United News of Bangladesh

President Donald Trump arrived in Miami on Wednesday, marking the anniversary of his reelection victory, to address the American Business Forum where he will highlight his administration’s economic achievements and global investment initiatives. The Republican president is expected to outline his broader economic agenda, focusing on deregulation, energy independence, oil prices and affordability. According to a senior White House official, Trump will emphasize how foreign investments secured during his tenure have benefited U.S. communities. His remarks come as Americans continue to express concern over the rising cost of living and job opportunities. A recent AP Voter Poll across four states found that voters remain uneasy about inflation despite Trump’s promises of economic revival. The speech follows Trump’s recent five-day Asia tour, which included meetings in Malaysia, Japan and South Korea. During the trip, he met Chinese President Xi Jinping to ease trade tensions and announced several Japan-funded energy and technology projects benefiting the U.S. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez praised Trump’s international efforts as “transformational,” calling the business forum a more accessible version of the World Economic Forum in Davos. The event brings together business leaders, policymakers and athletes for discussions on global economic challenges. Miami has become a focal point in Trump’s second term. The city will host next year’s G20 summit at Trump’s Doral golf club, despite criticism over potential conflicts of interest. Trump has maintained that his family business will not profit from the event. Miami is also among the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Trump has promoted as a major showcase for the U.S. His administration has made the tournament’s success a top priority. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, a close associate of Trump, is also scheduled to speak at the forum later on Wednesday.  

Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday called for “deep reflection” in the United States regarding the treatment of migrants held in detention, highlighting the impact on people who have lived peacefully in the country for years. Speaking to reporters outside his Castel Gandolfo retreat, the Chicago-born pontiff stressed that the spiritual rights of detained migrants should be respected, and authorities should allow pastoral workers access to them. “Many have been separated from their families. Their spiritual needs must be attended to,” he said. Pope Leo also addressed broader geopolitical issues, including U.S. military strikes on suspected drug traffickers near Venezuela, describing them as actions that “increase tension” and emphasizing the importance of dialogue. On the Middle East, he called the initial phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire “very fragile” and urged parties to ensure the rights of all people. He also noted the complexity of Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank, stressing the need for justice for all communities. Last month, Leo encouraged labor union leaders from Chicago to support immigrants and include minorities in their ranks. Pope Leo is scheduled to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Vatican on Thursday and will make his first papal visit to Turkey and Lebanon at the end of November.    

At least seven people were killed when a large UPS cargo plane crashed during takeoff from Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky on Tuesday, sparking a massive fire and causing multiple injuries on the ground, officials said. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed that 11 people were injured and warned that the number of casualties was likely to rise. “Anybody who has seen the images knows how violent this crash is,” he said, adding that several victims sustained “very significant” injuries. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said UPS Flight 2976, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11, went down around 5:15pm local time (22:15 GMT) shortly after takeoff. The aircraft was reportedly en route to Honolulu, Hawaii. Aerial footage showed a long trail of debris as firefighters battled towering flames and thick black smoke. The plane reportedly slammed into two nearby businesses—a petroleum recycling company and an auto parts supplier—setting off widespread fires. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg described the crash as “an incredible tragedy” for the community, noting that multiple agencies were responding to the scene. Authorities issued a “shelter-in-place” order for areas within an 8-kilometer (5-mile) radius of the airport. UPS initially said three crew members were aboard but did not confirm casualties. The Associated Press later reported that four of the seven people killed were not on the aircraft. Governor Beshear said the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), assisted by the FAA, will conduct a full investigation into the crash. The airport, home to UPS Worldport—the company’s global air cargo hub and the world’s largest package handling facility—was temporarily closed after the incident. According to Reuters, the accident is expected to disrupt UPS operations and may affect major clients such as Amazon, Walmart, and the United States Postal Service.  With inputs from AL Zazeera

Democrat Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old state lawmaker and self-described democratic socialist, has been elected mayor of New York City, becoming the city’s first Muslim leader and its youngest mayor in decades. Mamdani defeated independent candidate and former Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo, who sought a political comeback four years after resigning amid scandal. His victory marks a generational and ideological shift in city politics, fueled by grassroots organizing and strong support from young and working-class voters. President Donald Trump closely followed the race and repeatedly attacked Mamdani, falsely calling him a communist and threatening to withhold federal funds from New York if he won. Trump endorsed Cuomo on the eve of the election, bypassing Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. At Mamdani’s victory party, supporters danced to Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” as tenants’ rights activist Joanne Grill declared, “We beat the millionaires and billionaires — little old us, working-class New Yorkers are taking this city back.” At Cuomo’s election night gathering, the mood was somber as guests quietly departed while Billy Joel’s “Uptown Girl” played in the background. Zohran Mamdani defends Muslim identity amid “racist and baseless” attacks Republican Curtis Sliwa conceded the race but warned that he would “mobilize” his supporters if Mamdani pursued socialist policies. “We will become the mayor-elect and his supporters’ worst enemies,” he said to a cheering crowd, accusing “some of the most powerful people in the world” of opposing his campaign. In another closely watched contest, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg secured reelection against Republican Maud Maron and independent Diana Florence. Bragg, who oversaw the hush-money case that led to Trump’s historic conviction, focused his campaign on reducing gun violence, prosecuting hate crimes, and expanding mental health services. Bragg, who avoided mentioning Trump during the campaign, said his office has helped reduce murders and shootings, though his opponents argued he has not been tough enough on crime. As news of Mamdani’s win spread, jubilant supporters waved New York City flags and chanted his name as Bad Bunny tracks blared — a moment marking a new chapter in the city’s political history. Read more: Mamdani's political upset inspires hope among South Asian, Muslim New Yorkers Source: AP 

