United News of Bangladesh

Andy Burnham’s commanding victory in a special parliamentary election has intensified speculation over the future of Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the leadership of the Labour Party. Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, won the Makerfield seat in northwest England with nearly 55 percent of the vote, significantly increasing Labour’s vote share despite the party’s poor polling performance and losses in local elections last month. Reform UK had previously dominated the local seats in the constituency. Labour’s Andy Burnham wins by-election, intensifying leadership pressure on UK PM Starmer The 56-year-old’s return to Parliament after nearly a decade has positioned him as a potential challenger to Starmer, although he has not formally declared any leadership ambitions. Describing his victory as a “change moment,” Burnham said Britain needed renewed hope and a new direction. Starmer, facing mounting criticism over policy setbacks and controversies, has rejected suggestions he could step down and vowed to contest any leadership challenge. Under Labour rules, challengers must secure the support of at least 81 Labour MPs and additional backing from local party organizations or affiliates before a membership vote is held. Should Starmer resign or lose a leadership contest, the winner would be invited by King Charles III to form a government. Any leadership race could take up to four months.

Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, will take part in country’s premier global politics and the world economy international forum "Primakov Readings" themed “A World Without Rules: A Power Game?” on June 24. This was announced by the Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova at a press briefing on Thursday. "Everyone sees how a group of countries that have imagined themselves to be the arbiters of the fate of all mankind, with passion and perseverance worthy of better cause, is literally trying to dawn the system of written and unwritten international norms and rules built over the past decade," Maria Zakharova said. The Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman also noted: "What is the current phase of this process, what the actions of the West lead to, and what the constructive agenda of the global majority can be – all these questions will be deal with by the participants of the Forum." The 12th International Scientific and Expert Forum "Primakov Readings" will take place in Moscow on June 23-24 at the Radisson Blu Leninsky Prospect Hotel. The event will bring together around 50 experts from 20 countries, including China, Iran, India, Turkey, Qatar, the USA, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, South Korea, and the CIS countries. In total, more than 400 representatives of Russian and foreign scientific and expert community, government agencies, political and business circles are expected to participate in the forum. A number of high-ranking officials will take part in the event, including Aide to the Russian president Yuri Ushakov, Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of Russia, Press Secretary of the President Dmitry Peskov, and leading Russian and foreign experts in the fields of international security, world politics and global economy. The program of the two-day event includes discussions on the consequences of regional conflicts, the situation in the Middle East, global order scenarios, and barriers to global trade and investment. Experts will cover issues of Eurasian security in light of Russia’s CSTO chairmanship and competition in the sphere of artificial intelligence. The program of the Forum is centered around the discussion of the consequences of the New START Treaty termination, the risks of a further weakening of arms control, the impact of emerging military technologies on strategic stability, and the prospects for preventing conflict escalation in the context of an accelerating arms race. The organizers of the annual event are the Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IMEMO) and the Evgeny Primakov Center for International Cooperation. This year edition of the Forum is coinciding with the 70th anniversary of IMEMO.The Primakov Readings — an International Scientific and Expert Forum — is an annual gathering of leading experts in the field of international relations and world economy. First held in 2015, it was named after the renowned scholar and statesman Evgeny Maksimovich Primakov. Since its establishment, the Forum has gained recognition as a respected international platform where experts discuss the scenarios of international relations development, challenges in international security, and new models of interaction among global political actors. At the Forum, leading scientists, politicians and diplomats from around the world engage in an open dialogue about global and regional challenges and threats. Since its founding, the event has attracted many prominent scientists and experts from major international research centers and think tanks, political and public figures.The International Scientific and Expert Forum Primakov Readings opens on June 23, 2026, at 10:00. Addressing the participants will be Yuri Ushakov, Aide to the President of Russia; Konstantin Kosachev, Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council, and Alexander Dynkin, President of IMEMO, Academician.

