United News of Bangladesh

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel recalls Vladimir Putin's “power games” over the years, remembers contrasting meetings with Barack Obama and Donald Trump and says she asked herself whether she could have done more to prevent Brexit, in her memoirs published Tuesday. Merkel, 70, appears to have no significant doubts about the major decisions of her 16 years as German leader, whose major challenges included the global financial crisis, Europe’s debt crisis, the 2015-16 influx of refugees and the COVID-19 pandemic. True to form, her book — titled “Freedom” — offers a matter-of-fact account of her early life in communist East Germany and her later career in politics, laced with moments of dry wit. Merkel served alongside four U.S. presidents, four French presidents and five British prime ministers. But it is perhaps her dealings with Russian President Putin that have drawn the most scrutiny since she left office in late 2021. Putin's power games Merkel recalls being kept waiting by Putin at the Group of Eight summit she hosted in 2007 — “if there's one thing I can't stand, it's unpunctuality.” And she recounts a visit to the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi that year in which Putin's labrador appeared during a photo opportunity, although Putin knew she was afraid of dogs. Putin appeared to enjoy the situation, she writes, and she didn't bring it up — keeping as she often did to the motto “never explain, never complain.” The previous year, she recounts Putin pointing to wooden houses in Siberia and telling her poor people lived there who “could be easily seduced,” and that similar groups had been encouraged by money from the U.S. government to take part in Ukraine's “Orange Revolution” of 2004 against attempted election fraud. Putin, she says, added: “I will never allow something like that in Russia.” Merkel says she was irritated by Putin's “self-righteousness” in a 2007 speech in Munich in which he turned away from earlier attempts to develop closer ties with the U.S. She said that appearance showed Putin as she knew him, “as someone who was always on guard against being treated badly and ready to give out at any time, including power games with a dog and making other people wait for him.” “One could find this all childish and reprehensible, one could shake one's head over it — but that didn't make Russia disappear from the map,” she writes. As she has before, Merkel defends a much-criticized 2015 peace deal for eastern Ukraine that she helped broker and her government's decisions to buy large quantities of natural gas from Russia. And she argues it was right to keep up diplomatic and trade ties with Moscow until she left power, Obama and Trump Merkel concluded after first meeting then-Sen. Obama in 2008 that they could work well together. More than eight years later, during his last visit as president in Nov. 2016, she was one of the people with whom she discussed whether to seek a fourth term. Obama, she says, asked questions but held back with an opinion, and that in itself was helpful. He “said that Europe could still use me very well, but I should ultimately follow my feelings,” she writes. There was no such warmth with Trump, who had criticized Merkel and Germany in his 2016 campaign. Merkel says she had to seek an “adequate relationship ... without reacting to all the provocations.” In March 2017, there was an awkward moment when Merkel first visited the Trump White House. Photographers shouted “handshake!” and Merkel quietly asked Trump: “Do you want to have a handshake?” There was no response from Trump, who looked ahead with his hands clasped. Merkel faults her own reaction. “He wanted to create a topic of discussion with his behavior, while I had acted as if I were dealing with an interlocutor behaving normally,” she writes. She adds that Putin apparently “fascinated” Trump and, in the following years, she had the impression that “politicians with autocratic and dictatorial traits” beguiled him. Could Brexit have been avoided? Merkel says she tried to help then-Prime Minister David Cameron in the European Union as he faced pressure from British Euroskeptics, but there were limits to what she could do. And, pointing to Cameron's efforts over the years to assuage opponents of the EU, she says the road to Brexit is a textbook example of what can arise from a miscalculation. After Britons voted to leave the EU in 2016, an outcome she calls a “humiliation” for its other members, she says the question of whether she should have made more concessions to the U.K. “tortured me.” “I came to the conclusion that, in view of the political developments inside the country at the time, there would have been no acceptable possibility for me to prevent Britain's way out of the European Union from outside,” Merkel says. Giving up power Merkel was the first German chancellor to leave power at a time of her choosing. She announced in 2018 that she wouldn't seek a fifth term, and says she “let go at the right point.” She points to three 2019 incidents in which her body shook during public engagements as proof. Merkel says she had herself checked thoroughly and there were no neurological or other findings. An osteopath told her that her body was letting off the tension it had accumulated over years, she adds. “Freedom” runs to more than 700 pages in its original German edition, published by Kiepenheuer & Witsch. The English edition is being released simultaneously by St. Martin's Press.

