Within hours of President Donald Trump’s inauguration, the new administration took down the Spanish-language version of the official White House website. The site — currently https://www.whitehouse.gov/es/ — now gives users an “Error 404” message. It also included a “Go Home” button that directed viewers to a page featuring a video montage of Trump in his first term and on the campaign trail. The button was later updated to read “Go To Home Page”. Hispanic advocacy groups and others expressed confusion at the abrupt change and frustration at what some called the administration’s lack of efforts to maintain communication with the Latino community, which helped propel him to the presidency. The Spanish profile of the White House’ X, @LaCasaBlanca and the government page on reproductive freedom also were disbanded. Meanwhile, the Spanish versions of other government agencies such as the Department of Labor, Justice and Agriculture remained available for users on Tuesday. Asked about the changes, White House principal deputy press secretary Harrison Fields responded Tuesday that the administration is “committed to bringing back online the Spanish translation section of the website.” “It’s day two. We are in the process of developing, editing and tweaking the White House website. As part of this ongoing work, some of the archived content on the website went dormant. We are committed to reloading that content in a short timeline," he said without elaborating. Trump removed the Spanish version of the page in 2017. At that time, White House officials said they would reinstate it. President Joe Biden reinstated the page in 2021. The page's removal coincided with Trump’s first-day wave of executive orders highlighted by the launch of an illegal immigration crackdown that was one of his key campaign pledges. Trump on Monday declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border and announced plans to send U.S. troops to help support immigration agents and restrict refugees and asylum. According to 2023 Census Bureau estimates, about 43.4 million Americans — 13.7% of the U.S. population age 5 and older — speak Spanish at home. The U.S. has no official language. Monica Rivera, a brand and communications strategist in New York City of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent, said the shutdown sends a clear signal. Read: Trump announces 500 bln USD AI infrastructure investment in U.S. “There are 43 million Latinos who speak Spanish as their first language and removing access to information directly from the White House draws a distinct line as to who they are serving and more dangerously, signals to the administration’s MAGA base that we as Latinos are ‘other’ and a less significant part of this country," Rivera said. Anthony Hernandez, a paralegal in the nation's capital, wasn’t initially aware of the move and said it suggests what the coming years of a second Trump presidency would look like, with specific issues making headlines while “minor but equally malicious things like that go unnoticed.” “A move like shutting down the Spanish White House page and X profile serves no purpose other than to cut off resources for millions of Hispanic Americans and immigrants attempting to enter the United States legally," Hernandez said. "And it’s a slap in the face to the millions of Hispanic voters that supported him in this recent election.” Trump’s secretary of state, Marco Rubio, is Cuban American and speaks Spanish. At his swearing-in Tuesday, he gave remarks in Spanish, thanking God, his family and Trump. Meanwhile, Hispanic leaders and communication strategy experts expressed surprise with the page's removal, given Trump’s popularity with certain Latino voters. “If the White House is seriously interested in engaging with Latinos, the second largest group in this country, then they need to make sure that updates can also be distributed in Spanish, a preferred language for millions in our community,” said Frankie Miranda President and CEO of the Hispanic Federation. He called that a way to ensure "everyone is a part of the civic process.” Kris Klein Hernández, a U.S. historian specializing in race, gender, and sexuality at Connecticut College, said the content removal from official White House websites not only limits the access available to Spanish-speaking U.S. citizens and migrants but leads "some to question which constituencies the administration prioritizes.” Read more: Rhino.ai announces $50M series A to transform enterprise modernization Jeff Lee, former deputy cabinet secretary and deputy director of external and international affairs for former California Gov. Jerry Brown, said the move seems counterintuitive given the opportunity to “showcase” policy changes, especially ones related to economics and border security. “I didn’t see any other language mediums that got the kibosh. So I think that’s a really interesting thing to single out — if that’s the case," Lee said. AP VoteCast, a nationwide survey of more than 120,000 voters, found Trump won a larger share of Black and Latino voters than he did in 2020, and most notably among men under age 45. Young Latinos, particularly young Latino men, also were more open to Trump than in 2020. Roughly half of young Latino men voted for Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, compared with about 6 in 10 who went for Biden.

