United News of Bangladesh

The British government has called on FIFA to investigate Argentina's national football team after its players celebrated a World Cup semifinal victory while holding a banner asserting Argentina's claim over the disputed Falkland Islands. Argentina defeated England 2-1 in the World Cup semifinal in Atlanta on Wednesday. During the post-match celebrations, players displayed a banner handed to them by supporters that read, "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" ("The Malvinas are Argentine"). Argentina refers to the Falkland Islands as Islas Malvinas. The islands became the focus of a 10-week war in 1982 after Argentina's military government invaded the British-controlled territory. Britain regained control following the conflict. UK Business Secretary Peter Kyle described the players' actions as "entirely inappropriate" and said he expected FIFA to conduct a thorough investigation. Under FIFA's disciplinary code, political, ideological, religious or offensive messages displayed at stadiums are prohibited. Violations can result in fines ranging from $5,000 to $20,000. FIFA had not commented on the matter as of Thursday. Argentina defender Lisandro Martínez said the banner carried strong emotional significance. "I can imagine a Malvinas war veteran seeing that banner and crying," said Martínez, who has played for Manchester United in England for the past four years. "I don't know whether there will be sanctions, but the message simply expressed our belief that the islands belong to us." Long-running political dispute The Falkland Islands are a British Overseas Territory with a population of around 3,500 people. They are located about 480 kilometres off Argentina's coast and nearly 13,000 kilometres from Britain. Argentina maintains that Britain illegally took control of the islands in 1833. Britain says its claim dates back to 1765 and that it expelled Argentine forces attempting to establish sovereignty over the territory in 1833. The 1982 Falklands War claimed the lives of 649 Argentine troops, 255 British military personnel and three islanders. The conflict coincided with the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain, where Argentina, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland all competed. British broadcasters declined to televise Argentina's opening match of the tournament, in which the defending champions lost to Belgium. Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes said the banner reflected a painful chapter in his country's history. "It is a sad part of our history for everyone involved, and it still hurts," he said. "We knew we were playing for them as well." FIFA's political neutrality under scrutiny Kyle told the BBC that politics should remain separate from football, adding that the issue was now FIFA's responsibility. FIFA's commitment to political neutrality has faced renewed scrutiny during this World Cup. Critics have questioned decisions by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the governing body's disciplinary panel, particularly after United States forward Folarin Balogun was allowed to play against Belgium in the round of 16 despite receiving a red card in the previous match. Under FIFA rules, Balogun should have been suspended for the next game, but the ban was postponed for one year on probation. Belgium went on to beat the United States 4-1 and advance to the quarterfinals. Infantino is expected to attend Sunday's World Cup final between Argentina and Spain in East Rutherford, New Jersey, alongside US President Donald Trump and Argentine President Javier Milei. Similar incidents in the past Argentina's players displayed the same "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" slogan during a World Cup warm-up match in Buenos Aires in 2014. FIFA later fined the Argentine Football Association 30,000 Swiss francs (about $37,000) after that tournament. In another case, South Korean footballer Park Jong-woo received a two-match FIFA suspension after displaying a banner reading "Dokdo is our territory" following South Korea's victory over Japan in the bronze medal match at the 2012 London Olympics. More recently, during the 2022 World Cup, FIFA fined Serbia's football federation 20,000 Swiss francs (about $24,800) after a political banner showing Kosovo as part of Serbia and carrying the slogan "No Surrender" was displayed in the team's dressing room before a match against Brazil.

