United News of Bangladesh

An international advocacy group Saturday condemned Niger 's suspension of nine French media outlets accused of “threatening public order and national security.” Reporters Without Borders called the charges “fabricated” in a post on X. It condemned a “coordinated strategy to repress press freedom” and called for the decision’s reversal. The National Observatory of Communication, the West African nation's media regulatory authority, said in a statement late Friday that the suspension of France 24, RFI, France Afrique Média, LSI Africa, AFP, TV5 Monde, TF1 Info, Jeune Afrique and Mediapart was necessary to “preserve peace, social cohesion and the stability of institutions.” It accused the affected outlets of “repeatedly broadcasting content likely to seriously endanger public order” and undermine the morale of defense and security forces operating in the region. Niger, alongside neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso, are ruled by military leaders who took power by force, pledging to provide more security to citizens. Since seizing power, the juntas have cut ties with France and other Western powers, created their own security alliance and turned to Russia for military support to fight extremist insurgencies. The security situation in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso has worsened in recent times, analysts say, with a record number of attacks by Islamic extremists. In January, Islamic militants attacked an air force base in Niger’s capital, killing four soldiers. Niger’s military ruler Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani accused the presidents of France, Benin and Ivory Coast of supporting the armed group behind the attack, without providing any evidence to support the claim. Military leaders in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have also cracked down on political dissent and journalists. Niger’s media regulatory authority did not specify the duration of the suspensions or provide detailed examples of the content that prompted the action.  

A Frontier Airlines plane struck a pedestrian on the runway while preparing for takeoff at Denver International Airport late Friday, prompting an aborted takeoff, reports of smoke in the cabin and an emergency evacuation. The aircraft, Flight 4345, was bound for Los Angeles International Airport when the incident occurred at around 11:19 pm, airport authorities said. According to air traffic control audio, the pilot told the control tower: “We’re stopping on the runway. We just hit somebody. We have an engine fire.” The pilot later reported that there were “231 souls” on board and that an “individual was walking across the runway.” Airport and airline officials did not immediately disclose the condition of the pedestrian. Frontier said the Airbus A321 was carrying 224 passengers and seven crew members. The airline said smoke was reported inside the cabin and the pilots aborted takeoff, though it was not immediately clear whether the smoke was related to the collision. Passengers were evacuated using emergency slides and transported by bus back to the terminal. The airport said the National Transportation Safety Board had been notified and that Runway 17L would remain closed while the incident is investigated.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was set to meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday as both countries seek to ease growing tensions over the Iran war and broader trans-Atlantic disputes. Rubio was also scheduled to hold talks with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani during his visit to Rome. Differences between Washington and its European allies have deepened in recent weeks over President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, his criticism of Europe’s limited support for the war effort and his remarks targeting Pope Leo XIV. Rubio began his visit on Thursday with a meeting with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, part of a wider US effort to calm tensions with European partners. Italian leaders are expected to use the meetings to preserve strong ties with Washington while resisting pressure from the US over the Iran conflict. Trump has criticized both the pope and Italy’s government for opposing the war. Meloni called the conflict “illegal” and described Trump’s comments about the pope as “unacceptable.” Trump later accused Meloni of lacking courage and being negative about supporting the US in the conflict. Although Meloni was once seen as one of Trump’s closest allies in Europe, relations between the two leaders have reportedly become strained. Italy has firmly maintained its opposition to involvement in the Iran war. The US recently announced plans to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany, while Trump has also threatened to reduce troop deployments in Italy and Spain because of their stance on the conflict. Italy serves as an important logistics hub for US and allied military operations in the Mediterranean, the Middle East and North Africa. Any reduction in troop numbers could affect NATO’s position in southern Europe. Defense ties were also tested in March when Italy refused to allow US bombers heading to the Middle East to use the Sigonella air base in Sicily without parliamentary approval. Under Italy’s constitution and international agreements, military bases can be used for logistics and NATO operations, but direct offensive missions generally require specific authorization. Meloni and Tajani have repeatedly said Italy does not want to join the Iran conflict. They also stressed that any US request to use Italian bases for offensive military operations would require approval from Parliament, where opposition to the war remains strong. The war is also creating economic pressure for Italy. Meloni warned that tensions around the Strait of Hormuz are increasing energy costs and hurting household spending, while concerns over possible US tariffs are threatening Italy’s export-driven economy. Meloni is also under pressure at home after suffering a referendum defeat in March, adding to the political challenges surrounding the war issue. Since taking office in 2022, Meloni has tried to present herself as a reliable US ally and a bridge between Washington and Europe. But disagreements over Iran and trade have exposed the limits of that role. At the Vatican on Thursday, Rubio held more than two hours of talks with Pope Leo XIV and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin on efforts to secure lasting peace in the Middle East and other issues of mutual concern. The US State Department said the meetings reflected strong ties between the United States and the Vatican, with both sides emphasizing peace and human dignity.

