Latest news with #CommonwealthandDevelopmentOffice
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Israeli security Cabinet approves 22 new settlements in West Bank
Israel has approved 22 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich confirmed on X on Thursday. The controversial approval of the new settlements was granted at a meeting of Israel's security Cabinet, local media reported. "This is a great day for the settlement project and an important day for Israel," Smotrich wrote. Defence Minister Israel Katz described the decision as "historic," saying it is "anchoring our historic right in the Land of Israel." Israel captured the West Bank and East Jerusalem during the Six-Day War in 1967. Today, more than 700,000 Israeli settlers live there among the 3 million Palestinians. The Israeli settlements are illegal under international law. The Palestinians claim the territories as their own state, with East Jerusalem as its capital. According to information from the Israeli movement Peace Now, the approval recognizes numerous outposts that were previously illegal even from an Israeli perspective as settlements. Only nine of the 22 approved settlements are actually new, but the move marks the largest settlement expansion in decades, Peace Now said. In a statement, the group sharply criticized the government's decision, which it said would "dramatically reshape the West Bank and entrench the occupation even further." "The Israeli government no longer pretends otherwise: the annexation of the Occupied Territories and expansion of settlements is its central goal," it said. The move has also drawn criticism from abroad. Hamish Falconer, British parliamentary under-secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, wrote on X: "The UK condemns these actions. Settlements are illegal under international law, further imperil the two state solution, and do not protect Israel."
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Warrington man reported missing in Peru now ‘safe and well with family'
A WARRINGTON man who was reported missing in South America has been found 'safe and well', police have confirmed. The family of Jamie Cooke, from Warrington, issued an appeal for help on social media in a bid to locate him. The 39-year-old was last seen in Peru, having been sighted in the city of Miraflores on Monday. His family issued a public appeal on social media, and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office offered support. But Cheshire Police has confirmed the good news that Jamie has now been found 'safe and well'. A spokesman said: 'The matter was reported to Cheshire Police last night, Wednesday, May 28. 'Enquiries were ongoing; however, it has been confirmed that he has been located by Peru police and is safe and well with family.' Family members, some of whom flew out to search, had shared an appeal poster urging people to contact them or local authorities in Peru. The appeal by his sister, Jade McKay, stated: "My brother, Jamie Cooke, 39 years old, is missing in Peru. "I have travelled from the UK to search for him and am currently in Miraflores with my partner. "We are very worried and would appreciate any information from UK citizens travelling in the area. "Please share and contact us if you have any news." The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office also issued a statement. A spokesman said: 'We are supporting the family of a British man reported as missing in Peru and are in contact with his local authorities.'
STV News
2 days ago
- Health
- STV News
Scottish nurse 'haunted' by memories of dead child after working in Gaza hospital
A Scottish nurse says she has been left 'haunted' by memories of a dead two-year-old girl after working in a Gaza hospital. Mel Graham, from Elderslie, was deployed for two months to a UK Government-funded emergency field hospital based in Al Mawasi. The 50-year-old was in the region when the ceasefire between Gaza and Israel collapsed. She is hoping to return to one of the two emergency field hospitals funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and run by Manchester-based frontline health charity UK-Med, which have treated more than 400,000 patients in Gaza so far. Mel said: 'I was in Gaza last year and didn't think it could possibly get any worse… but it has. 'That first night the ceasefire shattered was easily the worst thing I have ever experienced. Even though we knew it was coming, it was still such a shock. Supplied Mel Graham was deployed to Gaza for two months. 'The sound of explosions and fighting were so close to the hospital, so we knew we were going to be busy. At maybe two or three in the morning the first casualties started coming in. It was a conveyor belt of carnage. 'My role involved triaging patients. Amongst that first load of patients brought in, there were was a two-year-old girl dead on arrival. 'There wasn't a mark on her and I just remember standing there thinking 'How can this happen?'. She looked completely perfect and was just covered in a thick layer of dust. 'It's different when you are dealing with people with visible injuries. With some blast injuries there are no obvious signs externally, but the shockwave had fatally affected her tiny wee lungs. 'The porters went to get a body bag for her, but the shortage of aid getting in meant there were only adult body bags available. She just disappeared into it. 'We took her to the temporary mortuary at the back of the hospital. We put two chairs out for the family to come in… but no-one ever came. I fear her parents had obviously been killed too.' Over 50,000 people have now been killed in Gaza and more than 90% of the population displaced from their home. The nurse added: 'The sight of that little girl will haunt me forever. It is the thing that I think about most. It's at the forefront of my brain. It is not natural for a child to die like that. 'I didn't want to leave her there alone, but I had to get back to help the many other casualties who had been rushed in.' Supplied The Glasgow Royal Infirmary ICU nurse had already been deployed to Ukraine twice. UK foreign secretary David Lammy has been leading calls for more aid to enter Gaza and urgently wants to see a return to the ceasefire. In a statement to Parliament last week, he said: 'Our message is clear. There is a UN plan ready to deliver aid at scale, needed with mitigations against aid diversion. There are brave humanitarians ready to do their jobs. 'There are 9,000 trucks at the border. Prime Minister Netanyahu: end this blockade now and let the aid in.' In total the UK has announced £129m last financial year (2024-2025), including £11.5m to support UK-Med's life-saving work in Gaza. Glasgow Royal Infirmary ICU nurse Mel, who arrived in Gaza on February 1, had already been deployed twice to Ukraine. She said: 'When I was in Gaza last year, we heard explosions close to us, but this time my heart was in my mouth much of the time. 'Some bomb blasts were so close you'd feel your feet move first and then you heard the explosion. I don't know what the science is behind that. 'It was just one incident after another. Two of the 14 Palestinian Red Crescent Society ambulance workers killed had left from our field hospital. 'They were our colleagues.' 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
