Banner day for Keir Starmer as Britain celebrates VE Day and agrees trade deal
On a busy day for the Prime Minister, Mr Starmer also attended a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in London to mark VE Day. AP
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The National
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Nato chief asks alliance members to make 'quantum leap'
Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte will warn on Monday that a '400 per cent increase' in air and missile defence capacity is needed to counter the threat from Russia. The Nato chief is meeting UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London amid calls by Donald Trump for members of the transatlantic alliance to increase defence spending to five per cent of GDP. The current target is two per cent. Mr Rutte believes a 'quantum leap' in collective defence is needed. He is expected to warn that 'wishful thinking will not keep us safe' and say that Nato must become a 'stronger, fairer and more lethal alliance' to protect itself. 'We see in Ukraine how Russia delivers terror from above, so we will strengthen the shield that protects our skies,' Mr Rutte will say in a speech to the Chatham House think tank in London. His comments come ahead of a Nato summit in the Netherlands this month and amid mounting pressure by Mr Trump on Nato members to increase defence spending. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said last week in Brussels that the allies were close to agreeing the five per cent target, which could be formalised at the summit in The Hague. Nato members have been scrambling to bolster their defence capabilities since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. 'Danger will not disappear even when the war in Ukraine ends,' Mr Rutte will say. 'We need a quantum leap in our collective defence … We must have more forces and capabilities to implement our defence plans in full. 'Our militaries also need thousands more armoured vehicles and tanks, millions more artillery shells.' The UK's Strategic Defence Review, which was published last week, recommended sweeping changes, including a greater focus on new technology, including drones and artificial intelligence based on rising budgets. It included plans to build up to 12 nuclear-powered attack submarines and six munitions factories to rearm the country in response to Russia's threat.
The National
3 hours ago
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US and Chinese trade negotiators to meet in London
The US and China will hold talks in London on Monday in an attempt to preserve a fragile truce on trade. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are to lead the delegation from Washington. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, who led his country's negotiating team in Geneva in May, is also at the head of Beijing's team in London. "The meeting should go very well," US President Donald Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News on Sunday that "we want China and the United States to continue moving forward with the agreement that was struck in Geneva". While the government of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has repeated it is not involved in the content of the discussions, a representative said: "We are a nation that champions free trade." UK authorities "have always been clear that a trade war is in nobody's interests, so we welcome these talks", the representative added. The talks in London come a matter of days after Mr Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held their first publicly announced phone call since the Republican returned to the White House. Mr Trump said the call, which took place on Thursday, reached a "very positive conclusion". Mr Xi was quoted by state-run news agency Xinhua as saying that "correcting the course of the big ship of Sino-US relations requires us to steer well and set the direction". The call came after tensions between the countries had soared, with Mr Trump accusing Beijing of breaching a tariff de-escalation deal reached in Geneva in May. "We need China to comply with their side of the deal. And so that's what the trade team will be discussing" in London, Ms Leavitt said. In April, Mr Trump introduced sweeping worldwide tariffs that hit China hardest. At one point, the US imposed levies on China of 145 per cent, as both sides engaged in tit-for-tat escalation. China's countermeasures on US goods reached 125 per cent. After two days of talks in Switzerland, the two sides agreed to reduce their tariffs for 90 days. But differences over certain issues have persisted, including China's restrictions on the export of rare earth minerals used in tech products. The impact of the tariffs was reflected in the latest official export data released on Monday in Beijing. Exports to the US fell by 12.7 per cent in May, with China shipping $28.8 billion worth in goods. This was down from $33 billion in April, China's General Administration of Customs has said. Throughout talks with the US, China has opened discussions with other trading partners, including Japan and South Korea, in an effort to build a united front to counter Mr Trump's tariffs. On Thursday, Beijing turned to Canada, with the two sides agreeing to regularise channels of communication after a period of strained ties. China is expected to host a summit with the EU in July, marking 50 years since Beijing and Brussels established diplomatic ties.
Zawya
3 hours ago
- Zawya
Kuwait's new law sets deadline, penalties for unpaid service fees
Kuwait - In a move aimed at tightening fiscal discipline and ensuring the effective recovery of dues, the Kuwaiti government has issued Decree-Law No. 75 of 2025 concerning the collection of fees and financial costs for the use of public facilities and services. The law introduces a framework to govern the financial relationship between ministries, public institutions, and beneficiaries of state-provided services, reinforcing the principle that public utilities—ranging from electricity and water to telecommunications and transport—are not free but must be paid for under regulatory and administrative mandates. Core Provisions and Mechanisms Automatic Service Suspension and Installment Flexibility Under Article 1, if a debtor (whether an individual or a private legal entity) fails to pay dues within 30 days of notification, the concerned ministry or public body may temporarily suspend services. This suspension is lifted automatically through the government's digital systems once the outstanding amounts are paid. The law allows for installment-based repayments for those financially unable to settle the dues in one go, pending approval from the creditor. However, failure to adhere to the installment plan leads to its cancellation and the immediate initiation of debt recovery procedures. Mandatory Grievance Process Before Legal Action To prevent unnecessary litigation, Article 2 mandates that any individual disputing the suspension of services or the calculation of dues must first file a written grievance with the concerned authority. A response must be issued within 30 days. If no response is given, it is considered a rejection. Only after this process can a lawsuit be filed—within 30 days of either the rejection notice or the lapse of the response period, whichever comes first. Priority Lien on Debtor's Assets In a bold move to secure state revenues, Article 3 grants government creditors a statutory lien over all assets—movable and immovable—owned by the debtor. This gives the state legal priority in recovering its dues ahead of other creditors. Immediate Enforcement of Debt Recovery Article 4 elevates any official debt document or collection decision issued by a government entity to the status of an 'executive instrument.' This means the state can enforce collection directly without the need to go through lengthy court proceedings, following the procedures of Kuwait's Civil and Commercial Procedures Law. Ten-Year Statute of Limitations with Interruptions Article 5 introduces a 10-year statute of limitations for fee collection, starting from the due date or the end of the relevant fiscal year for annual fees. Crucially, this limitation can be interrupted by any official notice from the creditor that includes the outstanding amount and a request for payment, effectively restarting the clock on the limitation period. Judicial Fees Exempted Article 6 clearly states that the new law does not apply to judicial fees, which remain governed by Kuwait's Judicial Fees Law No. 17 of 1973. Rationale Behind the Legislation The explanatory note accompanying the law clarifies that the government's decision stems from widespread abuse of the existing system. Many beneficiaries of public services—including water, electricity, communications, and municipal services—have delayed or avoided payments, thereby burdening the state financially. This law is not meant to serve merely as a budgetary resource measure, but as a strategic tool for ensuring the efficient management of public utilities and discouraging negligence by debtors. It aims to restore the financial discipline required for a sustainable public service framework. Moreover, the government recognizes that some debts have accumulated to levels beyond immediate payment. By permitting structured payment plans, the law seeks to offer a balanced approach—enforcing payment obligations while recognizing genuine financial hardship. Implementation Timeline Article 7 mandates that ministers shall enforce the law within their jurisdictions, and it will come into effect three months from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette. Decree-Law No. 75 of 2025 marks a pivotal shift in Kuwait's approach to public service fee collection. By combining legal enforcement with digital automation, flexible repayment options, and judicial safeguards, the law positions the state to better protect public funds while promoting accountability among service users. It's a clear message that the era of unchecked fee evasion is coming to an end. Arab Times | © Copyright 2024, All Rights Reserved Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