The South Korean entertainment industry continues to dominate global screens, captivating audiences with its emotionally rich and trend-setting productions. This December, a fresh wave of K-dramas is set to enthrall fans, featuring a mix of romance, comedy, thrillers, action, and biographical stories. Packed with groundbreaking narratives and unexpected twists, these premieres promise to deliver unforgettable entertainment. Here’s a look at the 10 most anticipated K-dramas that are set to redefine Korean television in December 2024. 10 Most Hyped K-Dramas Premiering This December . Cinderella Game / Revenge Drama / December 2, 2024 Penned by Oh Sang-hee, this thriller series excels with Lee Hyun-Kyung as its director. The lead cast includes Han Groo, Kwon Do-Hyung, Park Ri-Won, and Choi Sang, supported by Na Young-Hee, Kim Hye-Ok, and Choi Jong-Hwan. Read more: South Indian Movies Releasing in December 2024: Must-watch Lineup This revenge drama series delves into the life of a woman unknowingly raised by her sworn enemy. Used as a pawn and posed as a false daughter, she becomes the embodiment of vengeance. As her journey unfolds, she embarks on a transformative path of growth and healing, discovering the profound and liberating essence of true revenge. Cinderella Game boasts production by Jidam Media and Miracle K Story. The Road In-between / Romantic Drama / December 3, 2024 Written by Seok Yeon-Hwa, this poignant romantic series centers on Seo-Hoo, a dedicated member of the Road View filming crew, as he grapples with the heartache aftrer a devastating breakup. Parallelly, Eun-Ha embarks on a deeply personal quest to find her father, whose fleeting image was captured on Road View. Together, their paths intertwine in a narrative of emotional separation, tentative self-discovery, and an unexpected turn down the alley of love. Read more: Top 10 Bollywood Movies to Watch in December 2024 Helmed by Lee Hae-Woo, this series stars Jung Gun-Joo, Won Seo-Hoo, Choi Hee-Jin, Seong Eun-Ha, Chae Ha-Jin, Hwang Se-On, Kang Myung-Joo, and Bae Myung-Jin. Light Shop / Mystery Thriller / December 4, 2024 Screenplay by Kang Full, this mystery TV series serves as an adaptation of Kang’s webtoon of the same title. Produced by Mr. Romance and Moving Pictures Co., the thriller series flourishes with Kim Hee-Won as the director. Light Shop boasts an ensemble cast that includes Park Bo-Young, Ju Ji-Hoon, Kim Seol-Hyun, Uhm Tae-Goo, Lee Jung-Eun, Kim Ki-Hae, Bae Seong-Woo, Kim Min-Ha, Park Hyuk-Kwon, and Shin Eun-Soo. Read more: December 2024 Amazon Prime Originals Streaming Lineup: Binge-worthy Watchlist The narrative weaves an extraordinary tale between the realms of the living and the dead, bridging these worlds through a mysterious light shop. Sorry Not Sorry / Romantic Comedy / December 5, 2024 Song Yi’s life takes a quirky turn when she masquerades as a married woman to blend into her new neighborhood. Beneath the façade lies a chaotic reality where she struggles daily with mounting mortgage payments and a cascade of life’s challenges. With this storyline, this lighthearted comedy series highlights the directing of Min Ji-Young and Oh Rae-Young and screenwriting of Choi Ryong and Jo Yoo-Jin, along with Ji-Young. The romantic series features Jeon So-Min in the lead role, accompanied by Choi Daniel, Gong Min Jung, Jang Hee Ryung, Kim Mu Jun, and Woo Kang Min. Read more: Top 10 Netflix English Originals to Watch in November 2024 To My Lonely Sister / Drama / December 10, 2024 Starring Oh Ye-ju, Park Ho-San, Kim Kang-Min, and Yang Eui-Jin in key roles, the series flourishes with Lee Jin-Ah as the director. Scripted by Lim Bo-Mi, the storyline centers on the inner turmoil of a middle school girl striving to break free from the shadow of her reclusive, withdrawn sister.

