UK
UK teen sentenced for killing 3 at Taylor Swift-themed class
A teenager who fatally stabbed three young girls during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England has been sentenced to over 50 years in prison, reports AP.
The judge described the crime as "extreme, shocking, and exceptionally serious."
Rupert Murdoch’s UK tabloids apologize to Prince Harry in legal settlement
Judge Julian Goose stated that 18-year-old Axel Rudakubana aimed to carry out a mass killing of "innocent, happy young girls" and had planned to murder as many as possible. However, as Rudakubana was under 18 at the time of the crime, a life sentence without parole could not be imposed. The judge ruled that Rudakubana must serve at least 51 years before being eligible for parole, emphasising that it is unlikely he will ever be released.
The attack occurred in Southport in July, when Rudakubana was 17. He killed three girls, aged 6, 7, and 9, and injured eight other children and two adults. The incident horrified the nation, prompting street protests and a public inquiry into systemic failures, as the attacker had been flagged to authorities multiple times over his fixation on violence.
Disruption in Court
Rudakubana faced charges including three counts of murder, 10 of attempted murder, and possession of weapons and extremist materials. Although he pleaded guilty to all charges earlier in the week, he was absent during the sentencing. On the day of the hearing, he disrupted proceedings by claiming he felt ill, leading to his removal from the courtroom.
The Attack
The tragedy unfolded on the first day of summer vacation as young girls gathered to make bracelets and sing along to Taylor Swift songs. Armed with a large knife, Rudakubana stormed into the dance class and began stabbing the children and their teacher. One girl, stabbed 32 times, managed to survive. Tragically, Alice Da Silva Aguiar, 9, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Bebe King, 6, lost their lives. The court was shown harrowing footage of the attack, evoking gasps and tears from those present.
Victim Impact Statements
Survivors and relatives shared the devastating impact of the attack. The dance teacher, Leanne Lucas, described her trauma and survivor's guilt, while a 14-year-old survivor spoke of enduring mental and physical scars. The parents of Alice Da Silva Aguiar expressed their anguish, saying their daughter's death had "shattered our souls."
A Pattern of Violence
Prosecutors revealed that Rudakubana had no clear political or religious motivation but harboured a longstanding obsession with violence. Authorities had flagged him multiple times for concerning behaviour, including carrying weapons, researching school shootings, and assaulting a classmate. Despite these warnings, the danger he posed was not fully recognised.
Starmer pledges 100-year partnership with Ukraine
National Reckoning
The murders sparked days of anti-immigrant violence, fuelled by false claims that Rudakubana was a recently arrived asylum seeker. Born in Cardiff to Rwandan Christian parents, his motives remain unclear, though investigators found materials on topics like genocide and terrorism on his devices. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called for legislative changes to address emerging threats posed by violent individuals acting independently.
The government has announced a public inquiry to examine the systemic failures that allowed this horrific attack to occur.
2 weeks ago
Tulip Siddiq steps down as Treasury minister
Britain’s anti-corruption minister resigned on Tuesday amid a controversy over links to her aunt, ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Tulip Siddiq said that she was quitting as economic secretary to the Treasury, saying the issue was becoming “a distraction from the work of the government.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been under growing pressure to remove Siddiq from her post since she referred herself to the U.K. government’s ethics watchdog following reports that she lived in London properties linked to her aunt. Hasina was ousted last year after weeks of protests.
Starmer said he was sad to see Siddiq go, adding that the independent adviser on ministerial interests, Laurie Magnus, “has assured me he found no breach of the Ministerial Code and no evidence of financial improprieties on your part.”
Siddiq, who is responsible for tackling corruption in financial markets, was named last month in an anti-corruption investigation in Bangladesh against Hasina. The investigation alleged that Siddiq’s family was involved in brokering a 2013 deal with Russia for a nuclear power plant in Bangladesh in which large sums of money were said to have been embezzled.
