United News of Bangladesh

A US intelligence assessment has concluded that Russia may use its lethal new intermediate-range ballistic missile against Ukraine again soon, two US officials said Wednesday. The Oreshnik missile, which was used for the first time last month, is seen more as an attempt at intimidation than as a game-changer on the battlefield in Ukraine, according to one of the officials. The threat comes as both sides work to gain a battlefield advantage in the nearly 3-year war, which President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to end, and just days after the US promised close to $1 billion in new security aid to Ukraine. Other Western allies have suggested negotiations to end the war could begin this winter. One of the officials said the US is seeing potential preparations for another launch by the end of the month or sooner. The other said in the “coming days.” The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive information. The Russian Defense Ministry also suggested that Moscow is prepared to retaliate because Ukraine used six US-made ATACMS missiles to strike a military air base in Taganrog in the southern Rostov region on Wednesday, injuring soldiers. It said two of the missiles were shot down by an air defense system and four others deflected by electronic warfare assets. “This attack with Western long-range weapons will not be left unanswered and relevant measures will be taken,” the ministry said in a statement. This isn't the first time that US officials have warned of potential Russian action or strategic moves, in part as a diplomatic effort to message Moscow and possibly sway decisions. In the run-up to Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the US openly discussed intelligence that Russia was readying troops to move on Kyiv. And later publicly said Moscow was positioning operatives in eastern Ukraine to conduct a “false-flag operation” that would create a pretext for its troops to invade. EU may suspend asylum for migrants 'weaponized' by Russia, Belarus According to the US officials, Russia has only a handful of the Oreshnik missiles and they carry a smaller warhead than other missiles that Russia has regularly launched at Ukraine. Russia first fired the missile in a November 21 attack against the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. Surveillance camera video of the strike showed huge fireballs piercing the darkness and slamming into the ground at astonishing speed. It was the first time the weapon was used in combat. Within hours of the attack on the military facility, Russian President Vladimir Putin took the rare step of speaking on national TV to boast about the new, hypersonic missile. He warned the West that its next use could be against Ukraine’s NATO allies who allowed Kyiv to use their longer-range missiles to strike inside Russia. The attack came two days after Putin signed a revised version of Russia’s nuclear doctrine that lowered the threshold for using nuclear weapons. The doctrine allows for a potential nuclear response by Moscow even to a conventional attack on Russia by any nation that is supported by a nuclear power. That strike also came soon after President Joe Biden agreed to loosen restrictions on Ukraine’s use of American-made longer-range weapons to strike deeper into Russian territory, and just one day after the US said it was giving Ukraine antipersonnel mines to help it slow Russia’s battlefield advances. “We believe that we have the right to use our weapons against military facilities of the countries that allow to use their weapons against our facilities,” Putin said at the time. He also warned that the new missile could be used against other Ukrainian sites, including the government district in Kyiv, and last month said the General Staff of the Russian military was selecting possible future targets, such as military facilities, defense plants or decision-making centers in Kyiv. The Russian president declared that, “while selecting targets for strikes with such systems as Oreshnik on the territory of Ukraine, we will ask civilians and nationals of friendly countries there to leave dangerous zones in advance.” Biden approves National Security Memo to assist Trump on key global issues Putin has hailed Oreshnik’s capability, saying its multiple warheads that plunge to a target at Mach 10 are immune from interception and are so powerful that the use of several of them in one conventional strike could be as devastating as a nuclear attack. Speaking Tuesday, Putin charged that “a sufficient number of these advanced weapon systems simply makes the use of nuclear weapons almost unnecessary.” The Pentagon said the Oreshnik was an experimental type of intermediate-range ballistic missile, or IRBM, based on Russia’s RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM. They have said it is not technically a hypersonic missile as it does not have a hypersonic glide vehicle that propels the missile for most of the launch and re-entry. Intermediate-range missiles can fly between 500 to 5,500 kilometers (310 to 3,400 miles). Such weapons were banned under a Soviet-era treaty that Washington and Moscow abandoned in 2019. Fighting has escalated in the grinding war as both Russia and Ukraine scramble to get an upper hand in any coming negotiations. Trump's inauguration next month has also raised questions about how much support the US will continue to provide to Kyiv. Trump has insisted in recent days that Russia and Ukraine immediately reach a ceasefire and said Ukraine should likely prepare to receive less U.S. military aid. Writing on social media last weekend, Trump said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy “would like to make a deal and stop the madness.” The Biden administration, meanwhile, announced a $988 million long-term aid package last weekend. That funding is on top of an additional $725 million in US military assistance, including counter-drone systems and HIMARS munitions, announced early last week that would be drawn from the Pentagon’s stockpiles to get them to the front lines more quickly. The US has provided Ukraine with more than $62 billion in military aid since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.

