United News of Bangladesh

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday warned that the rules-based global order has effectively collapsed, cautioning that Europe can no longer take its freedom and security for granted amid rising great-power politics. Opening the annual Munich Security Conference, Merz told world leaders that the international system “no longer exists in that form,” urging Europeans to be ready to make sacrifices to defend their values and security. He acknowledged that a “deep divide” has emerged between Europe and the United States, saying transatlantic relations have been strained by ideological and policy differences in recent years. The conference is taking place against a backdrop of heightened tensions, including US President Donald Trump’s renewed threats to annex Greenland from Denmark and the imposition of tariffs on European imports, developments that have unsettled European allies. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is attending the conference and is scheduled to speak later, earlier described the current moment as a “new era in geopolitics,” calling for a reassessment of global roles and responsibilities. Around 50 world leaders are attending the summit, where European defence, the future of the transatlantic relationship and the credibility of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization are high on the agenda. US commitments to Nato have come under scrutiny amid shifting American foreign policy priorities. Merz said Europe does not share the “culture war” politics associated with the US MAGA movement, stressing that freedom of speech in Europe is bound by constitutional values and human dignity. He also rejected protectionism, reaffirming Europe’s commitment to free trade. Despite the tensions, Merz appealed for renewed cooperation, urging Washington to help “repair and revive transatlantic trust.” He also revealed that confidential discussions are underway with French President Emmanuel Macron on the possibility of a joint European nuclear deterrent, though he did not provide details. France and the UK are currently Europe’s only nuclear powers, while most European states, including Germany, rely on the US nuclear umbrella under Nato. Addressing the conference later, Macron reiterated his call for Europe to become a geopolitical power, urging faster and more coordinated rearmament across the continent in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He described the war as Europe’s “existential challenge” and warned against yielding to Russian demands. The Russia-Ukraine war, tensions between the West and China, and prospects of a renewed Iran-US nuclear deal are also being discussed at the high-profile gathering.   With inputs from BBC

Former Norwegian Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland has been charged with gross corruption over his links to convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Norwegian police said. The charge was filed after the Council of Europe lifted Jagland’s diplomatic immunity, which he held due to his former role as secretary general of the organisation. His lawyer said Jagland denies criminal liability and is ready to cooperate with investigators. Norway’s economic crime unit Økokrim has searched three of Jagland’s properties and is expected to question him as part of the investigation. Authorities launched the probe earlier this month into alleged acts of gross corruption said to have taken place between 2011 and 2018, during Jagland’s tenure at the Council of Europe. Documents released by the US Department of Justice, often referred to as the Epstein files, suggest Epstein may have covered travel expenses for Jagland and his family to visit properties in Paris, New York and Palm Beach. A planned family trip to Epstein’s private Caribbean island in 2014 was later cancelled. There are also allegations that Jagland sought Epstein’s help in securing a bank loan, although it remains unclear whether this occurred. Police have not confirmed whether that claim forms part of the charge. Being named in the US files does not in itself indicate wrongdoing. Jagland served as Norway’s prime minister from 1996 to 1997 and later chaired the Norwegian Nobel Committee. He was secretary general of the Council of Europe from 2009 to 2019. The case comes amid wider scrutiny in Norway after US authorities released millions of emails, images and investigative records related to Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Several other Norwegian public figures have faced investigation or review over alleged links to Epstein, including diplomats and senior officials. Some have denied wrongdoing, while others have apologised for past associations. The investigation into Jagland is ongoing.   With inputs from BBC