US President Donald Trump has officially endorsed Andrew Cuomo in the New York City mayoral race, urging voters not to elect Democratic front-runner Zohran Mamdani, while warning that federal funding for the city could be drastically reduced if Mamdani wins. “Whether you personally like Andrew Cuomo or not, you really have no choice. You must vote for him, and hope he does a fantastic job. He is capable of it, Mamdani is not,” Trump posted on Truth Social Monday evening. Cuomo, an Independent candidate and former Democratic governor, responded cautiously, saying, “He’s not endorsing me. He’s opposing Mamdani.” Trump previously signaled that he would limit federal support to New York City if Mamdani were elected, calling the Democratic nominee a “communist” in an earlier television interview. “It’s gonna be hard for me as the president to give a lot of money to New York. Because if you have a communist running New York, all you’re doing is wasting the money you’re sending there,” Trump said. Mamdani, 34, a state assemblyman and democratic socialist, rejected the label and dismissed the president’s comments as a “threat, not law.” He accused Trump of attempting to influence the city’s political landscape for personal gain. “The MAGA movement’s embrace of Andrew Cuomo reflects Donald Trump’s belief that Cuomo would serve his interests, not those of New Yorkers,” Mamdani said. If elected, Mamdani would become New York City’s first Muslim mayor and its youngest leader in over a century. He has criticized Cuomo as a “puppet of Trump” and pledged to offer an alternative vision that prioritizes the dignity and needs of all residents. Cuomo, meanwhile, has emphasized his experience in dealing with the Trump administration, citing his tenure as New York governor during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I fought Donald Trump. When I’m fighting for New York, I am not going to stop,” Cuomo said. Trump’s threat to cut federal funds follows a broader pattern of the administration targeting Democratic-led cities and jurisdictions that resist cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, alongside deploying National Guard troops in certain areas as part of a crime crackdown.   Source: BBC

Democratic Socialist and New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani said US President Donald Trump is “threatened” by his campaign, after Trump warned voters that the city would face a “complete and total economic and social disaster” if Mamdani won Tuesday’s mayoral election. “You can clearly see that Donald Trump is threatened by our campaign,” Mamdani told CNN on Monday, the eve of the election. “He’s threatened because, like him, we’ve diagnosed the crisis in working-class New Yorkers’ lives — the cost of living. But unlike him, we’re actually going to deliver on it.” Mamdani criticized Trump for “wasting” USD 300 million on remodeling a White House ballroom — funds he said could instead provide food assistance to 100,000 New Yorkers through the federal SNAP program, which has been affected by the ongoing government shutdown. Trump, meanwhile, threw his support behind former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, warning voters that the city would have “zero chance of survival” under Mamdani’s leadership. “If Communist candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the election for mayor, I will not contribute federal funds beyond the bare minimum required,” Trump said in a statement. “This once great city will be a complete and total economic and social disaster should Mamdani win.” Responding to Trump’s remarks, Mamdani said, “This money we’re talking about is money that New York City is owed. It’s not Donald Trump’s to decide which city or state gets what. We will fight for what’s rightfully ours.” Trump urged voters to back Cuomo, saying, “Whether you personally like Andrew Cuomo or not, you really have no choice. You must vote for him.” The 34-year-old Mamdani, born in Uganda to Indian filmmaker Mira Nair and Ugandan scholar Mahmood Mamdani, serves as a New York State Assembly member and is running as the Democratic nominee. He faces off against Cuomo, who is contesting as an independent, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. Trump labeled Mamdani a “Communist with no experience and a record of total failure,” saying he has “no chance” to restore New York to its former glory. Mamdani dismissed Trump’s endorsement of Cuomo as proof that both men share the same billionaire backers. “Now it’s written out for the entire world to see,” he said. “This is the man Donald Trump wants to be mayor — not because he’ll be good for New Yorkers, but because he’ll be good for Donald Trump.” Current Mayor Eric Adams dropped out of the race in September amid corruption scandals. Over 735,000 people voted early this year, nearly four times the number recorded in 2021, according to the New York City Board of Elections. Mamdani, who defeated Cuomo in the Democratic primary in June, has emerged as the front-runner in the race. He has pledged to freeze rents for stabilized tenants, expand affordable housing, and “make life easier” for working-class New Yorkers struggling with rising costs.   Source: NDTV