The European Union and UN Women have signed a partnership agreement in Dhaka to prevent sexual and gender-based violence in public spaces, workplaces and tertiary educational institutions in Bangladesh. The project is aligned with the government of Bangladesh’s commitment to achieving "a society without violence against women and children by 2025," as outlined in its National Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against Women and Children (2018–2030) (NAPVAWC) and will integrate strategies for both the prevention of and response to gender-based violence (GBV). It will focus on addressing sexual harassment and violence in key areas of daily life, including public spaces, workplaces, and educational institutions. The partnership will further support UN Women in advocating that the Government quickly fulfills its commitments to international gender equality and human rights standards. New US Secretary of State Rubio meets Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar These include the recommendations of the Universal Periodic Review, the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), and the NAPVAWC. The project will also contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal indicator 5.1.1, which aims to end all forms of discrimination against women and girls. Building on the EU’s political and financial support and UN Women’s prevention programming over the last five years, the 4.8 million Euro grant will focus on three key critical areas: i) Strengthening an enabling environment through policies, systems and improving institutional knowledge, resources, and practices to prevent sexual and gender-based violence in public spaces, workplaces and tertiary educational institutions; ii) Transforming harmful social and gender norms to address discriminatory practices and iii) Strengthening the agency and leadership of civil society and women’s rights organisations to ensure sustained impact. Speaking at the signing ceremony on January 21, Michael Miller, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh, said this intervention is an example of the European Union taking each and every opportunity to advance gender equality and eliminate violence against women and girls.  "It will foster safe environments where women and girls can thrive without fear of harassment or discrimination. The EU is proud to partner with UN Women and to support the authorities of Bangladesh in meeting the rightful expectations of its citizens.” Talks with Dr Yunus: Finland President seeks Global South's proactive roles in major global affairs Thanking the EU for its support and strategic partnership, UN Women Representative Gitanjali Singh said this year marks a pivotal moment for women’s rights as we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. The collaboration with EU to advance gender equality will enable UN Women to continue the critical work of preventing violence against women and girls, addressing discriminatory norms and investing in civil society to make gender equality a lived reality in Bangladesh, she said. This partnership underscores the shared commitment of the European Union and UN Women to creating a future free from violence and discrimination for all women and girls in Bangladesh.

Indonesian rescuers retrieved two more bodies after they resumed their search Wednesday for people missing after floods and landslides on Indonesia’s main island of Java, bringing the death toll to 19. Waters from flooded rivers tore through nine villages in Pekalongan regency of Central Java province and landslides tumbled onto mountainside hamlets after the torrential rains Monday. Videos and photos released by National Search and Rescue Agency showed workers digging desperately in villages where roads and green-terraced rice fields were transformed into murky brown mud and villages were covered by thick mud, rocks and uprooted trees. National Disaster Management Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari said flooding triggered a landslide that buried two houses and a cafe in the Petungkriyono resort area. The disasters all together destroyed 25 houses, a dam and three main bridges connecting villages in Pekalongan. At least 13 people injured and nearly 300 people were forced to flee to temporary government shelters. The search and rescue operation that was hampered by bad weather, mudslides and rugged terrain was halted Tuesday afternoon due to heavy rain and thick fog that made devastated areas along the rivers dangerous to rescuers. On Wednesday, they searched in rivers and the rubble of villages for bodies and, whenever possible, survivors in worst-hit Kasimpar village, said Budiono, who heads a local rescue office. Scores of rescue personnel recovered two mud-caked bodies as they searched a Petungkriyono area where tons of mud and rocks buried two houses and a café. Rescuers are still searching for seven people reported missing. Read: Landslides, flash floods in Indonesia kill 17, missing 8 Landslides and floods were also reported in many other provinces, Muhari said. On Monday, a landslide hit five houses in Denpasar on the tourist island of Bali, killing four people and leaving one missing. Heavy seasonal rain from about October to March frequently causes flooding and landslides in Indonesia, an archipelago of 17,000 islands where millions of people live in mountainous areas or near fertile floodplains. The British Geological Survey defines a landslide as a mass movement of material, such as rock, earth, or debris moving down a slope. Landslides can happen suddenly or slowly and can be caused by rain, erosion, or changes to the slope’s material. Rain adds weight to the slope, making it more unstable. The slope’s steepness or erosion at the base can make landslides more likely. They can be caused by the movement of nearby bodies of water or vibrations from earthquakes, mining or traffic. The types and sizes of the rocks and soils can determine how much water land can absorb before weakening and collapsing. Studies have found that landslides could become more frequent as climate change increases rainfall.