President Joe Biden has authorized a classified national security memorandum designed to guide the incoming Trump administration in addressing mounting challenges posed by deepening cooperation among China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia, the White House announced Wednesday. Crafted over the summer, the memorandum aims to equip the Trump administration with a foundational strategy to address threats from the United States' key adversaries. Two senior administration officials, speaking anonymously due to the document's sensitivity, confirmed its contents would remain classified. The guidance outlines four key recommendations: enhancing interagency coordination within the U.S. government, accelerating intelligence sharing with allies regarding the four adversaries, optimizing the use of sanctions and economic tools, and preparing for potential simultaneous crises involving these nations. U.S. officials have long been wary of collaboration among the four countries, a concern amplified since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The conflict has spurred stronger ties between Moscow and its allies. Read: Biden still believes missing journalist Austin Tice alive Russia, increasingly isolated internationally, has turned to Iran for drones and missiles while receiving artillery and personnel support from North Korea. In return, Moscow has supplied fighter jets to Iran and assisted Tehran in strengthening its missile defense and space technology. North Korea has gained critical fuel and financial support from Russia, bolstering its manufacturing and military capabilities. Additionally, Russia has reportedly accepted North Korea’s status as a nuclear-armed state, according to officials. China, meanwhile, has deepened its partnership with Russia, benefiting from dual-use components that sustain Moscow's military-industrial complex. The two nations have also intensified military technical cooperation, including joint patrols in the Arctic. “Coordination among these four nations poses an increasingly complex challenge for U.S. national security,” one official remarked, emphasizing the urgency of the recommendations. Despite contrasting worldviews, the Biden administration and President-elect Donald Trump's team have sought collaboration during the transition. The memorandum reflects a bipartisan recognition of the need for a robust approach to counter adversaries’ growing alliances. Read more: Biden visits Africa's Angola amid growing China influence This cooperative transition effort underscores the significance of preparing for evolving geopolitical dynamics, which will demand careful navigation by the incoming administration. Source: With inputs from agencies