President Donald Trump said in a Thursday social media post that goods from the European Union would face higher tariff rates if the 27-member bloc fails to approve last year’s trade framework by July 4. The announcement appeared to be a deadline extension after the president said last Friday that EU autos would face a higher 25% tariff starting this week. Trump made the updated announcement after what he described as a “great call” with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Still, the U.S. president was displeased that the European Parliament had yet to finalize the trade arrangement reached last year, which was further complicated in February by the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that Trump lacked the legal authority to declare an economic emergency to impose the initial tariffs used to pressure the EU into talks. “A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO!” Trump posted. “I agreed to give her until our Country’s 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels.” It was unclear from the post whether Trump was implying that the tariff rates would jump on all EU goods or the increase would only apply to autos. His latest statement indicates he might be backing away from his earlier threat on EU autos by giving the European Parliament several more weeks to approve the agreement.  

Iran said Thursday it is examining a new US proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict, while US President Donald Trump warned Tehran of renewed military strikes if an agreement is not reached, including the reopening of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. Global markets reacted positively to hopes that the two-month war could soon come to an end, despite heightened tensions after the US military targeted an Iranian oil tanker accused of attempting to violate Washington’s blockade on Iranian ports. Trump said in a social media post that oil and gas shipments disrupted by the conflict could resume if Iran agrees to a proposed deal, though he did not disclose details of the arrangement. “If they don’t agree, the bombing starts,” Trump warned. A fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran has mostly remained in place since April 8. However, direct talks hosted by Pakistan last month failed to produce a breakthrough. The conflict began on Feb. 28 after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran. Pakistan Hopeful About AgreementPakistan expressed optimism that negotiations could soon yield results. “We expect an agreement sooner rather than later,” Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Thursday, adding that Islamabad hopes for a peaceful and lasting resolution benefiting both the region and global stability. He declined to provide details or a timeline regarding the diplomatic process. Conflicting Signals from WashingtonThe Trump administration’s messaging throughout the conflict has frequently shifted, especially regarding efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and bring the war to a close. Iran has effectively blocked the vital shipping route, disrupting the movement of oil, gas and petroleum products, while the US continues to enforce restrictions on Iranian ports. US Central Command said Wednesday that an American fighter jet disabled the rudder of an Iranian oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman after it allegedly attempted to breach the blockade. Trump Warns of Further Military ActionTrump insisted Iranian officials are eager to negotiate but warned that the US is prepared to escalate military action if talks fail. “We’re dealing with people that want to make a deal very much,” Trump said. According to Axios, the White House is nearing a preliminary one-page agreement with Tehran that could include limits on Iran’s uranium enrichment, easing US sanctions, release of frozen Iranian assets and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The White House has not officially commented on the report. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told state television that Tehran strongly opposed the proposal outlined by Axios but confirmed Iran is still reviewing the latest American offer. Hormuz Crisis Continues to Disrupt Global TradeTrump recently suspended “Project Freedom,” a short-lived US operation aimed at securing safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. Only two US-flagged merchant ships reportedly used the guarded route after it opened earlier this week. The US military also said it destroyed six Iranian boats it claimed threatened civilian shipping. The closure of the strait has caused sharp increases in fuel prices and intensified pressure on the global economy, particularly for countries dependent on Gulf energy supplies, including China. Shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd said the disruption is costing the company around $60 million per week due to higher fuel and insurance expenses. Brent crude prices stabilized near $100 per barrel on Thursday amid uncertainty over whether the waterway would reopen. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron said France’s aircraft carrier strike group is moving toward the Red Sea in preparation for a possible joint French-British mission to restore maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz. China Calls for CeasefireChinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for a comprehensive ceasefire during talks in Beijing with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday. Wang said China was deeply concerned by the conflict, while the Trump administration has urged Beijing to use its close relationship with Tehran to help reopen the strategic waterway. Araghchi’s visit to China comes ahead of Trump’s planned trip to Beijing next week for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Iranian minister said discussions covered the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear activities and sanctions imposed by Washington. Trump continues to demand major restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program.

