United News of Bangladesh

Bulgaria’s government stepped down on Thursday as mass protests swept the country, coming just weeks before its planned entry into the eurozone. The minority coalition, led by the center-right GERB party, submitted its resignation minutes before parliament was set to vote on a no-confidence motion brought by the opposition over economic mismanagement and deep public frustration over corruption. “Ahead of today’s vote of no confidence, the government is resigning,” Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov told reporters in parliament. The latest demonstrations erupted after large protests last week against the government’s proposed 2026 budget, which included higher taxes, increased social security contributions and expanded spending. The government later withdrew the budget plan, but calls for its resignation intensified. Zhelyazkov acknowledged the pressure from the streets, saying, “The decisions of the National Assembly are meaningful when they reflect the will of the people. We want to be where society expects us to be.” Students from Sofia’s universities joined Wednesday’s rallies, which organizers said exceeded last week’s turnout of more than 50,000 people. Media outlets, citing drone footage, estimated the crowd at over 100,000. Tens of thousands protest against Bulgarian government over corruption Central to the public anger is the influence of Delyan Peevski, a sanctioned politician and oligarch whose MRF New Beginning party backs the government. Opponents accuse him of steering government policy to serve oligarchic interests. Zhelyazkov said he expected his coalition to survive the no-confidence vote but added that parliament’s decisions “are important when they reflect the will of the sovereign.” Bulgaria, a country of 6.4 million people, is scheduled to adopt the euro on January 1 and become the 21st member of the eurozone.  

Tens of thousands of Bulgarians took to the streets Wednesday to protest alleged government corruption, just weeks before the country adopts the euro as its official currency. The demonstrations followed last week’s rallies against the government’s 2026 budget proposals, which included higher taxes, increased social security contributions, and spending hikes. The government later withdrew the plan, but protesters have expanded their demands, calling for Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov’s resignation. In Sofia, crowds gathered near the parliament, government, and presidential offices, chanting slogans such as “Resignation” and “Mafia.” Student groups from local universities joined the protests, which organizers said exceeded last week’s 50,000-strong rallies. Drone footage suggested over 100,000 participants. Central to the unrest is Bulgarian politician and oligarch Delyan Peevski, sanctioned by the U.S. and the U.K., whose MRF New Beginning party supports the government. Opponents accuse Peevski of influencing government policies to serve oligarchic interests. No violence was reported, and the protests concluded peacefully. Meanwhile, the opposition coalition We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria filed a no-confidence motion against the government, the sixth such attempt, scheduled for Thursday. President Rumen Radev, a government critic, described the protests as a symbolic vote of no confidence and urged lawmakers to respect the public’s demands. Bulgaria, a nation of 6.4 million, is set to join the eurozone on Jan. 1, becoming the 21st EU country to adopt the euro.  

Denmark plans to ban social media access for children under 15, following Australia’s move to restrict use for those under 16, in a bid to protect young people from online risks. The Danish government said last month that it reached an agreement with three coalition and two opposition parties in parliament on the measure, which could become law by mid-2026. Parents may have limited rights to allow children aged 13 and above to use social media, though the ministry has not fully outlined the enforcement details. Many platforms already bar users under 13, and EU rules require safeguards for minors. Yet authorities say restrictions have limited impact: about 98% of Danish children under 13 already have social media profiles, including nearly half under 10. Minister for Digital Affairs Caroline Stage, announcing the plan, said a consultation and multiple parliamentary readings are still needed. “For too long, social media platforms have had free play in children’s lives,” she said. “In the digital world, we don’t have bouncers, and we need that.” The Danish proposal comes amid mixed reactions. Some teenagers fear losing contact with online friends. Fifteen-year-old Ronja Zander said she relies on social media to stay in touch with friends she only knows online. Others, like 14-year-old Chloé Courage Fjelstrup-Matthisen, highlighted exposure to graphic content and cyberbullying. Parents largely support the move. Line Pedersen from Nykøbing said children were given smartphones and social media too early, leaving them unsure of what is normal online. The government plans to use a new “digital evidence” app, expected next spring, displaying age certificates to ensure compliance with age limits. Stage emphasized that political action is needed because social media companies often fail to enforce their own rules. Experts caution that age restrictions may not fully protect children and could affect their democratic rights. Anne Mette Thorhauge, associate professor at the University of Copenhagen, said social media is a key way for young people to connect with society, similar to broadcast media for previous generations. The EU Digital Services Act requires platforms to implement parental controls and age verification, but enforcement remains challenging across member states. Denmark joins several countries following Australia’s lead. Malaysia plans to bar social media for users under 16 from next year, while Norway is considering similar restrictions. China already limits children’s online gaming and smartphone usage.  

