United News of Bangladesh

The U.S. Supreme Court has struck down a major portion of tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, triggering positive reactions from analysts, economists and international media, while leaving questions over the future course of US trade policy. In a 6–3 ruling, the court said the executive branch overstepped its legal authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The judges found that the law does not allow the president to impose sweeping, across-the-board tariffs without clear approval from Congress. Political analyst Sandile Swana of South Africa said the decision reaffirmed that taxation powers belong to Congress, not the executive. He added that the tariffs mainly hurt US businesses and consumers rather than foreign exporters. Croatian economist Ljubo Jurcic described the ruling as a serious blow to what he called a misguided economic approach. He said the tariff policy damaged the US economy and warned that companies affected could now seek refunds worth billions of dollars. Jurcic also argued that unilateral trade measures failed to deliver real benefits while increasing costs for Americans. European markets reacted positively. France’s leading business daily Les Echos reported a rally across regional markets, noting that the CAC 40 briefly crossed the 8,500-point mark for the first time. Greece’s financial outlet OT also cited gains, driven by investor hopes of easing trade tensions. Portuguese analyst Rui Cardoso called the verdict a “complete defeat” for Trump, saying countries that had accepted what he described as unfair trade deals with Washington might now push for renegotiation. He also criticised the European Union for taking an overly soft position, arguing recent developments showed it had conceded more than necessary. Trump imposes new 10% tariff after court blocks global import taxes In Africa, economists said the ruling could bring limited relief to exporters, though the impact would differ by sector and country. Andre Thomashausen, professor emeritus of international law at the University of South Africa, said the decision could open the door for refund claims and help restore fairer competition. South African economist Chris Harmse said industries such as automobiles and agriculture could benefit if tariff barriers are lifted. Rwandan economist Teddy Kaberuka said the tariffs had unsettled the global economy by fuelling a trade war and straining relations with key partners, also weighing on financial markets. He warned that continued uncertainty could slow growth, especially in Africa, where economies remain highly vulnerable. Analysts cautioned that risks have not disappeared. Edward Fishman, a former US State Department and Treasury official, said the ruling may limit the use of tariffs as a quick geoeconomic weapon, though they could still be applied through other legal mechanisms during trade talks. Observers agree that while the court has curbed the recent tariff drive, the long-term direction of US trade policy remains uncertain, keeping global markets and trading partners on edge.

Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee on Saturday said there is no need for a separate oath for the ‘Yes’ vote, as it will automatically take effect once the Jatiya Sangsad is in session. “The national election has already been held. The members of parliament have taken oath. A referendum was conducted and  the ‘Yes’ has won,” he told reporters after paying tribute to the martyrs of the Language Movement at the Shaheed Minar in the Lakshmipur district. He also urged people to move away from what he described as mob culture, saying it creates disorder and instability. “Mob culture means creating chaos. If an atmosphere of disorder is created, it will obstruct the process of building Bangladesh. Those who create obstacles to building the country will eventually turn into enemies of the nation,” he said. The minister urged all to refrain from such practices. Among others present at the event were Lakshmipur district BNP Member Secretary Sahab Uddin Sabu, Joint Convener Hasibur Rahman, and Bangladesh Football Federation Vice-President Wahid Uddin Chowdhury Happy.

ChatGPT-maker OpenAI said Friday it had considered last year alerting Canadian authorities about a user who months later carried out one of the country’s deadliest school shootings. In June 2025, OpenAI identified the account of 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar through its abuse detection system for “furtherance of violent activities.” The company said it debated whether to report the account to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) but decided at the time that the activity did not meet the threshold for law enforcement referral. The account was banned that same month for violating OpenAI’s usage policy. Amazon halts surveillance tech partnership as ad triggers privacy debate Last week, Van Rootselaar killed eight people in a remote area of British Columbia before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. OpenAI explained that its threshold for notifying authorities involves cases with an imminent and credible risk of serious physical harm, which it did not find in this instance. The Wall Street Journal first reported the company’s revelation. Following the shootings, OpenAI said its employees contacted the RCMP, providing information about Van Rootselaar and his use of ChatGPT. “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the Tumbler Ridge tragedy. We proactively reached out to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and will continue to support their investigation,” an OpenAI spokesperson said. RCMP Staff Sgt. Kris Clark confirmed OpenAI’s post-incident contact and said investigators are reviewing Van Rootselaar’s electronic devices, social media, and online activity. Authorities said he first killed his mother and stepbrother at home before attacking the school. He had prior mental health contacts with police, but his motive remains unclear. Tech-themed fair showcases dancing robots for Lunar New Year The small town of Tumbler Ridge, home to 2,700 people, is located over 1,000 kilometers northeast of Vancouver, near the Alberta border. The victims included a 39-year-old teaching assistant and five students aged 12 to 13. The attack was Canada’s deadliest since the 2020 Nova Scotia rampage, in which a gunman killed 13 people and set fires that claimed nine more lives.

A meeting on strengthening religious and social harmony was held at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in Tejgaon on Saturday afternoon. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presided over the meeting, according to a PMO media release.  