Plan International Bangladesh and JAAGO Foundation Trust officially launched the “Shomotay Tarunno: Youth for Equality” project at a Dhaka hotel on Monday. The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN) is funding this four-year initiative, which will operate in all eight divisions of Bangladesh until November 2027. The project was launched with the aim of preventing gender-based violence, dismantling harmful gender stereotypes, and empowering youth and youth-led organisations at both national and local levels. Press Institute Bangladesh's (PIB) Director General, Faruk Wasif, attended the event as the Chief Guest, while Kabita Bose, Country Director of Plan International Bangladesh, presided over the ceremony. During the launch, PIB and Plan International Bangladesh signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to produce materials and train journalists to promote gender-sensitive journalism in the country. South Indian Movies Releasing in December 2024: Must-watch Lineup The Netherlands ambassador to Bangladesh, Andre Carstens; Associate Professor of Mass Communication and Journalism at Dhaka University, Dr Md Khorshed Alam; and Bangladeshi writer and journalist Palash Mahbub participated as special guests. Nishath Sultana, director of Influencing, Campaign, and Communications at Plan Bangladesh, delivered the welcome speech. Neelima Yasmeen, Deputy Director of Programme at Plan International Bangladesh, conducted a youth session, and JAAGO Foundation Trust’s Chairman, Korvi Rakshand, was also present. PIB DG aruk Wasif highlighted the critical role of district and upazila-level journalists in ensuring credible news. He emphasised the importance of empowering journalists to provide factual reporting and praised the government’s commitment to supporting free and independent journalism. Presiding over the event, Kabita Bose said, “Discrimination against girls starts in the womb and persists throughout their lives. Our work focuses on fostering equality among all genders and diversities in society.” Andre Carstens noted the significant contributions of youth in driving positive change, stating, “By engaging in community service, innovation, leadership, and decision-making, Bangladeshi youth are already making an impact. Shomotay Tarunno will involve youths, Youth-Led Organisations (YLOs), the National Youth Council (NYC), media professionals, local content creators, social media influencers, academicians, and policymakers over the next four years.” Dhaka Retro 2024: A melodious night with good old vibes fascinate music lovers Speakers, including Dr Md Khorshed Alam, Palash Mahbub, and Korvi Rakshand, shared their insights, expressing optimism for the project’s long-term success. Representatives from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, National Youth Council, youth-led organisations, media professionals, and students from various universities attended the event. The project plans to engage 13,515 direct participants, including youth, National Youth Council members, local content creators, social media influencers, media professionals, educators, and government officials.

Several stray dogs and a cat were killed Friday night in Mohammadpur’s Japan Garden City,  in the capital which ignited fire amongst netizens on social platforms, including celebrities from the country’s cultural arena. Several local netizens on Friday evening posted on Facebook that some stray dogs and cats were being killed by poisoning in Japan Garden City, requesting everyone's cooperation to save the cats and dogs there. Some videos and pictures related to this went viral in no time and as soon as the news spread, many people rushed to Japan Garden City at night. Soon after it went viral, several celebrities including actress Jaya Ahsan, content creator Salman Muqtadir, actor Khairul Basar, actress Jyotika Jyoti, actor Niloy Alamgir, director Raka Noshin Nower, and others posted on their social profiles, condemning the cruelty and demanding justice. Salman Muqtadir wrote on his verified Facebook page: “What has happened to us. We don’t have any soul. There is no point in calling the animals barbaric because people have become barbaric animals these days.” Expressing his rage towards the killers, he added: “May Almighty’s punishment be bestowed upon you before your death. May every second of your last breath remind you of this. I just hope you remember this when you suffer.” Jaya Ahsan wrote on her official Facebook page: “They (the Japan Garden City Building Committee) have wanted it for almost five years but could not do it because of the protest of local animal lovers and various animal welfare