United News of Bangladesh

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 

Leader of the Opposition and Head of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer on Saturday said ‘Bangladesh and the UK are bound by excellent ties and further reinforced by the British-Bangladesh diaspora’. He observed this during his meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her place of residence here. The prime minister is in London on a four-day visit to attend the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. According to a press release, Sheikh Hasina reiterated her profound condolences at the Queen’s demise. Also read: Commonwealth must keep Queen's memory alive: PM Hasina Starmer thanked the prime minister for her tribute in memory of the Queen. They also recalled Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s meeting and personal rapport with the former Labour prime minister Harold Wilson. Hasina thanked the Labour leader for his messages on the occasions of Bangabandhu’s birth centenary and the golden jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence. He recalled his visit to Bangladesh in 2016 and his meeting with the prime minister at the time. He expressed satisfaction at the growing number of people of Bangladesh origin being elected to offices from the Labour Party around the UK. He said that the Labour Party was working on promoting and nurturing young generation leaders that should attract more British-Bangladeshi youth. The two leaders discussed the impact of the war in Ukraine, particularly on the Global South. PM Hasina underscored the need for a negotiated settlement of the conflict to protect common people around the world from food, energy and financial insecurities. She suggested reviewing whether the sanctions imposed in the wake of the war were having otherwise implications for people in the developing countries. The two sides exchanged views on the possible impacts on bilateral trade relations due to the ongoing inflationary pressures and cost-of-living crisis. The Labour Party leader said they would continue to advocate for the big retailers in the UK and the West to share the costs with the readymade garment manufacturers. Starmer appreciated Bangladesh’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic under the prime minister’s leadership. He reiterated the Labour Party’s commitment to work with vulnerable countries like Bangladesh on climate change issues. Also read: Bangladesh eager to take part in vaccine research & development: PM The Bangladesh premier appreciated the widening climate partnership between the two countries. Hasina briefed the Labour Party leader about the growing burden on Bangladesh due to the prolonged presence of the Rohingya from Myanmar. They discussed the recent flare-up of armed conflicts in close proximity to Bangladesh’s border. The prime minister pointed out that Bangladesh was exercising the utmost restraint despite spill-over effects of the conflicts inside its territory. Later, Lord Swaraj Paul of Marylebone paid a courtesy call on her The veteran Member of the UK House of Lords reiterated his appreciation for the prime minister’s leadership. He expressed interest in further promoting business and education partnerships between the two countries.

Three days after a meeting with Nagorik Oikya, the BNP on Friday sat with the Labour Party, one of the components of the 20-party alliance, to forge a unity among political parties to wage a greater movement for the "restoration" of democracy. Read: Next EC not to make any difference, says BNP A nine-member delegation of the Labour Party, led by its chairman Mostafizur Rahman Iran, had talks with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at the BNP chairperson's Gulshan office. Nazrul Islam Khan, BNP standing committee member and 20-party coordinator, was also present.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was headed for a landslide win and a second term in office Saturday in New Zealand’s general election.

The race to succeed Jeremy Corbyn as the next leader of Britain's main opposition Labour Party has narrowed to three after Emily Thornberry was narrowly eliminated from the leadership contest.

A first-term lawmaker whose father was Malta's president has been chosen to be the country's prime minister. The count on Sunday showed Robert Abela received nearly 58% of votes cast by members of the governing Labour Party eligible to choose the new leader.