Latest news with #BritishConsulate
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Malay Mail
British backpacker, 25, goes missing in Kuala Lumpur after last seen at Bangsar bar
KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 — A 25-year-old British backpacker has gone missing while on a solo trip across South-east Asia. He was last heard from on Tuesday, May 27, after sending a photo from Healy Mac's Irish Bar in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. According to the Daily Mail, Jordan Johnson-Doyle's phone went dead on May 30 — three days after his last known contact — and all attempts to reach him since have failed. Doyle has been travelling the past year while working remotely as a software engineer for a US-based company. He was said to have arrived in Malaysia on May 17 after visiting Vietnam and was believed to be staying at the Robertson Residences in Bukit Bintang. His last conversation with his mother on May 26 was described as routine. His mother, Leanne Burnett, who is flying to Malaysia with other family members to search for him, said: 'I have been feeling just sick, numb. I just want to get over there, find him and bring him home.' She was also quoted as saying: 'If he was to lose his phone and laptop, if someone had stolen that off him, he knows my number by heart and he would contact. He'd find a way to get hold of us.' Merseyside Police, the British Consulate, and Malaysian authorities. His last known location was tracked via Find My iPhone to a block of flats near the Bangsar bar, but the signal has since stopped. Friends and relatives are now sharing Jordan's missing person appeal across social media and local Malaysian networks, hoping for any information that might help locate him. His employer has also been informed of his disappearance.
Fox News
4 days ago
- General
- Fox News
UK humanitarian aid to Gaza scrutinized after document allegedly warns of links to Hamas-controlled ministry
A newly surfaced U.K. government document has raised fresh concerns over British-funded humanitarian aid to Gaza, suggesting officials were aware of the risk funds might indirectly support Hamas. the terrorist group that governs the Gaza Strip. While U.K. officials strongly deny the claim, critics say key questions remain unanswered. The document, dated November 2022 and obtained by NGO Monitor, outlines the U.K.'s humanitarian strategy in the occupied Palestinian territories. One section references a UNICEF-administered cash assistance program in Gaza coordinated with the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD). The NGO Monitor report claims, "The MoSD in Gaza is affiliated with the de facto authorities and thus U.K. Aid can be linked directly or indirectly with supporting the de facto authority in Gaza (Hamas), which is part of a proscribed group." The group's report also claimed the British consulate-general in Jerusalem, which reportedly authored the document, assessed this as a "reputational" risk, raising concerns not of legality, but of public perception if the arrangement were to be revealed. Anne Herzberg, legal advisor at NGO Monitor, told Fox News Digital the phrasing is significant. "This is what was most shocking to us," she told Fox News Digital. "The government clearly acknowledged the risk that U.K. taxpayer funds could reach Hamas, but they were more concerned about how it might look than the real danger of supporting terrorism." Herzberg explained NGO Monitor uncovered the Foreign Office document, originally published in November 2022, during an extensive investigation into humanitarian aid flows in Gaza. In a statement to Fox News Digital, the U.K.'s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) categorically denied any funding reached Hamas-controlled bodies. "We categorically reject these allegations. The U.K. does not fund Hamas-run agencies in Gaza," an FCDO spokesperson stated. "The UNICEF program is coordinated with the Ministry of Social Development in Ramallah, which is run by the Palestinian Authority. U.K. funding was provided through UNICEF directly to vulnerable households in Gaza." The FCDO stressed that Hamas is a proscribed terrorist organization under U.K. law, "and funding or supporting it is a crime." It further noted that the U.K. conducted a due-diligence assessment of UNICEF and tracks the path of funding to its final civilian recipients. But Herzberg said the November 2022 document — alongside UNICEF's own March 2024 update celebrating its "strengthened partnership with the Ministry of Social Development" in Gaza — points to deeper inconsistencies. Yona Schiffmiller, the director of research at NGO Monitor, told Fox News digital, "The U.K. document clearly refers to the Gaza-based MoSD. If the program was only coordinated with Ramallah, it's unclear why Gaza-specific risks were flagged." UNICEF's March 2024 report states that over 540,000 Gazans received support after the Oct. 7 attacks, adding the partnership with the MoSD "helped ensure access to the social registry and resulted