The U.S. military fired on an Iranian oil tanker Wednesday as the two countries appeared to be moving closer to an initial agreement to end the war and President Donald Trump sought to pressure Tehran into reaching a deal. A fighter jet shot out the rudder of the tanker in the Gulf of Oman as it tried to breach the American blockade of Iran’s ports, U.S. Central Command said in a social media post. The attack occurred as Iran and the U.S. are officially in a ceasefire. Trump threatened Tehran with a new wave of bombing if a deal is not reached that includes opening the critical Strait of Hormuz. Trump posted on social media that the two-month war could soon end and that oil and natural gas shipments disrupted by the conflict could restart. But he said that depends on Iran accepting a reported agreement that the president did not detail. “If they don’t agree, the bombing starts,” Trump wrote.

French President Emmanuel Macron has called on the United States and Iran to work together to reopen the Strait of Hormuz following a move by US President Donald Trump to have American forces “guide” ships through the key waterway. Speaking at a meeting of European leaders in Armenia, Macron stressed that a joint approach is essential to restore normal shipping through the strait. “What we want above all is a coordinated reopening by the United States and Iran. That is the only solution for reopening the Strait of Hormuz,” Macron said. He also made clear that France would not take part in any military action under unclear circumstances. “We are not going to take part in any military operation in a framework that to me seems unclear,” said the French leader, whose country has been working with Britain to build a coalition aimed at reopening the strait once stability is restored. #From Al Jazeera

The Trump administration has been accused of repeatedly failing to comply with lower court rulings across a wide range of policy areas, including immigration, deportations, federal spending cuts and mass layoffs, according to a review of court records cited by The Associated Press (AP). The AP review found that in the first 15 months of President Donald Trump’s second term, federal district judges ruled the administration had violated court orders in at least 31 lawsuits. This represents roughly one in eight cases in which courts had temporarily blocked government actions. One such case involved a ruling last December in which a federal judge struck down a policy of holding immigrants without bond. Despite the decision, a senior Justice Department official reportedly argued the ruling was not binding, and detainees continued to be denied release. By February, US District Judge Sunshine Sykes expressed strong concern over the administration’s conduct. She accused officials of attempting “to erode any semblance of separation of powers,” adding that they could “only do so in a world where the Constitution does not exist.” The administration has also faced more than 250 additional findings of noncompliance in individual immigration-related cases, including failure to release detainees and return seized property. Legal experts and former judges said such levels of defiance are highly unusual compared to previous administrations. Ryan Goodman, a law professor at New York University, said, “What the court system is experiencing in the last year and a half is just qualitatively completely different from anything that’s preceded it.” Georgetown University constitutional law scholar David Super warned that weakening adherence to court rulings could have wider consequences, saying, “The federal government should be the institution most devoted to the rule of law in this country. When it ceases to feel itself bound, respect for the rule of law is likely to break down across the country.” According to the AP review, higher courts, including the Supreme Court, have overturned or limited lower court rulings in nearly half of the cases, a factor critics say may be encouraging the administration’s stance. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson defended the administration, stating that higher courts had overturned “unlawful district court rulings.” She added, “The administration will continue to comply with lawful court rulings.” Among disputed cases are alleged violations involving deportations to El Salvador, delays in restoring funding for Voice of America, and restrictions on foreign aid. Some judges have used strong language in their rulings. One described government actions as “ham-handed,” while another accused officials of “hallucinating new text” in legal interpretations. The Justice Department has rejected claims of widespread noncompliance, arguing in court filings that it has acted within legal limits and appealed unfavorable rulings. However, critics including advocacy groups tracking the cases argue that selective compliance undermines judicial authority and risks normalizing defiance of court orders. The dispute highlights growing tensions between the executive branch and the judiciary amid broader political and legal battles over presidential authority and the limits of executive power.

