United News of Bangladesh

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu narrowly survived two no-confidence votes in Parliament on Thursday, avoiding a government collapse that could have plunged France deeper into political chaos. The outcome gives Lecornu a temporary reprieve and allows him to focus on his next major test — pushing through the 2026 national budget in a bitterly divided National Assembly. His survival also spares President Emmanuel Macron from having to dissolve Parliament and call new elections, a step he took in 2024 and had warned he might repeat. Lecornu, a close Macron ally, faced censure motions from both the far-left France Unbowed party and Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally. The first motion fell short by 18 votes, gaining 271 of the 289 needed for a majority. Le Pen’s motion received only 144 votes, backed mainly by her party and a few allies. To shore up support, Lecornu hinted at suspending Macron’s controversial 2023 pension reform, which raised the retirement age from 62 to 64. The promise persuaded most Socialist Party lawmakers to withhold support for the opposition’s bid to topple him. The conservative Republicans, despite pressure from party figures aligned with Le Pen, also opted not to back his removal. Still, Lecornu’s position remains fragile. Any loss of support from the Socialists or Republicans during the upcoming budget negotiations could trigger another no-confidence challenge. He has pledged not to use the constitutional clause that allows a government to force through a budget without parliamentary approval — the same tool Macron used to push through pension reform amid protests. France’s lower house has been deeply split since Macron dissolved Parliament in 2024, leaving no clear majority. Lecornu urged lawmakers to put aside partisan goals, warning: “Do not hold the nation’s budget hostage.”

Senior Ukrainian officials met with major U.S. weapons manufacturers ahead of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House later this week, as Kyiv seeks stronger military support in its war with Russia. A delegation led by Andrii Yermak, head of the Ukrainian president’s office, and Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko held talks with executives from U.S. defense giants Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, Yermak said in a Telegram post Wednesday. Although he didn’t specify details, Yermak said cooperation with both companies “continues to grow.” Ukraine is reportedly seeking cruise missiles, advanced air defense systems, and joint drone production agreements, according to presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak. Raytheon produces Patriot air defense systems and Tomahawk cruise missiles — weapons that Ukraine hopes to obtain to strengthen its long-range strike capability. Lockheed Martin manufactures a wide range of advanced systems, including those used by NATO allies. Zelenskyy is expected to request Trump’s approval to purchase Tomahawk missiles during their upcoming Oval Office meeting. Washington has been cautious about the move, fearing it could escalate the war and worsen U.S.-Russia tensions. Trump, however, warned Moscow on Sunday that he might authorize the delivery of Tomahawks if Russia refuses to end the war soon — a move seen as an attempt to pressure President Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces said they struck an oil terminal in Russian-occupied Feodosia in Crimea overnight, damaging 16 fuel reservoirs. Russia retaliated with missile strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities, causing blackouts in at least two regions, according to Naftogaz. Ukraine’s delegation also met U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to finalize a new U.S.-Ukraine Reinvestment Fund, aimed at boosting investment in the country’s mineral, energy, and infrastructure sectors.

Belgian police fired tear gas Tuesday to disperse tens of thousands of protesters in Brussels rallying against Prime Minister Bart de Wever’s proposed austerity measures. Minor clashes broke out as demonstrators played drums, blew horns, and set off flares and smoke bombs while chanting against cuts to pensions, healthcare, and social welfare programs. The protest caused severe traffic disruptions, blocking major roads and transport hubs in the capital. Organized by Belgium’s three main trade unions, the nationwide strikes target De Wever’s plan to slash spending in an effort to tackle the country’s economic challenges. Organizers estimated the turnout at over 150,000, while police reported around 80,000 participants. The Federal Planning Office projects Belgium’s budget deficit could rise to 6.5% of GDP by 2030. De Wever, a Flemish nationalist, assumed office in February.

Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will make a state visit to the United Kingdom from Dec. 3-5, Buckingham Palace announced Monday. King Charles III and Queen Camilla will host Steinmeier and First Lady Elke Büdenbender at Windsor Castle. Although Steinmeier has visited the U.K. several times, this will be the first formal state visit by a German president in 27 years and only the fifth since 1958. State visits feature Britain’s signature pomp and pageantry, including ceremonial salutes, carriage rides, and a lavish state banquet, reflecting the close ties between the two nations. Invitations for such visits are extended by the monarch at the request of the government. King Charles, who visited Germany in 2023 on his first foreign trip as monarch, emphasized the historic and ongoing economic, scientific, cultural, and military cooperation between the U.K. and Germany, noting his family’s historic links to the House of Hannover.

