United News of Bangladesh

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

US President Donald Trump has called on Iranians to continue protesting against their government, saying “help is on its way.” He urged protesters to take note of the names of those responsible for killings and abuses. Trump cancelled meetings with Iranian officials until the violent crackdown on protesters stops. Thousands of people are feared dead after weeks of anti-government protests. Human rights groups estimate around 1,847 protesters have died, including children and security personnel. Iranian authorities have sentenced some protesters to death. One, 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, is reportedly due to be executed on Jan 14. Families say the process is fast, raising fears of execution without notice. Iranian security forces also seized a large shipment of Starlink satellite internet kits, alleging they were intended for espionage and sabotage. Use of Starlink devices is illegal in Iran, and internet blackouts are ongoing. Meanwhile, the UK government has summoned the Iranian ambassador over the crackdown. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper called the violence “the most brutal and bloody repression against public protests in Iran for at least 13 years” and said the UK plans to push for further sanctions in coordination with the EU and the UN. Trump’s threats have drawn criticism from Iran’s officials and Russia. Ali Larijani, adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, blamed Trump for protest deaths. Russia’s foreign ministry called US threats of strikes “categorically unacceptable” and warned of serious consequences in the Middle East. The White House said Trump’s national security team is discussing possible options for intervention in Iran. It is unclear what kind of “help” the president intends or when it might come. Economic sanctions are also escalating. Trump announced a 25% US tariff on trade with Iran’s partners. Analysts warn enforcement may be difficult, and secondary sanctions could further harm Iran’s struggling economy, already affected by inflation, reduced oil exports, and trade restrictions. Internet blackouts and censorship continue to make verification of events inside Iran difficult. Human rights groups say the shutdowns violate international law and limit the ability to document abuses. The protests and international response highlight growing tension over Iran’s human rights record, economic crisis, and geopolitical position.   With inputs from BBC

Iranian authorities eased some communication restrictions on Tuesday by allowing mobile phone users to make overseas calls for the first time in days, but continued to block internet access and text messaging services as the death toll from nationwide protests climbed to at least 646. Residents in Tehran told The Associated Press that while they were able to place international calls, people outside Iran were still unable to reach them. SMS services remained suspended and internet users could not access foreign websites, though limited connections to government-approved platforms were available. It remained unclear whether further restrictions would be lifted after authorities shut down all domestic and international communications late last week amid intensifying demonstrations. Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that Tehran would mirror any restrictions imposed by Europe, a day after the European Parliament announced a ban on Iranian diplomats and representatives. “Iran does not seek enmity with the EU, but will reciprocate any restriction,” Araghchi wrote on X, accusing the European Parliament of failing to take meaningful action over Israel’s war in Gaza while acting swiftly against Iran following what he described as “a few days of violent riots.” In the Netherlands, Foreign Minister David van Weel said he summoned Iran’s ambassador to formally protest what he called excessive violence against peaceful protesters, large-scale arbitrary arrests and the internet shutdown. He also voiced support for EU sanctions against Iranian human rights violators. The United Nations human rights chief urged Iranian authorities to immediately halt violence against demonstrators. Volker Türk said reports of hundreds killed and thousands arrested were deeply alarming, adding that the killing of peaceful protesters must stop and that branding demonstrators as “terrorists” to justify repression was unacceptable. Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen also said she was summoning Iran’s ambassador, accusing Tehran of shutting down the internet to “kill and oppress in silence,” and pledged support for measures with the European Union to restore freedoms for Iranians. Iranian state television reported that security forces had arrested what it described as Israel-linked terrorist groups in the southeastern city of Zahedan, alleging they entered through Iran’s eastern borders with U.S.-made weapons and explosives. The Israeli military did not immediately comment. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai expressed solidarity with Iran’s protest movement, linking the demonstrations to long-standing restrictions on women and girls and calling for a future driven by the Iranian people themselves. France said it has “reconfigured” its embassy in Tehran after nonessential staff left the country earlier this week, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he believes Iran’s government is in its “final days and weeks,” urging authorities to end violence immediately. Israel said it remains on alert because of the unrest in Iran but stressed the protests are an internal matter. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said at least 646 people have been killed so far, including 512 protesters and 134 members of the security forces. The group also reported that more than 10,700 people have been detained during the past two weeks of demonstrations.