The United Nations reported Tuesday that humanitarian assistance to northern Gaza has been largely obstructed for 66 days since Israel's ground offensive began on October 6. This has left an estimated 65,000 to 75,000 Palestinians without access to basic necessities, including food, water, electricity, and healthcare. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) highlighted that Israel's ongoing siege of areas such as Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoun, and Jabaliya has severely restricted aid delivery. Recently, about 5,500 people were forced to flee three schools in Beit Lahiya and relocate to Gaza City. Israel's Syrian buffer zone advance reveals both risks and opportunities Only four U.N.-supported bakeries, all located in Gaza City, are currently operational, worsening the region’s food crisis, OCHA noted. Sigrid Kaag, the U.N.’s senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza, described the situation as "utterly devastating" after briefing the U.N. Security Council in a closed-door meeting. She emphasized that lawlessness and looting have further compounded the crisis, making it difficult for the U.N. and aid groups to provide essential supplies to the hundreds of thousands in need. Kaag called on Israel to grant access for aid convoys, reopen Gaza's southern Rafah crossing with Egypt, and approve the entry of dual-use items. The Israeli mission to the U.N. declined to comment on her statement. Syrians line up at Turkish border crossing, awaiting return home While the U.N. has established logistical frameworks to distribute aid across Gaza, Kaag stressed that political will — which lies with member states, not humanitarians — is crucial to resolving the crisis. She urged the Security Council and the global community to take decisive action to address the worsening humanitarian emergency in Gaza.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with officials in Japan on Tuesday to reaffirm the importance of their alliance and Washington's commitment to regional security as threats rise from China and North Korea. Austin’s visit also came amid growing concerns over the safety of Osprey military aircraft, which have been grounded in the United States following a near crash at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico last month. The incident, caused by weakened metal components, was similar to a fatal crash off southwestern Japan last year. The US measure prompted Japan to also ground its Ospreys. After confirming details with the US military, Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force has suspended operations of its 17 Ospreys, except for possible disaster relief and other missions, beginning Tuesday to prioritize safety, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters. During their meeting, Austin and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba noted the collapse of the Syrian government and praised the strength of the Japan-US alliance at a time of rapid global political change. “The world can change drastically in a week,” Ishiba told Austin. “No one could predict the collapse of the Assad regime in that way.” The US defense chief, whose term ends in January when President-elect Donald Trump takes office, told Ishiba that he appreciated the steady alliance with Japan during “very dynamic times” and that he was proud of the modernization of alliance command and control, strengthening of force posture and deterrence capabilities over the past several years. Austin was also scheduled to hold talks with Japanese counterpart Gen Nakatani. Nakatani told reporters that cooperation between Japan and the US, as well as with South Korea and other partners, is important as tensions escalate in the region. The trilateral partnership between Japan, the US and South Korea has significantly strengthened under President Joe Biden’s administration, but faces new uncertainty amid ongoing political unrest in South Korea, which already led to the cancellation of Austin's planned trip to that country. Americans realising Trump's Canada tariffs increase costs: Trudeau On Monday, Austin greeted crew members of the USS George Washington, a nuclear-powered flagship aircraft carrier docked at the US Navy base in Yokosuka, near Tokyo. Austin stressed the importance of US cooperation with allies and partners in the region as he singled out China as the only country in the world with the intent and capability to change the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific, according to the US Defense Department. “We want to see this region remain open to freedom of navigation and the ability to fly the skies in international airways,” Austin was quoted as saying on the Defense Department's website. “We will work with allies and partners to ensure we can do just that," he added. The U. carrier, which is under maintenance in Yokosuka, will carry the advanced F-35C stealth combat aircraft squadron currently based in the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in the southwestern Japanese prefecture of Yamaguchi.Source: With inputs from wires

Boeing has proceeded with further layoffs in Washington state and California, cutting hundreds of employees as part of its previously announced workforce reductions aimed at trimming approximately 17,000 jobs, report AP. According to reports on Monday, nearly 400 employees in Washington and over 500 in California were let go by the aerospace company. These layoffs are part of a broader plan to reduce Boeing's workforce by 10% in the coming months, as the company strives to address financial and regulatory challenges, along with recovering from a nearly two-month machinists’ strike. Boeing issues layoff notices to 400-plus workers as it begins drastic cuts CEO Kelly Ortberg clarified that the layoffs were not related to the strike but were instead due to overstaffing. The company began notifying affected workers in November. Notices to state employment agencies revealed that the initial round of layoffs affected around 3,500 employees across the U.S., according to The Seattle Times. These cuts impacted employees in various roles, including engineers, recruiters, and analysts, across Boeing’s commercial, defense, and global services divisions. The company stated that most laid-off employees would remain on the payroll for about two months and would receive severance packages, career transition support, and subsidized health insurance benefits for up to three months. “As announced in early October, we are adjusting our workforce levels to align with our financial reality and a more focused set of priorities,” Boeing representatives reiterated regarding the layoffs. The head of Boeing's defense and space business is out as company tries to fix troubled contracts Based in Arlington, Virginia, Boeing has been facing financial difficulties since two crashes of its 737 Max aircraft in 2018 and 2019 claimed 346 lives. The company’s reputation and finances were further damaged after an Alaska Airlines plane experienced a fuselage panel detachment in January.

