United News of Bangladesh

Europe’s security outlook is under renewed scrutiny as leaders prepare to gather for the Munich Security Conference this week, with the legacy and ongoing impact of US President Donald Trump’s foreign policy casting a long shadow over transatlantic relations. It has been a year since US Vice President JD Vance delivered a controversial address at the same forum, sharply criticising Europe over migration and free speech and arguing that the continent’s greatest threats were internal. The remarks stunned delegates and signalled a deeper shift that has since reshaped US relations with both allies and rivals. Over the past year, the Trump administration has imposed punitive tariffs on partners, taken an aggressive stance abroad and pursued diplomacy on Ukraine that many in Europe see as favouring Moscow. Trump has also made provocative statements, including suggesting that Canada should become the 51st US state. As the conference opens later this week, more than 50 world leaders are expected to attend. The US delegation will be led by Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio, amid growing European concerns about Washington’s long-term commitment to the continent’s defence. Those concerns were heightened by the latest US National Security Strategy, published late last year, which urged Europe to take primary responsibility for its own security. The document reinforced fears that the United States is increasingly reluctant to continue underwriting European defence. Tensions were further strained by a recent crisis over Greenland, after Trump repeatedly said the United States needed to “own” the Arctic island for security reasons and at one point did not rule out the use of force. Greenland is a self-governing territory under Denmark, a Nato member, and Danish leaders warned that any hostile takeover would effectively end the alliance that has underpinned European security for decades. Although the immediate Greenland dispute has subsided, it has left lingering doubts about the durability of the US-Europe security partnership. Former UK intelligence chief Sir Alex Younger said the transatlantic alliance has changed but is not broken, noting that Europe still benefits greatly from its security and intelligence ties with the United States. He also argued that Trump was right to push Europe to shoulder more of the defence burden, pointing to long-standing imbalances in military spending. However, divisions extend beyond defence budgets. The Trump administration has clashed with Europe over trade, migration and free speech, while many European governments have been alarmed by Trump’s approach to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his tendency to criticise Ukraine despite Russia’s invasion. Ahead of the conference, organisers released a report warning of a fundamental break with long-standing US post-World War II strategy, which had prioritised multilateral institutions, economic integration and the promotion of democracy and human rights as strategic assets. The report said all three pillars have been weakened or openly questioned under the Trump administration. US-based analysts at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies described the new National Security Strategy as a painful wake-up call for Europe and evidence of a deep divergence between European expectations and Washington’s current vision. The strategy includes language supporting groups opposed to Europe’s current political direction and criticises European migration policies, while still acknowledging that Europe remains strategically important to the United States. A central concern for many European officials is whether Nato’s Article 5, the collective defence clause, can still be relied upon. Although Nato leaders insist the commitment remains intact, Trump’s unpredictability and his administration’s scepticism towards Europe have raised doubts. These questions are sharpened by the ongoing war in Ukraine and hypothetical scenarios involving Nato’s eastern flank, where any hesitation or miscalculation could have serious consequences. As discussions begin in Munich, European leaders hope for clarity on the future of the transatlantic alliance, even as many fear the answers may confirm a more uncertain and fragmented security order.   With inputs from BBC

US President Donald Trump’s relationship with the National Football League has long been tense and complicated, marked by legal battles, failed ownership bids and sharp political clashes, even as recent public appearances suggest a temporary thaw. The complexity was on display last May when NFL commissioner Roger Goodell stood beside Trump in the Oval Office to announce that Washington DC would host the NFL Draft in 2027. The moment appeared symbolic, given Trump’s decades long disputes with America’s most popular sports league. Trump’s clashes with the NFL date back more than 40 years. In the early 1980s, he tried but failed to buy an NFL franchise before purchasing the New Jersey Generals of the now defunct United States Football League. He later pushed the USFL into direct competition with the NFL and led an antitrust lawsuit accusing the league of monopolising television contracts. Although a jury ruled the NFL an illegal monopoly, it awarded the USFL only nominal damages. The league collapsed soon after, and Trump’s hopes of forcing a merger and gaining an NFL team ended. Trump made further attempts to buy NFL teams over the years, including the Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills, but each bid failed. Analysts and former associates have suggested those setbacks fuelled his resentment toward the league and may even have influenced his later political ambitions. Tensions escalated during Trump’s first presidency when NFL players protested racial injustice by kneeling during the national anthem. Trump publicly criticised the players and urged team owners to discipline them, drawing sharp responses from league officials and several team owners. The controversy deepened divisions between the White House and the NFL, with Trump calling for rule changes and boycotts, while the league defended players’ rights to peaceful protest. The issue also affected traditional White House visits by Super Bowl champions, with some teams declining invitations and others seeing visits cancelled. Despite past hostility, Trump has recently sought closer ties with the NFL. He became the first sitting US president to attend a Super Bowl and has promoted major league events in Washington DC. He has also revived the presidential fitness test and formed a sports council that includes NFL figures. Still, friction remains. Trump has criticised the NFL’s choice of performers for the Super Bowl half time show and has threatened to intervene in league matters, including disputes over team names and stadium deals. With Super Bowl 60 set to conclude the current season, observers say Trump’s relationship with the NFL continues to shift between cooperation and confrontation, shaped as much by politics and personal history as by sport itself.   With inputs from BBC