organizations. They made it happen today.” Addressing the murderers, actor Khairul Basar wrote: “Even if dogs ever thought of killing you, I would admit that they are dogs, not people! But as human beings, how did you poison innocent dogs?” Meanwhile, a group of animal lovers including actor Niloy Alamgir along with his wife and activist Tasnuva Tabassum Hridi, rushed to Japan Garden City, voicing their outrage against animal cruelty. The People for Animal Welfare (PAW) Foundation, a non-profit organization working for the welfare of animals, has called the incident murder and from the foundation, actress-activist and Bangladesh Film Certification Board member Quazi Nawshaba Ahmed filed a complaint at Adabor police station on Saturday to bring those involved in the incident to justice. In that complaint, Nawshaba, on behalf of the Foundation, mentioned that the cat and ten dogs died of pain due to being poisoned. When residents and animal rights activists contacted the police station, a Sub-Inspector (SI) came to the spot and the bodies of three dogs and a cat were found in his presence; Nawshaba alleged that the remaining bodies of the animals were hidden. According to the netizens and media reports, a group of Japan Garden City residents had been campaigning for the killing of stray dogs using the banner 'JGC Life Safety' for some time, and had been circulating banners and festoons inside the Japan Garden City with messages such as “All stray dogs should be sent to the homes of animal lovers” etc. Meanwhile, the PAW Foundation posted on its Facebook page that the matter has been informed to the Director General of the Directorate of Livestock on behalf of the foundation, and the DG assured to take all legal steps.  

Bangladesh’s  expatriate community is much excited to see Bangladeshi rock legend Nagar Baul James' live performance here on Friday as "Bangladesh Culture" segment of the prestigious "Riyadh Season" began on Wednesday evening (KSA time), showcasing the rich and diverse cultural heritage and lifestyle of Bangladesh. "I am coming to Riyadh town," James conveyed to his vast fans in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ahead of his show at Al-Suwaidi Park. Thousands of Bangladeshis joined the first day of the four-day festival and James' fans say they are waiting for Friday's show. "Obviously, the highlight of the event will be James's much-sought first performance in Riyadh," a Bangladeshi youth, who came to Riyadh four years ago, told UNB.  

The PASCH Department of Goethe-Institut Bangladesh hosted an evening of music and cultural exchange at Aloki in the capital recently, titled ‘Rhythm of Fusion’, featuring an extraordinary collaboration between Taiga Trece, a German-Mexican rapper celebrated for her global musical style, and a talented group of Bangladeshi musicians. Held on Sunday evening, the event captivated a diverse audience with its innovative blend of freestyle rap and traditional Bangladeshi instrumental music. German-Mexican rapper Taiga Trece, known for her powerful lyrics and multicultural soundscapes, mesmerized attendees with her unique ability to merge genres seamlessly. Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark is crowned the 73rd Miss Universe  Prior to the concert, Frank Werner, Director of the Goethe-Institut Bangladesh, delivered the welcome speech, warmly greeting Taiga Trece along with all the talented local musicians and the audience. The local musicians - Abir Ibne Masud on guitar, Krishan Lal on tabla and drums, Toisifor Rahman on keyboard, Amit Hasan Rudra on bass, and DJ Rishova, brought a vibrant energy to the stage. Their masterful interplay of traditional and contemporary sounds created an atmosphere that was both dynamic and deeply engaging. Born in Germany and raised in Mexico, Taiga Trece showcased her signature fusion of hip-hop, world music, and electronic beats. Her collaboration with Bangladeshi musicians highlighted the universal language of music and its power to bridge cultural divides. 'Gaane Gaane Shayan':Farzana Wahid Shayan's solo concert at BSA on Nov 22 The event underscored Goethe-Institut Bangladesh's commitment to fostering cultural exchange and artistic innovation. Audience members praised the concert as a mesmerizing experience and a beautiful celebration of global and local talent. As the evening concluded, the resounding applause and enthusiastic feedback from the audience reflected the success of this bold initiative. By uniting German-Mexican rap and Bangladeshi instrumental music, ‘Rhythm of Fusion’ demonstrated how art transcends boundaries, sparking creativity and mutual understanding, according to Goethe-Institut Bangladesh.

Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark has been crowned Miss Universe. Kjaer, an animal protection advocate who works in the diamond selling business, beat out Miss Nigeria at the end of 73rd edition of the competition in Mexico City. Miss Mexico placed third. It is the first time a Danish contestant has won Miss Universe. The pageant was held in the Mexico City Arena, an indoor venue with a capacity for 20,000 people. Supporters inside shouted and waved flags from countries around the world. The ceremony began with 131 mariachi musicians and singer Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas playing “Mexicana”, a song created by Emilio Estefan for the contest. Farzana Yasmin Ananna makes history at Miss Cosmo 2024 The gala was hosted by Mario López; Olivia Culpo, Miss Universe 2012; presenter Zuri Hall; and Catriona Gray, Miss Universe 2018. Organizers said that there were more than 120 contestants. This year some countries were represented for the first time, such as Belarus, Eritrea, Guinea, Macau, Maldives, Moldova and Uzbekistan. This is the third time that Mexico has hosted Miss Universe.

Amazon Prime Video is gearing up to thrill subscribers with its highly anticipated December 2024 streaming lineup. Packed with binge-worthy content across genres like sci-fi, action, crime, romance, fantasy, and comedy, the platform has something for everyone. Highlights include a standout comedy special guaranteed to bring laughs, alongside an array of fresh movies and series perfect for the holiday season. Here's a closer look at the can't-miss titles curated for your festive watchlist. 5 Must-stream Fresh Arrivals on Amazon Prime this December . Earth Abides / Post-Apocalyptic Sci-fi / December 01, 2024 Starring Jessica Frances Dukes and Alexander Ludwig in the lead roles, this American TV miniseries excels with Todd Komarnicki as its creator. Based on the same-titled novel by George R. Stewart, the sci-fi series plunges viewers into a turbulent era where an unstoppable plague devastates the world, pushing the human race on the brink of annihilation. The remnants of civilization begin a slow collapse, leaving only a few scattered survivors to battle against a world slipping ever closer to extinction. Read more: Exploring the Best of Mostofa Sarwar Farooki: Iconic Films and Drama Series ‘Earth Abides’ also stars Aaron Tveit, Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll, Elyse Levesque, and Luisa D'Oliveira. This post-apocalyptic series is directed by Bronwen Hughes, Rachel Leiterman, and Stephen Campanelli; while the executive producers are Juliana Maio, Kearie Peak, and Michael Phillips.  The Sticky / Crime Comedy / December 06, 2024 Drawn from the ‘Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist’, this crime series thrives with Ed Herro and Brian Donovan as its creators, writers, executive producers, and showrunners. The crime drama series centers on Ruth Landry, a middle-aged maple syrup farmer, who is threatened by oppressive bureaucratic forces. It drives her to desperate measures to protect her life’s work and cherished way of life. Determined to take control, Ruth partners with a fiery Boston mobster and a gentle, unassuming French-Canadian security guard. They embark on a daring, high-stakes heist of Quebec’s prized maple syrup reserve. Read more: Top 10 Netflix English Originals to Binge-Watch in December 2024 The comedy series stars Margo Martindale, Guillaume Cyr, Chris Diamantopoulos, Gita Miller, Guy Nadon, Mickael Gouin, and Suzanne Clement. Adding star power to the series, Jamie Lee Curtis appears as a special guest while also lending her expertise as an executive producer. Directed by Joyce Wong and Michael Dowse, the series production is spearheaded by Comet Pictures, Blumhouse Television, Sphere Media, and Megamix. Secret Level / Fantasy Action / December 10, 2024 Created by Tim Miller, this American animated series showcases the production of his Blur Studio in collaboration with Amazon MGM Studios. Besides executive producing the anthology series alongside Miller, Dave Wilson also serves as its supervising director. Read more: Korean Dramas on Netflix for November 2024 This action-packed series spans 15 distinct stories, each set in the immersive worlds of different video games. The adventure series features the voices of stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Keanu Reeves, and Kevin Hart. The voice cast also includes Patrick Schwarzenegger, Laura Bailey, Gabriel Luna, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Ariana Greenblatt, Michael Beach, Claudia Doumit, Emily Swallow, and Heaven Hart. Your Fault (Culpa Tuya) / Romantic Drama / December 27, 2024 Inspired by Mercedes Ron’s Culpables series, this Spanish romantic film is crafted under the direction of Domingo Gonzalez. He also jointly contributed to the screenplay along with Sofia Cuenca. As the drama film is the direct sequel to the 2023 film ‘My