A closely watched by-election in northwest England could have major implications for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s political future, as Labour candidate Andy Burnham seeks a return to Parliament amid growing discontent within the governing party. Voters in the Makerfield constituency are set to elect a new member of Parliament on Thursday, with Burnham — the current mayor of Greater Manchester and a prominent Labour figure — widely viewed as a potential challenger to Starmer’s leadership if elected. Although Starmer is not directly involved in the contest, political observers see the vote as a significant test of confidence in his leadership. Labour’s popularity has declined sharply since its landslide general election victory in July 2024, with criticism mounting over the government’s handling of economic growth, public services and the cost-of-living crisis. Burnham has campaigned on a promise to bring political change and expand his regional development model, often referred to as “Manchesterism,” across the country. He has argued that Britain has been poorly served by what he describes as London-focused politics and called for greater attention to regional development. The by-election was triggered after Labour lawmaker Josh Simons resigned, creating an opportunity for Burnham to return to Westminster. If elected, Burnham is expected to emerge as a leading contender in any future Labour leadership contest. Under Labour Party rules, a leadership challenge can be launched if a candidate secures support from at least one-fifth of Labour MPs. Growing dissatisfaction within the party has already fueled speculation about Starmer’s position, despite the prime minister insisting he has no intention of stepping down. Speaking during the Group of Seven summit in France, Starmer said he would fight any leadership challenge and emphasized that he remains committed to delivering on Labour’s electoral mandate. Some senior Labour figures have openly expressed concerns about the party’s direction. Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who resigned in May, recently suggested there was a lack of leadership vision within the government and indicated he could consider entering a leadership contest if one takes place. Political analysts say a strong Burnham victory would significantly increase pressure on Starmer. However, the outcome is not guaranteed. The anti-immigration Reform UK party has gained momentum in parts of northern England and is hoping to capitalize on voter concerns over immigration and economic issues. Reform candidate Rob Kenyon is seeking to challenge Labour’s long-standing dominance in Makerfield, a constituency that has elected Labour MPs for more than a century. Analysts warn that a Reform UK victory would not only deepen Labour’s political difficulties but also undermine Burnham’s credentials as a potential successor to Starmer. The result is expected early Friday and is being closely watched as an indicator of Labour’s internal dynamics and the broader political mood in Britain.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday that Ukraine had secured important commitments from Group of Seven (G7) leaders for additional military, energy and economic support as the country continues to defend itself against Russia’s invasion. Following the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, Zelenskyy said world leaders agreed to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence capabilities, support its energy resilience and impose further sanctions on Russia. “The G7 Summit in France delivered important results for Ukraine. Most importantly, we agreed on additional strengthening of Ukraine’s air defense,” Zelenskyy wrote on X. He said Ukraine’s partners had pledged continued support for the country’s defence sector and energy infrastructure while also increasing pressure on Moscow through new sanctions. French President Emmanuel Macron said the summit demonstrated what he described as an “unprecedented convergence” among G7 leaders, including US President Donald Trump, on maintaining support for Ukraine. The summit came as Zelenskyy continues efforts to rally international backing and diplomatically isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin amid the war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 and is now in its fifth year. Zelenskyy is expected to attend a European Union summit in Brussels on Thursday. Earlier this week, Ukraine officially launched negotiations for membership in the EU, beginning a process that could take years to complete. The ongoing conflict involving Iran has diverted some international attention from efforts to resolve the war in Ukraine. Against that backdrop, Zelenskyy sought to engage with Trump during the G7 gathering, where several key European leaders were also present. According to observers, Putin has sought to sideline both Kyiv and European partners by pursuing direct discussions with Washington regarding the future of the conflict.