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order warning of additional tariffs on countries that continue doing business with Iran, escalating pressure amid renewed diplomatic talks over Tehran’s nuclear programme. The order, issued on Friday, does not fix a specific tariff rate but cites 25 percent as an example. It states that such duties could be imposed on goods imported into the United States from any country that “directly or indirectly purchases, imports, or otherwise acquires” goods or services from Iran. Although Trump did not directly comment on the executive order, he reiterated his long-held position that Iran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One late Friday. The move came shortly after talks between senior US and Iranian officials in Oman, the first such engagement in months, following weeks of sharp rhetoric from both sides. Trump had earlier warned of a 25 percent tariff on countries trading with Iran in a January post on his Truth Social platform, though details were not provided at the time. The White House said the new order reaffirmed the “ongoing national emergency with respect to Iran” and noted that the president could modify the measures if circumstances change. It said the administration was holding Iran accountable for pursuing nuclear capabilities, supporting terrorism, developing ballistic missiles and destabilising the region. Separately, the US State Department announced sanctions on 15 entities accused of trading in Iranian-origin crude oil, petroleum and petrochemical products. Iran, already under sweeping US and Western sanctions, did not immediately respond. Tehran maintains that its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful and denies accusations that it is seeking nuclear weapons. Under a 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers, Iran was restricted from enriching uranium beyond 3.67 percent and barred from enrichment at the Fordo facility for 15 years. Trump withdrew from the deal in 2018, calling it insufficient, and reimposed sanctions that severely damaged Iran’s economy, including so-called secondary sanctions targeting countries trading with Tehran. Iran later began breaching key limits of the agreement, particularly on uranium enrichment. Last year, the United Nations reimposed economic and military sanctions after European powers accused Iran of continued nuclear escalation and poor cooperation. Despite sanctions, more than 100 countries still trade with Iran. China remains its largest export partner, importing more than $14 billion worth of Iranian goods in the year to October 2025, followed by Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey. The Oman talks were led by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US special envoy Steve Witkoff, with Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner also part of the US side. Trump described the discussions as “very good” and said Iran appeared eager to reach a deal, warning of “very steep” consequences if talks fail. Another round of talks is expected early next week. Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said the discussions helped clarify positions and identify possible areas of progress, while Araghchi called them “a good start” and said a positive atmosphere prevailed. Rising tensions have fuelled fears of a wider conflict, with Trump repeatedly warning that military action remains an option if Iran refuses to agree on its nuclear programme. Iran continues to reject such accusations, insisting its activities are for peaceful purposes only.   With inputs from BBC

US President Donald Trump said he did not see the racist portion of a social media video depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes before it was shared from his account. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump said he had only watched the beginning of the 62-second video and was unaware that it ended with the offensive clip. Asked whether he would apologise, he said, “I didn’t make a mistake.” The video, set to the song The Lion Sleeps Tonight, included false claims about voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election. The racist clip appeared at the end. The post was later removed from Trump’s Truth Social account following widespread backlash. Trump said the video was posted by a staff member and claimed he did not know about the depiction of the Obamas. “If my people had looked at the whole thing, they probably would have had the sense to take it down,” he said, adding that it was removed as soon as the issue was discovered. The White House initially defended the post, calling it an “internet meme video,” but reversed course after criticism from both Democrats and Republicans. A White House official later said the video had been shared in error by a staffer. Republican Senator Tim Scott described the clip as “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House” and called for its removal. Other Republican lawmakers, including Representatives Mike Lawler and Senators John Curtis, also condemned the post, calling it offensive and unacceptable. The clip appears to have originated from a meme video shared on X last year, which portrayed several Democratic leaders as animals. The Obamas have not commented publicly on the video. The incident has drawn strong reactions from civil rights groups and Democratic leaders. NAACP President Derrick Johnson called the video “disgusting,” while several Democratic officials accused Trump of promoting racism. The controversy adds to Trump’s long history of attacks on Barack Obama, including past false claims questioning Obama’s birthplace, which Trump later acknowledged were untrue.   With inputs from BBC