Yaxzodara Lozada awoke shivering on Tuesday after spending the night on the sidewalk outside a Caracas prison, clinging to the hope that her husband, a police officer detained on Nov. 17, would be released under a goodwill measure announced by the government last week. Despite signs that daily life in Venezuela is slowly returning to normal, with shopping centers, schools and gyms reopening, the government’s pledge to release jailed opposition members, activists and journalists has moved far more slowly than expected, drawing growing criticism. The reopening comes a week after a dramatic U.S. operation that resulted in the detention of President Nicolás Maduro. Families of more than 800 people whom human rights groups classify as political prisoners began assembling outside detention centers on Thursday, following an announcement by acting President Delcy Rodríguez that a substantial number of detainees would be freed as a “peace-seeking” gesture. Authorities, however, have not disclosed how many prisoners would be released or who would qualify, leaving advocacy groups scrambling for information and relatives in limbo. Read More: Slow pace marks third day of prisoner releases in Venezuela after government goodwill pledge By Monday afternoon, the legal group Foro Penal confirmed that 49 detainees had been released, including several foreign nationals. That same day, the White House confirmed an upcoming meeting between opposition leader María Corina Machado and U.S. President Donald Trump, who said the releases occurred at Washington’s request. While welcoming the releases, the UN-backed fact-finding mission said the number freed falls well short of demands for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners. Outside prisons, families slept on sidewalks awaiting news, contrasting sharply with the government’s push to project stability as schools reopened under heightened security. Officials emphasized resilience and optimism, even as relatives described fear, uncertainty and anguish over loved ones they have not seen for weeks.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a 25 percent tariff on goods from countries that maintain commercial ties with Iran, effective immediately, according to media reports. Trump posted the measure on Truth Social that the tariff was “effective immediately”, without providing details on what would constitute “doing business” with Iran, the BBC reported. The announcement did not clarify what activities would qualify as “doing business” with Iran. China is Iran’s largest trading partner, followed by Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and India. The new tariff comes amid rising tensions over protests in Iran triggered by the sharp decline of the national currency, the rial. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said military options, including air strikes, remain “on the table.” Read More: Iran wants to negotiate as death toll mounts to 599, says Trump Trump also claimed Iranian officials had contacted him for negotiations but suggested that action might be taken before talks occur. Iran has been struggling under international sanctions related to its nuclear program, compounded by government mismanagement and corruption. In late December, shopkeepers in Tehran staged protests over another steep fall in the rial’s value against the U.S. dollar.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran wants to negotiate with Washington after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic over its crackdown on protesters in nationwide demonstrations that activists said Monday had left at least 599 people dead. Iran had no direct reaction to Trump's comments, which came after the foreign minister of Oman — long an interlocutor between Washington and Tehran — traveled to Iran this weekend. It also remains unclear just what Iran could promise, particularly as Trump has set strict demands over its nuclear program and its ballistic missile arsenal, which Tehran insists is crucial for its national defense. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking to foreign diplomats in Tehran, insisted “the situation has come under total control” in remarks that blamed Israel and the U.S. for the violence, without offering evidence. “That’s why the demonstrations turned violent and bloody to give an excuse to the American president to intervene,” Araghchi said, in comments carried by Al Jazeera. The Qatar-funded network has been allowed to report live from inside Iran, despite the internet being shut off. However, Araghchi said Iran was “open to diplomacy.” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said that a channel to the U.S. remained open, but talks needed to be “based on the acceptance of mutual interests and concerns, not a negotiation that is one-sided, unilateral and based on dictation.” Meanwhile, pro-government demonstrators flooded the streets on Monday in support of the theocracy, a show of force after days of protests directly challenging the rule of 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iranian state television aired chants from the crowd, which appeared to number in the tens of thousands, who shouted “Death to America!” and “Death to Israel!” Others cried out: “Death to the enemies of God!” Iran’s attorney general has warned that anyone taking part in protests will be considered an “enemy of God,” a death-penalty charge. Trump acknowledges proposal for talks Trump and his national security team have been weighing a range of potential responses against Iran, including cyberattacks and direct strikes by the U.S. or Israel, according to two people familiar with internal White House discussions who weren't authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. “The military is looking at it, and we’re looking at some very strong options,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday night. Asked about Iran’s threats of retaliation, he said: “If they do that, we will hit them at levels that they’ve never been hit before.” Trump said that his administration was in talks to set up a meeting with Tehran, but cautioned that he may have to act first as reports of the death toll in Iran mount and the government continues to arrest protesters. “I think they’re tired of being beat up by the United States,” Trump said. “Iran wants to negotiate.” Iran, through the country's parliamentary speaker, warned Sunday that the U.S. military and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if Washington uses force to protect demonstrators. More than 10,600 people also have been detained over the two weeks of protests, said the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has been accurate in previous unrest in recent years and gave the death toll. It relies on supporters in Iran crosschecking information. It said 510 of the dead were protesters and 89 were security force members. With the internet down in Iran and phone lines cut off, gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more difficult. The Associated Press has been unable to independently assess the toll. Iran’s government hasn't offered overall casualty figures. Those abroad fear the information blackout is emboldening hard-liners within Iran’s security services to launch a violent crackdown. Protesters flooded Tehran's streets and its second-largest city on Saturday night into Sunday morning. Online videos purported to show more demonstrations Sunday night into Monday, with a Tehran official acknowledging them in state media. At 2 p.m. Monday, Iranian state television showed images of demonstrators thronging Tehran toward Enghelab Square, or “Islamic Revolution” Square in the capital. It had been airing statements all morning from Iranian government, security and religious leaders to attend the demonstration. It called the rally an “Iranian uprising against American-Zionist terrorism,” without addressing the underlying anger in the country over the nation’s ailing economy. State television aired images of such demonstrations around the country, trying to signal it had overcome the protests. Fear pervades Iran's capital In Tehran, a witness told the AP that the streets were empty at the sunset call to prayers each night. By the Isha, or nighttime prayer, the streets are deserted. Part of that stems from the fear of getting caught in the crackdown. Police sent the public a text message that warned: “Given the presence of terrorist groups and armed individuals in some gatherings last night and their plans to cause death, and the firm decision to not tolerate any appeasement and to deal decisively with the rioters, families are strongly advised to take care of their youth and teenagers.” Another text, which claimed to come from the intelligence arm of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, also directly warned people not to take part in demonstrations. The witness spoke on condition of anonymity due to the ongoing crackdown. The demonstrations began Dec. 28 over the collapse of the Iranian rial currency, which trades at more than 1.4 million to $1, as iran's economy is squeezed by international sanctions in part levied over its nuclear program. The protests intensified and grew into calls directly challenging Iran’s theocracy. Video shows corpses outside capital Meanwhile, video circulating online purports to show dozens of bodies in a morgue on the outskirts of Iran’s capital. People with knowledge of the facility and the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said Monday that the video shows the Kahrizak Forensic Medicine Center. In the footage, people are seen walking by dozens of bodies in bags laid out in a large room, attempting to identify those there. In some cases, bodies can be seen lying outside on blue tarps. A large truck can be seen in part of the footage.

