United News of Bangladesh

The United States may announce a reduction in the reciprocal tariffs imposed on Bangladesh by the end of this week or early next week, Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy on International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi said on Tuesday. Speaking at a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy, briefing the media on Bangladesh’s engagements and outcomes at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Lutfey said Washington is sincere about lowering tariffs on Bangladesh and an announcement is expected soon. He, however, said it is still unclear to what extent the current 20 percent tariff will be reduced. Lutfey Siddiqi said he discussed the issue with US Treasury Secretary and member of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet, Scott Bessent, on the sidelines of the Davos conference. “Many elements of the US non-tariff policies align with the reform agenda of Bangladesh’s interim government. Besides, the trade deficit of around USD 6 billion with the US has come down significantly. Considering these factors, the United States is showing sincerity in reducing trade barriers on Bangladesh. A better decision will come soon,” he said. On Bangladesh-EU trade relations, Lutfey said discussions were held with EU Commissioners Roxana Mînzatu and Jozef Síkela on a possible Free Trade Agreement (FTA). “We have clearly conveyed that Bangladesh wants an FTA with the EU, and they have shown interest. But their process is slow.” Trump hikes US tariffs on South Korean goods to 25 percent He said the EU is currently pursuing FTAs with India and may move towards Vietnam next, which could pose challenges for Bangladesh. “Still, there is no reason to panic. We must continue discussions. I will leave detailed notes on this for the next government.” Lutfey also pointed out that securing GSP Plus facilities in the EU market after Bangladesh’s graduation from LDC status will be challenging, and warned that excessive export concentration on a single product could risk losing GSP Plus benefits, noting that Bangladesh’s garment exports heavily dominate the EU market, which could create future vulnerabilities. Referring to talks with World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Lutfey said future trade policy issues were discussed, where the WTO chief advised Bangladesh to gradually move beyond multilateral trade reliance and focus more on bilateral trade agreements. In this context, Lutfey said productive discussions were held with Japan on an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Akazawa Ryosei informed that a formal agreement with Bangladesh could be signed within the next one or two weeks. Also Bangladesh will enjoy duty-free transit facilities in Japan for three years after LDC graduation, he said. “Talks on FTAs are ongoing with South Korea, while negotiations with Singapore are almost at the final stage. In the future global trade environment, surviving without FTAs or EPAs will be difficult,” Lutfey said. Lutfey Siddiqi said discussions with Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkewo covered potential Thai investment in Bangladesh’s food processing sector and the use of Thai ports to boost bilateral trade. Trump threatens 100% tariff on Canada over China deal On the Rohingya repatriation issue, Lutfey said the matter was discussed with UN Special Envoy on Myanmar Julie Bishop in Davos. “As days pass, global geopolitics surrounding Myanmar is becoming more complicated. Bangladesh must remain focused on its rightful demands.” Highlighting talks with IOM Director General Amy Pope, Lutfey said discussions focused on legal migration from Bangladesh. “There is a perception internationally that Bangladesh is not serious about illegal migration and is content as long as people go abroad. We are trying to change that perception.” He mentioned that 600 holders of fake passports were sent back from Singapore last month. “Previously, no action was taken against them. This time, with support from the CID, each individual will be brought under the law.” Stressing the need for changing Bangladesh’s diplomatic approach, Lutfey said symbolic gestures such as signing MoUs, handshakes and photo opportunities are no longer sufficient; Bangladesh must make itself more relevant globally. Corridor diplomacy and issue-based negotiations must be prioritised to clearly present our positions to the world, he said.  

A heavy winter storm sweeping across the United States has killed at least seven people and left more than 800,000 homes and businesses without electricity, triggering widespread disruptions to daily life. The storm brought heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain, forcing authorities to close schools and roads and cancel thousands of flights. The National Weather Service (NWS) warned that “life-threatening” conditions stretched from Texas to New England. Officials said two people died of hypothermia in Louisiana, while storm-related deaths were also reported in Texas, Tennessee and Kansas. In New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said at least five people died on Saturday, although the exact causes were still being investigated. He noted that extreme cold remains a serious seasonal threat for residents. More than 800,000 customers were without power by Sunday afternoon, according to PowerOutage.us. Meanwhile, FlightAware reported that over 11,000 flights were cancelled nationwide. Meteorologists said the storm could last several days and affect about 180 million people  more than half of the US population. Freezing rain, which instantly turns into ice on contact with surfaces, was described as one of the most dangerous elements of the storm due to its ability to damage trees, down power lines and make roads extremely slippery. National Weather Service meteorologist Allison Santorelli said,“The snow and ice will melt very slowly and won’t go away anytime soon, which will hinder recovery efforts.” Read More: Winter storm leaves millions without power across US New York Governor Kathy Hochul urged residents to stay indoors, calling it the coldest and most severe winter storm the state has experienced in years. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said ,the state was seeing more ice than initially forecast, increasing the risk of accidents. Nearly half of US states have declared emergencies, while many schools cancelled classes through Monday. The US Senate also postponed a scheduled vote due to the severe weather. Massive US winter storm cancels thousands of flights The storm has also affected Canada, where heavy snowfall has led to hundreds of flight cancellations. Ontario is expected to receive between 15 and 30 centimetres of snow. Weather experts said the storm was caused by a weakened polar vortex, allowing Arctic air to move southward. The extreme cold is forecast to persist into early February.   With inputs from BBC