Fault’, Gabriel Guevara and Nicole Wallace reprise their roles from the previous movie. The other returning actors are Marta Hazas and Ivan Sanchez. Other cast members are Gabriela Andrada and Goya Toledo. Read more: Top 12 South Indian Movies Releasing in November 2024 At the heart of the storyline lies the resilient love between Noah and Nick, seemingly unshakable despite their parents' persistent attempts to pull them apart. Yet, as Nick starts his career and Noah begins college, where budding relationships test their commitment. The arrival of Nick’s vengeful ex-girlfriend and a mother with hidden motives disrupts the very unity of the Leister family. The production credit goes to Alex de la Iglesia and Carolina Bang under the banner of Pokeepsie Films. Jack in Time for Christmas / Comedy Show / December 2024 Starring Jack Whitehall, the exact premiere date of this British Christmas comedy special is yet to be revealed.  Jack’s journey unfolds with holiday urgency as he scrambles to leave the United States and reach the United Kingdom in time for Christmas, with only days to spare. Against a ticking clock, Jack embarks on a wildly improbable adventure, navigating sled dogs, planes, trains, and even bobsleighs in his race. Along the way, a host of serendipitous celebrity encounters adds charm as Jack navigates the mayhem of Christmas to make it home just in time. Read more: November 2024 Bollywood Movies: Top 10 Must-Watch Hindi Films You Can’t Miss The show features several celebrity guest appearances including Michael Buble, Jimmy Fallon, Rebel Wilson, Dave Bautista, and Daisy May Cooper. Produced by Workerbee and Jackpot Productions, this comedy show is part-scripted and part-travelogue. Summing Up The list of Amazon Prime Originals, coming in December 2024, celebrates a remarkable mix of genres, offering viewers a range of stories to suit every mood and taste. In ‘Earth Abides’, a thrilling sci-fi adventure awaits, while ‘Secret Level’ opens the door to a realm of fantasy where imagination runs wild. ‘The Sticky’ presents a suspenseful exploration of human motives, countered by the heartfelt romantic touch of ‘Your Fault’. The holiday spirit shines in the comedy show ‘Jack in Time for Christmas’. Read more: Amazon Prime Originals List for November 2024: Exclusive Shows, Films and Web Series All these premieres underscore Prime's appeal as one of the top OTT platforms, consistently delivering captivating content in the ending month of the year.

After a tumultuous year filled with anxiety and a legal battle about its future in the U.S., TikTok may have just been thrown a lifeline by the man who was once its biggest foe: Donald Trump. President-elect Trump, who tried to ban the social media platform the last time he was in the White House, has repeatedly pledged during his most recent campaign to oppose a ban on the short-form video app, which could happen as soon as mid-January if the company loses a court case that’s currently underway in Washington. For months, TikTok, and its China-based parent company ByteDance, have been embroiled in a legal battle with the U.S. over a federal law that forces them to cut ties for national security reasons or stop operating in one of their biggest markets in the world. The measure, signed by President Joe Biden in April, gives ByteDance nine months to divest its stakes, with a possible three-month extension if a sale was in progress. If that happens, the deadline could be extended into the first 100 days of Trump’s presidency. The companies have claimed that divestiture is not possible, and the law, if upheld, would force them to shut down by Jan. 19, just a day before Trump’s second inauguration. Attorneys for both sides have asked a federal appeals court reviewing the case to issue a ruling by Dec. 6. The losing side is expected to appeal to the Supreme Court, which has a conservative majority and could decide to take up the case, potentially dragging out the process even longer. When reached for comment, the Trump transition team did not offer details on how Trump plans to carry out his pledge to “save TikTok,” as he said on a Truth Social post in September while encouraging people who care about the platform to vote for him. But Karoline Leavitt, a spokeswoman for the transition team, indicated in a statement that he plans to see it through. “The American people re-elected President Trump by a resounding margin giving him a mandate to implement the promises he made on the campaign trail,” Leavitt said. “He will deliver.” During a March interview with CNBC, Trump said he still believed TikTok posed a national security risk but opposed banning it because doing so would help its rival, Facebook, which he has continued to lambast over his 2020 election loss. He also denied changing his mind on the issue because of Republican megadonor Jeff Yass, a ByteDance investor that Trump, at the time, said that he had only met “very briefly.” He said Yass “never