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Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
UK to sanction far-right Israeli ministers for stoking violence in Palestine
Itamar Ben-Gvir, left, and Bezalel Smotrich, right, pictured in October 2022 at a rally in the Israeli city of Sderot. PHOTO: GUARDIAN Listen to article The United Kingdom, alongside four key allies, has imposed sanctions on two senior Israeli ministers, citing their 'repeated incitement of violence against Palestinian communities' amid escalating conflict in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. The sanctions, which include asset freezes and travel bans, target Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. The measures were announced in a joint statement by the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the action was taken in response to the ministers' 'extremist rhetoric and incitement,' which have contributed to serious human rights abuses. 'These actions are not acceptable,' the statement read. 'This is why we have taken action now to hold those responsible to account.' Both Ben-Gvir and Smotrich are known for their far-right positions, support for expanding Israeli settlements deemed illegal under international law, and public calls for the annexation of Palestinian land. Smotrich has previously made statements suggesting support for the expulsion of Palestinians and the destruction of Gaza, while Ben-Gvir, a settler himself, has called for the re-establishment of Israeli settlements in the coastal enclave. Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called the sanctions 'outrageous' and announced a special cabinet meeting to formulate a response. Smotrich, speaking at the inauguration of a new settlement in Hebron, dismissed the UK's move as 'contemptible.' 'Britain already tried once to prevent us from settling our homeland. We will not allow it again,' he said, referring to British rule over Palestine prior to Israel's founding in 1948. The sanctions come amid growing frustration from Western governments over Israel's military campaign in Gaza and its restrictions on humanitarian aid. In recent weeks, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has indicated that coordinated action with international partners is more effective than unilateral moves. Last month, the UK suspended trade negotiations with Israel and summoned its ambassador over 'egregious policies' in the occupied territories. The UK, along with France and Canada, has warned Israel of 'concrete actions' if it continues its military offensive and maintains aid blockades. All three nations have reiterated their support for a two-state solution. Foreign Secretary Lammy has sharply criticised recent Israeli operations, calling them 'a dark new phase in this conflict.' He also condemned Smotrich's earlier comments that hinted at ethnic cleansing and the forced relocation of Palestinians. The war in Gaza, which began in October 2023, has claimed nearly 55,000 Palestinian lives—most of them women and children—according to Gaza's Ministry of Health. Israel has enforced a strict blockade on the territory, allowing only limited aid through a controversial, US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which critics say politicises relief efforts and undermines humanitarian principles. Since the aid mechanism began operating on 27 May, at least 130 Palestinians have reportedly been killed by Israeli gunfire while attempting to access food, with over 1,000 injured. In parallel, Israeli forces have intensified raids across the occupied West Bank. On Tuesday, troops launched a large-scale operation in the city of Nablus, injuring at least 60 people with live ammunition and tear gas. Dozens were arrested, and the city's Old City district was placed under lockdown. Reporting from Nablus, Al Jazeera's Nour Odeh described a dire situation: 'Residents cannot leave their homes. Paramedics are struggling to reach the injured, and essential services are shut down.' Schools, bakeries, and public offices have closed amid the military escalation, as the Israeli army continues operations in towns and refugee camps across the West Bank. Settler violence, often carried out under military protection, has also increased, targeting Palestinian civilians and property.