US President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ahead of Sunday’s snap election, describing her as a “strong, powerful, and wise leader” who “truly loves her country” and “will not let the people of Japan down,” according to a post on his social media platform, Truth Social. Trump’s public support for a foreign leader is unusual, but he has previously endorsed international politicians, including Argentina’s Javier Milei and Hungary’s Viktor Orban. Analysts say the endorsement signals continued US backing for Takaichi amid ongoing regional tensions and efforts to strengthen bilateral ties. Takaichi, 64, became Japan’s first female prime minister in October after winning her party’s leadership and securing parliamentary support. She called the election to seek a public mandate. Her government has courted Washington following prior US trade tensions, including Trump’s threatened 25% tariffs, which were later reduced to 15% after Japan agreed to invest $550 billion in the US. Trump and Takaichi share close views on defence and security, advocating increased Japanese military spending. During his visit to Tokyo, Takaichi hosted Trump at the Akasaka Palace and aboard the USS George Washington, where the leaders signed agreements on rare earths and heralded a “new golden era” of US-Japan relations. Takaichi described Trump as a “partner in a new golden era” and praised his role in Middle East peace efforts. The endorsement also carries geopolitical weight amid heightened tensions with China over Taiwan. Beijing has criticized Takaichi for suggesting Japan could respond militarily if China attacked the self-governed island, a statement she has refused to retract. Winning Sunday’s election will give Takaichi a public mandate, but her leadership will be judged on managing Japan’s stagnant economy and balancing relations with its key allies, the US and China.   With inputs from BBC

President Donald Trump has called for the United States to move on from the Jeffrey Epstein case as the Justice Department concludes its review of millions of documents related to the convicted sex offender’s sex-trafficking network. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the review, mandated by Congress in November, found no grounds for new prosecutions. While the Justice Department’s review has ended, the House of Representatives continues its own investigation into Epstein. Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are scheduled to testify later this month, after Republicans threatened contempt of Congress for noncompliance. Members of Congress and Epstein’s survivors continue to demand additional disclosures, citing documents they claim have not been released. Trump, who has denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein, said at the White House on Tuesday that it was “really time for the country to get on to something else.” However, his name appears over 6,000 times in the released files, often mentioned by Epstein and his associates, although no evidence has directly implicated him in criminal activity. Other high-profile figures named in the documents, including Prince Andrew, former UK ambassador Peter Mandelson, and former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, have faced scrutiny and personal consequences for their ties to Epstein. Tech billionaires like Bill Gates and Elon Musk have also had to address references to them in the files. The documents include unverified FBI tips from 2016, some naming Trump, Epstein, and other prominent figures. The Justice Department said these tips were unfounded and many contain false or sensational claims. A few new photographs and emails were released, but none substantially changed the narrative regarding Trump’s involvement. Epstein’s victims, including Lisa Phillips, expressed dissatisfaction with the Justice Department’s actions, citing incomplete disclosure and the release of survivors’ names. Despite the president’s call to move on, Democrats in Congress have signaled they may issue similar subpoenas for Trump and other Republicans if they regain control of the House in the November midterm elections. The Epstein saga, years after the financier’s death, continues to attract legal and political attention, highlighting ongoing calls for transparency and accountability in one of the most high-profile criminal cases involving powerful figures in the United States.   With inputs from BBC

Indian lawmakers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling coalition lauded him Tuesday for reaching a trade deal with the United States aimed at reducing tariffs on Indian goods, while opposition parties questioned its impact on sensitive sectors such as agriculture. The deal follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement Monday that he would cut import tariffs on India from 25% to 18%, six months after imposing steep duties to penalize New Delhi for continuing purchases of Russian oil, which Washington said fueled Moscow’s war against Ukraine. In exchange, Trump said Modi had agreed to halt Russian crude imports, although the Indian government has not publicly confirmed this. Trump also said India would reduce import taxes on U.S. products to zero and commit to purchasing $500 billion worth of American goods. “This will help end the war in Ukraine, which is taking place right now, with thousands of people dying each and every week,” Trump wrote on social media. Modi responded on X, expressing that he was “delighted” with the tariff reduction and calling Trump’s “leadership vital for global peace, stability, and prosperity.” The announcement effectively removes the penal tariff imposed on Indian exports, providing relief for exporters who had been facing combined duties as high as 50%. India had emerged as a major buyer of discounted Russian Urals, raising tensions with Washington. In Parliament, opposition parties disrupted proceedings Tuesday, demanding clarity on the deal’s implications for agriculture, a key sector employing millions of Indians. While the U.S. seeks greater market access and zero tariffs on most of its exports, India has historically protected sectors such as agriculture and dairy from full liberalization. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooker Rollings said the deal would help American farmers export more products to India, boosting rural incomes. In 2024, the U.S. faced a $1.3 billion agricultural trade deficit with India. Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal assured that sensitive sectors, including agriculture and dairy, have been protected. “India has got the best deal in comparison to the countries in the neighborhood. This will strengthen U.S.-India relations while protecting the interests of all 1.4 billion Indians,” he said. Analysts urged caution, noting that details such as timelines, tariff reductions, and coverage of sensitive sectors remain unclear. Achieving $500 billion in U.S. imports would take decades, given current imports of around $50 billion, said trade analyst Ajay Srivastava. A senior Finance Ministry official, Arvind Shrivastava, said the deal could expand trade, create opportunities for India’s labor-intensive and manufacturing sectors in the U.S., and boost collaboration in advanced technology.