Britain’s King Charles has expressed “profound concern” over new allegations linked to his brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as police consider whether to open an investigation connected to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. In a statement issued on Monday, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said the King has made clear, both in words and through unprecedented actions, his deep concern about allegations that continue to emerge regarding Andrew’s conduct. The Palace said that while the specific claims are for Andrew to address, it stands ready to support Thames Valley Police if approached, as would be expected. Thames Valley Police confirmed it is assessing whether there are sufficient grounds to investigate a complaint lodged by the anti-monarchy group Republic. The group has reported Andrew for suspected misconduct in public office and an alleged breach of official secrets. The police review follows the release of a large new batch of documents related to Epstein. Emails contained in the files appear to suggest that Andrew, during his time as a UK trade envoy, shared official reports and confidential information with Epstein. According to the documents, Andrew is alleged to have forwarded official summaries of visits to Singapore, Hong Kong and Vietnam to Epstein on November 30, 2010, shortly after receiving them from his then special adviser. Separate emails also appear to reference confidential investment opportunities in Afghanistan that were shared with Epstein later that year. Under official rules, trade envoys are required to maintain strict confidentiality over sensitive commercial, political and diplomatic information linked to their official duties. The Buckingham Palace statement added that the King and Queen’s “thoughts and sympathies have been, and remain with, the victims of any and all forms of abuse”. Earlier on Monday, while the King was carrying out engagements in Lancashire, a protester shouted a question about Andrew, which was met with disapproval from others in the crowd. The Palace intervention followed an earlier statement from Kensington Palace, where a spokesperson for the Prince and Princess of Wales said they were “deeply concerned” by the latest Epstein-related revelations and that their thoughts remained with the victims. Since the latest document release, pressure has intensified on Andrew, with renewed claims about his past links to Epstein. The disclosures have also caused embarrassment for his former wife Sarah Ferguson, after emails attributed to her appeared in the files. Last week, Andrew was moved earlier than expected from Royal Lodge in Windsor to the King’s private Sandringham estate. In October 2025, following an earlier wave of Epstein-related revelations, he was stripped of his remaining royal titles. Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. Being named in the Epstein files does not, in itself, amount to evidence of misconduct.   With inputs from BBC

A Russian airstrike on a residential area in Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine, killed one person and injured two on Sunday, officials said. The attack caused a fire in a nine-story apartment building, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported. Russia also targeted energy infrastructure in Poltava region overnight, Serhii Koretskyi, chief of state-owned gas company Naftogaz, said. Since the war began nearly four years ago, Russia has frequently hit Ukraine’s power grid, especially during winter, in what Kyiv calls a strategy to weaken Ukrainian morale. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the United States has given Ukraine and Russia a June deadline to reach a peace agreement. He added that if the deadline is missed, the U.S. is likely to pressure both sides to comply. “The Americans are proposing the parties end the war by early summer and will probably put pressure on both sides according to this schedule,” Zelenskyy told reporters Friday. “They want everything done by June and a clear schedule of events.” Zelenskyy also said the next round of U.S.-brokered trilateral talks is likely to take place in Miami next week. Ukraine has confirmed its participation. Earlier U.S.-facilitated talks in Abu Dhabi produced no breakthrough, as Russia demands Ukraine withdraw from the Donbas region — a condition Kyiv refuses to accept.

The United States has given Russia and Ukraine a deadline until June to reach an agreement to end the nearly four-year-long war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, as fresh Russian attacks hit Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Zelenskyy said the Trump administration wants the war to end by early summer and is working according to a fixed schedule. He added that Washington would likely put pressure on both sides if the deadline is not met. “The Americans want everything done by June and they will do everything to end the war,” Zelenskyy said, adding that the US seeks a clear timeline for the peace process. He said the United States has proposed holding the next round of trilateral talks involving Ukraine, Russia and the US next week, possibly in Miami. Ukraine has already confirmed its participation. Zelenskyy also revealed that Russia presented the US with a massive economic proposal worth about $12 trillion, dubbed the “Dmitriev package,” named after Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev. Economic cooperation is part of the broader negotiations, he said. Meanwhile, Russian forces continued large-scale attacks on Ukraine’s energy system. Zelenskyy said Russia launched more than 400 drones and around 40 missiles overnight on Saturday, targeting power grids and energy facilities. Ukraine’s state energy operator Ukrenergo said the strikes forced all nuclear power plants under government control to reduce output, leading to a significant power shortage. As a result, electricity outages have been extended across the country. Recent US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi failed to produce a breakthrough, as both sides remain divided. Russia is demanding Ukraine withdraw from the Donbas region, a condition Kyiv has rejected outright. Zelenskyy said no agreement was reached on the future of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and expressed doubt about a US proposal to turn parts of Donbas into a free economic zone. He added that Ukraine is open to a US-backed ceasefire proposal banning strikes on energy infrastructure, but said Russia has previously violated similar agreements. Russian attacks on power facilities have intensified in recent months, causing widespread blackouts and worsening living conditions during Ukraine’s harsh winter.

Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said the scandal involving Peter Mandelson is a serious challenge for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, though he described Starmer as a man of integrity who was betrayed by his former ally. Speaking to BBC Radio 4 on Saturday, Brown said Starmer may have been too slow to act after allegations emerged that Mandelson passed sensitive government information to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. However, he said Starmer remained the right leader to reform Britain’s political system and restore trust. Brown’s comments came as London’s Metropolitan Police concluded searches of two properties linked to Mandelson as part of an investigation into alleged misconduct in public office. Mandelson, a former business secretary and later UK ambassador to the United States, has denied any criminal wrongdoing and says he was not motivated by financial gain. Brown said the situation was serious and warned that failure to address corruption and unethical conduct would carry heavy political costs. He added that Starmer now needed to act decisively and should be judged by his actions in the coming months. Email exchanges released in the latest batch of Epstein-related documents suggest Mandelson shared internal government information with Epstein. This included details about the UK’s struggling economy, a memo discussing the sale of government assets and advance notice of a major European Union bailout during the eurozone crisis. The emails also show Mandelson giving frequent political updates to Epstein in the days after Labour lost power in the 2010 general election. Brown said he felt shocked and betrayed by the disclosures, arguing that Mandelson’s actions may have put Britain’s economy and currency at risk. He said speculative trading could have been triggered by the leaked information, causing serious commercial damage. He also said the emails suggested Mandelson was planning his post-government career while still serving as business secretary during the global financial crisis, describing this as a betrayal of his colleagues and the country. Brown called on Mandelson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who also appears in the Epstein files, to cooperate fully with authorities investigating Epstein’s crimes. He said the case exposed a global network of powerful individuals who believed they were above the law. The former prime minister renewed his call for sweeping political reforms, including the creation of an anti-corruption commission with powers to seize assets. He also urged the government to implement tougher vetting for senior appointments, introduce public confirmation hearings and strengthen oversight of ethics in public life. On Saturday, the Metropolitan Police said searches had been carried out at addresses in Wiltshire and north London as part of an ongoing investigation involving a 72-year-old man. No arrest has been made and inquiries are continuing.   With inputs from BBC

Norwegian authorities have launched a corruption investigation into former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland over his alleged connections with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The probe, conducted by Norway’s economic crime unit Økokrim, focuses on potential “aggravated corruption” during Jagland’s tenure in senior international roles, including as head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee and secretary general of the Council of Europe. Police have requested the foreign ministry to lift Jagland’s diplomatic immunity to allow the investigation to proceed. Økokrim chief Pål K. Lønseth said the inquiry will examine whether Jagland received gifts, loans, or travel benefits linked to his official positions, based on documents recently released from US Epstein files. Additional details are expected to be made public at a later stage. Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide stressed the importance of uncovering the facts and confirmed that Oslo would formally request the revocation of Jagland’s immunity from the Council of Europe. Jagland’s lawyer Anders Brosveet assured full cooperation, stating that key findings and supporting documents would be submitted to Økokrim promptly. He added that, based on current evidence, they were confident about the outcome of the investigation. Jagland, 75, served as Norway’s prime minister from 1996 to 1997, led the Norwegian Nobel Committee between 2009 and 2015, and was secretary general of the Council of Europe from 2009 to 2019.   With inputs from BBC

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is under growing scrutiny following revelations about Peter Mandelson’s appointment as the country’s ambassador to the US, after emails emerged showing Mandelson’s ties with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Government ministers are preparing to release their electronic communications with Mandelson, which include messages exchanged with officials and special advisers during his tenure. The total number of documents could approach 100,000, BBC sources said, and the full disclosure may take several months. The controversy has prompted calls from several Labour MPs for Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, to resign. MP Neil Duncan-Jordan called for “a clear out of No 10” to restore public confidence. Starmer has publicly apologised to Epstein’s victims for having believed Mandelson’s statements during the vetting process in 2024, describing Mandelson as having misrepresented his relationship with Epstein. Opposition parties, including the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, have questioned the vetting of other Labour peers, highlighting the December appointment of Matthew Doyle to the House of Lords despite his past links to a convicted child offender. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch urged Starmer to publish all vetting advice related to Doyle and apologise for what she called “another profound error of judgement.” Labour MPs remain divided over Starmer’s future. Some have called for his resignation, while others believe the anger is primarily directed at Mandelson. Former deputy leader Baroness Harriet Harman described the PM as “weak and naive” for relying on Mandelson’s assurances. Starmer’s advisers have defended the government’s handling of the situation, with Home Office minister Mike Tapp praising the PM for “owning mistakes” and prioritising transparency. Meanwhile, a motion calling for an independent inquiry into the links between British public figures and Epstein has been supported by 35 MPs from six parties. Potential successors to Starmer, according to Labour sources, include Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, and Health Secretary Wes Streeting. However, concerns over their own political vulnerabilities could complicate any leadership change. The release of Mandelson-related documents and upcoming local elections are expected to intensify scrutiny of Starmer’s leadership, with MPs closely monitoring public sentiment and potential political fallout.   With inputs from BBC

