United News of Bangladesh

King Charles III will on Wednesday formally present the UK government’s legislative agenda for the coming year in the traditional State Opening of Parliament, a ceremony marked by historic pageantry and royal symbolism. The speech, written by the government, will outline its planned laws and priorities. However, attention is likely to focus less on the program itself and more on whether Prime Minister Keir Starmer can remain in office to deliver it. Starmer is under mounting pressure after his Labour Party suffered heavy defeats in local and regional elections last week. The losses have weakened his authority and triggered criticism from within his own party, with some accusing him of failing to take strong enough action on the cost-of-living crisis, inequality and strained public services. His position has become more uncertain following a recent speech to party supporters that was widely criticized as underwhelming. On Tuesday, former safeguarding minister Jess Phillips resigned from the government, saying ministers needed to be more forceful in defending and explaining their policies. Ceremony meets political uncertainty The State Opening of Parliament is one of Britain’s most symbolic political events, blending centuries-old royal tradition with modern democratic governance. It highlights the constitutional shift from royal rule to parliamentary democracy, where elected lawmakers hold real power. But this year’s ceremony comes at a time of political instability, with Starmer’s leadership in question and the government facing broader challenges, including economic pressures, rising public debt, limited military capacity and ongoing debates over immigration and public services. Policy plans in focus The speech is expected to include measures aimed at easing the cost-of-living crisis, encouraging investment through a proposed national wealth fund, and tightening asylum rules. Other possible proposals include ending jury trials for some cases in England and Wales, lowering the voting age to 16, and introducing a “duty of candor” for public officials to promote honesty and cooperation in investigations. However, many of these proposals have already been announced in some form, raising doubts over whether they will be enough to rebuild political confidence in Starmer’s leadership. Royal tradition in Westminster During the ceremony, the monarch travels from Buckingham Palace to Parliament in a horse-drawn carriage, wearing ceremonial robes and the Imperial State Crown before entering the House of Lords. A symbolic ritual follows in which a royal messenger, known as Black Rod, is sent to summon members of the House of Commons. The Commons door is traditionally slammed in response to underline its independence, before MPs proceed to the Lords’ chamber to hear the speech. After the address, Parliament begins several days of debate on the government’s proposed legislative program.

The global shipping industry is facing growing concerns over fuel shortages after the war involving Iran disrupted supplies of bunker fuel, the heavy oil used to power most cargo ships. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for Middle Eastern oil exports, has sharply reduced supplies of bunker fuel to Asia, particularly to Singapore, the world’s largest refuelling hub for ships. Bunker fuel is a thick, low-grade oil left over after crude oil is refined. Although dirtier than fuels used in cars and aircraft, it remains essential to global trade, helping transport around 80 percent of goods traded worldwide by sea. Industry experts warn that a prolonged shortage could significantly increase shipping costs, push up consumer prices and hurt businesses around the world. The impact is being felt most strongly in Asia, which depends heavily on Middle Eastern oil. Fuel reserves in Singapore are shrinking while prices continue to rise. According to commodity analysts, bunker fuel prices in Singapore have surged from around $500 per metric ton before the conflict to more than $800 in early May. Shipping companies are trying to cope by slowing vessel speeds, adjusting schedules and exploring ships that can use alternative fuels. However, analysts say some smaller companies may struggle to survive if the crisis continues. Henning Gloystein of consultancy Eurasia Group said the disruption will eventually spread beyond Asia and affect supply chains worldwide. Asia adopts emergency energy measures Countries across Asia have responded by increasing coal use, buying more oil from Russia and reconsidering nuclear power projects. The region is bracing for further challenges as fuel stocks decline and government subsidies become harder to maintain. More than half of global seaborne trade passed through Asian ports in 2024, according to the United Nations, meaning disruptions in the region could have worldwide consequences. Higher costs likely to reach consumers Shipping firms are absorbing most of the extra costs for now, but analysts say these increases are likely to be passed on to customers. The European Federation for Transport and Environment estimates that the war is costing the global shipping industry about 340 million euros, or nearly $400 million, each day. Risk consultancy Aon said bunker fuel shortages typically affect shipping costs faster than many other market pressures. As transport costs rise, prices of goods ranging from food and electronics to clothing could also increase. Consumers in Singapore are already feeling the impact, with ferry operators raising fares and cruise companies adding fuel surcharges. Alternative fuels gain momentum The crisis is also increasing interest in greener fuels such as liquefied natural gas (LNG). Wärtsilä CEO Håkan Agnevall said rising fossil fuel prices are making cleaner alternatives more financially attractive. The Caravel Group CEO Angad Banga said about one-third of the ships currently under construction under its management will be capable of using both conventional bunker fuel and alternatives such as LNG. Although infrastructure for LNG-powered ships is still limited, industry leaders say investment is growing and progress is being made. Banga said ship owners are increasingly willing to invest in fuel-flexible vessels, as the ability to switch fuels has become more valuable amid ongoing market uncertainty.