Read: Tulip Siddiq questioned in UK over graft allegation
4 weeks ago
Britain’s Treasury chief kicks off China visit
Britain’s Treasury chief kicked off a visit to China on Saturday aimed at boosting economic and financial cooperation between the countries, as the UK’s Labour government seeks to reset strained ties with Beijing.
Rachel Reeves, who is traveling with a delegation of British business leaders, will meet top Chinese finance and economic officials including Vice Premier He Lifeng.
“Growth is the number one mission of this Labour government. And to grow the economy, we need to help great British businesses export around the world,” Reeves said on Saturday as she visited a store of the British folding bike maker Brompton in Beijing.
She added the aim of her visit was “to unlock tangible benefits for British businesses exporting and trading around the world, to ensure that we have greater access to the second biggest economy in the world.”
Taiwan says China is redoubling efforts to undermine democracy with disinformation
A priority for Reeves’ trip is reviving the China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue — annual bilateral talks that have been suspended since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and deteriorating relations. London hopes renewed dialogues will help bring down barriers that UK businesses face when looking to export or expand to China.
The talks were shelved after ties sourced following a series of spying allegations from both sides, China’s support for Russia in the Ukraine war and a crackdown on civil liberties in Hong Kong, a former British colony.
British officials said Reeves will also urge Beijing to stop its material and economic support for the Russian war effort in Ukraine and raise the issue of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong.
The delegation includes Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey and the CEOs of the UK Financial Conduct Authority and the London Stock Exchange Group. Senior executives from some of Britain’s biggest financial services firms, including the group chairmen of HSBC and Standard Chartered, were also included.
Reeves’ visit comes after Foreign Secretary David Lammy travelled to China in October and Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Brazil in November.
It's all part of a bid by Starmer, who was elected as leader in July, to strengthen political and economic ties with China, the UK’s fourth-largest single trading partner according to the Treasury.
Officials said Starmer wanted a “pragmatic” approach to working with Beijing on global stability, climate change and the transition to clean energy.
But some in the opposition Conservative Party have criticized his stance and said trade ties should not come at the expense of national security and human rights concerns.
China's manufacturing activity slows in December as trade risks grow
British political leaders and intelligence chiefs have warned repeatedly that China poses security threats. Calls to tackle the challenge grew louder last month when it emerged that an alleged Chinese spy had cultivated close ties with Prince Andrew and carried out “covert and deceptive activity” for China’s ruling Communist Party, according to officials.
“National security is the foundation of what any government acting in the national interest will prioritize,” Reeves said. “But we need to make sure that we have pragmatic and good relations with countries around the world. That is in our national interest.”
1 month ago
BNP thanks Qatar, UK for facilitating Khaleda’s treatment
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has expressed gratitude to Qatar and the UK governments for facilitating the treatment of party Chairperson Khaldeda Zia abroad.
“We convey our gratitude to the Qatar government. They provided the air ambulance without taking any rent for taking Khaleda Zia to London. We also thank the British government for facilitating her treatment there,” he said.
Fakhrul said this while unveiling the cover of a book titled “Rajbandir Jabanbandi” which chronicles the depositions given in court by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in ‘false’ cases’ at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office on Thursday.
She flew to London with state honour after being freed and thousands of people saw her off and she did not face any hindrance on her way to London, he said.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was admitted to The London Clinic in the United Kingdom on Wednesday for advanced treatment.
Read: Unity essential amid efforts to divide nation: Fakhrul
She left Dhaka for London on Tuesday night aboard a special air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar.
Her eldest son Tarique Rahman, accompanied by his wife Zubaida Rahman, greeted his mother with open arms at the Heathrow Airport.
Earlier, the Acting High Commissioner of Bangladesh to the United Kingdom, Mohammad Hazrat Ali Khan, welcomed Khaleda Zia at the airport with flowers.
BNP’s UK chapter President MA Malek, General Secretary Koyser M Ahmad and many other leaders and activists were present at the airport.
