United News of Bangladesh

Police in London have started making arrests after hundreds of people deliberately defied a new law banning support for the pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action, arguing the legislation infringes on freedom of expression. Since early July, supporters of Palestine Action have held multiple protests across the UK following Parliament’s decision to outlaw the group and prohibit public support. The ban came after activists broke into a Royal Air Force base and damaged two tanker aircraft. On Saturday afternoon, protesters gathered in the square outside Parliament, many holding signs saying “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” This prompted police intervention. The Metropolitan Police Service said on X that many in the crowd displayed placards supporting Palestine Action, a proscribed organization, leading officers to move in and make arrests. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper introduced the ban after activists damaged aircraft at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire on June 20, protesting Britain’s military support for Israel’s conflict with Hamas. The group had also targeted Israeli defense contractors and related sites in the UK. Palestine Action’s supporters are legally challenging the ban, arguing the government’s terrorism designation is excessive. Federal trial begins over Trump-era crackdown on pro-Palestinian campus activists The group Defend Our Juries said on its website that expanding the definition of terrorism to include economic damage or embarrassment to the powerful undermines freedom of expression and democracy itself. The arrests occurred amid a weekend of expected protests in London, fueled by the Gaza war and immigration concerns, leading to demonstrations and counter-demonstrations nationwide. While Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s plan to recognize a Palestinian state has upset Israel, many British Palestinians feel the government is not doing enough to halt the Gaza conflict. Saturday’s pro-Palestinian march was planned to end outside No. 10 Downing Street, the prime minister’s residence. On Sunday, multiple groups will march demanding the safe release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza since the October 7, 2023 militant attacks. Police are also preparing for protests outside hotels housing asylum seekers, where clashes have occurred between those opposing migrants and those condemning anti-immigrant racism. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan warned the events would “put pressure” on police, calling for a significant policing presence during this busy weekend of simultaneous protests.   Source: Agency

Around 1,400 firefighters remained deployed Saturday in France’s southern Aude region to prevent the country’s largest wildfire in decades from reigniting, as residents were allowed to return to their homes. Aude Prefect Christian Pouget said the fire, which burned over 160 square kilometers in the forested, wine-producing area, has been contained since Thursday. All roads have reopened, but authorities have imposed a strict ban on forest access, Pouget told a press conference. “The fight continues; firefighters are still working to prevent re-ignition,” he said. The blaze has claimed one life and injured 25 people, including 19 firefighters, Pouget added. Rising temperatures in the coming days pose challenges for firefighting efforts. France battles largest wildfire in yars, bigger than Paris Col. Christophe Magny, director of the Aude firefighters department, said the fire is unlikely to be fully extinguished for weeks due to several active “hot spots” under close watch. France’s national weather agency, Meteo France, issued a “high vigilance” heatwave alert for the southern half of the country, forecasting temperatures up to 39 degrees Celsius in the Aude region on Saturday. Southern Europe has faced numerous large fires this summer, with scientists warning that climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of heat and drought, heightening wildfire risks. Source: Agency

UK Homelessness Minister Rushanara Ali has stepped down after facing heavy criticism for evicting tenants from her property and subsequently increasing the rent. The Labour MP was accused of hypocrisy after it was revealed she had removed four tenants from her east London property under the pretext of selling the home, only to re-let it weeks later at a higher rent—raising it from £3,300 to £4,000 a month, according to a report by i newspaper. Ali announced her resignation on Wednesday evening, following growing pressure from housing advocates and political opponents to explain the apparent contradiction between her stated intentions and actions. In her resignation letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ali maintained that she had adhered to all legal obligations and acted responsibly. However, she acknowledged that remaining in her role would be a distraction from the government’s agenda and chose to resign. Starmer thanked her for her contributions at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, noting her work would leave a lasting legacy. He expressed confidence that she would continue to serve her constituents from the backbenches. Tulip Siddiq steps down as Treasury minister Ali, who had previously voiced strong opposition to unfair rent hikes and exploitation of renters, faced backlash for what many saw as double standards. A new renters’ rights bill, expected to take effect next year, will prohibit landlords from re-letting properties at a higher rent after terminating tenancies for the purpose of sale, and will also end fixed-term tenancy agreements. The Conservative Party was quick to respond, with party chair Kevin Hollinrake accusing Labour of hypocrisy and calling Ali’s resignation “the right outcome.” He criticised Starmer for leading what he described as a government “of sleaze and scandal.” Other critics, including the SNP’s Peter Wishart and Labour’s Jess Barnard, demanded stricter standards for MPs who are landlords, questioning whether such roles are compatible with their duties. Shelter’s campaigns director Mairi MacRae also condemned the situation, saying the case highlights the unfairness renters face and called for an end to so-called “fire-and-rehire” evictions. Israeli defense minister officially steps down A spokesperson for Ali said the tenants had stayed for the full term of their lease and were given the option to stay longer while the property remained for sale, but chose to leave. After they moved out, a repair cost request was issued by the property manager but later cancelled by Ali herself. The house, located near her Bethnal Green and Stepney constituency, is currently listed for sale at £894,995, with its price reduced in February after initially being listed last November. Source: Agency 

