United News of Bangladesh

Nigel Farage, leader of Britain’s far-right Reform UK party, said Tuesday that if his party wins the next election, the U.K. will withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights and begin immediate detention and deportation of anyone entering the country illegally. Farage outlined his immigration plans amid a sharp rise in small-boat arrivals across the English Channel and weeks of protests over the use of hotels to house asylum-seekers. Although Reform holds only four of the 650 seats in the House of Commons, recent polls show the party matching or overtaking both Labour and the Conservatives by capitalizing on public anger over the migrant crisis. “If you come to the U.K. illegally, you will be detained and deported and never, ever allowed to stay, period,” Farage said at a press conference. He added: “The mood in the country around this issue is a mix between total despair and rising anger,” warning of “a genuine threat to public order” if the problem is not addressed. Farage repeated his claim that the U.K. is being “invaded” by migrants, linking the pressure on health care and housing to asylum-seekers. He pledged to leave the European rights framework and repeal or “disapply” other treaties to block asylum claims and enforce deportations. The party also promised to expand detention capacity and strike return deals with countries such as Afghanistan, Eritrea and Iran. Asked about the risk of migrants facing torture or death if sent back, Farage said: “The alternative is to do nothing ... We cannot be responsible for all the sins that take place around the world.” More than 28,000 people have crossed the Channel so far this year, up nearly 50% from last year, while asylum applications exceeded 111,000 in the 12 months to June. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has already scrapped the Conservatives’ Rwanda deportation plan, instead relying on a deal with France to return some Channel crossers. Officials also plan to speed up asylum processing, but the government faces backlash over housing tens of thousands of asylum-seekers in hotels at public expense. Protests erupted in recent weeks after a hotel resident was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl, which he denies. Demonstrations and counterprotests intensified after authorities obtained a temporary injunction to shut down the Bell Hotel in Epping, near London.

Russia’s swift and largely bloodless seizure of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula in March 2014 not only strained Moscow’s ties with the West to levels unseen since the Cold War but also paved the way for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The annexation followed Ukraine’s 2013-14 uprising, which forced pro-Moscow President Viktor Yanukovych from office. Taking advantage of the chaos, Russian forces without insignia occupied Crimea, and a referendum later organized by Moscow—deemed illegal by Ukraine and Western nations—led to its annexation. Only a few countries, including North Korea and Sudan, recognized the move. In Russia, it sparked a surge of patriotism, with “Krym nash!” (“Crimea is ours!”) becoming a rallying cry and boosting President Vladimir Putin’s approval rating from 65% in January 2014 to 86% by June. The annexation was fiercely opposed by Crimean Tatars, and dissenting voices faced prosecution. Following the annexation, fighting erupted in eastern Ukraine between pro-Kremlin militias and Kyiv’s forces, with Moscow providing covert support. Evidence included the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 by a Russia-supplied missile. Russian hard-liners later criticized Putin for not taking full control of Ukraine during its vulnerable period. The conflict simmered until February 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion. Trump says Zelenskyy is prolonging war in Ukraine by resisting calls to cede Crimea to Russia Strategically located on the Black Sea, Crimea has long been contested. Originally home to Tatars, it was annexed by Russia in the 18th century, later became part of the Soviet Union, and was transferred to Ukraine in 1954. Following the Soviet collapse in 1991, Crimea remained Ukrainian territory, though Russia maintained its Black Sea Fleet base in Sevastopol. Ukraine considers Crimea central to its national identity, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has vowed to reclaim it. In the 2022 war, Russian forces used Crimea as a launch point to seize southern Ukraine and establish a land corridor linking Russia to the peninsula via Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Crimea, including the Black Sea Fleet and the Kerch Bridge, to weaken Russian control. Crimea also remains central to peace negotiations. In 2024, Putin demanded Ukraine recognize Crimea as Russian territory as part of any settlement, alongside concessions over four other illegally annexed regions, NATO membership, military restrictions, and protections for Russian-speaking populations. Kyiv has rejected all territorial concessions. Any deal freezing frontlines would largely favor Moscow, which currently controls about 20% of Ukraine, including Crimea.   Source: Agency

