Day: January 26, 2026

The UN expressed concern on Monday about reports that the United States is sending a carrier strike group to the Middle East and increasing its military presence in the region.

Asked about the reports, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told a news conference: “We obviously are seeing these reports of heightened military tensions, which are very concerning indeed,” News.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Addressing reports of the alleged use of force by Iranian security forces against protesters, Dujarric said: “Let me just say, we’ve seen various reports of an extremely high number of people killed by the security forces, of protesters being killed by the security forces.”

“The numbers vary, but even without having an exact number, it’s clear that the situation on the ground is just horrendous in terms of these killings,” he added.

Dujarric said the UN is also alarmed by the broader regional implications of recent developments, stating: “At the same time, we are very concerned about increased military activities and rhetoric, which we think goes counter to the stability of the region.”

Tens of thousands have rallied across Iranian cities over economic grievances and the depreciation of the rial, prompting US President Donald Trump to warn of a US “rescue” if protesters are killed, saying forces are “locked and loaded.”

Trump has said he is weighing a “tough response,” threatening action if mass executions proceed. He later softened his rhetoric, suggesting Tehran had stopped killing protesters following his warning.

Iranian officials have warned that any US attack would trigger a “swift and comprehensive” response.

The Federal Aviation Administration reports that seven people were killed and one person seriously injured when a private jet crashed during takeoff from an airport in Bangor, Maine.

The ‌crash of ​the twin-engine turbo-fan jet Bombardier Challenger 600 ‍at Bangor International Airport happened about 7.45pm on Sunday, the FAA said on Monday, News.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the ​crash, which occurred in ‌snowy weather and in low visibility conditions.

Bombardier referred questions ​to the NTSB.

The NTSB said it has no role in the release of information about victims and that such information is handled by local authorities.

But airport director Jose Saavedra declined to comment, saying at a news conference on Monday that he was “awaiting guidance and support from federal partners”.

An audio recording of air traffic controllers includes someone saying “Aircraft upside down. We have a passenger aircraft upside down,” about 45 seconds after a plane was cleared for takeoff.

First responders arrived less than a minute later, Saavedra said.

The Bangor airport remained ‍closed on Monday morning.

The plane had arrived in Maine from Texas, the government official ​said. ​

The company ​listed as its registered ​owner shares a Houston address with Arnold & Itkin, a personal injury law firm.

FAA records show the plane went into service in April 2020.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated on Monday that some of U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats should be seen as prepositioning in preparation for negotiations to renew the free trade agreement between the two major trading partners.

Carney noted they are entering a review of the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement this year and said he expects a “robust review,” News.Az reports, citing ABC news.

“The president is a strong negotiator, and some of these comments and positioning should be viewed in the broader context of that,” Carney said.

Trump threatened this past weekend to impose a 100% tariff on goods imported from Canada if America’s northern neighbor went ahead with a trade deal with Beijing, something Carney said Canada has no interest in.

Carney has said his recent agreement with China merely cuts tariffs on a few sectors that were recently hit with tariffs.

In 2024, Canada mirrored the United States by putting a 100% tariff on electric vehicles from Beijing and a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum. China had responded by imposing 100% import taxes on Canadian canola oil and meal and 25% on pork and seafood.

Breaking with the United States this month during a visit to Beijing, Carney cut its 100% tariff on Chinese electric cars in return for lower tariffs on those Canadian products.

“Last week’s new strategic partnership with China will make available tens of thousands affordable electric vehicles in Canada,” Carney said Monday.

Carney has said there would be an initial annual cap of 49,000 vehicles on Chinese EV exports coming into Canada at a tariff rate of 6.1%, growing to about 70,000 over five years.

He also has said the initial cap on Chinese EV imports was about 3% of the 1.8 million vehicles sold in Canada annually and that, in exchange, China is expected to begin investing in the Canadian auto industry within three years.

Trump’s tariff threat came amid an escalating war of words with Carney as the Republican president’s push to acquire Greenland strained the NATO alliance.

Carney has emerged as a spokesman for a movement for countries to find ways to link up and counter the U.S. under Trump. Speaking in Davos before Trump, Carney said, “Middle powers must act together because if you are not at the table, you are on the menu.” The prime minister received widespread praise and attention for his remarks, upstaging Trump at the World Economic Forum.

Trump’s push to acquire Greenland has come after he has repeatedly needled Canada over its sovereignty and suggested it also be absorbed into the United States as a 51st state. He posted an altered image on social media last week showing a map of the United States that included Canada, Venezuela, Greenland and Cuba as part of its territory.