
Hostages released and a protest over whales: photos of the day
Wreckage of the crashed jet in the Potomac River. Rescue boats search the waters after the plane, on approach to Reagan National airport, crashed into the river, outside Washington, DC. The regional jet from Kansas crashed after colliding mid-air with a military helicopter near the airport, prompting a major emergency response and grounding all flights Photograph: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images
Rescuers work at the site of a damaged residential building after shelling in northeastern Ukraine. At least four people were killed and nine others injured in the Russian drone attack Photograph: State Emergency Service Of Ukraine Handout/EPA
A large Palestinian flag hangs on a damaged building ahead of the handover of hostages to members of the International Committee of the Red Cross. The move is part of a ceasefire and a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel Photograph: Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters
Hamas militants escort Israeli hostage Agam Berger before handing her over to a Red Cross team as part of their third hostage-prisoner exchange Photograph: Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP/Getty Images
Family members and supporters of Berger react as they watch a broadcast of her during her release. Berger, a soldier, was seized from her army base in southern Israel during the deadly 7 October attack by Hamas Photograph: Tomer Appelbaum/Reuters
Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad and Hamas fighters escort Arbel Yehoud to hand her over to a Red Cross team as part of their third hostage-prisoner exchange. Photograph: Eyad Baba/AFP/Getty Images
The CN Tower is illuminated with green lights to mark the National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images
(left to right) Heidi Reichinnek, Gregor Gysi and Ines Schwerdtner, co-leader of leftwing Die Linke, dance at the political party's election campaign launch rally. Germany is scheduled to hold snap federal parliamentary elections on 23 February Photograph:Supporters hold photos of pro-choice activist Justyna Wydrzyńska before a hearing at the appeals court. Wydrzyńska was found guilty in 2023 of supplying a pregnant woman with abortion pills in Poland's first such case Photograph: Sergei Gapon/AFP/Getty Images
Maria Martins de Souza, a nurse from the Brazilian state Sistema Unico de Saude or Unified Health System, checks patient Josenilda Vitoriosa, 57. The nurse visits vulnerable and elderly people, and patients with reduced mobility, in the working-class district of Caju in the north of Rio de Janeiro, attending to high rates of dehydration and high blood pressure caused by high temperatures. Photograph: Aline Massuca/Reuters
Environmentalists and protesters rallying against a gas project in the Gulf of California, which they say can endanger whales, gather at Mexico City's Zocalo main square Photograph: Henry Romero/Reuters
Rapper Rakim Mayers, aka A$AP Rocky, leaves court during his felony assault trial at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in downtown Los Angeles, California. The 36-year-old faces two counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm during confrontations with Terell Ephron Photograph: Frazer Harrison/AFP/Getty Images
Pilgrims bathe on the banks of the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers at the Kumbh Mela festival in Uttar Pradesh. The festival is expected to go down as the largest ever gathering of humanity, pulling in an estimated 400 million individuals over a 40-day period. The busiest day so far saw an estimated 17.5 million people attend Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian
A model prepares backstage for the presentation of Spanish designer Juana Martin's Spring/Summer 2025 Haute Couture collection during Paris Fashion Week Photograph: Teresa Suárez/EPA
Anthony Mackie attends the UK photocall of Marvel Studios' Captain America: Brave New World in Trafalgar Square Photograph: Timfor The Walt Disney Company Limited
Performers pose for a photo before going on stage at the Longtan Park Temple Fair on the second day of Lunar New Year celebrations
Photograph: Aaron Favila/AP
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The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Two Israeli ministers sanctioned by UK for ‘inciting extremist violence'