European and NATO leaders said Sunday they will join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington for key talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, showing support after Zelenskyy was excluded from Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The coordinated move — with several European leaders announcing they will accompany Zelenskyy to the White House on Monday — appears aimed at ensuring the meeting goes more smoothly than the February encounter, when Trump sharply criticized the Ukrainian president in the Oval Office. “Europeans are very concerned about a repeat of the Oval Office confrontation, so they want to fully support Mr. Zelenskyy,” said retired French General Dominique Trinquand, former head of France’s military mission at the UN. “It’s a power play that could work with Trump,” he added. Their presence could reassure Kyiv and other European capitals that Ukraine will not be pressured into a peace deal with Russia that Trump has expressed interest in brokering. It remains unclear whether all of the European leaders will join the meeting with Trump. Trump rolls out red carpet for Putin, leaving Ukrainians feeling betrayed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed on X that she will attend the talks, “at the request of President Zelenskyy.” NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte will also participate, according to his office. French President Emmanuel Macron’s office said he will travel to Washington alongside Zelenskyy, though it did not confirm if he will attend the meeting. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is also part of the European delegation, but it is unclear whether he will take part in the actual discussions with Trump. The joint trip highlights Europe’s determination to maintain a role in U.S.-led peace efforts following Trump’s Friday summit with Putin, which excluded Zelenskyy.

Firefighters in Spain, Portugal, and Greece continued battling wildfires Friday, a public holiday in all three countries, as hot, dry conditions hampered containment efforts. Spain faced 14 major fires, with temperatures expected to rise over the weekend. “Today will once again be a very tough day, with an extreme risk of new fires,” Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez wrote on X. The national weather agency AEMET warned of extreme fire risk across most of the country, including northern and western regions where the largest blazes were burning. Fires in Galicia forced the closure of several highways, and the high-speed rail link to Madrid remained suspended. So far this year, wildfires have burned 158,000 hectares (610 square miles) in Spain, roughly the size of metropolitan London. Firefighters struggle to contain wildfire near L.A. suburbs In Portugal, nearly 4,000 firefighters were tackling seven major fires. Authorities extended the state of alert until Sunday amid continued high temperatures. On the Greek island of Chios, a wildfire raged for a fourth day, prompting overnight evacuations. Two water-dropping planes and two helicopters aided firefighters as a brief lull in winds provided some relief. Authorities also remained on alert near Athens and southern regions following large fires earlier in the week. The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew expressed solidarity with wildfire victims during prayers for the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, an important Orthodox holiday.   Source: Agency

Wildfires raged across southern Europe on Wednesday after a nightlong battle to shield Greece’s third-largest city, with new fatalities reported in Spain, Turkey and Albania. Near the Greek port city of Patras, flames swept through pine forests and olive groves, destroying homes, farmland and dozens of vehicles in an impound lot. Fire Service spokesman Vassilis Vathrakoyiannis warned that fire risk remains “very high” in many parts of the country. After weeks of heatwaves, firefighting resources were stretched thin. Crews battled multiple blazes across Greece’s mainland, the island of Zakynthos, and Chios, while Athens sent aid to Albania, where an 80-year-old man died in a blaze south of Tirana. Explosions from buried WWII-era shells were reported near the Greek border. Firefighters work to prevent France’s largest wildfire from reigniting as residents return home In Spain’s Castile and León region, a volunteer firefighter died as thousands fled advancing flames. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez urged extra caution as emergency shelters filled. In southern Turkey, a forestry worker was killed and four others injured in a fire truck accident while tackling a blaze. Turkey has recorded 18 wildfire-related deaths since late June. Authorities across the region cited lightning storms, careless farming, faulty power lines and suspected arson as causes. The EU has dispatched aid, with Montenegro among the latest to receive help as major fires burn near its capital, Podgorica.   Source: Agency

Clashes broke out in Serbia on Tuesday as government supporters and opponents confronted each other, escalating tensions after more than nine months of ongoing protests against populist President Aleksandar Vucic. The incidents began in the town of Vrbas, northwest of the capital Belgrade, where riot police separated the two groups outside the offices of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party. Video footage from the scene showed government supporters throwing flares, rocks, and bottles at protesters, who retaliated with various objects. Police said dozens of people were injured, including 16 officers. Similar clashes were reported in other parts of the country. The student-led protests in Serbia began in November after the collapse of a train station canopy in the northern city of Novi Sad killed 16 people, sparking allegations of corruption in state infrastructure projects. Since then, hundreds of thousands of people have joined the demonstrations, challenging Vucic’s firm grip on power. Recently, the president’s supporters have organized counter-demonstrations, raising fears of violence. Serbian police detain 79 protesters as dissent persists against populist president Police said several people were detained following the clashes in Vrbas. Police Commissioner Dragan Vasiljevic told state broadcaster RTS that the protesters “came to attack” supporters of the ruling party. Protesters, however, claimed government supporters initiated attacks in Vrbas and in other towns including Backa Palanka, Novi Sad, and the southern city of Nis. In Belgrade, riot police dispersed protesters gathered in a downtown area. Protests in Serbia have largely remained peaceful since November. Led by university students, demonstrators are demanding that Vucic call an early parliamentary election, which he has refused. They have also called for the resignation of Interior Minister Ivica Dacic following recent clashes at demonstrations. Serbia is formally seeking European Union membership, but Vucic has maintained strong ties with Russia and China. He has faced accusations of stifling democratic freedoms since coming to power 13 years ago.   Source: Agency