European leaders are set to discuss stricter migration policies this week, a move critics say caters to far-right pressure and risks undermining protections for vulnerable migrants.Ministers from the 27 EU member states convened in Brussels to address migrant smuggling, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivering a keynote speech. Meanwhile, the Council of Europe, representing 46 countries from Iceland to Azerbaijan, is debating measures to make deportations easier for treaty signatories.Last year, nine countries—including Denmark, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Italy, and Poland—attempted to limit the authority of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), arguing that its interpretation of human rights obligations hindered efforts to expel migrants who commit crimes. That effort failed, though support for its principles has grown. The ECHR handles complaints under the European Convention on Human Rights, including many related to migrants and asylum seekers.Centrist and left-leaning parties are increasingly backing tougher migration rules as a way to counter far-right political momentum. Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote in an op-ed that their approach targets economic migrants rather than refugees fleeing conflict, framing it as a practical, humane solution rather than political opportunism.Despite unauthorized border crossings into the EU dropping 22% from January to October, migration remains a pressing concern. Frontex recorded 152,000 irregular entries during that period, while most migrants arrive legally, often overstaying visas.The EU has invested billions to curb irregular migration, funding interception programs in Africa and the Middle East, yet member nations also face labor shortages and an aging population, prompting efforts to attract foreign workers legally.Council of Europe Secretary-General Alain Berset emphasized the importance of safeguarding individual rights under the European Convention on Human Rights, warning that the convention’s integrity is inseparable from Europe’s broader direction.The upcoming meetings in Brussels and Strasbourg will signal whether European nations prioritize stricter migration enforcement or maintain a balance between security and human rights protections.

France’s social security budget faces a high-stakes parliamentary vote on Tuesday that could spark a political crisis and leave a €30 billion ($35 billion) shortfall for healthcare, pensions, and welfare programs. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, lacking a parliamentary majority, has secured Socialist backing by suspending President Macron’s 2023 pension reform, but this move alienated centrist and conservative allies, leaving the bill’s approval uncertain, reports reuters. Lawmakers in the lower house began reviewing the legislation after 4 p.m. local time, following narrow approval of the taxation portion. Budget Minister Amelie de Montchalin said she could not predict the outcome, though the government might promise additional funding for hospitals to win over reluctant parties, including the Greens. Socialist leader Olivier Faure indicated his party’s support after concessions, while far-right and hard-left factions are expected to oppose the bill. Centrist Horizon and conservative Republicains may abstain or vote against it, criticizing Lecornu for sacrificing pension reform and increasing taxes to appease the Socialists. Social security accounts for over 40% of France’s public spending. Lecornu warned that rejection could create a €30 billion gap, nearly double the original €17 billion allocation, threatening the entire 2025 budget. With the year-end approaching, the government may need stopgap measures. The administration aims to reduce France’s budget deficit to below 5% of GDP next year but faces a fragmented parliament without a majority, making budget passage difficult. Budgetary instability has plagued France since Macron lost his parliamentary majority in last year’s snap election, leading to three governments falling. Last year, budget disputes triggered a no-confidence vote that toppled Michel Barnier’s cabinet, highlighting ongoing political volatility. This vote is seen as a key test of Lecornu’s ability to navigate a divided legislature while securing funding for essential social programs.  

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in London as Kyiv’s European partners seek to strengthen Ukraine’s position in negotiations on a U.S.-backed plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Zelenskyy said his discussions in London and Brussels this week will focus on security, air defense, and long-term financial support for Ukraine’s war effort. The leaders aim to ensure any ceasefire includes robust guarantees from both Europe and the United States to prevent further Russian attacks. U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators concluded three days of talks on Saturday to narrow differences over the U.S. peace proposal. A key sticking point is the suggestion that Ukraine cede control of the Russian-occupied Donbas region, which Ukraine and its European allies oppose. Starmer said he will not pressure Zelenskyy to accept a peace settlement, emphasizing that any halt in hostilities must be fair and lasting. Meanwhile, Russian attacks continued overnight. Drones struck residential buildings in Okhtyrka and Chernihiv, injuring at least 10 civilians and causing extensive damage, while Ukraine reported that 131 of 149 Russian drones fired were neutralized. Russia claimed its air defenses shot down 67 Ukrainian drones over 11 regions. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov welcomed a new U.S. national security strategy, saying it aligns with Moscow’s vision for dialogue and constructive relations, though European leaders have expressed concern over parts of the document.  