The UK government on Wednesday announced plans to introduce a voluntary six-hour overnight social media curfew for 16- and 17-year-olds, aiming to reduce the harmful effects of excessive screen time among teenagers. Under the proposal, social media platforms would automatically activate a curfew from midnight, although teenagers would be able to turn the setting off if they choose. The Labour government also said features designed to keep users online for longer, such as autoplay videos, would be disabled by default for users aged 16 and 17. The latest proposal follows last month's announcement of a social media ban for children under 16, expected to take effect next spring. The planned ban would apply to platforms including Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X, but would not cover messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal. The new measures, announced during the final weeks of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government, will require parliamentary approval. His expected successor, Andy Burnham, is widely expected to continue with the plans. Online Safety Minister Kanishka Narayan rejected suggestions that teenagers would simply disable the optional curfew. He said evidence from a recent pilot programme involving more than 300 teenagers and their parents across the UK showed a significant drop in overnight social media use, along with improvements in sleep and concentration. Narayan also said that when some platforms introduced similar default settings last October, more than 90 percent of teenagers chose to keep them enabled. "The evidence is clear, and I don't think it's fair to assume teenagers will all switch the settings off," he told Sky News. The opposition Conservative Party criticised the proposal. Laura Trott, the party's education spokesperson, questioned the effectiveness of a voluntary curfew, saying it "makes no sense." "Either the government believes 16- and 17-year-olds should use social media or it doesn't. A curfew they can simply turn off is unlikely to make any real difference," she said. The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), the UK's leading children's charity, welcomed the move but said it would not be enough on its own. NSPCC Chief Executive Chris Sherwood said the measures could improve young people's online experience but warned that stronger action would still be needed to address addictive platform designs that encourage excessive screen time and affect children's wellbeing. Rachel de Souza, England's Children's Commissioner, described the proposal as a positive step, saying many young people want to reduce their social media use but struggle to do so. She added that she would closely monitor how the curfew is implemented to ensure it is effective.

British counterterrorism officials have warned that technology and online platforms are increasingly being used by hostile states, extremist organisations and far-right groups to threaten the United Kingdom, making online security a growing challenge. Speaking on Thursday, Vicki Evans, the Metropolitan Police's senior national coordinator for counterterrorism, said tackling online threats has become a "constant battle" and stressed that police cannot address the problem without stronger cooperation from technology companies. While Islamist extremism continues to pose the biggest security threat, officials said risks linked to far-right extremism and hostile foreign states have risen sharply over the past five years. Laurence Taylor, head of counterterrorism policing, said hostile state activity has become one of the fastest-growing security concerns facing Britain. Evans said police have uncovered more than 20 Iran-linked plots in 2025, including alleged assassination attempts, kidnappings and other serious crimes targeting the UK. Authorities are also investigating whether arson attacks on Jewish sites earlier this year were connected to Iran. She added that Russia has continued to organise surveillance operations across Britain, targeting individuals and institutions, seeking to identify people viewed as enemies by Moscow and recruit others to spread Russian narratives or carry out activities on its behalf. Across Europe, Russia has reportedly recruited dozens of people through messaging platforms such as Telegram to carry out acts of vandalism and arson, including an attack on a London warehouse storing communications equipment intended for Ukraine. Authorities said Dylan Earl, who led that plot, was recruited through Telegram by the Wagner Group, a mercenary organisation designated as a terrorist group by the UK government. Evans also revealed that police have arrested teenagers as young as 15 in connection with proxy operations linked to hostile states. She warned that anyone could become a target, particularly through online platforms. "This isn't something happening somewhere else," she said. "It's happening here—in our communities, workplaces and online spaces." Taylor said Britain's national terrorism threat level was raised from "substantial" to "severe" in April, partly because cases involving far-right extremism have increased significantly. He said police have seen a rise in online content promoting racism, misogyny and extreme homophobia, creating an environment where extremist views are becoming more common and less likely to be challenged. As an example, Taylor referred to the case of 18-year-old Alina Burns, who was sentenced to nearly 20 years in prison in May after attacking a stranger with an axe. Police said the attack was motivated by far-right extremist beliefs. Officials also expressed concern about the growing online radicalisation of children and teenagers. Taylor said 22-year-old Alfie Coleman, who was sentenced on Wednesday to 13 and a half years in prison for attempting to buy a gun from an undercover MI5 officer, had been radicalised online from the age of 14. Evans said extremist groups are deliberately creating online content that appeals to young people by combining propaganda with gaming footage, music and historical images. Some are encouraged to imitate violent acts seen in video games or compete in carrying out harmful activities online and offline. She warned that some online groups encourage cybercrime, violent extremism, serious assaults, child sexual abuse and even terrorism. Evans also raised concerns about the widespread availability of violent and graphic online content that, while legal, can distort young people's understanding of what is acceptable and make them more vulnerable to manipulation by extremist groups and hostile states. Although the UK government has proposed banning social media use for children under 16, Evans said that measure alone would not be enough. She called for technology companies to take greater responsibility for limiting harmful content, noting that laws often struggle to keep pace with rapidly evolving online platforms. She warned that young people can quickly become drawn into harmful online content, making early intervention essential.