Ukraine’s two main anti-corruption agencies have named President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s former chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, as an official suspect in a major money laundering investigation. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office said late Monday that Yermak is suspected of involvement in laundering 460 million hryvnias, or about $10.5 million. The agencies said the investigation is still underway. Yermak, who stepped down in November, was a close ally of Zelenskyy and served as Ukraine’s chief negotiator in talks with the United States. His resignation came during a scandal that posed one of the biggest political challenges to Zelenskyy since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. The investigation is a major embarrassment for Zelenskyy as Ukraine seeks membership in the European Union. Widespread corruption remains one of the key obstacles to the country’s accession. Zelenskyy did not comment publicly on the announcement. However, his press secretary, Dmytro Lytvyn, said it was too early to draw conclusions as the investigation was ongoing. Investigators suspect Yermak was involved in laundering money through a housing development project near Kyiv. His home was searched in November, but no other suspects have been identified. Yermak’s lawyer, Ihor Fomin, rejected the allegations, calling the notice of suspicion baseless and denying his client had any role in the alleged scheme. “In my view, this situation has been driven by public pressure,” Fomin told Ukrainian state broadcaster Suspilne. A decision on whether to file formal charges against Yermak could take several months. Meanwhile, fighting between Ukraine and Russia continued despite the end of a three-day ceasefire brokered by the United States. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Russia launched more than 200 drones overnight, damaging civilian infrastructure and killing at least one person. “It is time to strengthen our positions and force Moscow to end the war,” Sybiha said on social media. The Russian Defense Ministry said its air defenses shot down 30 Ukrainian drones over regions bordering Ukraine. Separately, Zelenskyy said he met in Kyiv with Alex Karp, chief executive of Palantir Technologies, to discuss expanding cooperation in defense technology and artificial intelligence. Palantir develops AI software used by defense agencies to process and analyze large amounts of data, helping improve battlefield decision-making and military operations.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing growing pressure over his leadership after his Labour Party suffered heavy losses in last week’s local elections, raising questions about his political future just months after a landslide national win in 2024. Although Labour secured a decisive victory in July 2024, the party’s popularity has since declined sharply. Many within Labour are now blaming Starmer for the setback, pointing to a mix of policy misjudgments, a lack of clear direction, concerns over the struggling UK economy, and controversy surrounding some of his key decisions. One of the most criticised moves was his appointment of Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to Washington, despite concerns over Mandelson’s past links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The next general election is not due until 2029, but under UK political rules, a prime minister can be replaced in the middle of a parliamentary term without calling a national vote. Inside Labour, some believe that changing the party leadership may be necessary to restore public confidence and counter challenges from both the political right and left. “We have to change and we have to do it quickly,” Labour lawmaker Catherine West said, calling for a clear timeline to “turn this ship around.” However, replacing a leader is not straightforward. Unlike the Conservative Party, which has a history of removing prime ministers mid-term, Labour has rarely changed its leader through internal pressure, and no Labour prime minister has ever been formally ousted in this way. One possible route for change would be Starmer voluntarily stepping down, which would trigger a leadership contest. If he resigned immediately, an interim prime minister could be chosen from within the Cabinet or party leadership, with Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy seen as a possible caretaker. To trigger a leadership contest, any challenger must secure support from at least 20 percent of Labour MPs, currently 81 members. More than 70 MPs have already called for Starmer to set a timetable for his resignation, reflecting growing dissatisfaction, though no formal challenge has yet emerged. If a contest is triggered, candidates would also need backing from local party organisations or affiliated groups such as trade unions. Party members would then vote using a ranked system, and the winner would need more than 50 percent support to become leader. The final decision would be formally confirmed by King Charles III, who would invite the winner to form a government. Starmer, however, has ruled out resigning, saying it would “plunge the country into chaos.” If he refuses to step down, potential challengers could still emerge. Health Secretary Wes Streeting is seen as a possible contender, as is former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, who left her post last year amid a tax-related investigation. Andy Burnham, the popular mayor of Greater Manchester, is also widely discussed as a strong leadership figure. However, he is currently ineligible to run as he is not a member of parliament. Some party insiders suggest that arrangements could be made for him to return to Westminster if Starmer signals a planned resignation. For now, however, Labour remains divided, and Starmer’s position appears increasingly uncertain following the party’s disappointing election performance.