Russia launched fresh attacks on Ukraine’s power grid overnight, wounding two energy workers and damaging key infrastructure as part of its campaign to weaken Ukraine’s energy sector ahead of winter. Regional officials said facilities in Kyiv, Donetsk, Odesa, and Chernihiv were hit. “Russia continues its aerial terror against our cities and energy systems,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on X, saying over 3,100 drones and 92 missiles were launched last week. Zelenskyy urged tougher secondary sanctions on buyers of Russian oil and said he had a “productive” phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss air defense, energy, and long-range strike capabilities. In a Fox News interview, Zelenskyy said Ukraine was “working on” acquiring U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles but added, “We will see.” Trump recently said he has “sort of made a decision” on sending Tomahawks, while a senior Ukrainian delegation is due in Washington this week. Moscow reacted sharply. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Tomahawk issue is of “extreme concern,” warning of rising tensions. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko downplayed the likelihood of the U.S. supplying the missiles, calling Trump’s approach “tactical.” Ukraine’s power infrastructure has been a constant target since Russia’s full-scale invasion began over three years ago. The latest strikes followed Friday’s barrage that injured at least 20 people in Kyiv and caused widespread blackouts — described by Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko as one of the largest attacks on the energy grid. Ukraine’s air force said it intercepted or jammed 103 of 118 Russian drones overnight, while Moscow claimed to have downed 32 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory.

For the first time in decades, visitors walking along the pedestrian street at the foot of Athens’ historic Acropolis Hill can now enjoy a clear, unobstructed view of the Parthenon temple. The scaffolding that had covered the 5th century B.C. monument’s western façade for conservation work some 20 years ago has finally been taken down, revealing an unencumbered view of the UNESCO World Heritage site. As the western side offers the best street-level perspective of the Parthenon, the removal—completed in late September—has made a striking difference for visitors. Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said this marks the first time in about two centuries that the monument’s exterior stands completely free of scaffolding. “For visitors, it feels like they are seeing an entirely different monument,” Mendoni told Skai radio on Friday. However, the reprieve will be brief, as restoration work will continue. New scaffolding will be installed on the Parthenon’s western side in about a month, but it will be “lighter and aesthetically more in harmony with the monument,” Mendoni added. The ongoing conservation phase is expected to continue until early summer 2026, after which the Parthenon will once again stand completely free of scaffolding. The Acropolis remains Greece’s most visited tourist attraction, drawing 4.5 million visitors in 2024, according to the national statistical authority. The marble Parthenon was constructed in the mid-5th century B.C. to honor the city’s patron goddess, Athena.

Power was restored to over 800,000 residents in Kyiv on Saturday, a day after Russia launched major attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid, causing widespread blackouts, while European leaders moved forward on plans to use hundreds of billions of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine’s war effort. Ukraine’s largest private energy company, DTEK, said the “main work to restore the power supply” was complete, though some localized outages continued in the capital following Friday’s “massive” Russian strikes. The attacks, carried out with drones and missiles, wounded at least 20 people, damaged residential buildings, and triggered blackouts across large parts of Ukraine. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko described the assault as “one of the largest concentrated strikes” on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed the strikes targeted energy facilities supplying Ukraine’s military, using Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and strike drones, without providing details of the facilities hit. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion more than three years ago, Ukraine’s energy sector has been a repeated target, particularly ahead of winter, with attacks intended to undermine public morale. Winter temperatures in Ukraine typically run from late October to March, with January and February being the coldest months. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his nightly address, accused Russia of taking advantage of the world’s focus on the Middle East and called for stronger air defense systems and tighter sanctions on Russia. “Russian assets must be fully used to strengthen our defense and ensure recovery,” he said in a video posted on X. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz issued a joint statement pledging to move toward using frozen Russian sovereign assets in a coordinated way to support Ukraine’s armed forces, in close cooperation with the United States. Ukraine’s estimated budget and military needs for 2026–27 are around €130 billion ($153 billion). The EU has already contributed €174 billion ($202 billion) since the war began. Frozen Russian assets are estimated at €194 billion ($225 billion) in Belgium, $50 billion in Japan, and smaller amounts in the U.S., U.K., and Canada.Ukraine’s air force reported intercepting or jamming 54 of 78 Russian drones overnight, while Russia claimed to have shot down 42 Ukrainian drones over its territory.