The UK is taking the action to ramp up pressure on Israel alongside Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway. Mr Lammy said the two Israeli ministers had been 'inciting violence against Palestinian people for months and months and months, they have been encouraging egregious abuses of human rights'. In a joint statement with foreign ministers from the four other countries who have announced sanctions, the Foreign Secretary said the two senior Israelis had also incited 'serious abuses of Palestinian human rights'. The statement added: 'These actions are not acceptable. This is why we have taken action now – to hold those responsible to account.' Downing Street said the two ministers had been sanctioned in their 'personal capacities'. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the two Israeli ministers had been 'inciting violence against Palestinian people for months and months and months' (Carlos Jasso/PA) Mr Smotrich and Mr Ben-Gvir both belong to right-wing parties which help to prop up Benjamin Netanyahu's fragile coalition government. Both have been criticised for their hardline stance on the war in Gaza. Mr Smotrich has campaigned against allowing aid into Gaza, and also supported the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law. Meanwhile, Mr Ben-Gvir has called for Gaza's people to be resettled from the territory. Asked if the Israeli government's actions in the Palestinian territories amounted to ethnic cleansing, Mr Lammy told reporters at the Foreign Office: 'I was clear to the House of Commons back in September that we did believe that there was a clear risk of a breach of international humanitarian law, and that's why we made a decision to suspend arms (sales). 'Today we are making a decision also to stand against those who encourage abuses of human rights, also to stand against those who encourage violence against Palestinian people.' The Foreign Secretary did not directly answer when asked why similar action had not been taken against Mr Netanyahu, and called on the Israeli government to 'disavow and condemn' the language used by the two ministers. Asked whether the UK would encourage Mr Netanyahu to sack the ministers, Mr Lammy said: 'The Israeli government will make their own determination.' But from the UK's perspective, he said: 'We have to be clear that we act when we see these egregious individuals encouraging – encouraging – abuses of human rights in this way.' A No 10 spokesman said the sanctions applied 'in their personal capacities, not their ministries and departments'. 'Ben-Gvir and Smotrich do not speak for all Israeli people … and have a long history of dangerous extremist and inflammatory views. 'As the Israeli ambassador to the UK has said in recent interviews, their statements in their ministerial capacities do not even represent government policy. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer wrote a joint statement with the French and Canadian leaders last month warning that Israel's leaders risked 'breaching International Humanitarian Law' (Jordan Pettitt/PA) 'Their agenda and actions undermine the interests of Israeli people, including security, many Israelis see this.' Israel's foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar said it was 'outrageous' that the UK had sanctioned the two ministers. He also said he had spoken with Mr Netanyahu and that an Israeli response would be decided at a 'special government meeting early next week'. Following the sanctions, Mr Ben-Gvir said: 'While the European colonial countries fantasise that we Jews are still their subjects, the streets of their famous cities are being taken over by radical Islam. 'But their campaign of appeasement for the Hamas terrorists will not save them. When they finally wake up, it will be too late.' The UK and its allies have increased pressure on Israel in recent months amid ongoing aid shortages in Gaza, as well as suggestions it could launch a new large-scale offensive into the territory. Reports suggest only scarce amounts of aid are making it into the hands of Gazans, amid a new aid initiative backed by the US and Israel, which has replaced the previous UN-run programme. The slow flow of food and medicines has prompted warnings of famine and starvation among the territory's population. In May, Mr Lammy paused negotiations towards a UK-Israel trade deal as the Government sought to pressure Israel to abandon its planned offensive into Gaza. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney also wrote a joint statement last month warning that Israel's leaders risked 'breaching International Humanitarian Law', and calling for more aid to be allowed into Gaza. Lord David Cameron said previously that he had considered sanctioning both Israeli ministers in his final days as foreign secretary in Rishi Sunak's government (Ben Birchall/PA) Mr Netanyahu responded by claiming the three leaders were on the 'wrong side' of history. In September last year, the Government halted 30 out of around 350 arms sales licences to Israel, for fear they may be used for war crimes. Ministers insist that this means F-35 fighter jets used by Israel no longer receive replacement parts from the UK, and no British-made bombs or ammunition are used in Gaza. Lord David Cameron has previously said he considered sanctioning both Israeli ministers in his final days as foreign secretary in Rishi Sunak's Conservative government.


