[🇺🇸] USA News/Views

Saif · Dec 18, 2025

CNN’s future unclear as Trump applies pressure

CNN is heading into an uncertain future with its parent company Warner Bros. Discovery destined for a takeover..

www.newagebd.net

CNN’s future unclear as Trump applies pressure
Agence France-Presse . New York 18 December, 2025, 23:39

CNN is heading into an uncertain future with its parent company Warner Bros. Discovery destined for a takeover — and US president Donald Trump hoping the change will allow him to influence the iconic news network’s programming.

WBD has urged shareholders to reject a hostile takeover bid from Paramount Skydance, in favour of a deal offered by streaming giant Netflix.

Paramount’s CEO David Ellison — whose father is Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, a close Trump ally — has assured the US president that he would retool CNN’s editorial stance and line-up if his bid were successful, The Wall Street Journal reported.

That could put on-air talent such as Kaitlan Collins and Jake Tapper, who have both drawn Trump’s ire, in jeopardy.

And Trump appears ready to use the situation to his advantage, saying openly that he will be involved in the government’s decision on an eventual deal, instead of leaving it to the Justice Department.

‘I don’t think the people that are running that company right now and running CNN, which is a very dishonest group of people, I don’t think that should be allowed to continue,’ Trump told business leaders last week at the White House.

‘I think CNN should be sold along with everything else.’

Trump has long had a hostile relationship with CNN and other major news organisations, branding them ‘fake news’ and attacking them repeatedly on social media.

His insistence that CNN end up in friendly hands appears to favour the Paramount bid — even though the Netflix deal would also involve selling off the news network to an as-yet-unknown buyer.

Ellison’s group obtained regulatory approval in July for a merger between Paramount and Skydance after committing to modify the editorial direction of CBS network.

‘President Trump has publicly put a bullseye on the television news network,’ University of Maryland broadcast journalism professor Mark Feldstein said.

‘I think this is a very perilous time for CNN both politically and economically,’ he said.

‘Paramount’s craven tilt to the right would clearly pose a threat to CNN’s editorial independence, but it’s not clear that the news network would be much better off if Netflix buys Warner Brothers and leaves CNN out of the deal, either.’

CNN is popular with left-leaning viewers but is regularly watched by 20 per cent of Republicans, according to a Pew Research study.

Under Netflix’s deal, WBD would likely spin off CNN and its other television networks into a separate company called Discovery Global.

CNN would thus wind up part of a highly-indebted public company with weak growth prospects and still on cable television, which has been losing millions of subscribers in the United States each year.

In that context, it would be tough for Discovery Global to justify investing money in CNN because it will need to focus on its overall bottom line, said Madison and Wall consulting firm chief executive Brian Wieser.

Under the leadership of former New York Times and BBC head Mark Thompson, CNN is undergoing a major strategic reorientation to reduce its dependence on traditional television audiences.

In October, it launched a subscription service (at $6.99 per month) that includes streaming access to most programmes as well as the CNN.com website, which introduced a paywall nearly a year ago.

Thompson said recently that a study commissioned by CNN showed that some 18 million Americans who had ditched cable television since the coronavirus pandemic would be ‘very interested’ in paying for standalone subscriptions.

‘To continue to keep CNN strong in the future,’ the executive argued, ‘we better get after our audiences where they currently are.’

Fox News, CNBC, Newsmax and even NBC News have attempted streaming-only products, but all of them are add-ons.

Once the leading all-news network, CNN now attracts fewer than 5,00,000 viewers on average per day — far behind rivals MSNBC and Fox News, but also the home improvement channel HGTV—but maintains it is still profitable.

CNN nevertheless ‘still holds an important place within the broader news media landscape, especially given its brand power and global reach,’ said University of Pennsylvania media policy professor Victor Pickard.

For Wieser, ‘the best thing for CNN would be to sell it separately. But the problem is there’s almost no way that will happen without the Trump administration involving itself.’

Saif · Dec 22, 2025

US triples stipend offer to migrants who 'self-deport' to $3,000

"Illegal aliens should take advantage of this gift and self-deport," says DHS secretary

www.thedailystar.net

US triples stipend offer to migrants who 'self-deport' to $3,000

"Illegal aliens should take advantage of this gift and self-deport," says DHS secretary

Photo: Reuters

The Trump administration has tripled its stipend offer to migrants who choose to voluntarily "self-deport" from the United States to $3,000, the Department of Homeland Security said today

The stipend would be given to people in the US illegally who sign up to leave the country by the end of the year, DHS said. The offer would include a free flight back to their home countries, it said.

