Latest news with #BRITISH
The Journal
8 hours ago
- Politics
- The Journal
UK will recognise State of Palestine in September unless Israel reaches ceasefire in Gaza
BRITISH PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer has said the UK will recognise the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September, unless the Israeli government reaches a ceasefire in Gaza. The Labour leader made the announcement this afternoon following a cabinet meeting to discuss the situation amid global anger at starvation in the territory. Today, the UN's World Food Programme said famine is 'now' unfolding in Gaza , with thousands of children malnourished and hunger-related deaths on the rise among the youngest. Starmer has faced mounting pressure after French President Emmanuel Macron announced France would formally recognise Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September. Last week, over 221 MPs – the majority Labour, along with Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, SNP, Greens, Plaid Cymru, SDLP and Independents – signed a letter calling on the British government to take the step. Speaking from Downing Street this afternoon, Starmer said he had always committed to recognising a Palestinian state as part of a wider goal towards a two-state solution in the Middle East. 'With that solution now under threat, this is the moment to act,' he said. He said he needs to see 'at least 500 trucks entering Gaza every day' to deliver aid. Advertisement 'But ultimately, the only way to bring this humanitarian crisis to an end is through a long-term settlement. So we are supporting the US, Egyptian and Qatari efforts to secure a vital ceasefire,' he said. 'That ceasefire must be sustainable and it must lead to a wider peace plan, which we are developing with our international partners. This plan will deliver security and proper governance in Gaza and pave the way for negotiations on a two-state solution.' BREAKING: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced the UK will recognise Palestine as a state by the United Nations meeting in September, unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire. Read more: 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube — Sky News (@SkyNews) July 29, 2025 Starmer said the UK's goal 'remains a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.' Asked by reporters why he had decided to make the announcement now, he said he wanted to ensure 'that this plays a part in changing the conditions on the ground'. 'I've always been interested in what is going to make a material difference, how can we work with our allies most effectively, and that's why this comes as a part of a peace plan that we've been working on for some considerable time.' Starmer added that he had discussed this eight-part plan with France and Germany, along with 'many other countries'. Asked why the recognition was conditional and how confident he was that a ceasefire could be reached by September, Starmer said his primary aim 'is to change the situation on the ground for people who desperately need change'. 'I am particularly concerned that the very idea of a two-state solution is reducing and feels further away today than it has for many, many years, and therefore, it should be seen in both of those contexts,' he added. A readout from the earlier cabinet meeting states that the UK will recognise the state of Palestine in September unless the Israeli government reaches a ceasefire in Gaza, makes clear there is no annexation of the West Bank, and commits to a long-term peace process that delivers a two-state solution. Related Reads Gaza famine 'reminiscent of Ethiopia' and 'unlike anything seen this century', says UN's WFP France will officially recognise State of Palestine in September, Macron announces BBC says it is 'deeply alarmed' that its reporters are facing the threat of starvation in Gaza Starmer told his cabinet there is no equivalence between Israel and Hamas. He said Hamas needs to release hostages, sign up to a ceasefire, disarm and take no part in the government of Gaza. He also committed to make an assessment ahead of the UN General Assembly on how far the parties have met these steps before making a final decision, ensuring that no one side will have a veto. 'He reiterated that he had taken this action to protect the viability of the two-state solution, and that the immediate focus must be to get more aid urgently into Gaza, and that work would continue to bring allies on board with the plan that delivers a long-term settlement to the conflict,' the readout states. Starmer recalled the British government from their summer recess to discuss the situation. The UK is working with Jordan on plans to airdrop aid into Gaza and evacuate children in need of medical assistance. With reporting from Press Association Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Irish Sun
17 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
British tourist, 52, drowns in hotel pool during Majorca holiday as he's pulled unconscious out of water