NATO will begin its annual nuclear exercise, Steadfast Noon, next week, with a key emphasis on safeguarding nuclear weapons before any potential use, Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Friday. The long-scheduled two-week drill, starting Monday, comes amid heightened security across Europe following several unexplained drone incidents, some linked to Russia. Led by the Netherlands, the exercise will involve 71 aircraft from 14 NATO member states, including bomber and fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear warheads — though no live weapons will be used. Most of the operations will take place over the North Sea, far from Russian or Ukrainian territory, with participation from bases in Belgium, Britain, Denmark, and the Netherlands. Rutte said the exercise ensures NATO’s nuclear deterrence remains “credible, safe, secure, and effective,” while sending a clear signal that the alliance can defend all its members. The U.S. and Britain, both nuclear powers, play central roles in NATO’s deterrence strategy, while France — though nuclear-armed — stays outside NATO’s nuclear planning group. Officials declined to share details of the exercise scenarios but said the event is not targeted at any nation nor linked to current geopolitical tensions. According to NATO’s Col. Daniel Bunch, Chief of Nuclear Operations, a major component of the drill will be securing nuclear assets on the ground. “These are highly protected assets that demand the highest level of safety and security,” he said. Responding to questions about drones, Bunch noted that while such threats are not new, recent incursions are being closely monitored. “We’re going to stay one step ahead of any adversary,” he added. The U.S. will contribute F-35 fighter jets, refueling aircraft, and support planes, while Finland and Poland are deploying fighters. Electronic warfare and intelligence systems will also be used. NATO maintains that its nuclear capabilities exist solely to “preserve peace, prevent coercion, and deter aggression.” Officials reiterated that despite Moscow’s nuclear rhetoric, there has been no observable shift in Russia’s nuclear posture. James Stokes, head of NATO’s Nuclear Policy Directorate, said the alliance continues to monitor Russian activities — including its use of dual-capable missiles in Ukraine — though the exercise is “not focused on Russia.”

The tomb of former French justice minister Robert Badinter — who will be inducted into France’s Panthéon national monument on Thursday — has been vandalized in a cemetery near Paris, officials said. Badinter, who died last year at 95, was celebrated for leading the abolition of the death penalty in France, as well as championing human rights, fighting antisemitism, and decriminalizing homosexuality. Marie-Hélène Amiable, mayor of Bagneux — the Paris suburb where Badinter was buried — said she was informed Thursday that his tomb had been defaced with graffiti.“The inscriptions discovered by the police denounce his commitments against the death penalty and in favor of the decriminalization of homosexuality,” Amiable said. “They are unworthy of this former minister and senator, who achieved historic progress by abolishing the death penalty in 1981 and decriminalizing homosexuality in 1982.” French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the desecration on X, writing, “Shame on those who sought to tarnish his memory.”“This evening, he will enter the Panthéon, the eternal home of conscience and justice,” Macron added. “The Republic is always stronger than hatred.” A prominent lawyer and philosopher, Badinter became France’s leading voice against capital punishment after witnessing one of his clients executed by guillotine in the 1970s. As justice minister under President François Mitterrand, he successfully persuaded parliament to abolish the death penalty in 1981 despite public resistance. Born in Paris in 1928 to a Jewish family, Badinter experienced Nazi persecution during World War II and lost his father at the Sobibor death camp. Later, he built his reputation defending human rights and prosecuting Holocaust denial. He went on to head France’s Constitutional Court and served as a senator for 16 years, earning a reputation as a moral guide for the nation. Badinter will rest among France’s most revered figures at the Panthéon — alongside Voltaire, Marie Curie, Victor Hugo, and Resistance hero Jean Moulin.

The newly elected mayor of a town in western Germany was found with life-threatening wounds on Tuesday, and Chancellor Friedrich Merz said she was the victim of “an abhorrent act.” Iris Stalzer was elected as mayor of Herdecke on Sept. 28. She is a member of the center-left Social Democrats, the junior party in Germany’s conservative-led national government. Stalzer was found at her home with life-threatening wounds shortly before 1 p.m. Tuesday, police and prosecutors said in a statement. She was taken to a hospital by helicopter. They didn’t comment on the nature of the wounds, but the leader of the Social Democrats’ parliamentary group in Berlin, Matthias Miersch, told reporters that “we heard a few minutes ago that newly elected Mayor Iris Stalzer was stabbed in Herdecke.” Merz wrote on social media that “we fear for the life of Mayor-elect Iris Stalzer and hope for her full recovery.” The statement from investigators said that they are “investigating in all directions” and that “a family background also cannot be ruled out at present.” Stalzer, who beat a candidate from Merz's center-right Christian Democrats in a runoff vote to win election, is due to take office on Nov. 1. Herdecke is a town of about 23,000 people in western Germany's Ruhr region, between the cities of Hagen and Dortmund. Stalzer's website says she is 57 and married with two teenage children. It says she has spent almost her whole life in Herdecke and has worked as a lawyer specializing in labor law.