Netflix added nearly 19 million subscribers during the holiday-season quarter to help propel its earnings beyond analysts’ projections, capping the video streaming service's best year yet in a sign that its expansion into live programming is paying off. The numbers released Tuesday covered a October-December period highlighted by Netflix’s streaming of a widely watched fight between YouTube sensation Jake Paul and former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson in addition to two National Football League games on Christmas Day. Those marquee events helped Netflix to easily surpass the 13 million subscribers that picked up in the same quarter during 2023. Although Netflix’s interest in live programming is primarily tied to its efforts to sell more commercials, it also appears to be giving current subscribers another reason to stick with the service while also reeling in more viewers to pay for the service. Netflix ended last year with more than 300 million worldwide subscribers, an increase of 41 million from 2023. That eclipsed its previous best year of growth during 2020 when its service added more 36.6 million subscribers amid pandemic lockdowns that kept people corralled at home and desperate for entertainment. Forrester Research analyst Mike Proulx thinks live programming is quickly becoming Netflix's “secret ingredient” that is helping to widen its lead over its streaming rivals. “With more choice in programming than ever before, streaming services need to differentiate,” Proulx said. “FOMO (fear of missing out) is a powerful tool in piquing interest and creating stickiness.” The October-December breakdown marked the last time Netflix plans to provide a quarterly count on its total subscribers as management tries to get investors to intensify their focus on the Los Gatos, California company’s financial performance. And those figures were robust in the most recent quarter, with Netflix earning $1.9 billion, or $4.27 per share, nearly doubling from the same time in 2023. Revenue climbed 16% from the same 2023 period to $10.2 billion. Read: Top 10 Netflix English Originals to Watch in February 2025: Movies, Series, and Shows To juice its finances even more this year, Netflix announced in its shareholder letter that it will be raising its prices in the U.S., Canada, Portugal and Argentina in the upcoming weeks. Netflix didn't spell out its new prices in those markets, but the company increases the costs of its plans in increments of a $1 to $2 per month. Signaling that Netflix is confident the price increases won't trigger a backlash resulting in mass cancellations, Netflix slightly raised its revenue outlook for this year to a mid-range of $44 billion, which would translate into a roughly 13% increase from last year. “When you’re going to ask for a price increase, you better make sure you have the goods and the engagement to back it up,” Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said during a conference call with analysts. Netflix’s shares surged by 14% in extended trading after the report came out. If the shares behave similarly in Wednesday's regular trading session, it will mark a new high for the stock. The shares soared by 83% last year to create nearly $200 billion in additional shareholder wealth as Netflix continued to extend its lead over the rest of the video streaming pack. Besides asking subscribers to pay more, Netflix is trying to sell more advertising as part of an initiative that began in late 2022 with the introduction of a low-priced version of its service that included periodic commercial interruptions for the first time. The commercials are shown to all subscribers during live programming, one of the reasons Netflix is focusing more on the segment, leading to high-priced deals with the NFL, World Wrestling Entertainment and the Women’s World Cup. Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters told investors during the conference call that the ad-supported service accounted for more than half of Netflix's new subscribers during the last quarter, Netflix's advertising evolution has "transitioned from crawl to walk” Peters said. Read more: January 2025 Netflix English Originals Lineup Netflix still isn’t revealing how much advertising revenue that it’s bringing in, with management saying the amount will remain relatively small for at least another year or two. But Netflix’s main drawing card remains scripted TV series and movies – an entertainment pipeline that this year will include new seasons of popular shows such as “Stranger Things,” “Squid Games,” and “You.” Netflix plans to increase its programming budget to $18 billion this year, an increase of about $1 billion, to keep its video pantry well stocked.

German-born U.S. midfielder Lennard Maloney has joined Mainz from Bundesliga rival Heidenheim, where he was dropped last month after expressing his wish to leave. The 25-year-old Maloney, who had informed Heidenheim he was going to join Mainz when his contract expired at the end of the season, got his wish Tuesday when the clubs agreed on a deal. “Maloney has been able to prove himself in the Bundesliga over the last year and a half,” said Mainz sporting director Niko Bungert said. “His preferred position is as a number six and as a player, he’s the perfect fit for Mainz 05. He brings a strong mentality, as well as a willingness to run hard, and is also strong at winning challenges and aerial duels. Lennard will find it easy to fit into our squad with his warm, open personality.” Maloney signed a contract to 2028. After 18 rounds of the league, Heidenheim is in the relegation playoff spot while sixth-place Mainz is on course for European qualification. Read: Messi scores goal as Inter Miami opens preseason play with friendly win over Club America Heidenheim coach Frank Schmidt said in December he wasn’t picking the defensive midfielder because he lacked commitment amid a series of disappointing performances. “I can only count on players in this phase who are 100% focused on the interests of Heidenheim,” Schmidt said. “From a coaching perspective I simply want another focus and another level of performance from my vice-captain.” The Berlin-born Maloney has made two appearances for the United States — both in 2023.

