
Exclusive: Emily Watson urges Keir Starmer to ‘save' mother of jailed activist on 245-day hunger strike
Emily Watson has appealed to Sir Keir Starmer to intensify efforts to 'save' the mother of an imprisoned British-Egyptian activist who has been on hunger strike for more than 245 days.
Laila Soueif is currently hospitalised as a result of her ongoing hunger strike protesting the detention of her son, Alaa Abd el-Fattah, in Cairo, Egypt.
The 69-year-old has said she is willing to die to secure Mr Abd el-Fattah's release, who is being detained illegally by Egypt according to a UN investigation.
In an exclusive video shared with The Independent on Tuesday, the Academy Award-nominated actor urged the prime minister to take immediate action to save Ms Soueif.
'Before it's too late, we need to save Layla's life,' said Watson, who is known for her roles in The Theory of Everything and Gosford Park.
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Reuters
20 minutes ago
- Reuters
UK PM Starmer to discuss NATO defence spending plans with Rutte on Monday
LONDON, June 5 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will meet NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in London on Monday to discuss plans to increase defence spending among the alliance's members and Britain's new Strategic Defence Review, Downing Street said. "You can expect the Prime Minister and Secretary General to talk about how we ensure all allies step up their defence spending now in order to respond to the threats that we face now," the spokesperson told reporters on Thursday.


Daily Mirror
32 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Brits can skip passport queues at major holiday destination from this week
Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas Symonds confirmed Keir Starmer's deal with the EU was delivering benefits already - allowing holidaymakers to zip through eGates instead of lengthy passport queues Holidaymakers from the UK can skip lengthy passport queues at a major European holiday destination from today, after Keir Starmer cut a deal with the EU. Faro Airport in Portugal will start the rollout of eGate access to UK arrivals this week, the minister for EU relations has said. Taking a question about steps "to improve relations with the EU", Nick Thomas-Symonds - a minister in the Cabinet Office - told the Commons: "The historic deal that we signed with the EU on May 19 is in our national interests - good for bills, borders and jobs. "It slashes red tape and bureaucracy, boosts British exporters and makes life easier for holidaymakers. "Indeed, I'm delighted to confirm this morning that Faro Airport in Portugal will start the rollout of e-gate access to UK arrivals this week." Starmer described the deal as a "win-win" as he shook hands with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in London last month. "Britain is back on the world stage," he declared. "[The deal] gives us unprecedented access to the EU market, the best of any country... all while sticking to the red lines in our manifesto." The PM went on to explain the impact of the "new partnership between an independent Britain and our allies in Europe" on voters' daily lives. "Let me set out why it is good for Britain," he said in a speech posted to X. "Today's deal will [...] help British holidaymakers. We're confirming that they will be able to use e-gates when they travel to Europe, ending those huge queues at passport control." Since Brexit, British passport holders have been considered "visa-exempt third-country nationals" and have generally had to queue for manual checks at border control to have their passport stamped. Brits were able to use e-gates at a limited number of airports in Spain and Portugal. However, the EU has now agreed to ease checks on British travellers more universally. The deal states that "there will be no legal barriers to e-gate use for British nationals travelling to and from European Union." It's yet to be confirmed when the rest of the rollout will go ahead. But the EU plans to launch its new Entry/Exit System (EES) in October 2025, replacing the need for non-EU citizens to have their passports stamped. It is thought that more EU airports will allow UK passengers to use the e-gates after the new system comes into effect. The system will require travellers to have their fingerprints scanned and a photograph taken so they can be registered to a database. Their data will then be stored for three years. Those who do not provide a fingerprint scan and photo will be denied entry. Some EU airports will still require additional checks and Brits may not be able to use e-gates here. Brits will also still be subject to the '90-day rule', whereby eligible non-EU citizens can spend 90 days in any 180-day period in the EU without a visa. Travel records will be digitised under the new EES to enforce this rule and increase border security. The 'landmark deal' is also expected to "lower food prices at checkouts", improve UK defence and put "more money in people's pockets," according to Starmer. Von der Leyen described it as "a historic moment [...] opening a new chapter in our unique relationship."


Reuters
39 minutes ago
- Reuters
Egypt, Greece agree to protect status of Mount Sinai monastery, after court ruling
ATHENS, June 5 (Reuters) - Greece and Egypt have agreed to safeguard the status of one of the world's oldest sites of Christian worship, foreign ministers of both countries said late on Wednesday, after an Egyptian court ruling last week cast uncertainty over its future. The St Catherine's Monastery, at the foot of Egypt's Mount Sinai, was founded in the 6th century and is the oldest Christian monastery still in use for its original function, says UNESCO, which has listed the area as a World Heritage site. Revered by Christians, Muslims and Jews, the monastery is at the site where by Biblical tradition Moses received the Ten Commandments. But last week, an Egyptian court ruling seen by Reuters ordered Orthodox monks to vacate several plots of land that the monks have used for years, including vineyards and gardens adjacent to the monastery compound, on the grounds that they were illegally sequestered, prompting a diplomatic flurry between Cairo and Athens over the site's status. "We agreed in the immediate future to work towards safeguarding the rights of the monastery, as well as its legal status," Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis said after meeting his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty in Cairo. "Both Egypt and Greece intend to move forward based on the long-standing tradition and the already established status of an emblematic monastery for its Greek Orthodox character of worship". Abdelatty said that the ruling preserves the monastery's profound spiritual value and religious standing, and confirmed that the monks would continue to have access to and use of the monastery and its religious and historical sites, according to a foreign ministry statement. With a long history of diplomatic ties, Greece and Egypt have deepened cooperation in recent years. St Catherine's is a sprawling complex, and according to tradition it was built around a burning bush where God was said to have spoken to Moses as described in the Book of Exodus. Its library is one of the most extensive worldwide, containing some of the world's earliest Christian manuscripts.