Israel’s parliament on Monday approved a bill to establish a special tribunal to try Palestinians accused of taking part in the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, with the court empowered to impose the death penalty. The bill passed by a vote of 93-0 in the 120-member Knesset, reflecting broad support among lawmakers for punishing those found responsible for the deadliest attack in Israel’s history. Twenty-seven lawmakers were absent or did not vote. The proposed tribunal would allow a panel of judges to hand down death sentences by a majority decision. Convicted defendants would be able to appeal, but only through a separate special appeals court rather than Israel’s regular judicial system. The bill also requires the trials to be broadcast live from a courtroom in Jerusalem, drawing comparisons to the 1962 trial of Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann, which was televised nationwide. Eichmann was hanged after his conviction, the last time Israel carried out an execution. Capital punishment remains legal in Israel for genocide, wartime espionage and some terrorism-related crimes, but is rarely used. Human rights groups criticised the bill, saying it weakens protections for fair trials and makes it easier to impose the death penalty. Several Israeli rights organisations, including Adalah and the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel, said justice for the victims of October 7 is necessary, but warned that accountability must follow accepted legal standards. Critics also said broadcasting the trials before guilt is established could turn them into a public spectacle. They raised concerns that some evidence may have been obtained through harsh interrogation methods. The legislation is separate from another law passed in March allowing the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis. That law applies only to future cases and cannot be used for suspects linked to the October 2023 attack. The war began when Hamas-led fighters entered southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 others hostage. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 72,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and fighters, but says many of the dead are women and children. Israeli authorities have detained thousands of Palestinians from Gaza since the war began. The Public Committee Against Torture in Israel says around 1,300 Gazans are still being held without charge, excluding those accused of involvement in the October 7 attack or hostage-taking.

A cruise ship affected by a hantavirus outbreak has arrived off the coast of Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands, where passengers and some crew members are set to be evacuated under strict health measures. The Dutch-flagged MV Hondius, carrying more than 140 people of over 20 nationalities, is remaining at anchor rather than docking, with disembarkation to be carried out using small boats. The World Health Organization (WHO), Spanish authorities and operator Oceanwide Expeditions said no one currently onboard is showing symptoms. However, three people have died since the outbreak, and five passengers who previously left the vessel have been infected with hantavirus, which can cause severe illness. Authorities said all passengers and crew will be screened for symptoms before being evacuated, and will only be transferred once dedicated evacuation flights are ready. Those leaving the ship will not have any contact with the local population. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, along with Spain’s health and interior ministers, is overseeing the evacuation process. Hantavirus is typically transmitted through inhalation of particles from rodent droppings and does not usually spread between people. However, the Andes strain detected in this outbreak may allow limited human-to-human transmission in rare cases. Symptoms can appear between one and eight weeks after exposure. Evacuation flights are expected to take place on Sunday and Monday, according to WHO officials. The United States and the United Kingdom have agreed to send aircraft to repatriate their citizens, with American passengers to be quarantined at a medical facility in Nebraska. Spanish nationals on board will be transferred to a local medical facility for quarantine. Oceanwide said there are 13 Spanish passengers and one Spanish crew member among those onboard. Passengers will be required to leave their luggage behind and may only carry essential items, including a small bag, mobile phone, charger and documents. Some crew members, along with the body of a deceased passenger, will remain on the vessel, which is scheduled to sail to the Netherlands for disinfection after the evacuation is completed, Spanish authorities said.

U.S. President Donald Trump has insisted the ceasefire is holding but has reiterated threats to resume full-scale bombing if Iran doesn’t accept an agreement to reopen the strait and roll back its nuclear program. On Friday, Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the country was not paying attention to “deadlines,” according to state-run IRNA. Also on Friday, a top Iranian official said Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was in “complete health” and eventually would appear in public. Khamenei hasn’t been seen or heard in public since the war began, fueling speculation about his status. Mazaher Hosseini, affiliated with the office of Iran’s late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was Mojtaba’s father, made the comment at a pro-government gathering. Hosseini said Mojtaba had suffered knee and back injuries in the war’s opening attacks but they’ve largely healed. Diplomacy continues. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said his country has been in contact with the U.S. and Iran “day and night” in an effort to extend the ceasefire and reach a peace deal. Russia’s foreign ministry said Saturday that it, as well as Saudi Arabia, was calling for diplomatic efforts to reach a “sustainable, long-term agreement” to end the war. Egyptian and Qatari top diplomats reiterated that diplomacy is the sole path to a solution, according to a readout of a Saturday phone call between the two foreign ministers.