A powerful winter storm sweeping across the United States has left hundreds of thousands of households without electricity, disrupted air travel and caused multiple deaths, as authorities warned of life-threatening conditions from Texas to New England. Snow, ice and freezing rain have affected a vast stretch of the country, with around 180 million people, more than half of the US population, facing dangerous weather, according to the National Weather Service. Officials said the extreme conditions could persist for several days. At least two people died of hypothermia in Louisiana, while another weather-related death was reported in Texas. In New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said at least five people died over the weekend, though the causes were still being determined. PowerOutage.us reported that more than one million households lost electricity by Sunday afternoon, as ice damaged trees and power lines. Air travel was also heavily disrupted, with more than 10,000 flights canceled nationwide, according to FlightAware. Several states declared emergencies as the storm intensified. Schools closed across large parts of the country, and the US Senate postponed a scheduled vote. In Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser said the capital was experiencing its heaviest snowfall in a decade. Governors warned residents to stay indoors and off roads, citing hazardous travel conditions. Weather experts said ice posed the greatest danger, contributing to hundreds of vehicle crashes, including more than 200 reported in Virginia. Meteorologists linked the storm to a weakened polar vortex, allowing Arctic air to plunge southward. Forecasts warned of prolonged cold and heavy snowfall continuing into early February.   With inputs from BBC

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the future of eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region will be a central issue as negotiators from Ukraine, Russia and the United States hold talks in Abu Dhabi aimed at ending Russia’s nearly four-year full-scale invasion. The UAE foreign ministry said the talks, which began Friday and continue Saturday, are intended “to promote dialogue and identify political solutions to the crisis.” The White House described the first day of discussions as productive. Hours before the three-way talks opened, Russian President Vladimir Putin held overnight discussions on a possible settlement with US President Donald Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The Kremlin reiterated that any peace deal would require Ukraine to withdraw its troops from eastern territories illegally annexed by Russia but not fully controlled. Zelenskyy said after meeting Trump on Thursday in Davos, Switzerland, that while the status of Russian-occupied land in eastern Ukraine remains unresolved, peace proposals are “nearly ready.” He also said he discussed with Trump the idea of establishing a Ukraine-controlled free trade zone in the east, calling it potentially positive for business. Friday marked the first known instance of Trump administration officials meeting simultaneously with representatives from both Ukraine and Russia. Zelenskyy said the Ukrainian delegation was updating him almost hourly. “They are discussing the parameters for ending the war,” Zelenskyy said in a late-night address. “The most important thing is whether Russia is ready to end the war it started.” He cautioned that it was too early to draw conclusions. The Kremlin described the talks as a security working group, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov again calling troop withdrawal from Donbas an “important condition.” Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said a lasting settlement would not be possible without resolving territorial issues, while Russian media reported discussions on buffer zones and control measures. US officials confirmed that Witkoff and Kushner were joined in Abu Dhabi by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and NATO’s top military commander, US Air Force Gen Alexus Grynkewich. Ukraine’s delegation includes senior security and military officials. Earlier in Davos, Zelenskyy met Trump for about an hour, describing the talks as productive. Trump later said both sides want a deal but that territorial boundaries remain the main obstacle. Russia currently controls about 20 percent of Ukraine’s territory, though gains have come at high military and economic cost. Ukraine continues to face financial strain, manpower shortages and dependence on Western military support. Zelenskyy also sharply criticised European allies, accusing them of slow decision-making, insufficient defence spending and reluctance to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. “Europe looks lost,” he said, warning that the continent risks repeating the same mistakes unless it takes stronger action.

Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guard has warned the United States that its forces remain on high alert, even as President Donald Trump said Tehran appears willing to enter negotiations. In a statement aired by state television on Thursday, Revolutionary Guard commander Gen Mohammad Pakpour said his forces have their “finger on the trigger,” cautioning both Washington and Israel against what he described as potential miscalculations. He urged the US and Israel to draw lessons from past conflicts, including what he called the “12-day imposed war,” and said the Guard stood fully prepared to carry out any orders from Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Despite the sharp rhetoric, signs of immediate US military action appeared to ease this week. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump said the United States had struck Iranian uranium enrichment facilities last year to prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon. New Israeli settlement Yatziv inaugurated near Beit Sahour “We can’t let that happen,” Trump said, adding that Iran “does want to talk,” and that the US would engage in discussions. At the same time, Iran’s military leadership issued further warnings. Gen Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi, head of Iran’s joint command headquarters, said any US attack would make “all US interests, bases and centres of influence” legitimate targets. Earlier this week, Trump had warned Iran’s leaders that the United States would respond decisively if there were any attempt on his life, linking such a scenario to potential retaliation over actions targeting Khamenei. The heightened tensions come as Iran’s leadership deals with the fallout from nationwide protests that erupted in late December. Authorities have since suppressed the unrest through a forceful crackdown, alongside a sweeping internet blackout described by monitoring group NetBlocks as a “national kill-switch,” now in its second week. Hackers disrupt Iran state TV as protest crackdown death toll tops 4,000 On Wednesday, Iranian officials released their first official casualty figures from the protests, saying 3,117 people were killed. #With inputs from Agencies

U.S. military forces on Tuesday boarded and took control of a seventh oil tanker linked to Venezuela as part of the Trump administration’s drive to assert control over the South American country’s oil sector. U.S. Southern Command said in a social media post that American forces apprehended the Motor Vessel Sagitta without incident, saying the tanker was operating in defiance of President Donald Trump’s declared quarantine on sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean. The command did not specify whether the U.S. Coast Guard carried out the operation, as in previous seizures. The Pentagon and Southern Command said they had no additional details. The Sagitta, a Liberian-flagged tanker, is registered to a Hong Kong-based company. The vessel last transmitted its location more than two months ago after leaving the Baltic Sea in northern Europe. It was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department under an executive order tied to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Southern Command said the tanker had taken oil from Venezuela, adding that the seizure “demonstrates our resolve to ensure that the only oil leaving Venezuela will be oil that is coordinated properly and lawfully.” The command released aerial footage showing the Sagitta at sea, though unlike earlier operations the video did not show U.S. helicopters approaching or troops boarding the vessel. Since the U.S.-led ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a surprise overnight raid on Jan 3, the Trump administration has moved to take control of Venezuela’s oil production, refining and global distribution. Administration officials have said seizing tankers is part of an effort to generate revenue to rebuild the country’s battered oil industry and revive its economy. Trump met oil industry executives nearly two weeks ago to discuss plans to invest $100 billion in Venezuela’s energy sector and said the United States expects to sell between 30 million and 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil. Speaking at the White House on Tuesday, Trump said the U.S. has already taken 50 million barrels of oil out of Venezuela. “We’ve got millions of barrels of oil left,” he said. “We’re selling it on the open market. We’re bringing down oil prices incredibly.” The first tanker was seized off Venezuela’s coast on Dec 10. Most of the others were captured in nearby waters, except for the Bella 1, which was intercepted in the North Atlantic after abruptly turning back toward Europe on Dec 15 and was seized on Jan 7.

At least eight more countries say the United States has invited them to join President Donald Trump’s newly formed Board of Peace, a group of world leaders tasked with overseeing the next phase in Gaza and signalling a wider global role. Hungary and Vietnam have accepted the invitation, officials from the two countries said. Under the board’s draft charter, a permanent seat requires a $1 billion contribution, while three-year appointments carry no such requirement, a US official said on condition of anonymity as the document has not been made public. The funds are expected to be used for rebuilding Gaza. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has agreed to join, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told state radio. Vietnam’s Communist Party chief To Lam has also accepted, according to a foreign ministry statement. India has received an invitation, a senior government official said, while Australia confirmed it has been invited and will consult with Washington to better understand the proposal. Jordan, Greece, Cyprus and Pakistan said they were invited on Sunday. Canada, Turkey, Egypt, Paraguay, Argentina and Albania have already said they received invitations. The total number of invitees has not been disclosed. The United States is expected to announce the official list of members in the coming days, likely during the World Economic Forum in Davos. The board is set to oversee the next steps in Gaza as the ceasefire that began on Oct. 10 enters its second phase, including the formation of a new Palestinian committee, deployment of an international security force, disarmament of Hamas and reconstruction of the territory. In letters sent to world leaders, Trump said the Board of Peace would pursue a new approach to resolving global conflicts. Some invitees posted the letters on social media. The White House has also announced an executive committee to implement the board’s plans, though Israel has objected, saying it was not coordinated and runs counter to its policy. Members of the executive committee include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, former British prime minister Tony Blair, World Bank president Ajay Banga and US deputy national security adviser Robert Gabriel, along with Israeli businessman Yakir Gabay. Representatives from Qatar, Egypt and Turkey, which are monitoring the ceasefire, are also included.

