United News of Bangladesh

The United States has announced plans to slash Iran’s oil exports by more than 90 per cent as part of former President Donald Trump’s renewed “maximum pressure” campaign, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated on Friday. Speaking to Fox Business, Bessent said, “We are committed to bringing the Iranians back to 100,000 barrels-a-day of oil exports,” referencing the level seen during Mr Trump’s first term in office. Currently, Iran is exporting between 1.5 million and 1.6 million barrels per day, according to Bessent. Last week, Mr Trump signed a memorandum directing the Treasury Department to impose “maximum economic pressure” on Tehran to prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons. The order echoes the policy from his first administration, which saw Iran’s oil exports plummet from approximately three million barrels per day in 2017 to around 400,000 in 2019. During his initial term, Mr Trump withdrew from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), arguing that the agreement failed to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear technology. Sanctions lifted under the deal were subsequently reimposed as part of Washington’s strategy to cripple Iran’s economy. Economic Pressure and Sanctions Bessent underscored the US’s capacity to enforce maximum economic pressure on Iran, suggesting that a return to “Trump 1.0 levels” of oil exports would lead to “severe economic distress” for the country. “Their economy is quite fragile right now,” he said, citing high inflation and a “gigantic” budget deficit. He further claimed that revenue from Iran’s oil exports was being used to fund “terrorist activity.” Modi says US and India target $500 billion bilateral trade by 2030 In line with Mr Trump’s directive, the Treasury Department has already imposed sanctions on three oil tankers, and Bessent signalled that further measures could be taken against Russian energy exports if instructed by the administration. The executive order also directed the State Department to “modify or rescind existing sanctions waivers” and coordinate with Treasury in implementing the maximum pressure policy. China and India in the Spotlight Experts warn that reducing Iran’s oil exports to near-zero levels would necessitate targeting intermediaries, as well as major buyers such as China and India. “The Chinese, perhaps Indians, are buying the sanctioned Iranian oil and that is unacceptable,” Bessent stated. While the US remains steadfast in its approach, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed the prospect of negotiations under such conditions. “Negotiation cannot be carried out from a weak stance, as it will no longer be considered negotiation but a kind of surrender. We never go to the negotiating table this way,” Iranian state media quoted him as saying this week. Opec’s Position Despite Washington’s aggressive stance, analysts suggest that the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) is unlikely to alter its voluntary production cuts due to the US campaign. With Iran’s crude oil production recorded at 3.28 million barrels per day in January 2025, Opec is expected to have sufficient capacity to absorb any supply reductions resulting from the sanctions. China establishes over 30,000 smart factories As tensions escalate, the effectiveness of Mr Trump’s renewed maximum pressure strategy remains to be seen, particularly amid ongoing geopolitical shifts and Iran’s determined resistance to US-imposed economic constraints. Source: Agencies

On his first day back in office, President Donald Trump issued pardons or commutations for all 1,500-plus individuals charged in connection with the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot, reports AP. Among those pardoned were individuals convicted of seditious conspiracy and assaulting law enforcement. This move effectively reversed the extensive prosecutions following the attack on the Capitol, which disrupted a joint session of Congress and injured over 100 police officers. Trump, a populist president, is flanked by tech billionaires at his inauguration Trump's decision also included an order for the attorney general to seek dismissal of around 450 pending cases linked to the Capitol riot. Describing the defendants as "patriots" and victims of an unjust Justice Department, Trump framed the pardons as a step towards "national reconciliation." His actions were celebrated by supporters and defence attorneys, while critics, including Democratic leaders and law enforcement officials, expressed outrage over what they saw as an affront to justice and public safety. Notably, the pardons included commutations for 14 individuals convicted of seditious conspiracy, with the remainder receiving full, unconditional clemency. The announcement triggered mixed reactions, with supporters expressing gratitude and optimism, while opponents highlighted the violent acts committed and the impact on victims, many of whom are law enforcement officers. Trump says 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico coming on Feb. 1 as he signs several orders on economy The sweeping pardons also come amidst the Justice Department's abandonment of federal criminal cases against Trump, following his re-election, in line with policies against prosecuting sitting presidents. Over the last four years, extensive investigations and prosecutions had resulted in more than 1,200 convictions, with many facing substantial prison sentences for their roles in the riot.