As tensions rise between Iran and the United States, Tehran authorities have moved to strengthen civil defense measures, designating 82 metro stations and over 300 underground spaces as emergency shelters. Ali Nasiri, head of the Tehran Crisis Management Organization, told media on Saturday that the Passive Defense Committee of Tehran Municipality surveyed existing shelters and identified around 518 older shelters in schools, though only 20% are currently restorable, reports reports Anadolu Ajansi. The 82 metro stations are being equipped with essential facilities, including restrooms, water, and food supplies. Shelter signs and labels are expected to be completed soon. Additional underground locations, such as parking lots and public complexes, have also been earmarked as emergency shelters, which once operational could accommodate around 2.5 million residents. Tehran’s population ranges from 10–12 million, rising to 15–16 million including the greater metropolitan area. Read More: Iran dismisses Trump’s threats, vows swift response to any US attack During the June 2025 confrontation between Iran and Israel, residents had previously taken refuge in metro stations. Since that 12-day conflict, officials have upgraded shelters to enhance safety in the capital. In recent weeks, fears of renewed conflict have grown after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a naval fleet en route to Iran. The Iranian government has warned it will respond forcefully to any military attack, prompting authorities to accelerate preparations for potential emergencies.

US President Donald Trump has said Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed not to carry out attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities for about a week due to exceptionally cold weather gripping the region. Speaking at a televised cabinet meeting in Washington on Thursday, Trump said he personally asked Putin to halt strikes on Ukraine’s capital and other urban areas during the extreme cold, and that the Russian leader agreed. Trump did not specify when the pause would begin. Russia has not confirmed any such agreement. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed Trump’s remarks, calling them an important signal about the possibility of protecting Kyiv and other cities during the harsh winter period. Air raid sirens sounded overnight into Friday in only four Ukrainian regions close to the frontline, according to Ukrainian officials. Kyiv and other major cities were not included. Ukraine’s air force later said those areas were targeted by around 80 Russian drones and a ballistic missile. Temperatures in Kyiv were forecast to drop sharply from Thursday, falling to as low as minus 24 degrees Celsius in the coming days. Russia has intensified strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure during cold spells since launching its full-scale invasion in 2022, worsening power and heating shortages. In a social media post, Zelensky said Ukrainian and US teams had discussed the issue during talks in the United Arab Emirates and expressed hope that the understandings would be implemented. Ukrainian media reported that Kyiv had agreed to mirror Moscow’s actions by pausing its own attacks on Russian oil refineries. Russian, Ukrainian and US negotiators held their first trilateral talks since the war began during meetings in the UAE last week. While all sides described the discussions as constructive, there has been no formal announcement from Moscow of a pause in attacks. Despite the reported understanding, Russian strikes have continued to damage Ukraine’s power grid, leaving millions without reliable heating or electricity as repair crews struggle to restore supplies amid ongoing attacks.   With inputs from BBC

US President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he has instructed U.S. officials to reopen Venezuela’s commercial airspace, a major step toward easing travel restrictions and potentially allowing American citizens to visit the South American country again. Trump said he informed Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez of the decision and directed U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and top military leaders to implement the reopening by the end of the day. Speaking from the White House, Trump told reporters that “American citizens will be very shortly able to go to Venezuela, and they’ll be safe there,” signalling a shift in U.S. policy after years of diplomatic rupture. Venezuela’s government had not immediately responded to the announcement. Earlier this week, the Trump administration notified Congress of initial steps to possibly reopen the long‑closed U.S. Embassy in Caracas, part of efforts to restore diplomatic ties following a controversial U.S. military operation that ousted former President Nicolás Maduro. The State Department said in letters dated Monday that it plans a phased approach to gradually resume embassy operations with a growing number of temporary staff conducting select diplomatic functions. Diplomatic relations between Washington and Caracas collapsed in 2019, as the U.S. government raised its travel advisory for Venezuela to the highest “Do not travel” level, citing risks of wrongful detention, torture and kidnapping for U.S. citizens. The State Department still maintains that warning, and has not confirmed any changes in its advisory despite Trump’s airspace announcement. In November, Trump had escalated tensions by declaring that the airspace “above and surrounding” Venezuela should be considered closed, prompting the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to alert pilots about increased military activity in the region and leading major airlines to cancel flights. The move to reopen Venezuelan airspace comes as American carriers eye resuming services that have been suspended for years, marking a potential revival in commercial links between the two nations.