US President Donald Trump has launched a sharp attack on Canada after it rejected his proposed “Golden Dome” missile defence project over Greenland, warning that Beijing could quickly dominate the country as it deepens economic engagement with China.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Canada opposed the Golden Dome despite it being designed to protect North America, including Canadian territory. He accused Ottawa of choosing closer business ties with China over US-backed security arrangements, claiming China would “eat them up” within a year.

Trump’s remarks come amid rising diplomatic tensions between Washington and Ottawa, following comments made by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this week.

Trump targets Carney over security and trade choices

Speaking at the WEF, Trump criticised Carney for what he described as a lack of gratitude towards the United States, asserting that Canada benefits significantly from US security protections. He said his proposed missile defence system would extend protection to Canada as well.

Trump also emphasised the strategic role played by the US in safeguarding its northern neighbour, warning that Canada’s security depended heavily on American military support.

The US President’s comments were aimed directly at Carney’s Davos speech, where the Canadian leader spoke of a shifting global order marked by intensified great power rivalry and expressed opposition to the use of tariffs as a coercive tool.

Canada defends China trade agreement

The dispute has been further fuelled by Canada’s recent announcement of a new trade agreement with China. Carney said the deal would unlock more than $7 billion in export opportunities for Canadian businesses and workers, highlighting China’s importance as the world’s second-largest economy.

According to official statements, the agreement is part of Canada’s effort to diversify trade partnerships and strengthen economic resilience in an increasingly uncertain global environment.

As part of the arrangement, Canada has agreed to reduce its tariff on Chinese electric vehicles in exchange for lower duties on Canadian agricultural exports. The agreement includes an annual cap on Chinese EV imports, which will gradually increase over five years. China, in turn, will significantly cut tariffs on Canadian canola seed exports.

Carney has stated that China has become a more predictable partner than the United States, citing recent progress in bilateral relations.

Tariffs add to US–Canada friction

Canada continues to face steep US tariffs, including levies on metals and non-US automobiles. Meanwhile, tensions between the US and China over tariff threats have eased temporarily following talks between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, leading to partial tariff exemptions until November 2026.

The Golden Dome dispute now adds another layer to strained US–Canada relations, highlighting growing disagreements over defence priorities, trade diversification, and geopolitical alignment.

Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday launched a scathing attack on Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, accusing him of heading an “illegal and violent” administration that has pushed Bangladesh into what she described as a period of terror, lawlessness and democratic collapse.

Hasina delivered the address through an audio message to a packed audience at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club in Delhi, marking her first public address in India since leaving Bangladesh in 2024. The event, titled Save Democracy in Bangladesh, was attended by several former ministers from her Awami League government and members of the Bangladeshi diaspora.

Although she did not appear in person, Hasina’s speech was uncompromising in tone, repeatedly branding Yunus a “murderous fascist” and accusing him of betraying the nation for personal power.

‘Democracy is now in exile,’ says Hasina

Opening her address, Hasina said Bangladesh was standing “at the edge of an abyss” and claimed that democracy had effectively been forced into exile since her removal from office on August 5, 2024. She alleged that her ouster was the result of a “meticulously engineered conspiracy” aimed at dismantling the country’s constitutional order.

According to Hasina, the situation in Bangladesh has deteriorated sharply since then, with the collapse of law and order, unchecked mob violence and widespread fear among citizens.

“Life and property have no security,” she said, alleging that violence, looting and extortion have spread from urban centres to rural areas.

She further accused the current dispensation of suppressing press freedom, targeting political opponents and allowing violence against women and minorities to continue without restraint.

Sharp personal attack on Muhammad Yunus

The former prime minister reserved her strongest criticism for Yunus, accusing him of bleeding the country dry and compromising national sovereignty by allegedly serving foreign interests.

Hasina warned that Bangladesh was being pushed towards instability and conflict, claiming that the current leadership was engaged in a “treacherous plot” that threatened the nation’s territorial and constitutional integrity.

Invoking the legacy of the Liberation War and her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, she framed the political crisis as an existential struggle for Bangladesh’s identity and independence.

Call for unity and five-point political demand

Positioning the Awami League as the principal defender of Bangladesh’s democratic and pluralist traditions, Hasina urged supporters of the pro-Liberation camp to unite and resist what she termed a puppet regime.

She laid out five key demands, beginning with the removal of the Yunus-led administration to restore democracy and pave the way for free and fair elections. She claimed credible elections would be impossible under the current setup.