As 2026 begins amid mounting geopolitical strain, renewed attention has turned to Bulgarian mystic Baba Vanga, whose alleged warning of a year marked by “war and destruction” is spreading rapidly online. Often dubbed the “Nostradamus of the Balkans,” Vanga is popularly credited with foreseeing major global events, including the 9/11 attacks, the death of Princess Diana and China’s emergence as a world power. A New York Post report says she also predicted the outbreak of World War III in 2026 and humanity’s first encounter with extraterrestrial life. Nearly three decades after her death in 1996, her prophecies continue to fascinate audiences around the globe. Who was Baba Vanga? Born Vangelia Pandeva Gushterova in 1911 in Strumica, now in North Macedonia, Baba Vanga lost her eyesight at the age of 12 after being caught in a violent storm. Followers believe this incident triggered her supposed clairvoyant powers. Despite having no formal education, she became a widely consulted figure in Bulgaria and beyond, offering guidance on personal and global issues. She continued giving readings until her death at 85. Admirers claim her visions stretched centuries ahead, reportedly up to the year 5079. Why the prediction is trending Centuries-old prophecies are resurfacing on social media as users link Baba Vanga’s 2026 warning of “war and destruction” to present-day geopolitical flashpoints. The renewed interest has been fuelled by escalating US–Venezuela tensions following reports surrounding President Nicolás Maduro, debates over foreign intervention and regional stability, and widespread protests in Iran, all of which have added to a growing sense of global uncertainty. From viral buzz to ancient prophecy Claims about Baba Vanga predicting World War III are spreading fast on TikTok, X and YouTube, often blending conspiracy theories with current headlines. Analysts say the trend reflects online hype, global anxieties and fascination with myth, not any proven warning of an imminent world war. Her record: some hits, many missesSupporters point to several predictions often described as accurate: The 9/11 attacks, allegedly foretold as “American brethren falling after an assault by steel birds”The 2000 sinking of Russia’s Kursk submarineBarack Obama becoming US presidentThe Chernobyl nuclear disasterThe rise of global terrorismSceptics highlight major failures, including claims that: World War III would begin in 2010Aliens would appear at a major sporting event in 2025A sweeping vision of the futureStories attributed to Vanga outline a timeline stretching far ahead: 2028: Humans explore Venus for energy2033: Severe melting of polar ice caps2076: Communism spreads worldwide2170: Massive drought hits large regions3005: War with a Martian civilisation3797: Earth becomes uninhabitable5079: The end of the worldWhy Vanga still captivates audiencesDespite the lack of reliable sources, Baba Vanga remains a powerful cultural figure. Her supposed prophecies about disasters, space travel, geopolitics and doomsday continue to grip imaginations around the world. Analysts say her enduring appeal lies in how her legend connects humanity’s fear of the unknown with its deep curiosity about the future.      Source: Gulf News