US President Donald Trump announced Friday that Russia and Ukraine have accepted his proposal for a three-day ceasefire along with a large-scale prisoner exchange, describing the move as a possible turning point in the ongoing war. Both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Yuri Ushakov, a senior foreign policy adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, confirmed the agreement. Speaking before departing the White House, Trump said both leaders quickly agreed to the temporary pause in fighting. He called the halt in violence an encouraging step and expressed hope that it could mark the beginning of the end of the conflict. Earlier in the day, Trump revealed on social media that the ceasefire would take place from Saturday through Monday. The timing coincides with Russia’s Victory Day celebrations, which honor the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany during World War II. According to Trump, the agreement includes a full suspension of military operations and a prisoner exchange involving 1,000 detainees from each side. Russia had already announced a separate ceasefire for Friday and Saturday, but clashes reportedly continued, with Moscow and Kyiv each accusing the other of violating the truce. Similar accusations followed Ukraine’s earlier unilateral ceasefire attempt earlier in the week. Trump said he personally requested the ceasefire from both Putin and Zelenskyy and added that ongoing negotiations to end the war, which began in February 2022, are making gradual progress. Zelenskyy explained that Ukraine’s willingness to participate in the discussions was strongly influenced by the opportunity to secure the return of Ukrainian prisoners of war, an issue Kyiv has consistently prioritized throughout the conflict. In a message posted on Telegram, Zelenskyy said the lives of Ukrainian prisoners were more important than events taking place in Moscow’s Red Square, where Russia traditionally hosts its annual Victory Day military parade. He later signed a presidential decree formally allowing Russia to hold the parade without fear of Ukrainian strikes during the ceasefire period. The move appeared intended to emphasize Ukraine’s ability to target the Russian capital while demonstrating restraint under the terms of the agreement. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the decree as meaningless, insisting Russia did not require permission to celebrate Victory Day. Zelenskyy credited U.S.-led diplomacy for helping secure the agreement and thanked Trump and the American negotiating team for their efforts. He also said Ukraine expects Washington to ensure Russia follows through on its commitments. The Ukrainian leader added that officials had already begun preparing for the prisoner exchange process. Trump’s optimistic remarks contrasted with comments made earlier Friday by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who acknowledged that diplomatic efforts to end the war had so far failed to produce major progress. Speaking in Rome after meetings at the Vatican, Rubio said negotiations had stalled but stressed that the United States remains ready to assist if conditions improve.   

Spanish authorities are preparing to evacuate more than 140 passengers and crew members from a cruise ship affected by a hantavirus outbreak as it approaches the Canary Islands. The Dutch-flagged vessel, the MV Hondius, is expected to arrive in Tenerife on Sunday, where strict health and safety measures will be enforced during disembarkation. Spain’s emergency services chief, Virginia Barcones, said passengers would be moved to a fully isolated and secured area upon arrival. The United States and the United Kingdom have also arranged evacuation flights for their citizens onboard. Although three people have died since the outbreak began and five former passengers have tested positive for hantavirus, cruise operator Oceanwide Expeditions stated that no one currently onboard is showing symptoms. The World Health Organization has assessed the overall public risk as low. WHO officials also confirmed that a flight attendant who briefly came into contact with an infected passenger tested negative for the virus, easing concerns about possible wider transmission. WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier emphasized that the outbreak should not be compared to COVID-19, noting that hantavirus is generally difficult to spread between humans. Hantavirus is typically transmitted through exposure to infected rodent droppings. However, the Andes strain linked to this outbreak may rarely spread between people. Symptoms can appear anywhere from one to eight weeks after exposure. Health authorities across multiple continents are now tracing and monitoring dozens of passengers who left the ship before the outbreak was officially identified. Officials are also attempting to locate anyone who may have interacted with those passengers. Passengers remaining onboard said life on the ship has stayed relatively calm despite growing international concern. Some travelers are spending time bird-watching, reading, or attending lectures while following mask-wearing and distancing guidelines. However, several expressed anxiety about how they might be treated once they return home, fearing stigma connected to the outbreak. Spanish officials reassured residents in the Canary Islands that public exposure risk remains minimal. Once the ship reaches Tenerife, passengers will reportedly be transferred in small groups by boat to guarded buses after their repatriation flights are ready. Authorities also plan to isolate the airport areas used during the evacuation process. The outbreak became more concerning after more than two dozen passengers from at least 12 countries disembarked on April 24 before contact tracing measures were introduced. Hantavirus was not officially confirmed in a passenger until May 2. One infected Dutch passenger died in Johannesburg after becoming too ill to continue a flight from South Africa to Amsterdam. Dutch health officials are now tracing passengers and crew who may have been exposed during that journey. The UK has identified a third suspected hantavirus case involving a British passenger currently on the remote island of Tristan da Cunha. Two other British passengers have already tested positive and are receiving treatment in the Netherlands and South Africa. Spanish health authorities are also testing a woman in Alicante who developed symptoms consistent with hantavirus after traveling on the same flight as the Dutch passenger who died. Meanwhile, South African officials continue monitoring contacts linked to passengers who left the ship earlier in the voyage. In the United States, health authorities are observing several returning passengers and their contacts, though none have shown symptoms so far. The U.S. government is arranging a flight to evacuate approximately 17 Americans still onboard. They will undergo quarantine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, which previously handled Ebola and early COVID-19 cases. British authorities are also chartering a separate evacuation flight for UK citizens on the ship. 