mentioned TikTok” during their meeting. Still, ByteDance – and groups connected to Yass – have been attempting to exert their influence. Lobbying disclosure reports show that this year, ByteDance paid veteran lobbyist and former Trump campaign aide David Urban $150,000 to lobby lawmakers in Washington in favor of TikTok. The company has also spent more than $8 million on in-house lobbyists and another $1.4 million on other lobbying firms, according to Open Secrets. Meanwhile, in March, Politico reported Kellyanne Conway, a former senior Trump aide, was being paid by the Yass-funded conservative group Club for Growth to advocate for TikTok in Congress. A spokesperson for the organization said Conway was hired as a consultant to conduct polling. Conway and Urban did not respond to requests for comment. TikTok, which has long denied it’s a national security risk, declined to comment. If the courts uphold the law, it would fall on Trump’s Justice Department to enforce it and punish any potential violations with fines. The fines would apply to app stores that would be prohibited from offering TikTok, and internet hosting services who would be barred from supporting it. Leah Plunkett, a lecturer at Harvard Law School, said from her reading of the statute, the attorney general has to investigate violations but can decide whether or not to drag such companies to court and force them to comply. Trump could do other things to prevent TikTok from disappearing. He could issue an executive order to nullify the ban — which Plunkett believes would not be lawful — or urge Congress to repeal the law. That would require support from Congressional Republicans who have aligned themselves with Trump but have also supported the prospects of getting TikTok out of the hands of a Chinese company. In a statement sent to the AP after the election, Republican Rep. John Moolenaar of Michigan, chairman of the House Select Committee on China, said Trump’s “long-standing concerns” about TikTok align with the law’s requirement for divestment. “The Trump Administration will have a unique opportunity to broker an American takeover of the platform,” he said. ByteDance, though, has previously said it has no intention to sell the platform despite interest from some investors, including Trump’s former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. Analysts say the company is even less likely to sell the proprietary algorithm that fuels what users see on the app. That means even if TikTok is sold to a qualified buyer, it is likely to be a shell of its current self and would need to be rebuilt with new technology. Sarah Kreps, director of Cornell University’s Tech Policy Institute, said it’s also possible that Trump could take the issue back to the drawing board and direct his administration to negotiate a new deal with TikTok. TikTok said in 2022, it presented the Biden administration with a draft agreement that would bolster protections for users and provide it more oversight over the company’s U.S. operations. But the administration has argued in court documents in recent months that it would be challenging to enforce the agreement due to the size and the technical complexity of the platform. Trump hasn’t been privy to new intelligence material on the matter for a few years and it's possible he could change his mind - and abandon his campaign promise - once he does, Kreps said. Plunkett, the Harvard Law faculty and author of “Sharenthood: Why We Should Think before We Talk about Our Kids Online,” said if she were counseling TikTok, she would advise them to come up with a divesture plan that is compliant with the law and as favorable to them as possible. “There is too much uncertainty about what a Trump administration is likely to do,” she said.

A press conference was held on Tuesday at the Russian House in Dhaka with journalists from the Bangladeshi media as part of the II International Documentary Film Festival "RT. Doc: Time of Our Heroes" organized by the RT Documentary TV channel. A special guest of the festival the editor of RT Documentary Ekaterina Shubnaya stressed that this event is dedicated to the heroes who are fighting in the Donbas in Ukraine for the right of Russians to preserve their national identity, the heroes who provide medical care, help to establish a peaceful life in the liberated territories, as well as the heroes who convey the word of truth to the world community. The festival not only demonstrates the power of documentary filmmaking but also promotes understanding and discussion of current topics among international audiences. This is an important step towards a deeper understanding of social and political processes. This event has become an important platform for the exchange of experience and knowledge, which contributes to improving the quality of journalism and documentary. Media workers had a unique opportunity to learn about RT's documentary projects, which inspire and expand horizons.