Khaleda’s doctors have been advocating for her treatment abroad ever since she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in late 2021.
Despite the severity of her condition, she was denied permission to travel for treatment by the Awami League government, citing legal hurdles related to her convictions in two cases.
Read more: Emotional Moment: Khaleda reunites with son Tarique after 7 years
On August 6, 2024, a day after the fall of the Awami League government, Khaleda was fully freed by an order from President Mohammed Shahabuddin, paving the way for her overseas treatment.
Khaleda Zia, a three-time former Prime Minister, has been battling multiple health issues, including liver cirrhosis, diabetes, arthritis, and complications involving her kidneys, lungs, heart and eyes.
1 month ago
Dhaka appreciates UK friends’ support in thwarting malicious efforts
Emphasising strong bilateral ties with the United Kingdom (UK), Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Wednesday drew attention to the ongoing "misinformation campaigns" against Bangladesh and appreciated strong support of friends in the UK Parliament in fending off such malicious efforts.
He praised the strong bilateral trade and investment ties between the two countries, urging British businesses to seize Bangladesh's economic opportunities and called for innovative ideas to further enhance the relationship.
The issues were discussed when a visiting delegation of the UK-Bangladesh Catalysts of Commerce and Industry (UKBCCI), including Dr Rupa Huq, an MP of House of Commons of the British Parliament, called on the Foreign Affairs Adviser at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Dr Rupa Huq underlined Bangladesh's immense potential, particularly the presence of huge number of young population.
While expressing the hope for a corruption-free new Bangladesh with continued progress, she shared optimism about diversification of Bangladesh’s export basket and the prospect of its prawn industry.
She further wished for improvement in labour rights and laws in Bangladesh.
Adviser Hossain highlighted sacrifices of the students and mass people during the July-August uprising, and ongoing institutional and economic reforms under the interim government led by Prof Muhammad Yunus, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
When women thrive, entire communities, economies benefit: US
The delegates from UKBCCI spoke on inter-alia market expansion, investment opportunities and BIDA’s role in upgrading the investment landscape.
They emphasised opportunities related to recruitment of Bangladeshi skilled workers in the nursing, caregiving, hospitality and service sectors of the UK, and the need for langue training, cultural orientation and skill development.
As the delegates are mostly Bangladeshi-origin British nationals, they aspired for improved services from the Bangladesh missions abroad.
Both parties praised Bangladesh's enormous prospect in this shifting political landscape and pledged to intensify efforts to expand business relations between Bangladesh and the UK.
1 month ago
Heavy snow brings widespread disruption across the UK
Heavy snow and freezing rain has brought widespread disruption across the UK, with several major airports forced to suspend flights and many key roads in the north of England unnavigable.
With the weather set to stay inclement on Sunday, there are concerns that many rural communities could be cut off with up to 40 centimeters (15 inches) of snow on ground above 300 meters (985 feet).
The National Grid, which oversees the country's electricity network, said it had been working to restore power after outages across the country. The company’s live map shows power cuts in Birmingham in central England, Bristol in the west and Cardiff in Wales.
Many sporting events have already been postponed, but the heavyweight Premier League fixture between Liverpool and Manchester United is still on, though there will be another inspection later.
Parts of UK flooded by heavy rain as wild weather continues to disrupt New Year events
Liverpool's John Lennon Airport and Manchester Airport had to close runways and divert flights, Birmingham Airport also suspended operations for several hours overnight but said it was on schedule for “business as usual” on Sunday.
The road network was heavily impacted too, on what would have been a very busy day with many families returning home from the Christmas and New Year break and students heading back to universities.
On the railways, many services were canceled with National Rail warning of disruption continuing into the working week.
Britain's main weather forecaster, the Met Office, has forecast the sleet and snow will continue to push north on Sunday and be heaviest in northern England and into southern Scotland. After experiencing freezing rain for a time, the south will turn milder.