"Illegal aliens should take advantage of this gift and self-deport because if they don't, we will find them, we will arrest them, and they will never return," DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement.

The Trump administration, in March, launched a rebranded app called CBP Home to make it easier for people to self-deport. The app, previously called CBP One, was used by the Biden administration to allow migrants to enter the US legally.

DHS said in May that the average cost to arrest, detain, and deport someone without legal status was around $17,000.

US President Donald Trump, who took office in January promising record levels of deportations, has ramped up a crackdown on immigration despite backlash. While he has promised to remove 1 million immigrants each year, his administration has so far managed to deport some 622,000 immigrants this year.

The administration is preparing for a more aggressive push against immigration in 2026 with billions in new funding, and U.S. officials say they plan to hire thousands more immigration agents, open new detention centers, and partner with outside companies to track down people without legal status.

Saif · Dec 23, 2025

Trump says US needs Greenland 'for national security'

President Donald Trump on Monday reiterated that the United States needed Greenland for "national security" after his appointment of a special envoy to the Danish Arctic island triggered a new spat with Copenhagen.

en.prothomalo.com

Trump says US needs Greenland 'for national security'

AFP Copenhagen
Published: 23 Dec 2025, 12: 27

Donald TrumpReuters file photo

President Donald Trump on Monday reiterated that the United States needed Greenland for "national security" after his appointment of a special envoy to the Danish Arctic island triggered a new spat with Copenhagen.

Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has repeatedly said the United States "needs" the resource-rich autonomous territory for security reasons and has refused to rule out using force to secure it.

Trump on Sunday appointed Louisiana governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland, prompting anger from Denmark, which summoned the US ambassador.

"We need Greenland for national security. Not for minerals," Trump told a news conference in Palm Beach, Florida, on Monday.

"If you take a look at Greenland, you look up and down the coast, you have Russian and Chinese ships all over the place," he said.

"We need it for national security. We have to have it," the president said, adding that Landry "wanted to lead the charge".

On his appointment, Landry immediately vowed to make the Danish territory "a part of the US".

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen earlier Monday said in a joint statement that Greenland belongs to Greenlanders.

"You cannot annex another country," they said. "We expect respect for our joint territorial integrity."

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said he was "deeply angered" by the move and warned Washington to respect Denmark's sovereignty.

The European Union later offered its "full solidarity" to Denmark.

The Danish foreign minister earlier told TV2 television the appointment and statements were "totally unacceptable" and, several hours later, said the US ambassador had been called up to the ministry for an explanation.

"We summoned the American ambassador to the foreign ministry today for a meeting, together with the Greenlandic representative, where we very clearly drew a red line and also asked for an explanation," Lokke Rasmussen told public broadcaster DR in an interview.

Strategic location

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president Antonio Costa stressed on social media that territorial integrity and sovereignty were "fundamental principles of international law".

Leaders of both Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly insisted that the vast island is not for sale and that it will decide its own future.

Most of Greenland's 57,000 people want to become independent from Denmark but do not wish to become part of the United States, according to an opinion poll in January.

Lokke Rasmussen said Trump's appointment of a special envoy confirmed continued US interest in Greenland.

"However, we insist that everyone -- including the US -- must show respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he said in a statement emailed to AFP.

Washington argues Greenland, located between North America and Europe, can give it an economic edge over its rivals in the Arctic region.

The island has untapped rare earth minerals and could be a vital player as the polar ice melts and new shipping routes emerge.

Greenland's location also puts it on the shortest route for missiles between Russia and the United States.

The United States has its Pituffik military base in Greenland and opened a consulate on the island in June 2020.

In August, Denmark summoned the US charge d'affaires after at least three US officials close to Trump were seen in Greenland's capital Nuuk trying to find out how people felt about deepening US ties.

Trump's determination to take over Greenland has stunned Denmark, a fellow member of NATO that has fought alongside the US in its wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

In January, Copenhagen announced a USD 2.0-billion plan to boost its military presence in the Arctic region.

Saif · Jan 2, 2026

New York Mayor Mamdani vows to enact democratic socialist agenda

Democrat Zohran Mamdani became New York City's mayor on Thursday, vowing during a public swearing-in ceremony on the steps of City Hall to enact an aggressive agenda aimed at making the nation's largest city more affordable for working people. Mamdani, a member of his party's left-wing democratic

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

New York Mayor Mamdani vows to enact democratic socialist agenda

REUTERS
Published :
Jan 02, 2026 23:20
Updated :
Jan 02, 2026 23:20

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani delivers a speech during his inauguration ceremony in New York City, US, Jan 1, 2026. Photo : REUTERS/Kylie Cooper

Democrat Zohran Mamdani became New York City's mayor on Thursday, vowing during a public swearing-in ceremony on the steps of City Hall to enact an aggressive agenda aimed at making the nation's largest city more affordable for working people.