Bangladesh on Friday observed Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day with due respect and solemnity, as people from all walks of life paid tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the recognition of Bangla as a state language. From the first hour of February 21, people thronged Shaheed Minars across the country, placing floral wreaths and observing silence in memory of the language martyrs.  Programmes were held in district towns, educational institutions and public spaces in a dignified and emotional atmosphere. On February 21, 1952, students and activists were killed when police opened fire on demonstrators demanding Bangla as a state language.  Among those martyred were Salam, Barkat, Rafiq and Jabbar. In recognition of their sacrifice, UNESCO declared February 21 as International Mother Language Day in 1999. Since then, the day has been observed worldwide to promote linguistic diversity and cultural heritage. In Chattogram, the Shaheed Minar became a place of emotion and reverence as people of all ages began gathering from late night.  After a ceremonial police salute, Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Shahadat Hossain and others laid wreaths in a solemn atmosphere. In Sylhet, large crowds gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar in the Chauhatta area from midnight.  Floral tributes began at 12:01am, with participation from different segments of society.  Labour and Employment and Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Arifur Rahman Chowdhury, along with government officials, freedom fighters and leaders of political, social and cultural organisations, including BNP, paid homage to the language martyrs. In Barishal, senior officials including the divisional commissioner, DIG, police commissioner and deputy commissioner placed wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar during the first hour of the day. They were followed by leaders of the district Muktijoddha Sangsad and various political, social and cultural organisations. Teachers and students from different educational institutions also joined the observance. In Chuadanga, programmes began at 12:01am with floral tributes at the district Central Shaheed Minar.  The district administration, police, political parties, social and cultural organisations, educational institutions and members of the public paid homage.  A one-minute silence was observed in memory of the martyrs.

Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) arrested a Rohingya man and seized 330,000 Yaba  tablets in separate anti-narcotics operations along the Ghumdhum border in Naikhongchhari upazila of Bandarban. The arrestee was identified as Bashir Ahmed, 50, a Rohingya resident of Balukhali Camp-09 in Ukhia. He is the son of Abu Siddique. BGB’s Cox’s Bazar Battalion (34 BGB) conducted the operations in Ghumdhum and Baishfari border areas under Ghumdhum Union. According to BGB, at around 5:30 am on Saturday, a patrol team from the Ghumdhum BOP carried out a special operation based on intelligence information at Kankra Bridge, about 1.1 kilometres inside Bangladesh from Border Pillar-31.  During the raid, the team arrested Bashir Ahmed with 80,000 Yaba pills. Earlier, on Thursday night at around 9:40 pm, another patrol team from the Baishfari BOP conducted a separate operation at a bamboo grove area, about 200 yards inside Bangladesh from Border Pillar-36. The team recovered 250,000 Yaba pills in an abandoned condition. No one was arrested in that operation. BGB brings back 73 fishermen held by Arakan Army The total seizure from the two operations stood at 330,000 Yaba pills. Confirming the incident, Cox’s Bazar Battalion Commander Lt Col SM Khairul Alam said BGB remains committed not only to guarding the border but also to preventing drug trafficking and smuggling. “Such operations will continue in the future,” he said. BGB said legal action is underway to hand over the arrested Rohingya man along with the seized Yaba pills to police, following the filing of a case under existing laws.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday unveiled commemorative postage stamps  marking Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day. He released the stamps in the morning at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in Tejgaon.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday began work at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon for the first time after assuming office. He arrived at the office at 10:10am, where Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon received him.   

President Donald Trump reacted angrily Friday after the Supreme Court struck down his signature global tariffs, a move that included dissent from two of the three justices he appointed. Trump, who has long expected personal loyalty from his appointees, criticized the court sharply, saying he was “ashamed” of the justices who opposed him and questioning their courage. Speaking in the White House briefing room, he singled out Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett, calling their votes “an embarrassment to their families.” Vice President JD Vance also condemned the ruling on X, describing it as “lawlessness from the Court,” though he avoided personal attacks. Legal challenges to the tariffs had come from groups across the political spectrum, including the libertarian Liberty Justice Center and business-friendly organizations like the Chamber of Commerce. The decision highlights the ongoing tension between Trump’s aggressive use of presidential powers—covering trade, immigration, and other policy areas—and the Supreme Court’s role as a check on executive authority. Trump’s fraught relationship with the court is not new. During his first term, he won a major ruling protecting him from prosecution over efforts to overturn the 2020 election and secured repeated emergency appeals to enforce parts of his immigration agenda. But the court has also rebuked him publicly, particularly Chief Justice John Roberts, though Trump did not name him in Friday’s remarks. Presidential criticism of Supreme Court decisions has historical precedent. Thomas Jefferson opposed the landmark Marbury v. Madison ruling, Franklin Roosevelt tried and failed to expand the court over New Deal frustrations, and Barack Obama openly criticized the Citizens United decision in 2010. Experts note, however, that Trump’s personal attacks on justices—especially those he appointed—cross a line. “It’s fine to criticize a ruling, but demagogic to claim justices lack courage,” said Ed Whelan, former law clerk to Justice Antonin Scalia. Past presidents have privately regretted appointing certain justices, including Dwight D. Eisenhower after Brown v. Board of Education, but none aired such criticisms publicly during live broadcasts. Trump and members of the court are expected to be in the same room Tuesday for his State of the Union address, a setting likely to be tense given the recent clash.

A low pressure area has formed over the Equatorial Indian Ocean and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal. It is likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify, according to the latest Met ofocr bulletin. Meanwhile, the ridge of Sub-continental high extends up to Bihar and adjoining areas, influencing the prevailing weather pattern over Bangladesh. Weather may remain mainly dry with a temporary partly cloudy sky over the country. Night and day temperatures may rise slightly across Bangladesh.