A BRITISH tourist has drowned in his hotel pool in Majorca. The 52-year-old man was found face down in the water by paramedics who rushed to the hotel after receiving an urgent alert. Advertisement 1 A British tourist has drowned in his hotel pool in Majorca Credit: SWNS The alarm was raised just after 8.30am this morning in S'llot - a small tourist town on the south east coast of the Balearic Island. Emergency medical organisation SAMU said: 'A British man aged 52 has been found floating face down in the swimming pool of a hotel in S'Illot. 'He was pulled out of the water and basic resuscitation manoeuvres were practiced on him until the first ambulances arrived when it was confirmed he had gone into cardiac arrest. 'Despite attempts to resuscitate him he died. The alarm was raised at 8.37am this morning." Advertisement read more in Brit tourists An air ambulance was quickly mobilised as well as a life-support ambulance. Cops are yet to make an official comment on the circumstances surrounding the Brit's death. An investigation is underway with island police still at the scene. The tragedy comes just days after a Advertisement Most read in The Sun Latest The man was dragged from the sea off the Another A local doctor tried to In June, another Brit tourist died in Greece after he went swimming. Advertisement The
Scottish Sun
17 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
British tourist, 52, drowns in hotel pool during Majorca holiday as he's pulled unconscious out of water
An air ambulance was mobilised to try and save the man HOLS TRAGEDY British tourist, 52, drowns in hotel pool during Majorca holiday as he's pulled unconscious out of water Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A BRITISH tourist has drowned in his hotel pool in Majorca. The 52-year-old man was found face down in the water by paramedics who rushed to the hotel after receiving an urgent alert. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 A British tourist has drowned in his hotel pool in Majorca Credit: SWNS The alarm was raised just after 8.30am this morning in S'llot - a small tourist town on the south east coast of the Balearic Island. Emergency medical organisation SAMU said: 'A British man aged 52 has been found floating face down in the swimming pool of a hotel in S'Illot. 'He was pulled out of the water and basic resuscitation manoeuvres were practiced on him until the first ambulances arrived when it was confirmed he had gone into cardiac arrest. 'Despite attempts to resuscitate him he died. The alarm was raised at 8.37am this morning." An air ambulance was quickly mobilised as well as a life-support ambulance. Cops are yet to make an official comment on the circumstances surrounding the Brit's death. An investigation is underway with island police still at the scene. The tragedy comes just days after a 75-year-old Brit died while swimming during a boat trip in Greece. The man was dragged from the sea off the holiday hotspot of Kefalonia during the tourist trip. Another pensioner died on his sun lounger in Agia Paraskevi, Skiathos by horrified beachgoers after he went for a swim. A local doctor tried to revive the man for 40 minutes but was unable to do so. In June, another Brit tourist died in Greece after he went swimming. The 68-year-old holidaymaker was found dead after he lost consciousness in the water off the island of Rhodes, local media reported.
India Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Demand for Sikh regiment in British Army peaks, minister says open to idea
Following calls for a dedicated Sikh regiment in the British Army, comprising members of the community in the UK, the Keir Starmer-led government has said that it's open to the idea. Earlier this month, Labour peer Lord Kuldip Singh Sahota raised the issue in the House of Lords, citing the loyalty and courage of Sikh soldiers in both World Wars, The UK Defence Journal Defence Minister Vernon Rodney Coaker expressed his willingness to discuss the matter with the Sikh in July, Sahota, in the House of Lords, asked about progress on long-standing calls for such a unit in the British responded that he was open to discussions, saying, "I am quite happy to meet him (Sahota) to see what more we can do to recognise the contribution of soldiers such as Sikhs, and those of many other faiths as well".Notably, according to The Royal Logistic Corps Association, there were 130 Sikh soldiers in the British Army and another 70 serving across defence forces in 2019. However, media reports estimate that the number of Sikh soldiers in the British Army to have risen to around 160 in Minister Coaker, in the first week of July, pointed to the Victory over Japan Day commemorations on August 15, as a moment to reflect on the global wartime sacrifices of the British forces. "Not least among that were the Sikhs of the world, who played a valiant part," the UK Defence Journal quoted him as no firm commitment was made, the conversation signals fresh