Mamdani, a member of his party's left-wing democratic socialist faction, was elected last November in a prominent victory that could influence this year's midterm elections that will determine control of the US Congress. Some Democrats have embraced his style while Republicans portray him as a foil on the national political stage.

The 34-year-old campaigned heavily on cost-of-living issues and was sharply critical of Republican President Donald Trump, whose approval rating has fallen over the past year amid economic concerns.

Many of New York's 8 million residents - some with hope, some with trepidation - expect him to be a disruptive political force. In a speech following his public swearing-in, Mamdani promoted core campaign promises of universal childcare, affordable rents and free bus service.

"We will answer to all New Yorkers, not to any billionaire or oligarch who thinks they can buy our democracy," he said. "I was elected as a democratic socialist and I will govern as a democratic socialist."

CROWD CHANTS 'TAX THE RICH'

The programme for Mamdani's inauguration included remarks by US Senator Bernie Sanders and US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, fellow democratic socialists at the vanguard of the Democratic Party's liberal wing.

Sanders, whom Mamdani calls his inspiration, defended Mamdani's agenda.

"Making sure that people can live in affordable housing is not radical," Sanders said. "It is the right and decent thing to do."

The crowd of several thousand cheered loudly when Sanders called on America's millionaires and billionaires to pay more in taxes, breaking into a chant of "tax the rich."

Even with temperatures well below freezing, the city set up a viewing area along Broadway to allow thousands more to watch a livestream of the ceremony, which included musical performances.

Mae Hardman-Hill, 27, volunteered for Mamdani's campaign and said it felt like his political momentum was growing.

"I'm a native New Yorker. I've watched the city like you just become less and less affordable, less and less livable," Hardman-Hill said. "I'm really excited for ... regular people to get some power back again."

Prior to the public ceremony, Mamdani was privately sworn in as New York City's mayor in the first minutes of the New Year on Thursday at the historic City Hall subway station, which was decommissioned decades ago and is accessible only a few times a year through guided tours.

Reflecting his Muslim faith, he used a Quran, Islam's holiest book, for his swearing-in, a first for a New York City mayor.

REPUBLICANS BLAST MAMDANI

Hours after Mamdani took office, the lead group tasked with electing Republicans to the US House of Representatives sought to portray him as a "radical socialist."

"Every time Mamdani opens his mouth or swipes his pen, he tattoos the Democrat Party’s failures onto every House Democrat facing voters in 2026," spokesperson Mike Marinella said in a statement that signalled the sizable role Mamdani is likely to play on the national campaign stage.

Mamdani, a former state lawmaker, promised a freeze on rents and free buses and childcare, building a campaign around affordability issues that some have seen as a path forward for the Democratic Party around the country ahead of November midterm elections.

Dean Fuleihan, the incoming deputy mayor, told the Financial Times that Mamdani will move ahead with plans to increase taxes on millionaires to pay for his campaign promises and balance New York's budget. He added that he doesn't expect rich people to leave the city as a result of potentially higher taxes.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has said she opposes raising personal income taxes but is considering raising corporate taxes to pay for a potential budget shortfall amid federal cuts.

In one early reversal, Mamdani said on Wednesday that he would no longer seek to end mayoral control of New York City's public school system, the largest in the US, naming veteran educator Kamar Samuels as chancellor.

Mamdani inspired a record-breaking turnout of more than 2 million voters and took 50% of the vote in November, nearly 10 points ahead of Andrew Cuomo running as an independent and well ahead of Republican Curtis Sliwa.

INAUGURATION OF A NEW ERA

The Uganda-born Mamdani has been a sharp critic of Trump on issues such as immigration and said his differences with the president were numerous after a warm White House meeting.

Mamdani raised $2.6 million for the transition and celebrations from nearly 30,000 contributors, more than other mayors on record this century, both by the total and single donations, according to official campaign data that presents disclosures of inaugural expenses beginning with Michael Bloomberg's first term in 2001.

As mayor, Mamdani will move from his one-bedroom Astoria apartment, protected from sharp price hikes by the city rent-stabilisation programme, to Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City mayors on Manhattan's upscale Upper East Side.

Bankers and others in New York, the nation's financial capital, had expressed concern about Mamdani, but since his election many have explored how to work with him.