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit Berlin on Wednesday for talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European leaders and U.S. officials ahead of the Trump-Putin summit later this week, the German government said. Merz has convened a series of virtual meetings aimed at ensuring European and Ukrainian voices are heard before the summit, from which they have been excluded. Zelenskyy will first meet European leaders, followed by a virtual call with U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. EU urges Trump to protect European security in upcoming talks with Putin A separate call with members of the “coalition of the willing” — nations ready to help enforce any future Moscow-Kyiv peace deal — will take place last. Merz pledged to assist Ukraine in developing its own long-range missile systems without Western-imposed restrictions, as Kyiv continues to resist Russia’s invasion. Zelenskyy last visited Berlin in May. Trump has described Friday’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin as “a feel-out” session to assess Moscow’s intentions. However, he has unsettled European allies by suggesting Ukraine may have to cede some Russian-held territory and by raising the possibility of land swaps. Zelenskyy rejects Putin’s demand for Ukraine’s withdrawal from Donetsk as ceasefire condition Zelenskyy on Tuesday rejected a proposal for Ukraine to withdraw from the remaining 30% of Donetsk region it still controls, calling it unconstitutional and a potential prelude to further Russian aggression. He criticised U.S.-led diplomacy for failing to address key Ukrainian demands, including security guarantees and European participation in talks. Since returning to office, Trump has ruled out Ukraine’s NATO membership, pressed NATO allies on defence spending, and raised EU import tariffs to 15%. Senior EU officials believe he may settle for a ceasefire, focusing instead on broader U.S.-Russia relations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected a reported proposal from Russian President Vladimir Putin to withdraw Ukrainian forces from the remaining 30% of the Donetsk region under Kyiv’s control in exchange for a ceasefire. Speaking at a press briefing Tuesday, Zelenskyy said surrendering the 9,000 square kilometers still held by Ukraine would be unconstitutional and would serve as a launchpad for future Russian offensives. “We will not leave Donbas. We cannot do this. Our territories are illegally occupied,” he said, likening the proposal to Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. The Ukrainian leader said the idea was conveyed by U.S. officials ahead of Friday’s planned summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Putin in Alaska. Kyiv has yet to confirm whether it will take part. European leaders have also been excluded from the talks and have urged Trump to protect their interests, stressing that “the path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine.” Argentine President Milei launches major initiative to deepen Israel-Latin America partnerships Zelenskyy warned that current U.S.-Russia talks have not addressed Ukraine’s demand for security guarantees and European participation. Kyiv sees European nations as its only partners offering long-term defense commitments. Meanwhile, Russian forces are pushing toward the city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk, with analysts warning the next 48 hours could be critical. Ukrainian military officials described the situation as “difficult, unpleasant and dynamic,” as infantry units attempt to breach defensive lines. Elsewhere, a Russian missile strike on a Ukrainian military training facility killed one soldier and wounded 11, the Ukrainian Ground Forces said. Western analysts caution that any ceasefire favoring Moscow could undermine international law, weaken the transatlantic alliance, and embolden Russia to threaten other parts of Europe.