Some personnel at a key US military base in Qatar were advised to evacuate by Wednesday evening as tensions rose following Iran’s deadly crackdown on protesters and warnings of possible US action, a US official and Qatari authorities said. The precautionary move came after a senior Iranian official referred to Tehran’s retaliatory missile strike on Al Udeid Air Base in June, carried out in response to earlier US attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities. A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said the step was part of broader regional security measures. The official declined to say whether the evacuation was optional or mandatory, whether it applied to military or civilian personnel, or how many people were affected. Early Thursday, the US Embassy in Qatar said it had advised its staff to exercise increased caution and limit non-essential travel to Al Udeid Air Base. It also urged US citizens in Qatar to take similar precautions. In Kuwait, the US Embassy ordered a temporary halt on its personnel travelling to several military bases, including Camp Arifjan, Camp Buehring, Ali Al Salem Air Base and Camp Patriot, amid heightened regional tensions. Kuwait hosts US Army Central, Washington’s Middle East command. Anti-government protests in Iran began in late December, and President Donald Trump has said he is prepared to launch military operations if Tehran continues to kill and detain protesters. A day after describing the killings as “significant” and vowing that his administration would “act accordingly,” Trump told reporters he had been informed that Iran had halted its targeting of protesters and suspended execution plans, though he offered no details. His vague remarks left it unclear what action, if any, the United States might take against Iran. Qatar’s international media office said the security measures at Al Udeid were being taken in response to “current regional tensions” and stressed that protecting citizens, residents and critical infrastructure remained a top priority. Al Udeid, which hosts thousands of US troops, was struck by Iranian missiles in June. While the US military said no American or Qatari personnel were harmed, a Qatari officer later said one missile was not intercepted and hit the base. Iranian Supreme Leader adviser Ali Shamkhani warned on social media that any future US aggression would be met with a decisive response, citing the earlier strike on Al Udeid as proof of Iran’s capabilities. US and Qatari officials said they remain in close contact, with Qatar reiterating its support for de-escalation and peaceful solutions to maintain regional stability.

The US State Department on Wednesday announced it will suspend the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries whose nationals are considered likely to depend on public assistance while living in the United States. The department, headed by Secretary Marco Rubio, said consular officers have been instructed to halt immigrant visa applications from the affected countries under a broader order issued in November that tightened rules for prospective immigrants who may become “public charges” in the US. The suspension will take effect from January 21 and will not apply to non-immigrant visas, including temporary tourist or business visas. “The Trump administration is bringing an end to the abuse of America’s immigration system by those who would extract wealth from the American people,” the State Department said in a statement. “Immigrant visa processing from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassess immigration procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits.” The list of affected countries includes Russia, Iran and Afghanistan, along with several nations in Africa, according to the department. The Trump administration has already imposed strict restrictions on immigrant and non-immigrant visa processing for citizens of dozens of countries, many of them in Africa.

Greenland’s people would choose Denmark over the United States if asked today, Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said, responding to renewed US pressure over the semi-autonomous island. Nielsen made the remark at a joint news conference with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, the strongest statement yet from Greenland since former US President Donald Trump revived plans to annex the island. Trump has claimed the US needs to “own” Greenland to counter Russia and China and suggested buying the territory, without ruling out force. Frederiksen condemned the “completely unacceptable pressure” from the US and warned that any military action could harm the trans-Atlantic NATO alliance. Greenland’s strategic location between North America and the Arctic makes it important for missile early warning systems and monitoring vessels. The US already has more than 100 military personnel stationed at Pituffik base under existing agreements with Denmark. Nielsen said Greenland does not want to be governed or owned by the US, calling the situation a “geopolitical crisis.” European allies, including major NATO members, have expressed support for Denmark, stressing that only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters regarding the island. Danish and Greenlandic officials are scheduled to travel to the US to meet Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Greenland’s growing resource potential, including rare earth minerals, uranium, iron, oil, and gas, has increased international interest, especially as climate change melts ice and improves access.   With inputs from BBC