President Joe Biden reaffirmed Sunday that the U.S. government believes Austin Tice, an American journalist who disappeared in Syria in 2012, is still alive. Biden pledged continued efforts to locate Tice and bring him home following the recent collapse of Bashar Assad’s regime in Damascus. “We think we can get him back,” Biden told reporters at the White House, adding that while there is “no direct evidence” of Tice’s current status, efforts remain ongoing. “Assad should be held accountable,” he added. Tice, a journalist from Houston, was last seen in August 2012 at a checkpoint near Damascus in a contested area. A video released weeks later showed him blindfolded and in captivity, pleading, “Oh, Jesus,” but he has not been heard from since. Syria has consistently denied holding him. Despite a lack of new evidence, U.S. officials continue to operate under the assumption that Tice is alive. According to an anonymous official, the United States is working to determine his location and secure his release. Read: China sentences journalist to 7yrs for espionage Tice’s mother, Debra, recently stated at a Washington news conference that a credible source provided information confirming her son’s well-being. “He is being cared for and he is well — we do know that,” she said. Debra Tice urged the Syrian public to assist in reuniting her son with his family. “When he comes out, he’s going to need care and direction. Please, help him find his way back to us,” she said in remarks amplified by hostage advocacy groups on social media. The Tice family met with U.S. officials at the State Department and the White House last week, maintaining hope for Austin’s safe return after more than a decade. Source: With inputs from agencies

President-elect Donald Trump has named Alina Habba, one of his defense attorneys in the New York hush money case, to serve as counselor to the president in his upcoming administration. Habba, 40, has been a staunch advocate for Trump, acting as both his legal representative and spokesperson earlier this year. Since the election, she has frequently been at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, accompanying him during his post-election activities. “She has shown unwavering loyalty and unmatched resolve, standing by me through countless legal battles and challenges,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “Few understand the weaponization of the justice system better than Alina.” Habba represented Trump during his high-profile legal proceedings this year. In May, Trump became the first former U.S. president to be convicted of felony charges, found guilty on 34 counts related to a hush money payment during the 2016 election to a porn actor alleging a past affair. Habba, who has Chaldean Christian roots from Iraq, follows in the footsteps of Kellyanne Conway, who held the counselor position during Trump’s first term. She also played an active role on the campaign trail and spoke at a late-October rally in Madison Square Garden, New York. In addition to Habba’s appointment, Trump announced two other key positions on Sunday. Michael Anton, a former National Security Council spokesman, will return as director of policy planning at the State Department. Meanwhile, Michael Needham, a former chief of staff to Sen. Marco Rubio, will serve as counselor to the State Department. Rubio, the Florida senator, has been tapped by Trump as the next secretary of state. Source: With inputs from agencies

Donald Trump, the president-elect of the United States, is actively pursuing his policy objectives and engaging in international diplomacy even before his inauguration. With over a month left until he officially takes office, Trump has issued strong warnings, such as threatening a 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican goods, prompting high-level discussions with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. His bold stance extends to global crises, warning Hamas of severe consequences if hostages in Gaza are not released before his inauguration. This weekend, Trump attended the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, where he was treated as a key dignitary alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, overshadowing outgoing President Joe Biden, who was represented by First Lady Jill Biden. Read: Donald Trump wins US presidency for the second time Trump’s approach is seen as highly unconventional, blurring the lines of transition by engaging directly with foreign leaders and influencing policy. Meetings with leaders from Canada, Argentina, and Ukraine, as well as discussions about the Middle East, highlight his active involvement. While Trump’s team asserts these efforts are aligned with legal protocols, critics argue that such dual messaging can complicate U.S. foreign relations during the transitional period. Trump’s proactive measures, including credit for recent policy moves, demonstrate his readiness to reassert his leadership style, though the long-term success of these initiatives remains uncertain. Source: With inputs from agencies