President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday announced a $20 billion investment for data centers in the United States by an Emirati company led by billionaire Hussain Sajwani, a close business partner of the Trump family. The investment by DAMAC Properties in the United Arab Emirates is intended to highlight Trump's personal ability to attract new money for big projects. The announcement follows a pledge made last month by the Japanese billionaire investor Masayoshi Son, while at Trump's side, to invest $100 billion in the United States. Trump said at a news conference that he believed Sajwani made the commitment because “he was very inspired by the election and wouldn't do it without the election.” The president-elect emphasized his plans to get investments of $1 billion or more through the environmental regulatory review process quickly. Following Trump, Sajwani briefly joined the news conference and said: “It’s been amazing news for me and my family when he was elected in November.” Sajwani's promised investment feeds into an existing boom for constructing data centers used in the development of artificial intelligence and expansion of cryptocurrency, as well as in other elements of an increasingly digital economy that relies on having greater sources of computer processing power. Trump tries again to get Friday's hush money sentencing called off While Trump has sought to portray these announcements as a source of newfound energy in the U.S. economy, the $20 billion commitment is also a sign that wealthy investors close to Trump can profit off that relationship, given the already significant investment in new data centers. In October, the financial company Blackstone estimated that the U.S. would see $1 trillion invested in data centers over five years, with another $1 trillion being committed internationally. The commitment made by Sajwani could represent just 2% of the total expected domestic investment in the sector. Sajwani would gain data centers in the United States, which thus far have not been part of his company's EDGNEX data center portfolio. According to the company's website, it already has or plans to build data centers in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Spain, Thailand and Indonesia. DAMAC Properties is one of the top private developers in the skyscraper-studded city-state in the United Arab Emirates. The property developer has been a Trump partner. Under Sajwani, DAMAC built the Trump International Golf Club at a massive development in the city’s desert outskirts just before Trump first entered the White House. DAMAC also paid a licensing fee worth millions back to the Trump Organization, following a pattern the president-elect's company has used in developments both in the U.S. and abroad. There had been plans for another DAMAC development further in the desert that would have a Trump-named golf course. However, DAMAC later dropped plans for the golf course at the development. Also, discussions for a promised $2 billion in deals between DAMAC and the Trump Organization after his first electoral win in 2016 never materialized. Sajwani has said that Trump's initial election to the presidency helped increase the profile of his company. Since Trump’s re-election in November, Sajwani has been seen at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. He posted a picture standing between a seated Trump and billionaire Elon Musk at a New Year’s Eve celebration. However, the Trump Organization since has been involved with Dar Global, a Saudi-funded real estate firm that’s building a Trump-branded golf course in Oman and Trump projects in Saudi Arabia. There are plans for a Trump Tower in Dubai as well, though previous plans for a Trump Tower on Dubai’s man-made Palm Jumeirah archipelago fell apart during the city’s financial crisis that began in 2008.

For more than a year, Israel's security forces, with significant backing from the United States, invested substantial resources and gathered extensive intelligence in their pursuit of Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader linked to the October 7 attacks, according to The New York Times. Ultimately, it was a unit of trainee squad commanders who unexpectedly came across Sinwar during an operation in southern Gaza, as reported by four Israeli defense officials who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the situation. Where was Sinwar found? On Wednesday, an Israeli unit patrolling southern Gaza encountered a small group of fighters, according to officials. Supported by drones, the soldiers engaged in a firefight, resulting in the deaths of three Palestinian militants. During the clash, Israeli fire damaged a building where the militants were hiding. Israel confirms killing of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar in Gaza As the dust settled and the soldiers began to search the debris, they discovered a body that strikingly resembled Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader. This discovery was unexpected, as Israeli and U.S. intelligence had believed Sinwar was hiding deep underground, surrounded by Israeli hostages to protect himself from assassination. How did Sinwar die? Photographs obtained by The New York Times, some of which circulated online, depict a man whose facial features closely resemble Yahya Sinwar. The body shows multiple severe wounds, including to the head and leg, and bears distinctive marks matching those seen in archival footage of Sinwar, such as moles near his eyes and crooked teeth. After the firefight concluded, soldiers approached the bodies with caution, as the area was still strewn with explosive devices. They suspected that Sinwar's body might be booby-trapped. Alongside the militants, the troops discovered money and weaponry, with one official sharing photos of the scene, including these items. The soldiers were also concerned about the possibility of hostages being present but found none with the fighters. The Israeli military stated that there is no evidence indicating that any hostages still held in Gaza were harmed during the battle. By Thursday evening, following the identification process, the Israeli military confirmed that Yahya Sinwar was dead. Source: With inputs from The New York Times 

