UK's Starmer, Oman's sultan agree to deepen ties in energy, defense and tech
During talks in London, the leaders also called for urgent humanitarian aid to reach Gaza, saying the current situation 'cannot continue.'
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Arab News
2 hours ago
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UK govt minister rejects claims by peers that Palestine recognition unlawful
LONDON: A government minister in the UK has rejected claims that plans to recognize Palestine breach international law. It came after an influential group of House of Lords peers wrote to the attorney general warning against the move by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who had earlier this week pledged to recognize a Palestinian state in September if Israel fails to reach a ceasefire with Hamas, among other conditions. The group of 38 peers wrote to Lord Hermer in a letter that said Starmer's pledge may be unlawful under the 1933 Montevideo Convention. The treaty mandates certain conditions for statehood, which the peers warned a Palestinian state may not fulfill. Business Minister Gareth Thomas, however, told Sky News on Thursday that the UK is not signed up to the Montevideo Convention. 'I respect the views of those lawyers, but in the end, recognition of a state is a political judgment, and we've been very clear that our judgment is that the Palestinians have an inalienable right to statehood,' he said. 'I don't think we are in breach of international law. We're not signed up to the Montevideo Convention. We're clear what needs to happen,' he added. 'The fact that so many other countries have either already recognized the state of Palestine, or are joining our efforts to recognize the state of Palestine, I think is very significant.' Among other conditions demanded by Starmer from Israel are the entry of more aid into Gaza, an end to land grabs in the West Bank, and a commitment to a long-term peace process. The peers' letter claimed that Palestine 'does not meet the international law criteria for recognition of a state, namely, defined territory, a permanent population, an effective government and the capacity to enter into relations with other states.' There is no certainty over Palestine's borders and no single government, they added.
Al Arabiya
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US imposes sanctions on Palestinian Authority officials, PLO members
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Italy's opposition warns against SpaceX citing national security risks
Italy's main opposition Democratic Party (PD) has warned Giorgia Meloni's ruling coalition against involving Elon Musk's SpaceX in the update of a satellite program, parliamentary documents show, saying the move would pose national security risks. A lower house defense committee approved this week a government proposal which includes replacing an old satellite system, named SICRAL, with a new one. The system, first launched in 2001, has been developed by Telespazio and Thales Alenia Space, two joint ventures between Italy's aerospace and defense group Leonardo and France's Thales. The PD asked the government to make clear that SpaceX would not be called in to help launch the SICRAL 3 satellite into orbit. Defense Undersecretary Isabella Rauti said the administration would assess its options, but SpaceX was the most advanced company available on the market. 'We only want Italian or European companies to be involved in a security matter such as SICRAL,' PD lawmaker and defense committee member Stefano Graziano told Reuters. His party abstained from the vote. Italy's opposition parties have repeatedly urged the government to prevent Musk and his companies from becoming involved in national security matters, amid concerns over the influence he wields through his Starlink satellite service. Europe has been rushing to find viable alternatives to SpaceX's low orbit satellites for communications and intelligence while launching platforms to ensure independent access to space, as pan-European projects still lag behind. Musk, a friend of Prime Minister Meloni, held talks with Italian officials over a potential telecommunications contract, but discussions stalled earlier this year amid mounting political controversy. 'The deployment of the SICRAL 3 satellite addresses the need to strengthen national connectivity and provide Italy with strategic independence in long-range communications,' Rauti told Reuters. SpaceX did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment on this story. The SICRAL system uses geostationary satellites for confidential strategic and tactical communications, to support defense missions both in Italy and abroad. The Italian government will invest a total 767 million euros ($878 million) through 2028 in the program, the documents show. Rauti said the new satellite would be launched by the first half of 2027.