The Pentagon on Friday said it has struck agreements with seven technology companies to bring artificial intelligence into its classified computer systems, aiming to boost military capabilities in modern warfare. The companies — Google, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, Nvidia, OpenAI, Reflection and SpaceX — will provide AI tools to help improve decision-making in complex combat situations, the Defense Department said. However, AI firm Anthropic is not part of the deals, following a public dispute with the Trump administration over ethical concerns and the use of AI in warfare. The Pentagon has been moving quickly to expand its use of AI. A March report by the Brennan Center for Justice said the technology could help the military identify targets faster and manage logistics such as weapons maintenance and supply chains more efficiently. At the same time, the growing use of AI has raised concerns about privacy and the risk of machines being allowed to select targets. One of the companies involved said its agreement includes provisions to ensure human oversight in certain operations. Debate over military AI intensified during Israel’s war in Gaza and Lebanon, where US tech firms reportedly supported targeting systems. The high number of civilian deaths has fueled fears that such tools may contribute to unintended casualties. Experts say key questions about the use of AI in warfare remain unresolved. Helen Toner of Georgetown University noted that while AI can help analyse data and monitor surveillance feeds, issues around human control, risk management and proper training are still being worked out. She said militaries must strike a balance between quickly deploying AI for strategic advantage and ensuring operators are properly trained and do not rely too heavily on the technology. Anthropic had sought guarantees that its AI would not be used in fully autonomous weapons or for surveillance of Americans. But Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said companies must allow uses that the Pentagon considers lawful. The company later filed a lawsuit after President Donald Trump attempted to block federal agencies from using its chatbot Claude, and after officials moved to label it a potential supply chain risk. Earlier in March, OpenAI announced a deal with the Pentagon to use ChatGPT in classified systems, effectively replacing Anthropic. The company said Friday the agreement remains unchanged. “We believe those defending the United States should have access to the best tools available,” OpenAI said. According to a source familiar with the deals, at least one contract includes requirements for human supervision in missions involving autonomous or semi-autonomous AI systems, along with safeguards to protect constitutional rights and civil liberties. Pentagon Chief Technology Officer Emil Michael said relying on a single provider would be risky, adding that the department chose to work with multiple companies after differences with one partner. Some firms, including Amazon and Microsoft, already have experience working with the military on classified projects, while others like Nvidia and startup Reflection are newer to such roles. The Pentagon has also shown interest in open-source AI models as part of efforts to compete with China’s fast-growing AI sector. The Defense Department said its AI platform, GenAI.mil, is already being used by military personnel, contractors and civilian staff to speed up tasks that once took months. Officials said AI is helping improve maintenance planning, logistics and battlefield analysis, including distinguishing between civilian and military vehicles in surveillance footage. Still, experts warn against over-reliance on the technology. Toner pointed to “automation bias,” where users may place too much trust in machine outputs.

The Pentagon announced Friday that the United States will remove around 5,000 troops from Germany within the next six to twelve months, following through on President Donald Trump’s earlier warning. The decision comes amid growing tensions between Washington and Berlin, particularly after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized the U.S. approach to the war with Iran and described the country as being “humiliated” by Iranian leadership. According to Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, the move is based on a comprehensive review of U.S. military positioning in Europe, taking into account operational needs and current conditions. Germany currently hosts key American military installations, including major command headquarters, Ramstein Air Base, and a military hospital in Landstuhl. About 36,000 U.S. troops are stationed there, meaning the withdrawal represents roughly 14% of the total. The plan has sparked immediate criticism from Democratic lawmakers and defense experts, who argue it could weaken U.S. alliances and benefit Russia. Senator Jack Reed warned that the decision signals instability in U.S. commitments to its allies and urged the president to reconsider before causing lasting damage to national security. Analysts also noted that the U.S. presence in Europe plays a critical role in deterring Russian aggression and enabling operations in nearby regions. Trump did not address questions about the withdrawal as he departed Florida on Friday. He has long criticized NATO allies for not contributing enough to joint defense efforts and has repeatedly suggested reducing U.S. troop levels in Germany. A similar proposal during his first term was never implemented and was later canceled by President Joe Biden. European allies have anticipated potential troop reductions since Trump returned to office, especially as Washington has signaled that Europe may need to take greater responsibility for its own security. Military experts say concerns now extend beyond troop numbers to possible redeployment of key defense systems, such as missile defenses, from Europe to the Middle East.