Express Tribune
26-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Man arrested after car hits pedestrians at Liverpool FC parade
Emergency services, including ambulances and a fire engine, arrived at the scene within moments, assisting the injured. PHOTO: GUARDIAN Listen to article A man was detained on Monday after a car crashed into pedestrians during Liverpool FC's Premier League victory parade in Liverpool, UK. The vehicle reportedly collided with fans as it emerged from a parked ambulance. The incident took place on Water Street, shortly after 6 pm, with emergency services quickly responding to the scene, according to The Guardian. Emergency services, including ambulances and a fire engine, arrived at the scene within moments, assisting the injured. Several people were reported to have been knocked unconscious or left injured, with some taken away on stretchers. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper have been updated on the situation, with Starmer offering his condolences to the victims and praising the swift actions of the police and emergency responders. Authorities have confirmed that investigations are ongoing into the incident, which occurred during one of the busiest parts of Liverpool's victory parade. The parade itself had drawn large crowds, with fans lining the 10-mile route to celebrate their team's triumph. A spokesperson for the North West Ambulance Service confirmed that they were providing medical support in coordination with other emergency services. As the investigation continues, Merseyside police have urged the public to avoid speculation while they work to determine the full details of the event.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fast Company Recognizes GeneDx as One of the World's Most Innovative Companies
GeneDx recognized for its innovative approach to accelerating genetic diagnosis and transforming the future of healthcare by ending the diagnostic odyssey GAITHERSBURG, Md., March 18, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GeneDx (Nasdaq: WGS), a leader in delivering improved health outcomes through genomic insights, announced today they have been named to Fast Company's prestigious list of the World's Most Innovative Companies of 2025, and recognized as the No. 2 in the Biotech category. This year's list shines a spotlight on businesses that are shaping industry and culture through their innovations to set new standards and achieve remarkable milestones in all sectors of the economy. "Since its inception 25 years ago, GeneDx has been the pioneer in bringing to life the promise of the Human Genome Project, and it's an honor to be recognized for our ability to innovate at scale. Ultimately, our mission is to improve healthcare with the earliest diagnosis of genetic disease, made possible by the interpretation at scale of an individual's genome," said Katherine Stueland, President and CEO of GeneDx. "At GeneDx, patients are at the core everything we do, from improving clinical outcomes to delivering better health economics. As we look to the future, our innovation will fuel a future of genome-informed healthcare for everyone, from birth and through all stages of life." As the driving force behind scaling precision medicine, GeneDx is revolutionizing whole genome sequencing (WGS) to deliver faster, more accurate diagnoses to patients. With industry-leading innovations, GeneDx has slashed WGS turnaround time to as little as 48 hours, ensuring that critical answers reach patients and their families with unprecedented speed. GeneDx is also leading a transformative shift in newborn screening (NBS), redefining the standard of care through groundbreaking research from the GUARDIAN study —the largest of its kind to explore the power of genomic newborn screening (gNBS) in a diverse newborn population. While traditional NBS varies by state and relies on biomarker detection, it often fails to catch conditions that lack clear biomarkers, leaving too many children undiagnosed until symptoms appear. This outdated approach is fueling a pipeline of sick children into an already overburdened healthcare system—when a better solution exists. Today GeneDx has the capability to deploy gNBS at scale, screening newborns for over 450 actionable genetic conditions that are currently overlooked by standard tests. By identifying these conditions before symptoms arise, GeneDx is not only giving children a healthier start in life but also alleviating the financial and emotional burdens of delayed diagnoses. Every investment in GeneDx fuels transformation and innovation across genomic testing, bringing the promise of genomic insights to more patients, more efficiently, and at an unparalleled scale. "Our list of the Most Innovative Companies offers both a comprehensive look at innovation today and a playbook for the future," said Fast Company editor-in-chief Brendan Vaughan. "This year, we recognize companies that are harnessing AI in deep and meaningful ways, brands that are turning customers into superfans by overdelivering for them, and challengers that are introducing bold ideas and vital competition to their industries. At a time when the world is rapidly shifting, these companies are charting the way forward." To determine honorees, Fast Company's editors and writers review companies driving progress around the world and across industries, evaluating thousands of submissions through a competitive application process. The result is a globe-spanning guide to innovation today, from early-stage startups to some of the most valuable companies in the world. The full list of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies honorees can now be found at About GeneDx At GeneDx (Nasdaq: WGS), we believe that everyone deserves personalized, targeted medical care—and that it all begins with a genetic diagnosis. Fueled by one of the world's largest, rare disease data sets, our industry-leading exome and genome tests translate complex genomic data into clinical answers that unlock personalized health plans, accelerate drug discovery, and improve health system efficiencies. For more information, please visit and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. About Fast Company Fast Company is the only media brand fully dedicated to the vital intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging the most influential leaders, companies, and thinkers on the future of business. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with fellow business publication Inc. For more information, please visit Forward Looking Statements This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believe," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "strategy," "future," "opportunity," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: (i) our ability to implement business plans, goals and forecasts, and identify and realize additional opportunities, (ii) the risk of downturns and a changing regulatory landscape in the highly competitive healthcare industry, (iii) the size and growth of the market in which we operate, (iv) our ability to pursue our new strategic direction, and (vi) our ability to enhance our artificial intelligence tools that we use in our clinical interpretation platform. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. A further list and description of risks, uncertainties and other matters can be found in the "Risk Factors" section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, and other documents filed by us from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and we assume no obligation and do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. We do not give any assurance that we will achieve our expectations. View source version on Contacts Investor Relations Contact: Investors@ Media Contact: Press@ Sign in to access your portfolio