Britain on Tuesday unveiled a long-awaited defence investment plan that puts drones, autonomous fighter aircraft and uncrewed submarines at the heart of its future military strategy, reflecting how modern warfare is increasingly being shaped by advanced technology. The plan comes after months of delays caused by disagreements between military leaders and Treasury officials over defence funding. Like many NATO members, Britain is facing growing pressure to boost military spending in response to Russia's increasingly aggressive actions and concerns over long-term US security commitments. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the strategy is designed to prepare Britain for what he described as "a more dangerous and volatile world than at any time for decades." However, the plan stops short of committing to raise defence spending to 3% of the UK's gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030, a key issue that contributed to the resignation of former Defence Secretary John Healey on June 11. Healey had criticised the government for not investing enough in the armed forces despite growing security threats. Referring to British intelligence assessments, he warned that Russia could be in a position to attack a NATO member by 2030. He said the Treasury's proposal would increase defence spending to only 2.68% of GDP by 2030, after reaching 2.6% next year. Starmer said new Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis had revised and strengthened the investment plan. The updated proposal includes £15 billion (about $20 billion) in new spending, higher than the £13.5 billion previously offered but still well below the £28 billion defence officials had sought. The prime minister said Britain would reach the 3% spending target during the next parliamentary term, which could run until 2034. He said the investment would ensure British armed forces have the advanced capabilities needed to respond to evolving security threats and protect the country. The full defence plan is scheduled for publication later on Tuesday. The roadmap also outlines how Britain intends to increase defence spending to NATO's target of 3.5% of GDP by 2035 as it seeks to rebuild military strength after years of budget pressures. Britain has closely studied the war in Ukraine, where drones have become a key part of the battlefield. Ukrainian forces are estimated to use around 200,000 drones every month to defend against Russian attacks. As part of the new strategy, Britain plans to invest billions of pounds in drone technology across the army, navy and air force. Instead of building a planned fleet of new destroyers, the Royal Navy will develop hybrid ships that can serve as command centres for drone operations. Speaking at a drone manufacturing facility near London, Starmer said the nature of warfare is changing rapidly. He pointed to Ukraine's use of advanced technology to damage Russia's Black Sea Fleet, carry out strikes deep inside Russian territory and slow the advance of one of the world's largest armies. Britain's defence review also comes as US President Donald Trump continues urging NATO allies to spend more on defence. Trump has repeatedly argued that European countries should contribute more to their own security instead of relying heavily on the United States. The defence plan is expected to remain a major issue after Starmer leaves office. Following the recent resignations of Healey and junior Defence Minister Al Carns, Starmer announced last week that he would step down as prime minister. He is expected to attend the NATO summit in Turkey on July 7-8 before leaving office. Former Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who is widely seen as the frontrunner to succeed Starmer, is expected to face pressure to maintain the defence commitments outlined in the new strategy. Opposition Conservative Party defence spokesperson James Cartlidge criticised the plan, calling it "too little, too late." He said the review was nearly a year overdue and accused Starmer of pushing it through in an effort to secure a political legacy.