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Beautiful European country attracting 4.8m Brits hit with 'risky' FCDO warning
A beautiful country with white-sand beaches, ubiquitous history and acclaimed waterparks aims to attract almost five million British tourists this year - despite a fresh FCDO travel warning A beautiful country reaping the benefits of escalating anti-tourist sentiment in hotspots like Spain and Greece is slated for a record-breaking number of visitors this year. Spanning across West Asia and Southeast Europe, Turkey (Türkiye) boasts a balmy climate, sugar-like sand, cobalt waters, and acclaimed water parks - making it a great seaside resort. Istanbul is a great alternative for those not so keen on spending their entire holiday on the beach, and is filled with unique architecture, a rich history - and bustling markets. Last month, Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Ersoy stated Turkey was witnessing 'signs of new records in tourism' as it attempts to bolster its appeal as a holiday destination. "Turkey has become the country with the highest number of early reservations in Germany," the politician added. "We aim to welcome over seven million visitors from both Russia and Germany this year. Additionally, we expect 4.8 million visitors from the UK in 2025." However, on Tuesday, May 27 - the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) updated the 'safety and security' section of its travel advice for the country. Under the subheading 'taxi safety', the body warned: "Accepting lifts from drivers of unofficial taxis is highly risky." It advised Brits to make sure they only travel in a registered taxi, and urged holidaymakers to make a note of the registration number before entering the vehicle - as well as checking the fare is metered. "App-based taxis and pre-booked taxis are also widely available," the FCDO added. At the time of writing, the FCDO advises against all travel to within 10km of the border with Syria due to 'fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism'. This is due to on-going conflict with its neighbouring country, and follows extremist groups such as Daesh which have previously targeted border crossings near Turkey. "Most terrorist attacks have occurred in southeast Turkey, Ankara and Istanbul," the FCDO states. "You should remain aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities." Other warnings include pickpocketing, counterfeit banknotes, drink spiking, and sexual assault. Among the 4.4 million Brits that travelled to Turkey last year - 56 cases of sexual assault, including rape, were reported to British consular staff. "The majority of cases that have been reported took place during the tourist season in coastal resort areas," the FCDO adds. "Often these crimes were committed by someone the victim may have met during the day, with a significant number being by hotel or spa staff. There have also been sexual attacks on minors visiting toilet facilities alone. Be extra vigilant in these situations." While same-sex sexual activity is legal in Turkey, many parts of the country are 'socially conservative'. This means showing public affection could result in 'unwelcome attention'.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Brit killed on night before birthday as she celebrated on dream Jamaican holiday
Lisa Ball, 53, was thrown more than 20 yards and died after the motorbike she was on crashed with a pick-up truck exiting a restaurant car park near Montego Bay in Jamaica A British woman was tragically killed in a motorbike crash the night before her birthday as she celebrated her anniversary during a dream holiday in Jamaica. Lisa Ball, who was riding on a rented scooter as a passenger, was thrown more than 20 yards when the motorbike crashed with a pick-up truck exiting a restaurant car park near Montego Bay on the Caribbean island's north coast. The 53-year-old, from Keighley in West Yorkshire, suffered fatal head injuries in the crash at around 7.40pm on May 19, according to witnesses. The mother and grandmother was taken to the hospital but was sadly pronounced dead. Lisa's partner Anthony Hurt, thought to have been driving the scooter, reportedly escaped with minor injuries to his feet. The North Coast Highway, where the tragedy happened, is a busy tourist trail common among holidaymakers travelling between Falmouth and St James. The driver of the pick-up truck involved in the crash was taken into custody by Jamaican police for questioning, reports the Daily Mail. A witness who stopped at the scene of the crash and tried to help Lisa posted about the incident online, saying it had left her feeling shaken. Kacia Campbell-Jones wrote: "I am still reeling from the shock of the incident, which made for a sleepless night, particularly since it fell on my birthday and your anniversary and birthday celebration. Please accept my heartfelt condolences, and I hope my assistance at the scene was in some way helpful, especially trying to get an ambulance and preparing the A&E staff before she got there." Tributes were paid to Lisa, who went by Jo-Ann Pickles on social media, after her sudden death. "Love you mum," her heartbroken daughter Chloe Watson wrote on Facebook. A tribute read: "I went to school with Joanne up to being about 9 years old, if I remember rightly she lived up long Lee then. So shocked to hear she's died, she was such a cute, lovely kid, I remember a day out to Lightwater Valley with her. Much love to her family xx." "Aww so sorry for your loss heartbreaking xx," someone else said. "So sorry for your loss," one more person added. One more tribute read: "Devastated at the news. So sorry you are all having to go through this. Sending huge hugs and thoughts to you all. Lisa was a client of mine. Such a gentle soul, kind and caring. Xx." A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: 'We are supporting the family of a British national who has died in Jamaica and are in contact with the local authorities.'