in targeting the most vulnerable families." NGO Monitor points out that the MoSD in Gaza is led by Ghazi Hamad, a Hamas politburo member sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury in 2024. Herzberg said the report claims "this aid diversion was central in Hamas' preparations for the October 7th massacre, including the construction of tunnels and other military installations, and stockpiling supplies and resources. After thousands of terrorists invaded Israel and committed mass atrocities, Hamas continued to commandeer aid, creating and taking advantage of a black market." "Even after Oct. 7 and all we've been seeing ... they still refuse to deal with this question of diversion," Herzberg claimed. "There's no transparency, no oversight, and the U.N. is actively trying to thwart Israeli, U.S. and other allied efforts in trying to improve the humanitarian aid situation." She was referring to the recent U.S.-backed initiative to establish a new aid distribution system in Gaza that started operating Monday. The NGO Monitor report further details how the MoSD is run by senior Hamas officials, including Ghazi Hamad, who publicly praised the Oct. 7 massacre and was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury in November 2024. Another top MoSD figure, Mohammed Al-Araeer, has repeatedly glorified terrorist attacks on social media and praised Hamas commanders. A recent investigation by Israel's website, "Shomrim," and Israel's Channel 12 revealed that Hamas has built an extensive fundraising network inside the U.K. Senior Hamas operatives with British citizenship have established charitable foundations that raise millions of pounds annually, some of which ends up in the hands of the group's military wing. Udi Levi, formerly head of the Counter-Terror Financing Division in the Mossad, told Israel's Channel 12, "Britain is becoming the central country transferring funds to Hamas, including after Oct. 7." The watchdog also raised broader concerns about the role of other U.N. agencies in Gaza, noting at least 12 are active in the Strip. Herzberg said it remains unclear whether similar diversion risks exist across those agencies. "We all know how UNRWA has been taken over by Hamas, but what about the others? Is the same thing happening there? These are the types of questions no one is willing to answer," she said. The controversy unfolds against the backdrop of heightened diplomatic tensions. Last month, the U.K. suspended trade negotiations with Israel, citing humanitarian concerns. Foreign Secretary David Lammy criticized the Israeli government's actions in Gaza and called for restored aid and electricity. NGO Monitor says the debate highlights the urgent need for a new international mechanism to oversee aid delivery in Gaza, one that bypasses Hamas-controlled institutions and ensures civilian aid is protected from exploitation. "The issue isn't just legal compliance — it's moral responsibility," Herzberg said. "Western donors should be taking every precaution possible. So far, that hasn't been the case."
BBC News
6 days ago
- Lifestyle
- BBC News
Artist in Lichfield wants to give voice to Afghan women through her art
An Afghan refugee says she hopes to give a voice to women in her home country still living under the Taliban Anwari's work once lined the walls of Afghanistan's national gallery in Kabul but when the Taliban regained power in 2021, she was forced to leave everything and flee to the her husband and seven-year-old son, she was given the chance to start again after settling in the West Midlands three years ago."I may have lost my home but I have not lost my identity," said Ms Anwari. "Sometimes I imagine if I were still in Afghanistan and unable to draw or paint, my heart would be silent."Her new portfolio of work has been displayed at a gallery and work space in Lichfield, Staffordshire. Mrs Anwari has fond memories of growing up in Kabul where she worked as a schools ambassador for the British when the Taliban regained power four years ago "everything changed overnight"."I still remember the gunfire sounds and explosions," she added."My son and I are still sensitive to loud sounds because a strong explosion was not far from us." Since regaining power in August 2021, the Taliban has steadily imposed laws and regulations that reflect its austere vision of Islamic over the age of 12 have been barred from getting an education and many women from Taliban has repeatedly said girls will be allowed to return to school once its concerns, such as aligning the curriculum with Islamic values, are resolved - but so far no concrete steps have been taken to make that happen. "Life for women has completely changed," said Ms Anwari. "But they still keep their hope alive for a better future. I wish one day they will experience freedom and security."My painting is not just a hobby. They can't express themselves due to the restrictions but I want to reflect the Afghan women's silent voice with my painting."Seven of Ms Anwari's pieces are now on show at Courtyard Fine Art Lounge in was also commissioned to create a piece for the city's Shire House, a shared working space which opened earlier this year. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Sun