At least 18 migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea in an inflatable boat died when it capsized south of the island of Crete, Greek authorities said Saturday. The half-sunken boat was located Saturday by a passing Turkish merchant vessel, authorities said. Two survivors were rescued and a rescue operation to find more was ongoing. Greece is a major entry point into the European Union for people fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia and f atal accidents are a common occurrence. The short but perilous journey from Turkey’s coast to nearby Greek islands in inflatable dinghies or small boats, often in poor conditions, used to be the major route until increased patrols and alleged pushbacks reduced crossing attempts. In recent months, arrivals from Libya to Crete have surged. Authorities have not yet determined where the boat came from. A ship and a plane from European border agency Frontex, a Greek Coast Guard helicopter and three merchant vessels are taking part in the search operation.  

Russia has warned that it will take action if the European Union moves to seize its frozen assets, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Thursday. Zakharova described any Russian response as a “surprise” for the EU but did not provide further details. She also criticized European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s behavior as “inappropriate.” The remarks follow von der Leyen’s revised proposal on Wednesday to use frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine. The updated plan reduced the potential funding from a maximum of $186 billion to about $105 billion. Belgium has opposed the EU initiative, citing unresolved financial and legal risks. Most of the frozen Russian assets are held at Euroclear, a securities depository based in Brussels.

A 12-year-old boy was killed when Russian drones struck a house in central Ukraine, officials said Friday, as Ukraine carried out long-range attacks on a Russian port and oil refinery amid quiet U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to end the nearly four-year war. U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner were expected to meet a Ukrainian delegation in Miami on Thursday, though neither side confirmed whether the talks took place. The meeting was planned shortly after the envoys held discussions with President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin earlier in the week. Officials have said little publicly about the latest peace efforts, and past attempts to break the stalemate have failed. Trump’s 28-point proposal was leaked earlier, but progress remains unclear. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his team in Miami sought updates from U.S. representatives about their conversations in Moscow. He and European allies have long accused Putin of using diplomacy to buy time while Russian forces push ahead on the battlefield. In a video address late Thursday, Zelenskyy said Ukraine wants to know “what other pretexts Putin has come up with to drag out the war and to pressure Ukraine.” Meanwhile, Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov, speaking during Putin’s visit to India, repeated Moscow’s criticism of Europe’s position in the talks. He said Ukraine’s European partners were setting conditions that Russia would never accept, arguing that their demands hinder negotiations between Washington and Moscow. In Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region, local authorities said a Russian drone destroyed a house Thursday night, killing the boy and injuring two women. Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 137 drones of multiple types overnight. Ukraine also carried out its own strikes. Drones hit the Temryuk sea port in Russia’s Krasnodar region, sparking a fire and damaging infrastructure, officials said. Ukrainian drones also targeted the city of Syzran on the Volga River. Local media reported, without official confirmation, that an oil refinery there was hit. Russia’s Defense Ministry said its air defenses intercepted 85 Ukrainian drones over several regions and occupied Crimea during the night.  

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will lay a wreath at Coventry Cathedral on Friday, marking a symbolic act of remembrance for the victims of World War II as Germany and the United Kingdom move to strengthen their partnership at a time of renewed conflict in Europe. The visit to Coventry honors those killed when Nazi forces bombed the city on Nov 14, 1940, destroying its 14th-century Gothic cathedral and killing at least 568 people. More than half of Coventry’s homes were damaged or destroyed that night, the most concentrated assault on any British city during the war. The Duke of Kent will represent Britain at the ceremony, recognized for his long-standing efforts to promote reconciliation between the two nations. Steinmeier’s appearance comes at the end of a three-day state visit, the first by a German president in 27 years. The trip has emphasized a renewed spirit of cooperation as European countries close ranks to support Ukraine and counter Russian attempts to destabilize Western democracies through interference, disinformation and sabotage. Concerns over what they see as U.S. President Donald Trump’s unpredictability have pushed European states to increase defense spending and deepen military coordination. The German leader and King Charles III highlighted their countries’ shared history and values during a state banquet at Windsor Castle on Wednesday. Steinmeier described Coventry as a symbol of reconciliation, saying the city’s rebirth shows “what is possible when people have the courage to pursue reconciliation.” Earlier this year, the UK and Germany signed a treaty to expand cooperation on defense, migration and climate change. Analysts say Steinmeier’s visit reflects a historic level of unity among European nations, unmatched since the early 19th century. The state visit included meetings with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, an address to Parliament and a wreath-laying at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II. The royal ceremony offered the full spectacle of British pageantry, with Charles and Queen Camilla welcoming Steinmeier and his wife, Elke Büdenbender, for a procession to Windsor Castle and a formal banquet in St George’s Hall, which was decorated with a towering Christmas tree. In his address to lawmakers, Steinmeier called Russia’s invasion of Ukraine an assault on the rules-based order built after World War II. He warned of “imperial ambitions” and attempts by destabilizing forces to divide democratic societies, urging Europe to remain united “for what defines us.”