The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Stephen Flynn: Flynn: Independent Scotland would cut ties with Israel
The Scottish Government, under the leadership of both Humza Yousaf and John Swinney, has been outspoken on the conflict, consistently calling for a ceasefire and for humanitarian aid to be able to enter Gaza. The Aberdeen South MP also said the UK Government should do something to catch the Israeli government's attention as it looks to ramp up pressure. Asked if an independent Scotland would close its embassies in Israel and break off relations with the country, Mr Flynn said it would. 'I've gone into the House of Commons on God knows how many occasions now and listened to David Lammy and Hamish Falconer, the Middle East minister, and they've told us how 'we're going to do this, or we're going to do that, and this is the latest thing we're going to do'. 'And then he stands up and says, 'but they're ignoring us'. 'Well, if they're ignoring you, then do something that captures their attention.' Much of Gaza has been reduced to rubble and tens of thousands are dead since the war began (Image: PA) Mr Flynn's comments come as the Foreign Secretary announced the UK would be sanctioning two Israeli ministers. Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, Israel's security minister and finance minister respectively, have been 'inciting violence against Palestinian people for months and months and months, they have been encouraging egregious abuses of human rights', David Lammy said. Both will be subject to a travel ban and asset freeze. READ MORE: The Westminster SNP leader went on to say that it would not be 'wise' for his party's MPs to visit Israel, claiming they were likely to be turned away from the country, as happened with Labour MPs earlier this year, owing to the party's outspoken opposition to the conduct of the war in Gaza. 'I'd be amazed if any of them did, because they're not daft, and they probably know that they would get turned around and stuck on a plane right back out Israel,' he said. 'Look, I'm deeply, deeply upset and angry about what's happened in Gaza, and what continues to happen in Gaza, and the fact that the UK position has been so weak for far too long in respect of this. 'I think it's important that you convey your views to people who are rational actors.'


STV News
2 hours ago
- STV News
UK sanctions Israeli ministers over Gaza comments
Israeli government ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have been sanctioned by the UK government for 'inciting violence against the Palestinian people'. The sanction means their assets will be frozen, and the men will be banned from entering the UK. The UK is taking action alongside Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Norway. In a joint statement with foreign ministers from the four other countries who have announced sanctions, foreign secretary David Lammy said the two senior Israelis had incited 'serious abuses of Palestinian human rights'. The statement added: 'We have engaged the Israeli government on this issue extensively, yet violent perpetrators continue to act with encouragement and impunity. 'These actions are not acceptable. This is why we have taken action now – to hold those responsible to account.' Foreign Secretary David Lammy announces sanctions against Israeli ministers Ben-Gvir and SmotrichLammy says the men 'have been inciting violence against Palestinian people for months' He reiterated the government's support for a two-state solution — ITVPolitics (@ITVNewsPolitics) June 10, 2025 David Lammy has described Israel's actions as 'monstrous' and condemned the actions of 'extremist' settlers in the West Bank, saying Netanyahu's administration has a responsibility to intervene to halt their actions. In a sign of mounting pressure on Israel over its actions in Gaza, last month the UK suspended trade talks with Israel and sanctioned West Bank settlers. Lammy said: 'We have suspended negotiations with this Israeli government on a new free trade agreement.' Adding that the UK is reviewing its co-operation with the Israeli administration, he said: 'The Netanyahu government's actions have made this necessary.' The sanctions were sparked by a series of comments made by the two men about Gaza – finance minister Smotrich recently said he would allow 'not even a grain of wheat' into Gaza, that 'Gaza will be entirely destroyed', and Palestinian people 'will leave in great numbers to third countries.' Security minister Ben-Gvir has also said Israel should 'encourage the voluntary emigration of the residents of Gaza', and that 'there is no need to bring in aid'. The government has been drawing up the plans to sanction the two men for months. Ben-Gvir also called for the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem to be replaced with a synagogue. Israel's government responded to the sanctions saying they were 'outrageous'. Minister of foreign affairs Gideon Sa'ar's said: 'We were informed about the UK decision to include two of our Ministers on the British Sanctions list. 'It is outrageous that elected representatives and members of the government are subjected to these kind of measures. 'I discussed it earlier today with PM Netanyahu and we will hold a special government meeting early next week to decide on our response to this unacceptable decision.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country