently appreciated but also feared her powerful brand of leadership. Pelosi first became speaker in 2007, saying she had cracked the “marble ceiling,” after Democrats swept to power in the 2006 midterm elections in a backlash to then-President George W. Bush and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. When she was poised in 2018 to return as speaker, in the Trump era, she vowed “to show the power of the gavel.” Pelosi has repeatedly withstood leadership challenges over the years and had suggested in 2018 she would serve four more years as leader. But she had not discussed those plans more recently. Typically unsentimental, Pelosi let show a rare moment of emotion on the eve of the midterm elections as she held back tears discussing the grave assault on her husband of nearly 60 years. Paul Pelosi suffered a fractured skull after an intruder broke into their home in the middle the night seeking the Democratic leader. The intruder’s question — “Where is Nancy?” — echoed the chants of the pro-Trump rioters at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as they hunted for Pelosi and tried to stop Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s election victory over Trump. David DePape is being held without bail on attempted murder and other charges in what authorities said was a political attack. Police said DePape broke in and woke up Paul Pelosi, and the two struggled over a hammer before DePape struck the 82-year-old on the head. DePape, 42, has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of attempting to kidnap a federal official and assaulting a federal official’s family member. Paul Pelosi was hospitalized for a week but is expected to recover, though his wife has said it will be a long haul. At the time, Speaker Pelosi would not discuss her political plans but would only disclose that the attack on her husband would impact her decision. Historians have noted that other consequential political figures had careers as rank-and-file members of Congress, including John Quincy Adams, the former president, who went on to serve for nearly 18 years in Congress. Read: After Taiwan, Pelosi meets political leaders in South Korea

US Congress on Tuesday approved a bill aimed at combating hate crimes and violence against Asian Americans following a sharp rise in such incidents amid the coronavirus pandemic. The bill, which will be sent to President Joe Biden to be signed into law, will require the Justice Department to expedite the review of hate crimes and issue guidance aimed at raising awareness against such acts, while enhancing support to state and local law enforcement agencies responding to hate crimes. "The COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act will strengthen our defenses" against attacks targeting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said prior to the vote at the chamber. Also read: Asian Americans see generational split on confronting racism The United States has seen a rise in violent hate crimes and discrimination against Asians and Asian Americans, coinciding with the spread of the novel coronavirus first detected in China in late 2019. Shocking footage of attacks on Asian people has circulated on social media from time to time and a shooting in the Atlanta area that killed six Asian women in March sparked demonstrations across the country against anti-Asian racism. Also read: Asian Americans haunted by white supremacy, hate Over 6,600 incidences of anti-Asian and Pacific Islander discrimination and violence were reported during the year through March in all 50 states in the United States, Pelosi said, adding, "Hundreds more occur unreported in the shadows." The bill passed the House with a vote of 364 to 62 on Tuesday following a Senate approval in April. It was sponsored by Sen. Mazie Hirono, who was born in Japan's Fukushima Prefecture and immigrated to Hawaii.

With 13 days left in his term, President Donald Trump finally bent to reality on Thursday amid growing talk of trying to force him out early, acknowledging he’ll peacefully leave after Congress affirmed his defeat.

Congress overwhelmingly approved a bill Tuesday aimed at pressuring China over a brutal mass crackdown on ethnic Muslims in the far west of the country, legislation that follows a similar measure over human rights abuses in Hong Kong that angered the Chinese government.