If this is Mohamed Salah's final season at Liverpool, he is going out in style. The Egypt striker scored his 50th European goal for Liverpool and his 22nd in all competitions this season to help Arne Slot's team secure a place in the Champions League round of 16 with a 2-1 victory over Lille on Tuesday. “Hopefully (it's) not the last one,” said Salah, whose contract expires at the end of the season and has increasingly raised the prospect that this could be his last with the Merseyside club. Despite being at his brilliant best for a Liverpool team that is top of the standings in the Champions League and the Premier League, the 32-year-old Salah has just months remaining until he becomes a free agent. Negotiations Salah, who signed a three-year contract in 2022, has been free to talk to clubs outside of England from Jan. 1. He has indicated his preference is to stay at Liverpool but in recent months has used media interviews to voice his frustration over the failure to reach an agreement. Earlier his month he said there was “far away” from progress. Asked after his landmark goal against Lille if he would stay long enough to score another 50, he said: “I'm not sure about that, but I will give it my best.” What's the holdup? That isn't clear. At the age of 32, this could be Salah's last major contract and it isn’t known how much money he would want to remain at Anfield, where he has established himself as a club icon after winning a full set of trophies including the Champions League and the Premier League since joining from Roma in 2017. Read: Champions League kicks off in January with a crucial PSG vs. Man City clash There are potential risks to giving long-term contracts to players in their 30s. But there is no sign of Salah's standards dipping. He has been pivotal to Liverpool’s success this season and is currently leading the scoring charts in the Premier League ahead of Manchester City’s Erling Haaland. With his goal against Lille, he became the first Liverpool player to score 50 in Europe competitions. What does Arne Slot say? It feels like the Liverpool manager has constantly had to field questions about the future of his star player. After Salah's latest moment of brilliance — sweeping a shot past Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier to put Liverpool 1-0 up in the 34th minute — Slot piled more praise on his striker. “Special, I think is the word that describes Mo's performance at this club the best — or maybe there are even better words to use, but he’s been outstanding for this club for so many years.” What are his options? Salah can talk to teams outside of England and was linked with a move to Saudi Arabia in recent years. Read more: Mbappé puts on a show again with 2 goals as Real Madrid beats Las Palmas 4-1 As a free agent, he would likely have many suitors among Europe's biggest clubs. Contract headaches Salah is not the only Liverpool star with an expiring contract. Captain Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are also in the final months of their deals.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on January 21 in Washington, D.C. Rubio and Jaishankar affirmed a shared commitment to continuing to strengthen the partnership between the United States and India, said Spokesperson Tammy Bruce. They discussed a wide range of topics, including regional issues and opportunities to further deepen the U.S.-India relationship, in particular on critical and emerging technologies, defense cooperation, energy, and on advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Secretary Rubio also emphasised the Trump administration’s desire to work with India to advance economic ties and address concerns related to irregular migration.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy have recently included Bangladesh in the 10th edition of the scholarship programme ‘Invest your Talent in Italy’, for the academic year 2025-2026. Bangladeshi students will be eligible for availing this scholarship from the upcoming session. The selected students will receive a nine-month scholarship and complete a three-month internship with an Italian company relevant to their field of study. They can study in a variety of masters and postgraduate courses in three fields - Engineering-Advanced Technologies, Economics-Management and Architecture-Design. (Interested students may like to visit the following website for further details.https://investyourtalentapplication.esteri.it/SitoIYT/EN/invest-your-talent-in-italy ) This inclusion demonstrates the existing excellent friendly relations between Bangladesh and Italy. It would be a great opportunity for Bangladeshi students to pursue higher education and thrive in Italian universities, said the Bangladesh Embassy in Rome. And, it would further expand educational collaboration and strengthen people-to-people contact and foster goodwill between the two countries.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has seized 450,000 yaba tablets during an operation in Teknaf, Cox's Bazar. The operation was conducted early morning on Wednesday along the Naf River near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border. Lt Col Ashiqur Rahman, commanding officer of Teknaf Battalion (BGB 2), said that they received a tip-off about a large drug shipment entering Bangladesh from Myanmar. Acting on this intelligence, two BGB teams from the battalion headquarters and the Leda Border Outpost (BOP) launched an operation in the Member Post area under Leda BOP's jurisdiction. Read: 2.5 lakh Yaba pills seized from Teknaf During the raid, the smugglers abandoned two sacks and swam across the river to escape. Upon searching the sacks, BGB recovered 450,000 yaba tablets. Efforts are underway to identify those involved, Lt Col Ashiqur Rahman added.

A motorcyclist has died after being run over by a sand-loaded drum truck in Khulna. The incident occurred around 11:30 pm on Tuesday night under the Rupsha Bridge. The deceased, Tarek Rezwan (23), was the son of Azad Sheikh from the Tutpara area of the city. Mohammad Touhiduzzaman, officer-in-charge of Lobonchara police station, confirmed the incident, stating that Tarek was on his motorcycle heading towards Putimari when the truck hit him, causing his death. He also said, "The police arrived at the scene upon receiving the information, recovered the body, and sent it to Khulna Medical College Hospital for autopsy. Efforts are underway to seize the truck and arrest its driver."