Frost and icy patches will continue through the early part of the week, but Monday and Tuesday will become drier with sunny spells and scattered wintry showers.
1 month ago
Commerce Adviser seeks investment from Bangladeshi entrepreneurs in UK
Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin has stressed the role of Bangladeshi entrepreneurs in the UK in strengthening commercial ties between the two and urged them to invest in Bangladesh.
"Invest in Bangladesh and contribute to the country’s development. Your role is vital in enhancing trade relations between our nations," he said.
The adviser made the call when leaders of the UK Bangladesh Catalysts of Commerce and Industry (UKBCCI) met him at his office on Sunday.
Saudi’s Aramco willing to build refinery in Bangladesh
The adviser invited investments in jute products, tourism, pharmaceuticals, and telecommunications, assuring that Bangladesh currently offers a favorable investment atmosphere with no barriers.
He affirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring all necessary facilities for investors.
Discussions focused on bilateral trade relations and investment opportunities in Bangladesh.
During the meeting, UKBCCI representatives expressed their interest in investing in Bangladesh’s National Tea Board, the state-owned telecom sector, and artificial intelligence in education.
EC will ensure everyone's voting rights: CEC
They also proposed establishing a special agricultural zone, an agriculture-based export processing zone (EPZ), to boost seafood exports, food processing, and green farming facilities.
Speakers at the meeting included UKBCCI Chairman Iqbal Ahmed, President MG Maula Miah, Founding President Bazlur Rashid, and UK House of Commons Member of Parliament Dr. Rupa Huq.
1 month ago
Parts of UK flooded by heavy rain as wild weather continues to disrupt New Year events
Parts of the UK were flooded Wednesday as heavy rains and powerful winds continued to disrupt New Year’s celebrations.
Several communities in the Manchester area were flooded, with cars submerged up to their roofs on roads and in parking lots after nearly a month's worth of rain fell in two days.
A major incident was declared and mountain rescue teams were called in to help firefighters respond to properties underwater and stranded vehicles, Greater Manchester Police said.
“There’s still probably likely to be further flooding across the course of the day," Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said. “We are potentially expecting the flood situation to get worse before it gets better.”
The world welcomes 2025 with light shows, embraces and ice plunges
The deluge and gusts derailed New Year's Eve fireworks celebrations, leading to cancellations in Edinburgh and several other cities. Events planned for New Year's Day, including nippy outdoor swims and a bathtub boat race, were scrapped.
London, which was able to launch its massive fireworks display on the River Thames in front of Big Ben, had to postpone the start of its New Year’s Day parade and grounded inflatable floats due to the blustery conditions.
Flooding warnings, which indicate flooding is expected, were issued in more than 150 communities across the UK, with most being in northern England.
Several trains were canceled because of high water around the tracks and some highways were closed.
The storm brought snow to parts of the Scottish Highlands and a three-day snow warning was issued for most of England and Scotland this weekend.
1 month ago
US, UK criticise Pakistan military court convictions of Imran Khan supporters
The United States and the United Kingdom have expressed deep concern over the recent handing down of convictions by Pakistani military courts to 25 civilian supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan over their alleged involvement in riots last year.
The convictions had previously also been criticized by the European Union and domestic human rights activists.
“The United States is deeply concerned that Pakistani civilians have been sentenced by a military tribunal for their involvement in protests on May 9, 2023. These military courts lack judicial independence, transparency, and due process guarantees,” according to a statement released by State Department on Monday.
South Korea's opposition party vows to impeach acting president
It asked Pakistan to respect the right to a fair trial and due process.
In London, the Foreign Office said that “while the UK respects Pakistan’s sovereignty over its own legal proceedings, trying civilians in military courts lacks transparency, independent scrutiny and undermines the right to a fair trial. We call on the Government of Pakistan to uphold its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.”