The White House has ruled out any involvement of the United States behind the fall of Sheikh Hasina-led government, stressing that it is false. "So, we have had no involvement at all. Any — any reports or rumors that the United States government was involved in these — in these events is simply, simply false. That is not true," Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at a press briefing on August 12. She said this is a choice for and by the Bangladeshi people. "We believe that the Bangladeshi people should determine the future of the Bangladeshi government, and that’s where we stand," said the White House press secretary. Read more: UN calls for inclusive and transparent parliamentary election in Bangladesh "Any allegations, certainly, we will continue to say, and I have said here, is simply not true," she added. A journalist mentioned that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reported to allies that she was thrown out — or forced to be out of power because U.S. wanted to have one of the islands given to them - the United States of America. And since — because they didn’t agree to it, she was forced to resign, the questioner mentioned. She said they are going to continue to monitor the situation. Respinding to a question on Hindu community, the press secretary said when it comes to any type of human rights issues here, the US president is always — has been very consistent in speaking loud and clear in public and also privately. Read more: No reason to get affected ties with India: Foreign Affairs Adviser "Don’t have anything — and he’ll continue to do that, but don’t have any specific engagement to speak to at this time," she said.

Acknowledging restoration of telecommunications across Bangladesh, the United States has called for a full and undisrupted public access to internet and social media services. “We’re aware of some restoration of telecommunications across Bangladesh, but we are calling for a full and undisrupted public access to internet and social media services,” Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the United States Department of State Vedant Patel told reporters at a regular briefing on July 29. This will enable people in Bangladesh – including US citizens in the country – to be able to access critical information, he said. Read more: Mobile internet restored after 10 days Patel said that they, both in public and private, continue to call for a “lasting and peaceful” resolution to the current situation. “And we reiterate our unwavering support for the freedom of peaceful assembly,” he said.

The United States has said it is closely monitoring the developments in the case against Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus. “We will continue to encourage the Bangladeshi government to ensure a fair and transparent legal process for Dr. Yunus as the appeals process continues,” said Mathew Miller, spokesperson for the US Department of State, during a regular briefing on June 4. Miller expressed concerns that these cases might represent a “misuse” of Bangladesh’s labor laws to “harass and intimidate” Dr. Yunus. Court sets June 12 for decision on whether Yunus to go on trial in embezzlement case “We also worry that the perceived misuse of labor and anti-corruption laws could raise questions about the rule of law and dissuade foreign direct investment,” he added. The government of Bangladesh has maintained that it is not a party to the case involving Dr. Muhammad Yunus and emphasized the independence and transparency of its judicial process. “With due respect to Dr. Yunus, I would like to say that the judicial process of Bangladesh is transparent. That's why many members of the ruling party face trials and even jail sentences,” Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud told journalists recently. Dr Yunus suffering for deceiving 1.05 cr Grameen Bank members, says the bank’s Chief Legal Advisor

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday (May 27, 2024) extended an invitation to US business leaders to explore business opportunities in Bangladesh and partner with the country in its journey towards becoming a developed, prosperous, and smart nation by 2041. “I invite you to invest in our many vibrant and high-potential sectors, such as renewable energy, shipbuilding, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, light and heavy machinery, chemical fertilizers, ICT, marine resources, and medical equipment, among others,” she said. The Prime Minister said this during her opening speech at a meeting with the US-Bangladesh Business Council at her official residence, Ganabhaban. She expressed optimism that economic engagement through the US-Bangladesh Business Council would deepen in the coming days. “The United States will become our long-term partner in achieving our development goals through trade, investment, technology transfer, and by creating a smooth and predictable supply chain for mutual benefits,” she added. While briefing reporters after the meeting, PM’s speechwriter M Nazrul Islam said that Sheikh Hasina informed members of US-Bangladesh Business Council that with her personal initiative after forming the government in 1996, US investment in Bangladesh increased manifold. PM urges JICA to allow farmers to use wastage of sea water in the desalination project at Matarbari Nazrul Islam said that the US investors expressed high expectations regarding their investments in Bangladesh. “But they pointed out some challenges which needed to be addressed for more investments in Bangladesh,” he said. US-Bangladesh Business Council Chairman Steven Kobos delivered the welcome speech while the Council President Ambassador (retd) Atul Keshap gave the vote of thanks. Sheikh Hasina hoped that the US-Bangladesh Business Council would continue to play a significant role in advancing trade and investment cooperation between the two friendly countries. “Our focus is now on promoting economic and commercial relations with not only regional but also global partners, including the United States,” she said. PM urges multilateral dev banks to set viable debt management plan for vulnerable countries Highlighting the government’s accomplishments over the last 15 years, she mentioned several mega-infrastructure projects such as the Padma Bridge, metro rail in Dhaka, the Karnaphuli River tunnel, expressway, a modern international airport in Dhaka, and power plants. “Legal and financial infrastructures are also being enhanced. These have heightened our domestic and regional connectivity,” she noted. Additionally, the Prime Minister mentioned the establishment of 100 special economic zones (SEZs) and 28 hi-tech parks, some of which are already operational. “Particularly in the IT sector, with over a million freelancing IT professionals, Bangladesh is the right destination for IT investments. Moreover, the availability of a young, skilled, and vibrant workforce at a competitive wage is a huge advantage.” She emphasized that Bangladesh has the most liberal investment policy in the region and is prioritizing improvements to the investment environment. Sheikh Hasina also highlighted Bangladesh’s upcoming transition from a "least developed" to a "developing" country in 2026. “We aspire to become a ‘Smart Nation’ by 2041. Here, we need your support in increasing our global competitiveness and expanding our export base.” Bangladesh to launch US roadshow with 30 banks’ MDs to advertise offshore services She noted that Bangladesh is globally acknowledged as a “role model of socio-economic development,” attributing this to good governance, rule of law, stability, investment in the rural economy, empowerment of women, and ICT advancements that led to Digital Bangladesh. The Prime Minister acknowledged the United States as a major economic and development partner for decades, with intensive engagements in many areas, particularly trade and investment. “Our shared aim is to achieve mutual benefit and prosperity for our people. This is manifested in our growing bilateral trade and people-to-people interaction,” she said. She added that the United States is currently the largest single-country destination for Bangladeshi exports, the largest source of foreign direct investment, and an important source of knowledge and technology. PM’s Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu and Ambassador at Large M Ziauddin were present at the meeting. Read more: Australian FM's Visit: Trade, investment, Rohingya, regional security to get priority

Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud has said that the government of Bangladesh has taken a zero tolerance policy on combating corruption and will continue to work with the United States on this issue. “For combating corruption, we are working with the US. We want to work together and will continue to do that," he told reporters. Hasan was speaking at a “meet the reporters” programme today (May 21, 2024) organised by Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU). DRU President Syed Shukur Ali Shuvo and General Secretary Mohiuddin also spoke at the event. Responding to a question, the Foreign Minister said the US decision against former army chief General Aziz Ahmed was not under the visa policy. Ex Army chief Aziz, his immediate family members ineligible for entry into US It was made under Section 7031(c) of the annual Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act. The Foreign Minister said Bangladesh remains engaged with the US and the two countries are working together on combating terrorism, human trafficking and other issues. He said the decision regarding the ex army chief was first conveyed to the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington. The US Department of State on Monday announced the public designation of General Aziz Ahmed, previously Chief of the Bangladesh Army Staff, due to what it says was his involvement in "significant corruption". This action renders Aziz and his immediate family members generally ineligible for entering the United States. His actions have contributed to the undermining of Bangladesh’s democratic institutions and the public’s faith in public institutions and processes, the US State Department said. "Aziz Ahmed engaged in significant corruption by interfering in public processes while helping his brother evade accountability for criminal activity in Bangladesh," said the US Department of State. Aziz also worked closely with his brother to ensure the improper awarding of military contracts and accepted bribes in exchange for government appointments for his personal benefit, it claimed. "This designation reaffirms the US commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and rule of law in Bangladesh," said the US government. Read more: Someone “paid by BNP” is deployed at US State Dept briefings: Hasan Mahmud

The U.S. Department of State has announced the public designation of former General Aziz Ahmed, previously Chief of the Bangladesh Army Staff, due to what it says his involvement in "significant corruption". This action renders Aziz and his immediate family members generally ineligible for entry into the United States. His actions have contributed to the undermining of Bangladesh’s democratic institutions and the public’s faith in public institutions and processes, it said "Aziz Ahmed engaged in significant corruption by interfering in public processes while helping his brother evade accountability for criminal activity in Bangladesh," said the US Department of State. Read more: Australia FM to discuss climate change, regional maritime security, bilateral issues with PM Hasina, FM Tuesday Aziz also worked closely with his brother to ensure the improper awarding of military contracts and accepted bribes in exchange for government appointments for his personal benefit, the Srate Department claimed. "This designation reaffirms the U.S. commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and rule of law in Bangladesh," said the US government. The United States supports anticorruption efforts in Bangladesh through assistance to make government services more transparent and affordable, improve the business and regulatory environment, and build capacity in investigating and prosecuting money laundering and other financial crimes. These public designations are made under Section 7031(c) of the annual Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act. Read more: Bangladeshi students in Kyrgyzstan capital are safe: Foreign Minister