Her other demands included the restoration of law and order, guarantees for the safety of minorities and women, an end to politically motivated legal actions against journalists and opposition figures, and the revival of judicial independence.

Hasina also called for a fresh and impartial United Nations investigation into developments over the past year, saying only an objective inquiry could help the country reconcile and move forward.

Political messaging from Indian soil

The address carried symbolic significance, being Hasina’s first public speech in India since she arrived there following her ouster. Her remarks signalled her intent to continue influencing Bangladesh’s political narrative from abroad.

She concluded the address with a call for mass mobilisation, urging citizens not to lose hope and to join what she described as a fight to reclaim democracy and national dignity.

Context of recent interview

Earlier, in a detailed interview given from a secure location in Delhi, Hasina had accused the interim administration in Dhaka of steering Bangladesh towards authoritarianism and extremist influence. She also spoke about the events surrounding her removal from power and alleged targeted attacks on minorities following her exit.

The United States has stepped up its military positions around Iran, deploying an aircraft carrier strike group, fighter jets, and missile defence systems to West Asia, amid heightened tensions following violent crackdowns on nationwide protests inside Iran.

US officials said the strike group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln, accompanied by guided-missile destroyers and an attack submarine, is expected to enter the Arabian Sea or the Persian Gulf region in the coming days. The deployment marks a sharp escalation in pressure on Tehran, with Washington citing concerns over civilian deaths during protests triggered by Iran’s worsening economic crisis.

The carrier group was last publicly tracked in the Indian Ocean after being redirected from the South China Sea. Its current location is no longer visible on open-source maritime tracking systems.

Fighter jets and missile defences moved to region

Alongside naval deployments, F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets have already arrived at an undisclosed base in West Asia. US Central Command shared visuals of one such aircraft landing earlier this week. The jets are part of a broader redeployment that includes KC-135 aerial refuelling aircraft, allowing combat planes to extend their operational range.

Additional missile defence systems, including THAAD and Patriot batteries, have also been positioned across the region, particularly in US-allied countries such as Israel and Qatar, according to media reports.

Protests and human rights concerns

The military build-up comes against the backdrop of prolonged unrest in Iran, where demonstrations over economic hardship escalated into nationwide protests late last year. Iranian state-linked outlets have reported more than 3,000 deaths, including civilians and security personnel, while rights groups estimate the toll could be significantly higher.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned of military consequences, claiming American pressure forced Iran to halt planned executions of protesters. He reiterated this claim earlier this week, stating that hundreds of executions were cancelled following US threats. However, his remarks have since softened, reflecting a pattern of combining military pressure with diplomatic signalling.

Iranian leaders, meanwhile, have accused the US and Israel of instigating unrest as retaliation for earlier military strikes on nuclear facilities. Tehran has warned it is prepared to respond to any further aggression.

Nuclear concerns resurface

Adding to the uncertainty is the unresolved issue of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile. Around 400 kilograms of enriched material — enough for multiple nuclear weapons — remains unaccounted for following US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025.

Iran is expected to report to the International Atomic Energy Agency on the status of nuclear material at affected facilities, including the Fordow site. However, inspections have not taken place for several months, despite agency guidelines recommending regular monitoring.

Trump has stated that the US would act if Iran resumes its nuclear programme, reinforcing concerns that military options remain on the table.

What action could look like

Military observers say any US response is likely to begin with limited, targeted strikes aimed at deterrence rather than full-scale conflict. Such actions typically focus on missile launch sites, drone infrastructure, and command networks, often paired with diplomatic channels to prevent escalation.

While a direct strike on nuclear facilities cannot be ruled out, analysts caution that retaliation from Iran could draw the US and its allies into a wider regional conflict.

Iran’s response options

Iran is expected to avoid direct confrontation, instead relying on calibrated responses through aligned regional groups, cyber operations, or maritime pressure. Past actions suggest Tehran prefers visible but limited retaliation to signal resolve without triggering all-out war.

One of Iran’s most significant leverage points remains the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil supplies. Even limited disruption in the area could raise energy prices and intensify international pressure on Washington.

Israel on high alert

Israel has placed its air defence systems on alert amid the unfolding situation. If the US proceeds with military action, Israel is likely to become a secondary target due to its close alliance with Washington.

While Israel possesses advanced multi-layered air defence capabilities, joining a US-led strike is considered unlikely, as it remains engaged on other fronts and faces the risk of a broader regional escalation.