Category: UK

King Charles III was briefly hospitalized on Thursday due to side effects from his cancer treatment. Buckingham Palace announced that he experienced temporary complications during his ongoing medical treatment, leading to the cancellation of his appointments for the day and Friday. The king has since returned home and is in good spirits, working on state papers.READ FULL

A major electrical substation fire has forced London’s Heathrow Airport to close for the entire day on Friday. About 70 firefighters are battling the blaze, which has caused a complete power outage at Europe’s busiest airport. Dozens of flights have been diverted worldwide, with some U.S. flights turning back mid-journey. Officials expect significant disruption to continue for several days.READ FULL

UK police have arrested over 1,000 people in connection with recent riots across England and Northern Ireland, following the stabbing death of three girls on July 29. At least 575 have been charged. The unrest, fueled by far-right misinformation about the alleged perpetrator’s identity, has led to swift judicial action. Among those in court was a 13-year-old girl who admitted to threatening violence, and a man who pleaded guilty to attacking police, a car with Romanian occupants, and looting stores. AFP

UK police have arrested Kyle Clifford, 26, in connection with the crossbow killings of Carol Hunt, wife of BBC and Sky Sports racing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise and Hannah in Bushey. The suspect, known to the victims, was found injured in Enfield. Police believe it was a targeted attack. The incident has sparked discussions about potential tightening of crossbow regulations in the UK. Source NDTV

In the UK election, Labour won 412 seats in the 650-seat House of Commons, while the Conservatives lost 251 seats, retaining only 121. Voter turnout was low at 60%. The new Labour government faces significant challenges, including social divisions, decaying public services (especially NHS), economic issues, and immigration concerns. The party’s promise of change resonated with voters, but high expectations may lead to frustration if not met quickly. Source:Daily Star

Keir Starmer has been officially appointed as the new UK Prime Minister by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace. This follows Labour’s landslide victory in the general election held on July 4, 2024. The King accepted Rishi Sunak’s resignation earlier and then requested Starmer to form a new government. Starmer accepted the offer and was formally appointed as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury. Source AFP

UK Election: Rushanara Ali, the first British-Bangladeshi MP, won her fifth consecutive term in the Bethnal Green and Stepney constituency. She secured 15,896 votes, beating her nearest independent rival. Labour Party achieved a landslide victory, winning 362 seats and securing a majority in parliament. Party leader Keir Starmer declared, “The change begins now.” This election marks continued strong representation for the British-Bangladeshi community in UK politics. Prothom Alo

Tulip Siddiq, granddaughter of Bangladesh’s founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, secured a landslide victory in the Hampstead and Kilburn constituency. She won her fourth consecutive term as MP with 23,432 votes, nearly tripling her Conservative opponent’s tally. Another Bangladeshi, Apsana Begum, won in Poplar and Limehouse with 18,535 votes. Both victories mark significant achievements for British-Bangladeshi representation in the UK Parliament. Prothom Alo

In the UK general election, the Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer, has won a landslide victory, ending 14 years of Conservative rule. Labour has secured over 326 seats, with predictions of around 410. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has conceded defeat. The Conservatives suffered their worst performance in history, winning only 70 seats so far. Starmer promised change and public service-oriented politics. The right-wing Reform UK party also made gains, with Nigel Farage winning a seat. Reuters

An NGO report warns that 52 million people living near Europe’s 32 busiest airports face health risks from high concentrations of ultrafine particles (UFPs) released by jet fuel combustion. These tiny, unregulated particles can easily penetrate human tissues. The study, based on data from Amsterdam-Schiphol airport, found UFP levels significantly higher near airports compared to city centers. The NGO calls for better monitoring and reduction targets.

Manchester Airport faced significant disruptions on Sunday due to a power cut in the area. Many flights, especially from Terminals 1 and 2, were delayed or cancelled. While power has been restored, the impact is expected to affect services throughout the day. Passengers for Terminals 1 and 2 are advised to contact their airlines before traveling, while those flying from Terminal 3 should proceed as normal but may experience delays. Source Reuters

Four members of the wealthy Hinduja family have been sentenced to jail by a Swiss court for exploiting Indian staff at their Geneva mansion. The family, Britain’s richest, was convicted of underpaying workers but acquitted of human trafficking. Prakash and Kamal Hinduja received 4.5-year sentences, while their son Ajay and his wife Namrata got 4-year terms. The family denies the allegations and plans to appeal the verdict. The case has drawn attention to labor practices among the ultra-wealthy. AFP