The United Kingdom (UK) on Saturday said they will continue to support collective efforts to find durable solutions for Rohinyga refugees, alongside assisting host communities with essential services and livelihood opportunities, in partnership with the government of Bangladesh. “While safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable returns remain the ambition, the UK will also help ensure Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh can live safely and with dignity, while building self-reliance through meaningful livelihoods,” said the British High Commission Dhaka in a statement marking the World Refugee Day. The British High Commission said they stand in solidarity with the 1.2 million Rohingya who fled from their homes in Myanmar and sought refuge in Bangladesh. The UK is a leading donor to the Rohingya response, providing over £452 million to support the Rohingya and host communities since 2017. The UK continues to provide life-saving assistance and shine an international spotlight on the crisis, to ensure that it is not forgotten amid emerging new crises.The country thanked the government and people of Bangladesh for continuing to host the Rohingya in their time of need.“We continue to honour the incredible resilience of the Rohingya people in adversity,” said the British High Commission. This year’s observation of World Refugee Day also marks the 75th anniversary of the Refugee Convention. The 1951 treaty, adopted in the aftermath of the Second World War, enshrined that anyone forced to flee war, conflict, or persecution has the right to seek safety and protection. UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a message calling for stronger support for people forced to flee and the communities that have welcomed them. “As divisions deepen across our world, new and protracted conflicts are compelling millions of women, children and men to seek safety far from home,” he said. He stressed that “these turbulent times” call for renewed solidarity and robust action to protect refugees. 

Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has won a parliamentary by-election in northwest England, a result that could set up a direct leadership challenge to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Burnham secured a clear victory in the Makerfield seat, defeating Rob Kenyon of the anti-immigration Reform UK party. He won nearly 55% of the 45,510 votes cast in a crowded field of more than a dozen candidates, finishing more than 9,000 votes ahead of his nearest rival. The result strengthens Burnham’s position as a leading figure in the Labour Party and fuels speculation that he could seek to replace Starmer as both party leader and prime minister. Known as the “King of the North,” the 56-year-old politician has led Greater Manchester since 2017 and is widely seen as a popular figure within Labour’s ranks. In his victory speech, Burnham signalled clear national ambitions. “Everyone knows that politics isn’t working. Everyone can feel that the country isn’t where it should be. Tonight could, just could, be the turning point,” he said. He also said Labour had “a final chance to change” and rebuild public trust, calling for “a new politics based on unity and hope” and warning against what he described as a “divided, dark politics” seen elsewhere. Starmer congratulated Burnham but defended his own leadership, saying voters backed Labour’s “campaign of hope and optimism over division and hate,” in a post on X. Labour currently holds power but has faced growing public dissatisfaction since its landslide win in July 2024. Starmer has struggled with sluggish economic growth, strained public services, and cost-of-living pressures, along with political setbacks including controversial appointments. The party is also losing support to both the Green Party on the left and the Reform UK party on the right, which has gained ground in post-industrial areas such as Makerfield. Burnham’s win is being seen as a boost for Labour’s chances of countering Reform UK’s rise. Reform leader Nigel Farage said he was “disappointed” by the outcome. The result follows months of internal pressure on Starmer after poor local election results in May led to calls from some Labour MPs for him to step down. While Starmer has rejected those demands, speculation over his leadership has continued to grow. Former health secretary Wes Streeting resigned in May, warning of a “vacuum” in leadership vision, and has said he would consider running if a contest opens. Makerfield MP Josh Simons stepped down to trigger the by-election, clearing the way for Burnham’s return to Parliament. Under Labour rules, a leadership challenge can be triggered if at least 20% of Labour MPs back a candidate, currently around 81 lawmakers. Burnham is expected to take his seat in Parliament soon and may push for talks with Starmer on the party’s future direction. Allies suggest he would favour an orderly transition rather than a sudden confrontation. However, Starmer has insisted he will not resign and told reporters at the G7 summit that he would “fight if there’s a challenge,” saying he remains committed to the mandate given in the 2024 election. Political observers say Burnham’s return to Westminster significantly increases pressure on Starmer, especially after defeating Reform UK in a key battleground seat. Analysts note that Burnham’s victory strengthens his claim that he can reconnect Labour with voters in areas where the party is losing ground. Professor Rob Ford of the University of Manchester said the result makes it harder for Starmer to ignore internal pressure, arguing that Burnham now has a strong political narrative built around electoral success and voter appeal.