27-05-2025
- The Sun
Desperate hunt for yoga-loving Brit backpacker missing in Peru after going off-grid following horror attack
A BRITISH backpacker has gone missing after spending a month living on the streets of Peru following a violent robbery. Hannah Almond, 32, travelled to Cusco in March for a yoga retreat to "find herself" - but was left stranded, penniless and traumatised after being assaulted and robbed of her passport. 5 5 5 With no way to get home, the fashion graduate was sleeping rough under the Belén Bridge, where her remaining belongings were torched by local thugs. Footage from local media appeared to show her clothes and personal items in a flaming pile on the street. Hannah was last seen three days ago after befriending an elderly homeless man at a makeshift camp, and has not been heard from since. A desperate search is now underway to locate the missing Brit from Grimsby. A family friend told the Daily Mail on Monday: "She is one of the most pure loving souls ever — she is very generous and always wants to help people. "But she does not trust anyone after getting robbed and assaulted. "Some locals burned all her belongings from under the bridge." They added: "She was contacting her mum every now and then through other people's phones. " Police went to check on her two days ago and she has not been seen since. Cusco is a trafficking hotspot, so it's very worrying." The British Consulate in Peru has confirmed that Hannah's tourist visa has expired and her immigration status is now in limbo. 'She is in an illegal situation. Her tourist visa has already expired,' British Consul Mark Atkinson told local media. Brit woman, 21, rotting in Dubai hellhole jail without a shower for a month after being arrested on drugs charges 'Sometimes we've paid for hotel stays, given her money for food, that sort of thing. But she always ends up coming back here,' he explained, referring to the bridge camp. Hannah's friends have since launched a GoFundMe page to fund urgent efforts to help her. As of Tuesday, it already pulled in £7,930 from 306 donations — just shy of its £9,000 goal. The funds raised will be used to cover urgent travel and support costs, including a flight and accommodation for a close family member or friend to fly to Peru and gently persuade Hannah to come home. Her loved ones hope that a familiar face on the ground will help break through the fear and confusion that has kept her from accepting official help. The money will also go towards providing Hannah with safe accommodation, food, and access to emergency medical or psychological care — which may be vital before she is well enough to travel. 5 5 Additional funds will cover logistical costs needed to get her home, such as securing a replacement passport, renewing her visa, and arranging her journey back to the UK. A message on the fundraiser reads: "Hannah travelled to Peru in March hoping for an adventure, but instead, she has found herself in a terrifying and heartbreaking situation. "She was robbed and assaulted, losing her passport, phone, and all of her money. "Since then, Hannah's mental health has severely declined.' "Despite attempts to help her through official channels, Hannah is deeply fearful and unable to accept support from the embassy or local authorities. "She is extremely vulnerable, isolated, and not safe living on the streets of Peru. "Hannah is a deeply kind and gentle soul, and we are desperate to get her the care and safety she deserves. We need to bring her home." More than 100,000 Brits travel to Peru every year, with Cusco - the gateway to Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail - one of the most popular spots. FCDO travel advice warns tourists to remain alert, saying: "Personal attacks, including sexual assaults, are infrequent but do happen, mostly in the Cusco and Arequipa areas." FCDO travel advice to Peru THE UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to certain parts of Peru due to ongoing safety and security concerns. Affected areas: Within 20km south of the Peru-Colombia border (Loreto region), excluding the Amazon River and triple border area near Santa Rosa de Yavari. Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM) — a known hotspot for criminal activity. State of emergency: A State of Emergency is in place until June 17 across the Lima and Callao regions, including key districts such as San Juan de Lurigancho, Villa El Salvador, and Comas. This allows joint police-army operations and the suspension of certain constitutional rights - including detention without a judicial order. Travel insurance warning: Travelling against FCDO advice may invalidate your travel insurance. Make sure your policy covers your entire itinerary, including adventure activities or volunteering. Stay informed and read the full FCDO travel guidance before travelling.