The Bank of England cut its main interest rate Thursday by a quarter percentage point to 4%, as policy makers seek to bolster the sluggish U.K. economy. Thursday’s decision was widely anticipated in financial markets as the bank’s Monetary Policy Committee balances its responsibility to control inflation against concern that rising taxes and U.S. President Donald Trump’s global trade war may slow economic growth. The committee voted 5-4 in favor of the cut. The rate cut is the bank’s fifth since last August, when policy makers began lower borrowing costs from a 16-year high of 5.25%. The Bank of England’s key rate — a benchmark for mortgages as well as consumer and business loans — is now at the lowest level since March 2023. “There will be hopes that if loans become cheaper, it will help boost consumer and business confidence but there’s a long way to go,” Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown, said before the decision. “In the meantime, speculation over potential tax rises in the Autumn Budget may keep households and companies cautious, given the uncertainty over where extra burdens may land.” Policymakers decided to cut rates even though consumer prices rose 3.6% in the 12 months through June, significantly above the bank’s 2% target. The bank said the recent rise in consumer prices was largely due to temporary increases in food and energy costs, and inflation should begin falling later this year after peaking at around 4%. Inflation should be back in line with the target by the second quarter of 2027, the bank said. The Bank of England is expected to cut interest rates in the face of US tariffs threat Against the backdrop, policy makers were faced with concerns about the sluggish economy. The bank estimated that economic growth slowed to 0.1% in the second quarter of 2025, from 0.7% in the first three months of the year. Gross domestic product is expected to grow 0.3% in third quarter, the bank said. “There are slightly more risks on the downside to activity,” Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey told reporters after the rate decision was announced. “Economic growth is subdued, the labor market continues to loosen and consumption growth may take longer to pick up.” The National Institute of Economic and Social Research, an independent think tank, said earlier this week that the government may be forced to raise taxes later this year due to slowing growth, rising borrowing costs and pressure to increase spending. Britain’s unemployment rate rose to 4.7% in the three months through May, the highest level in four years, signaling that previous tax increases and uncertainty about the global economy are weighing on employers. The U.K. Treasury chief, Rachel Reeves, said the government was working to lock in long-term economic growth by investing in infrastructure, negotiating international trade deals and working to make Britain a hub for the development of artificial intelligence and other innovative technologies. Reeves and Prime Minister Keir Starmer have sought to avoid unpopular tax increases and spending cuts with policies designed to spur economic growth and increase tax revenue ever since they took office in July 2024. “This fifth interest rate cut since the election is welcome news, helping bring down the cost of mortgages and loans for families and businesses,” Reeves said in a statement. Source: Agency