A high-ranking Russian military official, Lieutenant General Vladimir Alexeyev, was shot multiple times and hospitalized in Moscow on Friday, authorities said. His current condition has not been disclosed. Alexeyev, the number two official in Russia's GRU military intelligence, was attacked outside a residential building on Volokolamsk Highway in the northwestern part of the capital. The Russian Investigations Committee opened a criminal case for attempted murder, while investigators are reviewing CCTV footage and interviewing witnesses to identify the assailant, who fled the scene. Eyewitnesses described hearing several gunshots before the explosion of a suicide vest. One neighbour told Reuters that she was awakened by gunfire and heard a neighbour calling for help. Other residents assisted victims and alerted authorities. The general has played a prominent role in the war in Ukraine, including participating in negotiations during the siege of Mariupol in 2022 and mediating with Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin during the 2023 mutiny. His superior at the GRU, Igor Kostyukov, leads Russia's security talks with the United States and Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin was briefed on the incident, adding, “We hope the general survives and recovers.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Ukraine of involvement, although Kyiv has not commented on the attack. The incident follows a series of attacks on high-ranking Russian military officials in Moscow in recent years, including the killings of Lt Gen Igor Kirillov in 2024 and Lt Gen Fanil Sarvarov in December 2025. Alexeyev had previously been sanctioned by the EU and the UK over the GRU’s alleged role in the 2018 Salisbury nerve agent attack in the UK. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to determine the circumstances of the shooting and identify the perpetrator.   With inputs from BBC

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that about 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion, as US-mediated talks between Moscow and Kyiv continued with what Washington described as constructive engagement. In an interview broadcast late Wednesday by French television channel France 2, Zelenskyy said the fighting has also left a large number of people missing. The figure marks an increase from his previous disclosure in early 2025, when he said 46,000 Ukrainian troops had been killed on the battlefield. The war, now in its fourth year, has turned into a prolonged struggle of attrition along a roughly 1,000-kilometre front line stretching across eastern and southern Ukraine. Russian forces have sought to use their numerical advantage, while both sides continue to strike targets deep behind the front lines with long-range drones and missiles. Zelenskyy’s estimate is significantly lower than figures published last month by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, which put Ukrainian military deaths at up to 140,000 by the end of last year. The same report estimated Russian troop deaths at as many as 325,000. Neither Ukraine nor Russia regularly releases detailed or up-to-date information on military casualties. Russia’s Defense Ministry last issued an official death toll in September 2022, when it said fewer than 6,000 Russian soldiers had been killed. The civilian toll has also continued to rise. Human Rights Watch said in a report released Wednesday that Ukrainian civilian casualties increased by 31 percent last year compared with 2024. According to the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, nearly 15,000 civilians have been killed and more than 40,000 injured since the war began, up to last December. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to end the conflict moved forward slowly. Ukrainian and Russian delegations held a second day of US-brokered talks on Thursday. US special envoy Steve Witkoff described the discussions as detailed and productive, saying the two sides agreed to exchange 314 prisoners, their first such swap in five months. However, the talks in Abu Dhabi produced no major breakthrough. Witkoff said sustained diplomacy was yielding tangible results and helping advance efforts to end the war. Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council chief Rustem Umerov said Witkoff and US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner attended the talks, as they did during negotiations last month. Zelenskyy has previously described the future control of the Donbas industrial region as a central issue in any settlement. NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, General Alexus Grynkewich, was also present at the meeting, according to a spokesperson speaking on condition of anonymity. On the ground, hostilities continued. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk arrived in Kyiv on Thursday for an official visit. In the Ukrainian capital, two people were injured overnight in Russian drone attacks, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. In the surrounding Kyiv region, authorities reported that a man suffered a chest wound from shrapnel. Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 183 drones and two ballistic missiles overnight. Russia’s Defense Ministry, meanwhile, claimed its air defenses shot down 95 Ukrainian drones over several regions, the Azov Sea and Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014.