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he would continue efforts to help end the war in Ukraine and urged Russia to reach a peace agreement, following what he described as a “very good” meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France. Speaking to reporters, Trump said too many young people were being killed in the conflict and stressed the need for a negotiated settlement. “Russia should make a deal,” Trump said, adding that he would do whatever possible to help bring the war to an end. Zelenskyy joined leaders of the Group of Seven nations — the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Italy and Japan — as well as European Union representatives for discussions focused on Ukraine and regional security. The Ukrainian president also held talks with Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during the summit in Evian-les-Bains near the Swiss border. Following the meeting, Zelenskyy said discussions centred on strengthening Ukraine’s air defence capabilities and advancing diplomatic efforts aimed at ending Russia’s invasion. In a post on X, he said Ukraine had secured important commitments from G7 partners, including additional air defence missiles, licences for local production of defence systems, a winter support package and increased pressure on Russia. Zelenskyy also said the United States had expressed readiness to provide support for those initiatives. “It is key that everything discussed be implemented. Russia must understand that its war will never be normalised,” he said, thanking allies for their continued support. European officials described the discussions as constructive. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Ukraine had demonstrated resilience on the battlefield and argued that international support should be strengthened further. “The situation in 2026 is very different from 2025. Ukraine is bravely holding the frontline, while signs of Russian fatigue are becoming more visible,” she said. The G7 leaders are expected to continue discussions on security assistance, economic support and diplomatic initiatives aimed at ending the conflict. Source: Al Jazeera

Swiss voters headed to the polls on Sunday to decide whether the country should impose a population cap of 10 million people by 2050, in a closely watched referendum that has sparked intense debate over immigration, economic growth and Switzerland’s future relationship with the European Union. The proposal, backed by the right-wing Swiss People's Party, is being promoted as a “sustainability initiative” aimed at easing pressure on housing, public services, transportation and the environment. Critics, however, view it as the latest attempt to curb immigration in the Alpine nation. Switzerland’s population has risen from about 7.3 million in 2002 to roughly 9.1 million today, with around 27 percent of residents born abroad. Under the proposal, authorities would be required to take action once the population reaches 9.5 million, ensuring it does not exceed 10 million before 2050. Potential measures could include limiting asylum approvals, restricting family reunification rights for foreign workers and, if necessary, terminating international agreements such as the EU’s free movement of people. The Swiss government, most political parties, trade unions and business groups oppose the initiative, arguing it could worsen labor shortages and damage relations with the European Union, Switzerland’s largest trading partner. Opponents have labeled the proposal a “chaos initiative,” warning that sectors such as healthcare, hospitality and elderly care rely heavily on foreign workers. They also fear the measure could isolate Switzerland at a time of growing global economic and geopolitical uncertainty. Recent opinion polls suggest a tight race. Surveys indicate that about 52 percent of voters oppose the proposal, while 45 percent support it, leaving a significant number of undecided voters likely to determine the outcome. Supporters argue that rapid population growth has contributed to housing shortages, overcrowded public transport, rising healthcare costs and strained public services. “We have lost control,” said Nils Fiechter, a young lawmaker from the Swiss People’s Party, arguing that immigration has placed excessive pressure on infrastructure and social services. Opponents reject that view, saying structural policy failures rather than immigration are behind many of the country’s challenges. “It is not migrants who determine rent levels or health insurance premiums,” said Helin Genis, a Social Democratic politician from Bern, arguing that blaming immigration risks deepening social divisions rather than solving problems. Business leaders have also raised concerns that the population cap could undermine Switzerland’s economy. Employers warn that the country’s aging population increasingly depends on foreign workers, particularly in hospitals, care homes and hotels. Economiesuisse, Switzerland’s leading business association, has cautioned that approving the proposal could complicate ties with Brussels and jeopardize access to the European labor market. The referendum comes as Switzerland faces broader economic and geopolitical challenges, including rising defense spending, higher energy costs linked to global conflicts, and concerns about international trade relations. Final results are expected later Sunday. Source: BBC