The statements were referring to the violence that erupted after Khan’s arrest in Islamabad in May 2023. The former premier was ousted through a no-confidence vote in the parliament in 2022, and he was convicted of corruption and sentenced in August 2023.
Since then, Khan has been behind bars. Khan’s popular opposition party is in talks with the government to secure his release.
The 25 supporters on Monday received prison terms ranging from two years to 10 years, which the army in a statement warned acted as a “stark reminder” for people to never take the law into their own hands.
Khan's opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI, has rejected the convictions of civilians, demanding they should be tried in the normal courts if they were involved in the riots.
Pakistani health workers' boycotting halts polio vaccination drive in southwest
There was no response from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government to the criticism from the US and the UK, but state-run Pakistan Television on Tuesday showed people welcoming the convictions, saying the punishments were given to people who attacked military installations.
Earlier this month, Khan and dozens of others were indicted by a civilian court on charges of inciting people on May 9, 2023, when demonstrators attacked the military’s headquarters in Rawalpindi, stormed an air base in Mianwali in the eastern Punjab province and torched a building housing state-run Radio Pakistan in the northwest.
1 month ago
IELTS for UKVI Explained: Key Insights for Bangladeshi Candidates
From its vibrant academic institutions to dynamic professional opportunities, the United Kingdom (UK) remains a top destination for international students and skilled professionals alike. For those aspiring to study, work, or settle in the UK, English proficiency is essential—and a recognized language qualification is often the key. Specifically designed to meet UK immigration and visa requirements, the IELTS for UKVI is a government-approved test that ensures candidates meet the language standards for life in the UK. Here’s a closer look at the structure and evaluation process of this specialized exam.
What is UKVI IELTS?
Designed specifically for visa applications, this Secure English Language Test (SELT) is recognized by the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) authority. It ensures that individuals possess the necessary language skills for work, study, or residency in the UK.
UKVI IELTS Test Categories
This assessment is divided into four distinct categories based on its purpose. Like the standard IELTS, the first two options are Academic, for study visas, and General training, for work visas.
Then comes the Life Skills section which comprises two levels- A1 and B1; each tailored to specific visa requirements:
A1 Level: Required for a family visa application for individuals with a settled person in the UK.B1 Level: Necessary for those applying for indefinite leave to remain or citizenship.
Read more: Higher Studies in England: Application, Study Cost, Scholarship, and Other Scopes
IELTS vs. UKVI IELTS
The two tests share a similar format, content, scoring, and difficulty level. However, the key distinction lies in the Test Report Form. It indicates that candidates have taken the IELTS exam at an official UKVI location sanctioned by the UK Home Office.
Additionally, unlike the traditional IELTS, which can be taken online remotely, UKVI requires all candidates to complete the exam in person at an accredited testing center. This stipulation ensures an added layer of security and verification.
UKVI IELTS Test Format
The structure of the entire evaluation mirrors the standard IELTS, with the exception that Life Skills tests include only the Listening and Speaking sections. The assessment test’s total duration spans about 2 hours and 45 minutes, structured similarly for both the Academic and General Training categories.
The assessment includes four components: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The first three sections are completed consecutively on the same day, with no breaks in between. The Speaking component may take place on the same day or up to seven days before or after the other sections, depending on local arrangements.
Read more: IELTS vs TOEFL: Which is better for study abroad?
UKVI IELTS Scoring System
The final score for this evaluation is presented as a band score ranging from 1 to 9, with scores reported in whole or half-band increments for each component. The specific score required for UKVI applications is determined by CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) levels. These levels are also associated with the visa being sought.
- CEFR A1 requires a pass in the life skills A1 test- CEFR B1 requires a pass in the life skills B1 test- For CEFR B1, a minimum band score of 4 is needed across Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.- For CEFR B2, candidates must achieve at least a 5.5 in all four components.- CEFR level C1 necessitates a minimum score of 7.0 across each module.
Read more: How to Register for IELTS Exam in Bangladesh?
3 months ago