United News of Bangladesh

Protesters took to the streets in over 200 towns and cities across France Thursday, denouncing government spending cuts and demanding higher taxes on the wealthy. In the capital, thousands of workers, retirees, and students marched from Place d’Italie, while the Eiffel Tower announced it would remain closed due to the ongoing strikes. The nationwide action, organized by major French unions, comes amid political uncertainty and budget debates. Unions are urging Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to scrap draft budget measures introduced by his predecessor, which include social welfare freezes and austerity steps they say would further reduce the purchasing power of low- and middle-income workers. They are also pressing for higher taxation on the rich. Lecornu, who took office last month, has yet to present his budget plans or appoint government ministers. The deeply divided parliament is expected to debate the budget bill by year-end. Sophie Binet, head of the CGT union, told BFM TV, “It’s the first time there are three days of strikes and protests in a month without a government or budget. It shows the level of social anger. We are protesting now because decisions are being made, and we want to be heard.” The French Interior Ministry reported 195,000 protesters nationwide, including 24,000 in Paris. National rail services remained mostly normal, though some regional lines faced partial disruptions. Metro services in Paris ran near normal, but many commuter trains operated at reduced capacity. Teachers and healthcare workers also joined the strikes, though turnout was lower than last month. On Sept. 18, more than 500,000 demonstrators marched across France, including in Paris, while unions estimated over one million nationwide. Earlier protests in late September, part of the “Block Everything” campaign, saw streets filled with smoke, barricades set on fire, and clashes with police using tear gas.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has condemned Israel’s interception of Gaza-bound aid vessels, calling it an “act of piracy” and a demonstration of ongoing atrocities in the region. Addressing his AKP party, Erdogan said the move in international waters highlights that “the genocide apparatus is in a state of frenzy to conceal its crimes in Gaza.” “The genocidal Netanyahu government cannot tolerate even the slightest chance for peace to take hold,” he added. Erdogan said the Global Sumud Flotilla incident exposed “the brutality in Gaza and Israel’s murderous face” to the world. He vowed that Turkey would continue supporting Palestinians and work to achieve a ceasefire and restore peace in the region. The president’s remarks follow an announcement from the Istanbul chief prosecutor’s office that it has opened an investigation into the detention of Turkish citizens aboard the flotilla, which attempted to break the blockade of Gaza. Source: Al Jazeera

The Trump administration on Wednesday announced a freeze on roughly $18 billion allocated for New York City infrastructure projects, including a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River connecting New York and New Jersey and the city’s Second Avenue subway expansion, citing the ongoing federal government shutdown. White House budget director Russ Vought said in a post on X that the funds were withheld due to the administration’s view that the projects were “based on unconstitutional DEI principles,” referring to diversity, equity, and inclusion. An unnamed administration official also noted that the shutdown, which began at midnight, led to furloughs of Transportation Department staff responsible for reimbursing workers on these projects, effectively delaying the release of funds. The department confirmed the furloughs, stating that civil rights staff involved in project reviews had been temporarily suspended. New York Governor Kathy Hochul criticized the move, saying, “The bad news just keeps coming,” and accused the federal government of putting “culture wars” ahead of public needs. The Hudson River rail tunnel, long delayed, is designed to ease congestion on a 110-year-old tunnel heavily used by Amtrak and commuter trains, while the Second Avenue subway line, first proposed in the 1920s, is set to extend into East Harlem in its next phase. The funding suspension is seen as targeting Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York, with the White House blaming him for the government shutdown.

German authorities arrested three individuals suspected of being members of the Palestinian militant group Hamas for allegedly planning attacks on Israeli or Jewish institutions in Germany, on Wednesday, officials said. The suspects are scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, where a judge will decide whether they should remain in custody pending trial. Germany’s federal prosecutor said the trio has been involved in procuring firearms since earlier this summer. During a raid, authorities recovered several weapons, including an AK-47 rifle, along with ammunition. Two of the suspects are German nationals, while the third was born in Lebanon. In line with German privacy regulations, they have been identified only as Abed Al G., Wael F. M., and Ahmad I.