European Union leaders are pressing U.S. President Donald Trump to prioritize Europe's security interests during his upcoming summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which will focus on the ongoing war in Ukraine. The EU, largely excluded from the planned Friday meeting, is eager to influence its outcome, especially as it's unclear if Ukraine itself will be involved. Trump has said he wants to gauge whether Putin is genuinely interested in ending the war, now in its fourth year. However, Trump has drawn criticism from European allies by suggesting Ukraine may have to cede Russian-occupied territory, and that Russia should accept land swaps—though he hasn't clarified what concessions Putin would need to make. This has raised alarm in both Ukraine and across Europe, where there's concern that any peace deal made without their input could favor Russia and embolden further aggression. Putin, having launched the largest land war in Europe since World War II and used energy exports to pressure the EU, may emerge with significant gains if not firmly challenged. EU leaders issued a statement Tuesday acknowledging Trump’s efforts to end the war but insisted that peace in Ukraine “cannot be decided without Ukraine’s involvement.” They emphasized that a lasting and just peace must uphold international law, including respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of borders. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly rejected proposals that require Ukraine to give up territory in exchange for a ceasefire. Russia currently maintains a shaky hold over four Ukrainian regions—two in the east and two in the south. Meanwhile, tensions on the ground remain high. A Russian missile strike hit a Ukrainian military training site, killing one soldier and injuring 11 others. Cluster munitions were reportedly used as troops rushed to shelters. Russia also appears close to capturing the strategic city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region. Analysts say the next 24 to 48 hours will be crucial, as losing the city would give Russia a significant victory just before the summit and threaten Ukrainian supply lines in the area. “The situation will hinge heavily on Ukraine’s available reserves,” said Pasi Paroinen, a military analyst with Finland’s Black Bird Group, in a post on X. On Monday, Trump reiterated that land swaps would be part of any peace process, calling it a compromise that would involve “bad stuff for both” sides. His relatively conciliatory stance toward Putin has alarmed Ukraine’s supporters, particularly as he criticized Zelenskyy for failing to achieve results during the war, while praising Putin’s long-standing grip on power. There’s also confusion over the summit’s location. While Trump mentioned traveling to Russia, the meeting is actually set to take place in Alaska—a former Russian colony sold to the U.S. in 1867. Ahead of the summit, EU leaders will make another attempt to persuade Trump to support Ukraine during virtual talks organized by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Wednesday. Trump hasn’t confirmed if he’ll attend but said he wants to hear different perspectives before meeting with Putin. The EU's joint statement was intended to project unity, but Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán—Putin’s strongest ally in the bloc—refused to sign on, standing alone among the EU’s 27 leaders.

Ali Akbar, believed to be the last newspaper hawker in France—and perhaps in all of Europe—has spent over half a century walking the streets of Paris’s Left Bank, distributing papers and announcing the day’s headlines aloud. His dedication to this fading trade is now being officially acknowledged. President Emmanuel Macron, who once purchased newspapers from Akbar during his student years, will award him the Order of Merit next month—one of France’s most prestigious decorations. “When I began here in 1973 there were 35 or 40 of us hawkers in Paris,” he says. “Now I am alone. 
It became too discouraging. Everything is digital now. People just want to consult their telephones.” Today, Akbar moves through the cafés of Saint-Germain, managing to sell around 30 copies of Le Monde each day. He keeps half of the cover price but receives no compensation for unsold papers. Decades ago, before the rise of the internet, he could move 80 copies in just an hour after the paper hit the stands. Los Angeles Times editor resigns after newspaper withholds presidential endorsement “In the old days people would crowd around me looking for the paper. Now I have to chase down clients to try to sell one,” he says. Despite the decline in business, Akbar remains enthusiastic about his work. “I am a joyous person. And I am free. With this job, I am completely independent. There is no-one giving me orders. That's why I do it.” Now 72, Akbar is a beloved figure in the area. “I first came here in the 1960s and I've grown up with Ali. He is like a brother,” says one local. “He knows everyone. And he is such fun,” adds another. Originally from Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Akbar traveled to Europe in the late 1960s, initially working on a cruise ship out of Amsterdam. In 1972, the ship docked in Rouen, and by the following year, he had settled in Paris. He received French residency in the 1980s. “Me, I wasn't a hippy back then, but I knew a lot of hippies,” he says with his signature laugh.
“When I was in Afghanistan on my way to Europe I landed up with a group who tried to make me smoke hashish. 
I told them sorry, but I had a mission in life, and it wasn't to spend the next month sleeping in Kabul!” Khaborer Kagoj, a new daily newspaper, hits the stand on Sunday Working in Saint-Germain—a former hotspot for intellectuals and artists—Akbar encountered many prominent figures. Elton John once treated him to a milky tea at Brasserie Lipp, and outside the Sciences Po university, he crossed paths with generations of students, including a young Emmanuel Macron. Reflecting on how the neighbourhood has changed since he began calling out Le Monde headlines: “The atmosphere isn't the same,” he laments. “Back then there were publishers and writers everywhere – and actors and musicians. The place had soul. But now it is just tourist-town.
The soul has gone,” he says – but he laughs as he does. Source: BBC