A massive earthquake struck off Russia’s Far East coast on Wednesday, triggering tsunami waves that flooded a fishing port and cut power in some areas. However, authorities reported only minor injuries and no major structural damage, crediting preparedness measures for preventing a larger disaster. The 8.8-magnitude earthquake hit near the Kamchatka Peninsula—an area often referred to as Russia’s “land of fire and ice” due to its volcanic activity. Local officials declared a state of emergency in some areas but said the impact was less severe than initially feared. Kamchatka Peninsula: volatile yet resilient Kamchatka, located nine time zones east of Moscow, is one of the world’s most seismically active regions, home to around 300 volcanoes, 29 of which are active. The peninsula, which faces the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Okhotsk, is sparsely populated, with about 162,000 residents in its regional capital, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Fishing is the region’s main industry, and limited infrastructure means helicopters are often the only way to access remote areas. Authorities said the geography helped shield Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky from the brunt of the tsunami, as its position within Avacha Bay offered natural protection. Observers noted visible eruptions and lava flows from Klyuchevskaya Sopka, the tallest active volcano in the Northern Hemisphere, following the quake. Strategic military installations unharmed Kamchatka also hosts Vilyuchinsk, a key Russian naval base housing advanced Borei-class nuclear submarines and other nuclear-powered vessels. Though the earthquake raised concerns about potential damage to these sensitive facilities, the Defense Ministry has not reported any issues. Experts noted that the base was designed with seismic threats in mind. Retired navy Captain Vasily Dandykin said the base’s infrastructure could withstand powerful quakes and posed no risk to Russia’s nuclear assets. Media reports suggest Vilyuchinsk may eventually house submarines equipped with the Poseidon torpedo—an intercontinental nuclear-armed system designed to trigger underwater radioactive tsunamis. President Vladimir Putin said last year that Poseidon trials were nearing completion. The Kuril Islands and regional readiness The Kuril Islands, stretching between Kamchatka and Japan, also felt the impact. The islands, long disputed between Russia and Japan, house around 20,000 people and rely on fishing. In Severo-Kurilsk, tsunami waves as high as 6 meters flooded the fishing port and swept boats out to sea. Despite this, authorities reported no casualties on the islands. Russia has recently upgraded military installations in the Kurils, including air bases and other infrastructure. Details of the quake The earthquake struck at 11:24 a.m. local time Wednesday, about 120 kilometers from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, at a depth of 21 kilometers, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Several aftershocks followed, with magnitudes reaching up to 6.9. Officials said their long-standing preparedness for a major earthquake paid off. While some injuries occurred—including a hospital patient who jumped from a window—none were life-threatening. No serious damage was found in residential buildings after inspections. While considered one of the strongest earthquakes since the 2011 Japan quake and tsunami, Russian authorities credited their readiness and regional geography for sparing the population from large-scale destruction. Source: Agency 

Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas resigned on Thursday amid mounting pressure over corruption investigations and public protests demanding his departure. Paluckas, who took office late last year as leader of the centre-left Social Democratic Party, stepped down just months after forming a coalition government following the October parliamentary elections. His resignation is expected to lead to the dissolution of the entire Cabinet, leaving the Baltic state facing political uncertainty just weeks ahead of Russian-Belarusian joint military drills near its borders. In a letter to his party, Paluckas said the ongoing controversies were impeding government work. “I cannot allow the ruling coalition and Cabinet to be held hostage by these scandals. I am taking swift and decisive action,” he wrote. “I have never clung to power, and I remain open to all possible outcomes.” President Gitanas Nausėda confirmed the resignation in a statement to the media Thursday morning. Tulip Siddiq steps down as Treasury minister Despite the political shake-up, Lithuania's foreign policy stance is expected to remain unchanged, as President Nausėda—elected independently—continues to represent the country globally and has been a steadfast backer of Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. Paluckas’ downfall follows a series of media reports in July scrutinizing his business history and financial conduct, prompting formal investigations by Lithuania’s anti-corruption and law enforcement bodies. A major blow came when reports resurfaced about a 2012 criminal case known as the “rat poison scandal.” While serving as director of the Vilnius municipal administration, Paluckas was convicted of manipulating a public tender, unlawfully favoring a higher bidder for rat extermination services. Though sentenced to two years in prison, his sentence was suspended, and he never served time. He also reportedly failed to pay a significant portion of the 16,500-euro (about $19,000) fine tied to the case. Paluckas has denied wrongdoing in both past and recent allegations, accusing political rivals of orchestrating a “coordinated attack.” He stepped down before the opposition could initiate formal impeachment proceedings. Talks to form a new coalition government are expected to begin soon. Source: Agency