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Athens on Wednesday as part of a general strike that brought ferries to a standstill and disrupted public services across Greece, demonstrating against recent changes to the country’s labor laws. Many demonstrators also waved Palestinian flags and chanted slogans in support of Gaza, including “free, free Palestine.” During the 24-hour strike, taxis and trains in Athens were not operating, while buses, the subway, tram, and trolley services ran on limited schedules. Schools, courts, hospitals, and municipal offices nationwide were also affected. The strike was organized by unions representing civil servants and private sector workers to oppose labor law reforms that allow extended overtime shifts of up to 13 hours. Under the new regulations, total weekly working hours, including overtime, are capped at 48 hours, with a maximum of 150 overtime hours per year. Unions argue that the changes leave employees vulnerable to exploitation. “We reject the 13-hour shift. Exhaustion is not development, human endurance has limits,” said the General Confederation of Workers of Greece, the main private sector union. It also called for a 37½-hour workweek and the restoration of collective bargaining agreements.

Authorities in Munich on Wednesday morning shut down the Oktoberfest fairgrounds, the world’s largest beer festival, following a bomb threat linked to an explosion at a residential building in northern Munich, city officials said. The explosion, which police said was deliberately set and stemmed from a domestic dispute, reportedly killed at least one person. It is not yet clear whether the deceased is the suspected perpetrator or another individual. Another person, not considered a danger to the public, remains missing. Specialized police teams were deployed to defuse potential booby traps at the building, while photos from the scene showed a burned-out van. The alleged perpetrator sent a letter threatening explosives at Oktoberfest, prompting police to search the festival grounds and evacuate workers. Authorities said the fair will remain closed at least until 5 p.m. local time (1500 GMT) Wednesday. This year’s Oktoberfest, running from Sept. 20 to Oct. 5, usually draws up to six million visitors, making it the world’s largest beer festival. Munich’s Oktoberfest also has a tragic history of attacks. In 1980, a neo-Nazi bombing killed 13 people, including three children, and injured more than 200. The attacker, Gundolf Koehler, was a member of a banned far-right group.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Tuesday accused Nigel Farage of crossing “a moral line” with his anti-immigration rhetoric, contrasting the Reform UK leader’s divisive politics with his own vision of “patriotic renewal.” Speaking at Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool, Starmer framed Britain’s political battle as a “fight for the soul of our country,” urging voters to reject what he described as “snake oil merchants” promising easy solutions. “I do not accept that Britain is broken,” he said, insisting that his government can deliver a more hopeful future. Starmer attacked Farage directly, saying the veteran populist never speaks positively about Britain’s future. “He doesn’t like Britain, doesn’t believe in Britain, wants you to doubt it as much as he does,” Starmer told delegates. Since Labour’s landslide victory in July 2024, the party’s approval ratings have sunk. Inflation remains high and growth sluggish, frustrating its efforts to restore public services. Treasury chief Rachel Reeves blamed “harsh global headwinds” from wars and U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, warning of tough decisions in the upcoming budget. The bleak outlook has fueled support for Farage’s Reform UK, now topping opinion polls despite holding just five parliamentary seats. His anti-establishment message, echoing Trump’s MAGA movement, has centered on stopping migrant boats crossing the English Channel. More than 30,000 people have made the perilous journey this year. Farage has vowed mass deportations and even stripping residency rights from many legal immigrants. Starmer condemned the proposals as “racist” and “immoral,” adding that inciting racist violence “is not expressing concern, that is criminal.” He said people have a “reasonable demand” for secure borders but warned against crossing into thuggery. In an unusually fiery address, Starmer also set out a program of rebuilding Britain through public and private investment in infrastructure, education, housing and industry. He said citizens should be proud to fly the national flag “as we celebrate difference and oppose racism.” Farage dismissed the speech as “an absolute disgrace,” accusing Starmer of implying Reform supporters are racists. Amid Labour’s struggles, speculation has grown about Starmer’s leadership, with Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham seen as a possible challenger. But delegates in Liverpool welcomed his more passionate tone. “We need to call out the division in our society,” said Jeannette Banks of St. Helens. Political analyst John Curtice said Labour’s challenge is not only fixing the economy but shifting public mood: “The question is whether the current leadership has the ability to change perceptions.”