Bangladesh and the United Kingdom (UK) have discussed ways to expand trade and investment cooperation between the two countries, with particular emphasis on attracting greater British investment into Bangladesh's rapidly growing economy. Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun held a series of meetings in London on Monday with Sir Chris Bryant MP, UK Minister of State for Trade at the Department for Business and Trade; Baroness Rosie Winterton, UK Trade Envoy to Bangladesh; and Oriel Petry, Senior Vice President for Government Affairs at Airbus UK and discussed issues of mutual interest. Acting High Commissioner to the UK Dr Nazrul Islam was present in the meetings. The meetings highlighted Bangladesh's ongoing economic transformation, investment-friendly reforms, and the significant opportunities available across sectors including manufacturing, infrastructure, aviation, renewable energy, technology, and services. Pls add as last para Meanwhile, the British High Commission in Dhaka on Tuesday said Minister for Trade, Sir Chris Bryant, met BIDA Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury at SXSW in London to reinforce the Bangladesh-UK partnership, boosting trade and investment in the aviation sector and driving growth and prosperity for both Bangladesh and the UK.

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.

Voting began across the United Kingdom on Thursday in local and regional elections widely viewed as a major test of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s leadership, with his governing Labour Party bracing for significant losses. Millions of voters are choosing around 5,000 local council members, along with several mayors in England, and representatives for semi-autonomous parliaments in Scotland and Wales. Polls opened at 7:00am and are set to close at 10:00pm (2100 GMT), with most results expected on Friday. Although local elections typically focus on municipal services, analysts say this vote has taken on national significance and is being treated as a midterm verdict on Starmer’s government. Labour, which holds about 2,500 council seats, is expected to lose ground after a difficult period for the prime minister, whose popularity has declined amid economic challenges, strained public services, and rising living costs. His government has also faced criticism over policy missteps and political controversies, including the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington, which drew backlash due to his past association with Jeffrey Epstein. Political analysts say the election could further weaken Starmer’s position within his party, though immediate leadership change is considered unlikely. Far-right Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, is expected to be one of the biggest winners, targeting working-class voters in former Labour strongholds with an anti-establishment and anti-immigration platform. The Green Party is also projected to gain seats in urban and university areas, while the Conservative Party is expected to suffer losses, with the Liberal Democrats making modest gains. Experts say the results could signal a fragmentation of Britain’s traditional two-party system, with smaller parties increasingly challenging Labour and the Conservatives. Despite internal pressure, Starmer did not directly mention the Conservatives in his final campaign message, instead framing the vote as a choice between Labour’s “progress and a better future” and what he described as the “anger and division” of Reform and “empty promises” from the Greens. Reform UK leader Farage has suggested that a strong performance for his party could threaten Starmer’s leadership within months, while both Reform and the Greens have faced scrutiny over funding and candidate controversies. In Scotland and Wales, nationalist parties are expected to maintain strong positions, even as Reform seeks to expand its influence. Observers say Labour is contesting a highly fragmented political landscape, facing competition on multiple.  

Britain has moved closer to phasing out smoking for good after Parliament approved a new law that will stop future generations from legally buying cigarettes. Under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, anyone born after December 31, 2008 will never be allowed to purchase cigarettes. The measure, described by supporters as a landmark step in public health policy, now only needs formal approval from King Charles III before becoming law. The law also gives the government wider powers to regulate tobacco, vaping and nicotine products, including rules on flavours and packaging. Smoking is already banned for people under 18 in the UK, but the new system will gradually raise the buying age each year, effectively shutting future generations out of legal cigarette access entirely. Health campaigners welcomed the decision. Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health, said the move made the end of smoking “inevitable” after years of campaigning. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the policy would protect children from addiction, saying it would create “the first smoke-free generation.” Britain’s smoking rate has fallen sharply since the 1970s, but about 6.4 million people, or roughly 13 percent of the population, still smoke, according to official data. Authorities say smoking causes around 80,000 deaths every year and remains the leading preventable cause of death and illness in the country. The UK now joins a small group of countries taking strong legal steps to phase out smoking, although similar efforts in New Zealand were later rolled back.