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on Wednesday in a pivotal case challenging a Tennessee law that prohibits gender-affirming care for minors. The outcome of this case could influence similar legislation in 25 other states and shape broader policies affecting transgender individuals, including sports participation and access to facilities. The court, now dominated by conservative justices, is addressing its second major transgender rights case, following its 2020 decision in favor of Aimee Stephens, a transgender woman fired by her employer. In that case, the justices ruled that federal laws against sex discrimination protect transgender individuals. The Core Debate: Equal Protection and Sex Discrimination At the heart of the Tennessee case is whether the state’s law violates the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause, which requires the government to treat similar groups equally. The law bans puberty blockers and hormone treatments specifically for transgender minors, while allowing these treatments for other medical purposes. Chase Strangio of the American Civil Liberties Union, the lead attorney representing the families challenging the law, argued that targeting transgender minors for these bans constitutes sex discrimination. The Biden administration also supports this view, with Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar emphasizing that such restrictions cannot be enforced without considering a person’s sex. “That is sex discrimination,” Prelogar wrote, urging the court to use its 2020 analysis, which recognized that “sex plays an unmistakable role” in discriminatory practices. Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti defended the law, arguing it is not about discrimination but about protecting minors from irreversible medical interventions. He asserted that the law distinguishes between minors seeking treatment for gender transition and those seeking similar medications for other medical reasons. Scrutiny Levels: A Legal Battleground A key legal debate centers on the level of scrutiny the court should apply. The state wants the law evaluated under “rational basis review,” a lenient standard that often upholds legislation. The federal appeals court in Cincinnati sided with Tennessee, stating the law fell within lawmakers’ authority to regulate medical practices. Read: Bangladesh's transgender community ready to shatter boundaries with education However, the challengers argue for “heightened scrutiny,” which applies in sex discrimination cases. This standard requires the state to demonstrate that its law addresses a compelling interest and is narrowly tailored to achieve that goal. A decision to apply heightened scrutiny could lead to the case being sent back to the appeals court. Broader Implications for Transgender Rights The case arrives amid an intensifying national debate over transgender rights. Former President Donald Trump and his allies have campaigned to restrict transgender protections, while states have passed laws regulating gender-affirming care, participation in sports, and access to bathrooms. The medical community overwhelmingly supports gender-affirming care for youth, with organizations like the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics advocating for these treatments. However, Tennessee and its allies point to studies from European countries like Sweden and Finland that highlight potential risks and call for cautious use of such interventions. Personal Stakes for Families The Williams family of Nashville, one of the challengers, described how the ban has affected their transgender daughter, L.W. Her father, Brian Williams, shared that puberty blockers and hormone treatments have allowed her to thrive and plan for her future. Yet, due to the state’s law, she must travel out of state for care. “This ban forces us to fight harder for our child’s well-being,” Williams said. Read: DU admission test: Students demand cancellation of  transgender quota As the justices deliberate, their decision could significantly shape the legal landscape for transgender rights in the U.S., marking a crucial moment for families, healthcare providers, and advocates on both sides of the issue. Source: With inputs from agencies

U.S. job openings rebounded in October after hitting a 3.5-year low in September, signaling that businesses continue to seek workers despite a slowdown in hiring. Job openings increased by 5%, reaching 7.7 million, up from 7.4 million in September, according to the Labor Department. However, this figure remains significantly lower than the 8.7 million job postings from a year ago. October saw a notable rise in openings within professional and business services, which include roles like engineers and accountants, as well as in the restaurant, hotel, and IT sectors. Additionally, the number of people quitting their jobs increased, reflecting confidence in the labor market. Layoffs dropped to just 1.6 million, marking the lowest level seen in two decades, prior to the 2020 pandemic. These numbers suggest a stabilization of the job market at a moderate level, with hiring slowing but layoffs remaining unusually low. The unemployment rate remains low at 4.1%, although job growth in October had slowed sharply due to hurricanes and a strike at Boeing. Read: US applications for jobless benefits fall to 213,000, remaining near 7-month lows Cory Stahle, an economist at job site Indeed, noted, "The fact that job openings ticked up is always an encouraging sign." The latest data shows that for each unemployed worker, there are 1.1 available jobs, which remains a healthy ratio, though down from the peak of two job openings per unemployed person two years ago. The report, known as the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), also revealed a slight decline in hiring, with 5.3 million hires in October, down from 5.6 million in September. This drop is partly attributed to hurricane-related disruptions. While the JOLTS data is separate from the official jobs report, which will be released Friday, the figures suggest that the U.S. job market is stabilizing, even if the pace of growth has slowed. November’s jobs report is expected to show a gain of around 210,000 jobs, a significant rebound from the 12,000 jobs added in October. The rise in the number of people quitting their jobs to 3.4 million in October suggests confidence in the job market, as people feel secure enough to pursue new opportunities. The Federal Reserve is closely monitoring these trends, as any signs of significant weakening in hiring could prompt them to lower interest rates to support borrowing and economic activity. Source: With inputs from agencies