U.S. forces disabled two more Iranian oil tankers on Friday after an overnight exchange of fire with Iranian troops in the Strait of Hormuz, while the UAE reported fresh Iranian missile and drone attacks. The developments have raised further doubts about the fragile ceasefire that the U.S. says remains in place as Washington waits for Iran’s response to a proposed agreement aimed at ending the conflict, reopening the strait, and limiting Tehran’s nuclear activities. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he expects a “serious offer” from Iran soon. According to the U.S. military, the tankers were targeted because they allegedly attempted to break an American blockade on Iranian ports. Earlier, the military also claimed it had intercepted attacks on three U.S. Navy vessels and retaliated by striking Iranian military sites in the strait. Since the war began on Feb. 28 between Iran, the U.S., and Israel, Iran has largely obstructed the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global energy supplies and increasing fuel prices worldwide. In response, the U.S. has enforced its own blockade on Iranian ports. The UAE’s Defense Ministry reported that air defense systems intercepted two ballistic missiles and three drones launched by Iran, though it remains unclear whether every projectile was destroyed. Three people were injured in the incident. The U.S. military released footage showing American fighter jets striking the smokestacks of the two Iranian tankers. Earlier this week, another Iranian tanker reportedly had its rudder disabled by a U.S. jet after attempting to breach the blockade. Following the overnight clashes, the U.S. said it had successfully defended its Navy ships in the Strait of Hormuz and carried out retaliatory strikes without suffering any damage. Rubio warned that any threats against Americans would be met with force. Iran strongly criticized the U.S. military actions, calling them hostile and a violation of the ceasefire. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Washington of choosing military escalation over diplomacy whenever negotiations appear possible. Meanwhile, an overnight U.S. strike reportedly killed one sailor and injured 10 others aboard a cargo ship that caught fire, according to an Iranian judiciary-linked news outlet. It was unclear whether the ship was among the two tankers hit by U.S. forces. President Donald Trump maintained that the ceasefire is still holding but repeated warnings that the U.S. could resume heavy bombing if Iran refuses a deal to reopen the strait and curb its nuclear program. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Islamabad has been working continuously with both Tehran and Washington in an effort to preserve the ceasefire and secure a broader peace agreement. Satellite images reviewed by AP revealed what appears to be a significant oil spill near Iran’s Kharg Island export terminal in the Persian Gulf. Maritime intelligence analysts estimate around 80,000 barrels of oil may have leaked since Tuesday. The exact cause remains uncertain, with possibilities including technical failure or military strikes. Experts warned that the spill could spread toward the coasts of the UAE, Qatar, or Saudi Arabia within weeks, though Greenpeace researchers suggested the slick may disperse offshore without severely affecting land areas. The Pentagon declined to comment on whether it was monitoring the spill or if recent U.S. strikes had targeted Kharg Island. Rubio also criticized Iran’s reported creation of a new authority to regulate and tax ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, saying it was unacceptable for Iran to control such a crucial international waterway. Shipping concerns have intensified as hundreds of commercial vessels remain stuck in the Persian Gulf. Iran’s restrictions on the strait continue to disrupt global trade in oil, gas, and petroleum products, while the U.S. blockade has further increased tensions. China also expressed concern after a Chinese-crewed oil tanker near the strait was attacked. Despite the instability, China continues importing Iranian oil. South Korea, another country heavily reliant on the strait for crude oil imports, has introduced fuel price controls amid growing uncertainty in global energy markets.