Activists on a flotilla attempting to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza said on Wednesday that several of their boats came under drone attack overnight while sailing south of Greece. The Global Sumud Flotilla reported “unidentified drones and communications jamming” with at least 13 explosions around its vessels. It said drones or aircraft dropped “unidentified objects” on at least 10 boats, damaging sails and equipment but causing no casualties. Activists also posted video of an explosion near one vessel. Italy condemned the attack and sent a navy frigate toward the area for potential rescue operations. “Demonstrations and protests must be protected when conducted peacefully and in line with international law,” said Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto. The European Union also warned against the use of force, while the UN Human Rights Office called for an independent investigation. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, on board one of the boats, described the strikes as “scare tactics,” saying: “Drones are something Palestinians experience 24-7. That’s what we must focus on.” Other activists reported hearing interference on their radios, including music being played over their communications channel. The flotilla, involving about 50 vessels from dozens of countries, is carrying food and medicine in a symbolic mission to Gaza. Organisers rejected Israeli accusations of links to Hamas. Israel insists the aid be unloaded at Ashkelon for transfer into Gaza, saying it will not allow breaches of its naval blockade. The convoy, the largest of its kind, comes amid Gaza’s worsening humanitarian crisis. The 18-year blockade, tightened during the nearly two-year war, has left hundreds of thousands facing famine, according to UN agencies.

A cyberattack targeting check-in and boarding systems caused widespread disruption and delays at several of Europe’s busiest airports on Saturday. London’s Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin airports confirmed they were affected after Collins Aerospace, a U.S.-based service provider, suffered a “cyber-related disruption” to its software. The company, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation, said the issue was limited to electronic check-in and baggage drop but could be managed through manual operations. Heathrow advised passengers to check flight status with airlines, while Brussels airport warned of delays and cancellations. Berlin airport also reported long queues and urged patience as it worked on a solution. Airports in Frankfurt, Zurich, and Paris reported no disruptions. Authorities said no group has claimed responsibility for the attack and there is no evidence of data theft so far.   Source: ALJAZEERA

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday began a two-day state visit to the United Kingdom, marked by royal pageantry and political protests, as both sides seek to reaffirm the trans-Atlantic alliance despite sharp policy differences. King Charles III welcomed Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at Windsor Castle with a carriage procession, honor guards and a state banquet. Trump is the first US president to be invited for a second state visit to Britain. On Thursday, Trump will hold talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers, the premier’s country retreat. The agenda includes trade negotiations, technology partnerships and security issues. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and OpenAI chief Sam Altman are expected to join the US delegation, with reports of major US investments in UK data centers. Tensions remain over Ukraine and Gaza. While Starmer seeks to ensure continued US backing for Kyiv, Trump has downplayed recent Russian actions in Poland. Starmer has also pledged UK recognition of a Palestinian state at the UN, a move at odds with Washington. In London, police are bracing for large-scale demonstrations, with around 50 groups expected to rally against Trump’s visit. The Metropolitan Police said 1,600 officers will be deployed. London Mayor Sadiq Khan criticized Trump’s policies, accusing him of stoking division. Despite protests, Windsor displayed a festive mood with US and UK flags lining the streets as crowds gathered to witness the ceremony. Trump said trade talks will continue during his stay, as both sides aim to build on earlier tariff agreements covering autos and aerospace while seeking progress on pharmaceuticals, steel and aluminum.