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Tuesday warned that the UK will formally recognize a Palestinian state in September unless Israel takes concrete steps toward ending the war in Gaza and pursuing lasting peace. In a rare Cabinet meeting during the summer recess, Starmer told ministers that Britain would move to recognize Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly unless the Israeli government agrees to a ceasefire, allows unhindered humanitarian aid into Gaza, pledges not to annex any part of the West Bank, and commits to a viable peace process aimed at achieving a two-state solution. Starmer also laid out conditions for Hamas, demanding the release of all remaining hostages, acceptance of a ceasefire, disarmament, and a pledge to not participate in Gaza’s future governance. In a televised address, the prime minister said the UK would assess progress on these demands in September before making its final decision on recognition. Gaza death toll surpasses 60,000 amid ongoing Israel-Hamas war, says Health Ministry While the UK has long supported a two-state solution, it has previously stated that recognition of a Palestinian state should come as part of a negotiated peace deal. However, calls for unilateral recognition have grown louder since French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would become the first major Western nation to do so in September. More than 250 Members of Parliament have signed a letter calling on the government to recognize Palestinian statehood. Despite linking recognition to a set of conditions, Starmer affirmed Britain’s belief that “statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people.”

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Tuesday that authorities have detained 32 individuals suspected of collaborating with Russia to carry out acts of sabotage, according to the state-run Polish news agency PAP. While one of the suspects has already been convicted, the remaining individuals are in custody awaiting trial, PAP reported. The group reportedly includes Polish, Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian nationals, as well as a 27-year-old Colombian man accused of carrying out two arson attacks in Poland last year at the direction of Russian operatives. India says 3 militants killed in Kashmir linked to massacre that triggered Pakistan clash According to a statement from Poland's Internal Security Agency released Tuesday, the Colombian suspect is facing a potential sentence of 10 years to life in prison for allegedly setting fire to two construction warehouses in May 2024. The agency said he received instructions—including how to prepare and use a Molotov cocktail—from an individual linked to Russian intelligence.   Further information regarding the suspects or the nature of the alleged sabotage activities has not yet been disclosed.

A cyberattack on Russian state-owned airline Aeroflot disrupted its computer systems on Monday, forcing the cancellation of over 100 flights and delaying many others, Russia’s Prosecutor’s Office said. Ukrainian hacker group Silent Crow and Belarusian group Belarus Cyber-Partisans claimed responsibility, calling it one of the most damaging cyberattacks since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. Aeroflot confirmed system difficulties early Monday, warning of possible disruptions. Crowds of delayed passengers were seen at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport. The outage also affected Aeroflot subsidiaries Rossiya and Pobeda. Four killed in escalating Russia-Ukraine aerial attacks While most cancelled flights were domestic, some international routes to Belarus, Armenia, and Uzbekistan were also hit. Silent Crow claimed it had accessed Aeroflot's internal network for a year, stealing customer data, employee surveillance records, and internal communications. “These resources are now inaccessible or destroyed,” the group said on Telegram, adding the damage could cost millions to fix. They also suggested they might soon leak the stolen data, saying, “The personal data of all Russians who have ever flown with Aeroflot have now also gone on a trip — albeit without luggage.” The Belarus Cyber-Partisans said they aimed to cause serious disruption and had worked for months to exploit vulnerabilities in Aeroflot's systems. Russia’s Prosecutor’s Office has launched a criminal investigation. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the attack “quite alarming,” noting that cyber threats remain a serious concern for major service providers. The incident adds to an already tense summer for Russia’s airports, which have faced multiple disruptions due to Ukrainian drone attacks.

Heavy rainstorms triggered flash floods in northeastern Romania overnight, leaving at least one person dead and forcing hundreds to evacuate, officials said Monday. Rescue teams were deployed to the worst-hit Neamt and Suceava counties, where helicopters and firefighters assisted residents trapped by floodwaters. In Neamt alone, 890 people were evacuated, according to emergency authorities. Glacial flood alert issued for northwest Pakistan A 66-year-old man was found dead in a stream in the town of Neagra, the Department for Emergency Situations confirmed. Officials released images showing muddy torrents sweeping away vehicles and debris, with several homes badly damaged.