momentum to acknowledge Sikh military history in the British Armed A NEW IDEA TO HAVE SIKH REGIMENT IN THE BRITISH ARMYThis isn't a new 2015, Armed Forces Minister Mark Francois told the House of Commons that General Nicholas Carter, then-Chief of the General Staff, was reviewing the feasibility of a Sikh unit, possibly a reserve Defence Minister Sir Nicholas Soames urged the government to "do away with political correctness" and establish the regiment, praising the "extraordinary gallant and distinguished service by Sikhs to this country down the generations".Francois had in 2015 noted the proposal's merits, saying it was raised by several MPs and was under consideration. The discussions emphasised carrying forward the traditions of Sikh regiments from the British Indian Army, though no action ASSOCIATED WITH BRITISH ARMY SINCE MID-19TH CENTURYSikhs have served in the British military since the 1840s, after the annexation of the Sikh Empire in British colonisers, to bolster their grip, categorised military regiments in the British Indian Army by caste, religion, and region, designating Sikhs, Gurkhas, Jats, Rajputs, Nagas, and many others as "martial races" that were suited for recruited heavily from Punjab after the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny or the First War of Independence, as the community was deemed divisive strategy prioritised military utility over the cultural depth of the Sikhs transformed this imposed label into a legacy of the late 19th century, Sikhs were a cornerstone of the British Indian Army, serving in regiments like the Sikh Regiment and Punjab per the UK Defence Journal, in World War I, over 1,00,000 Sikhs fought in France, East Africa, Mesopotamia, and Gallipoli, earning Victoria Crosses in battles like Neuve were less than 2% of British India's population but 20% of its World War II, 3,00,000 Sikhs served in North Africa, Italy, and Southeast Asia, their impact huge in combat and support roles, the journal also India's Independence, the Sikhs became a part of the Indian Army, though some still serve in the UK LEGACY CAN LINK COLONIAL TIES TO MODERN BRITAINA Sikh regiment would be similar to the Brigade of Gurkhas, which recruits from Nepal and Indian Nepali-speaking communities, linking colonial ties with today's British Army.A Sikh regiment could do the same for Britain as the Gurkha Regiment has, boosting diversity in the British 2015 push did not yield results, but Coaker's openness a decade later could signal a shift in the British Army.- Ends advertisement
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
I'm one of the greatest darts players on the planet but Sky Sports don't even show me in their build-up coverage
BRITISH darts star James Wade has criticised not being "shown once" on Sky Sports adverts before his World Matchplay Darts quarter-final . "The Machine" beat Gian van Veen 16-13 on Thursday, reaching the last four at Blackpool for the tenth time in his career. Advertisement 3 Wade noticed his exclusion from the event promo Credit: Getty 3 Sky Sports cover the tournament Credit: Sky Sports 3 Wade says Sky Sports 'didn't show him once' Credit: Getty Fresh off his win, the 42-year-old ditched his usual humble persona to call out Sky Sports' decision to leave him out of their adverts while covering the tournament. Speaking to the media, he said: 'I probably played some of the better darts out of all dart players. 'And the whole Sky build-up for tonight didn't show me once. That was quite a proud moment for me, going up there and following it through. "I probably averaged better consistently than most players in here… but not one advertisement.' Advertisement read more darts news Wade, who is currently ranked No.8 in the PDC rankings, says the snub has fired him up to do even better on The Oche. He said: "It made me a little bit more hungry. It's the kind of thing that makes me unhealthy… not weak, but it's an unfair judgement." "The Machine" believes that despite being "one of the greatest dart players on the planet" he has been continuously had a lack of recognition throughout his career. He continued: 'Darts isn't about who's playing great anymore. It's about who the press has got hold of and wants to publicise. That's it. That's all.' Advertisement Most read in Darts BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Wade added: "You'll never hear me say this again, but I believe I'm one of the greatest dart players on the planet. "Nobody else will do what I'm doing right now. If I win this now, no one will be sat here 20 years later doing the same." James Wade doesn't know who Scottie Scheffler is as he launches into bizarre rant about darts and golf Wade made a point of calling out darts chiefs the Professional Darts Corporation after another victory earlier in the tournament. Advertisement He joked the The darts veteran also went on a rant and said he "didn't care" about Wade will meet Jonny Clayton in Saturday's semi-final after a comfortable 16-7 victory over Stephen Bunting .