Candidates vying to become New York City’s next mayor made a final push on Monday to rally voters ahead of Election Day, marking the closing hours of one of the city’s most closely watched political races. Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, former governor Andrew Cuomo, and Republican Curtis Sliwa spent the day crisscrossing the five boroughs in a last-minute bid to win over undecided voters and energize their supporters. Mamdani, 34, a democratic socialist and the potential first Muslim mayor of New York, has energized younger and progressive voters with his grassroots campaign centered on affordable housing and social equity. He stunned the political establishment earlier this year by defeating Cuomo in the Democratic primary. In the final stretch, he’s been posting viral videos and urging his supporters not to be complacent. Cuomo, 67, is attempting a political comeback four years after resigning as governor amid sexual harassment allegations, which he denies. Running as an independent, he has recently appealed to centrist and conservative voters, presenting himself as the only candidate capable of blocking Mamdani’s rise. Sliwa, the Guardian Angels founder and longtime radio personality, has focused on public safety, canvassing city streets and subways in his trademark red beret to attract voters frustrated by crime. Early voting ended Sunday, with officials reporting more than 735,000 ballots cast — a significant turnout compared to previous mayoral elections. The outcome of Tuesday’s vote will determine the successor to outgoing Mayor Eric Adams, whose term has been marred by criticism over public safety and housing challenges.  

The U.S. military conducted another deadly strike against alleged drug smugglers in the Caribbean Sea, killing three people, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Saturday. Hegseth said in a post on X that the targeted vessel was linked to a U.S.-designated terrorist group, though he did not specify which one. He added that intelligence confirmed the vessel was carrying narcotics along a known trafficking route. This marks at least the 15th U.S. military strike in the Caribbean or eastern Pacific since early September, bringing the total death toll to at least 64. Hegseth defended the campaign, saying, “Narco-terrorists are bringing drugs to our shores to poison Americans, and we will treat them exactly how we treated al-Qaeda.” President Donald Trump has described the operations as part of an “armed conflict” against drug cartels, using the same legal framework that authorized the war on terror after 9/11. He argues the strikes are necessary to curb drug trafficking into the U.S. However, members of Congress, particularly Senate Democrats, have pressed the administration to disclose its legal justification and identify which cartels and individuals have been targeted. On Friday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and several Democratic senators sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Hegseth, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard demanding all related legal opinions and a full list of groups deemed targetable. The letter accused the administration of sharing “contradictory and selective information” with lawmakers. Earlier correspondence from the Senate Armed Services Committee had also requested a clear explanation of the administration’s rationale for designating cartels as terrorist organizations.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that more than half a million bottles of the blood pressure medication prazosin hydrochloride have been recalled because they may contain a potentially cancer-causing chemical. According to the FDA, New Jersey-based Teva Pharmaceuticals USA and drug distributor Amerisource Health Services voluntarily recalled over 580,000 bottles of prazosin capsules of various strengths earlier this month. Prazosin is commonly prescribed to lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels. Doctors also use it to treat nightmares and other sleep-related issues linked to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The FDA stated in its online enforcement reports that the recalled lots have been classified as a Class II risk due to possible contamination with nitrosamine impurities, which are believed to be potentially cancer-causing. The agency explained that N-nitrosamine impurities are a group of chemicals that may form during the manufacturing or storage of certain drugs and have been linked to cancer risks.

President Donald Trump’s statement indicating that the United States will restart nuclear weapons testing has overturned decades of U.S. policy and alarmed nonproliferation experts who warn it could trigger a new global arms race. The announcement came Thursday ahead of Trump’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. In a Truth Social post, Trump said he had directed the “Department of War” to resume nuclear testing “on an equal basis” with other nations — despite nuclear oversight falling under the Energy Department, not the Defense Department. The U.S. last conducted a nuclear test in 1992 at the Nevada National Security Site. Since then, it has relied on computer modeling and simulations to maintain its arsenal. The country signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty in 1996 but never ratified it. Experts say Trump’s move represents the most significant reversal in U.S. nuclear policy since the end of the Cold War. They warn it could prompt Russia, China, and other nuclear powers to conduct their own tests, destabilizing global security. Russia recently tested its Burevestnik cruise missile — known to NATO as Skyfall — and a nuclear-powered underwater drone, while China continues to expand its missile silos. North Korea has also unveiled a new intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the U.S. mainland. Trump claimed the U.S. holds more nuclear weapons than any other country, though data from the Arms Control Association indicates Russia has 5,580 warheads, compared to America’s 5,225. Together, the two nations possess nearly 90% of the world’s nuclear stockpile. Restarting testing in Nevada would require extensive site preparation, as the facilities have been inactive for more than three decades. A 2018 Los Alamos National Laboratory briefing estimated that even a single test could take up to four years to plan and execute. Analysts say the decision, if carried out, would be political rather than scientific and could reignite nuclear tensions not seen since the Cold War.