Romanian President Nicusor Dan on Sunday nominated former minister and local government leader Adrian Vestea as prime minister, seeking to end a prolonged political crisis after his previous nominee withdrew due to a lack of parliamentary backing. Vestea, 53, a senior member of the National Liberal Party and a veteran politician from Brasov County, is Dan’s second choice for the post this month. The nomination came after former nominee Eugen Tomac stepped down from the mandate after failing to secure sufficient support and present a cabinet to Parliament within the required 10-day period. Speaking at the presidential Cotroceni Palace in Bucharest, Dan said Vestea’s extensive experience in local and national administration made him well-suited for the role. He highlighted Vestea’s record as a mayor, county council president and development minister, as well as his success in attracting European Union funding. The president also described Vestea as a strong supporter of Romania’s pro-Western orientation and someone with significant experience in managing public budgets. The nomination must now be approved by Parliament before Vestea can formally take office. Addressing reporters after the announcement, Vestea said he intends to form a political government committed to meaningful reforms and maintaining Romania’s pro-Western course. He stressed the need to prioritize development, noting that Romania, the European Union’s sixth-largest country by population, must focus on long-term economic growth from the outset of the new administration. Romania has faced political uncertainty since a no-confidence vote removed Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan in May. Although the next general election is not due until 2028, the country continues to grapple with one of the European Union’s highest budget deficits, persistent inflation and a technical recession. The coalition government that took office in June 2025 had pledged to reduce the budget deficit and stabilize the economy, but Bolojan’s administration lasted less than a year amid mounting political and economic challenges.

Britain has launched an investigation into a sanctioned oil tanker suspected of being part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” used to bypass international sanctions imposed over the war in Ukraine, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Sunday. British armed forces boarded and detained the vessel, identified as Smyrtos, in the English Channel in what the UK Defence Ministry described as the first operation of its kind led by Britain. According to the ministry, the tanker will remain under detention and monitoring off England’s southern coast while authorities conduct further investigations. The operation was carried out in close coordination with French authorities, who have previously intercepted several vessels believed to be linked to Russia’s shadow fleet. Western governments believe Russia has been relying on hundreds of ships operating outside conventional oversight to continue exporting oil and circumvent sanctions imposed following its invasion of Ukraine. Prime Minister Starmer said the operation was another setback for Moscow and a warning to those helping sustain Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war effort. UK authorities said actions against such vessels are aimed at disrupting the financial resources supporting Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine and reducing its ability to threaten security across Europe and beyond.

At least four people were killed when a small aircraft crashed in Croatia on Thursday, according to police. The crash occurred near the town of Medulin on the Istria Peninsula, police said in a statement. Croatia's state-run HINA news agency reported that the aircraft was a German-registered plane that had departed from Austria before the accident. Images from the scene showed the wreckage scattered across a field, while police officers and firefighters were deployed to the crash site. Local pilot Nijaz Delic told the Index news portal that the aircraft appeared to spiral in the air before plunging to the ground. Authorities have not yet confirmed how many people were on board the plane. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and no further details were immediately available.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Russia will bolster its air defense capabilities in response to recent Ukrainian drone attacks that have penetrated deep into Russian territory. Speaking during a meeting with heads of international news agencies on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin acknowledged that some Ukrainian drones had managed to evade Russia's air defense systems. "To our regret, some of them break through," Putin said, referring to the attacks on his hometown of St. Petersburg. He added that Russia's air defense network would be strengthened to better counter such threats. The remarks came a day after a Ukrainian drone strike set fire to an oil terminal in St. Petersburg and also targeted a nearby naval facility. Putin also reiterated Moscow's readiness to seek a compromise on Ukraine based on understandings reached during his recent summit with US President Donald Trump in Anchorage, Alaska. He said Ukraine would need to accept those terms for any agreement to be reached. The Russian leader rejected suggestions that European Union countries could serve as mediators in peace negotiations, arguing that they could not be considered neutral parties. "Mediation assumes neutrality. Where is the neutrality here?" Putin said, adding that Russia could not place its trust in countries that had long advocated what he described as a strategic defeat of Russia. Commenting on Russia's use of the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile, Putin said it had been launched against targets that allowed Russian forces to assess its capabilities and precision before any broader deployment. He also reaffirmed Moscow's objective of gaining full control over Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, noting that Kyiv still controls about 15 percent of the territory. According to Putin, Russian forces are continuing to advance along the entire front line, expressing confidence that what he described as the patriotism and determination of the Russian people would help achieve Russia's objectives in Ukraine.