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Washington is evaluating “strong options” in response to ongoing protests in Iran, including potential military action. “We’re looking at it very seriously. The military is looking at it, and we’re looking at some very strong options. We’ll make a determination,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One late Sunday while traveling from Florida to Washington. Trump added that Iran had reached out following his threats, seeking to negotiate, and that a “meeting is being set up.” However, he cautioned that the United States might have to act before any meeting takes place. His remarks came as Iranian leaders issued stern warnings against foreign intervention. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said, “In the case of an attack on Iran, the occupied territories [Israel], as well as all U.S. bases and ships, will be our legitimate target.” The unrest in Iran began on December 28 when merchants at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar closed their shops following a steep fall in the Iranian rial. The demonstrations rapidly spread nationwide, initially fueled by economic grievances over rising living costs and quickly evolving into broader opposition against the clerical establishment that has governed Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iranian state media reported that at least 109 security personnel have been killed during the unrest. Authorities have not confirmed the number of civilian casualties, though opposition activists abroad estimate that hundreds of protesters may have died. A nationwide internet blackout has persisted for more than 72 hours, according to monitoring organizations, making independent verification of events increasingly difficult. The unrest coincides with Trump’s assertive foreign policy moves, including the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and discussions over acquiring Greenland through purchase or force. A U.S. official told Reuters that Trump is scheduled to meet with senior advisers on Tuesday to discuss the country’s options in Iran. Reports in the Wall Street Journal indicated that measures under consideration include targeted military strikes, deployment of secret cyber capabilities, expansion of sanctions, and provision of online support to antigovernment groups. Trump also said he plans to engage with billionaire Elon Musk to explore restoring internet services in Iran. “He’s very good at that kind of thing, he’s got a very good company,” Trump told reporters, referring to Musk’s SpaceX, which operates the Starlink satellite internet system currently used in Iran. In addition to Iran, Trump addressed his administration’s plans for Greenland and Venezuela. On Greenland, he urged the Danish Arctic territory to “make a deal” and stated, “we are talking about acquiring it, not making a short-term deal.” Regarding Venezuela, Trump confirmed a scheduled meeting with opposition leader María Corina Machado on Tuesday or Wednesday.   With inputs from ALJAZEERA

President Donald Trump on Sunday issued a stark warning to the government of Cuba, saying the Caribbean island must negotiate with the United States “before it is too late” after Cuba’s long-standing source of Venezuelan oil and money was cut off amid Washington’s takeover of Venezuelan oil supplies following Nicolás Maduro’s ouster. Trump took to social media to declare that Cuba, which has historically depended on Venezuelan support, will receive “no more oil or money … ZERO!”, and urged Havana to seek a deal with Washington. The move comes as U.S. forces continue to seize tankers in the Caribbean in an effort to control Venezuela’s oil production, refining and distribution, reshaping energy flows in the region. Hours after Trump’s post, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel responded on social media, accusing the United States of lacking moral authority to criticise Cuba and defending his country’s record. The Cuban government also said that 32 of its military personnel were killed in the U.S. operation that led to Maduro’s capture; the troops were in Caracas under a longstanding agreement between Havana and Caracas. Trump described the end of Venezuelan support as part of a broader shift in the region, asserting that Venezuela no longer needs protection from past leaders and that the United States — “the most powerful military in the world” — will now safeguard its interests. Trump’s aggressive rhetoric and policy escalation reflect growing U.S. pressure on Cuba, which has faced decades of U.S. sanctions and is grappling with severe economic shortages, including long power blackouts and supply disruptions.

President Donald Trump said Sunday he is “inclined” to exclude ExxonMobil from participating in Venezuela’s oil sector after its chief executive expressed serious doubts about investing in the country following the removal of former President Nicolás Maduro. Speaking to reporters as he left West Palm Beach, Florida, Trump said he was disappointed with Exxon’s response during a meeting with major U.S. oil company leaders and warned the company may be kept out of U.S.-led reconstruction and investment plans. “I didn’t like Exxon’s response,” he said. “They’re playing too cute.” At the White House meeting Friday, Exxon’s CEO Darren Woods described Venezuela as “uninvestable” under its current legal and commercial conditions and said significant changes would be needed before his company could commit to investment. Trump has been pushing U.S. oil firms to help revive Venezuela’s beleaguered energy industry since Maduro’s ouster, telling executives they would work directly with the United States rather than the Venezuelan government. On Friday, Trump also signed an executive order aimed at safeguarding Venezuelan oil revenues held in U.S. Treasury accounts from judicial seizure, saying allowing such actions could damage U.S. efforts to stabilise the country’s economy. The administration is framing its involvement in Venezuela’s oil sector as an economic priority, including control over sales of millions of barrels of previously sanctioned crude and encouraging U.S. companies to invest in rebuilding the infrastructure.