Latest news with #SuzannePlunkett
The National
08-08-2025
- Politics
- The National
These images of JD Vance and David Lammy fishing will make you cringe
Unfortunately, that is what we have been dealt. The excruciating pictures show the US vice president – in double denim – brandishing a fishing rod while the Foreign Secretary grins beside him. The VP is visiting Chevening House in Kent, the Foreign Secretary's grace and favour home, as part of his 'holiday' to the UK. (Image: Suzanne Plunkett/PA Wire) Lammy and Vance have reportedly struck up a friendship since Labour came to power, with Lammy on a charm offensive – probably because he called Vance's boss Donald Trump a 'tyrant' and 'woman-hating neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath' in 2018. Vance probably has bigger fish to fry nowadays, such as criticising buffer zones around abortion clinics in Scotland. (Image: Suzanne Plunkett/PA Wire)In the grand scheme of US-UK photo ops, it is not the worst we've seen, after Trump was pictured looming over Keir Starmer while he picked up paper dropped by the US President. Nonetheless, the 11 pictures that appeared on the PA news wire is an undoubtedly cringey attempt to make the pair appear great pals. (Image: Suzanne Plunkett/PA Wire) It does somewhat look like a bad attempt at a rom-com, a Brokeback Mountain without the cowboy hats. In one image, Lammy looks as if he is holding Vance from behind. Surely the right-wing family man Vance did not want to give that sort of impression. In another, Vance appears to be screaming at the fish. Does he think they are immigrants? (Image: Suzanne Plunkett/PA Wire) But what is most hilarious about this completely natural set of photos – definitely not taken for PR purposes or intended for the Saturday papers – is the shoes the pair are wearing. Vance at least has thrown on a pair of trainers, while Lammy is in dress shoes. Smells a bit fishy to me.
Hindustan Times
07-08-2025
- Hindustan Times
Mississippi River helicopter crash: Fears of chemical leak in Alton after barge accident; 2 dead
A massive helicopter crash in the Mississippi River near Alton has sparked emergency response from Missouri and Illinois crews. Videos and initial reports confirmed that the chopper collided with a barge, sparking a fireball. Now, local media reports state that the barges were carrying chemicals and flammable items. A man fly fishes in the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. May 11, 2025. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett(REUTERS) Reports also indicate that the helicopter struck power lines before crashing into the barge, which was close to the Melvin Price Locks and Dam site. Two people are confirmed to have died, authorities said in the first response after the crash. The Alton PD told Newsweek, "We're working an active scene and have no comments at this time" around 1:15 PM ET.
The Star
17-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
UK youth celebrate voting rights but urge caution
FILE PHOTO: A man unlocks his bicycle after voting at a polling station in Rickmansworth, Britain, May 1, 2025. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett/File Photo (Corrects name spelling in paragraph 2) LONDON (Reuters) -Sixteen- and 17-year-olds celebrated their newly granted right to vote in all UK elections on Thursday, but cautioned that proper education was vital to boost turnout and protect young voters from political misinformation on social media. "I'm really happy about it because I've always been kind of frustrated just watching politics and not being able to do anything," said 16-year-old student Matthew Caronna, adding that many government policies directly impact young people. In a major overhaul of the country's democratic system, the government said the proposed changes were part of an effort to boost public trust in democracy and would align voting rights across Britain, where younger voters already participate in devolved elections in Scotland and Wales. "A lot of people, even from a very young age, have very strong opinions, and they think their opinions should be heard," Ana Fonseca, 16, said. "Even though we are young, it is important to have a say." Jess Garland, director of policy and research at the Electoral Reform Society, said lowering the voting age to 16 could have a long-term impact, as starting to vote earlier may increase the likelihood of continued participation in adulthood. There are about 1.6 million 16- and 17-year-olds in the UK. Just over 48 million people were eligible to vote at the last election, in which turnout fell to its lowest since 2001. The next election is due in 2029. "We know that democracy across the world... is in a bit of a bad place at the moment... and this is why vote at 16 is such a great opportunity to just start to turn the tide on that doom and gloom outlook," Garland added. Some young people, however, are concerned about to which side of the political spectrum the new voters might swing. A poll of 500 16- and 17-year-olds conducted by Merlin Strategy for ITV News showed 33% said they would vote Labour, 20% would vote Reform, 18% would vote Green, 12% Liberal Democrats and 10% Conservative. "All the right-leaning sources get pushed far more than the left-leaning ones (on social media)," Matilda Behrendt, a 17-year-old student, warned. "I think that will be a problem but it also means... various political ideologies can be spread and the ideas can be put across." Julian Gallie, head of research at pollsters Merlin Strategy, said political parties will need to further step up their social media efforts to engage voters under 18. (Reporting by Vitalii Yalahuzian and Catarina Demony; Editing by Sharon Singleton and Nia Williams)
Straits Times
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
British group Palestine Action seeks to pause government ban
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox People wave Palestinian flags during a protest after British lawmakers voted to ban pro-Palestinian campaign group Palestine Action as a terrorist organization, outside Downing Street in London, Britain, July 2, 2025. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett LONDON - A co-founder of pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action asked a London court on Friday to pause a British government decision to ban it under anti-terrorism laws, a move her lawyers said was an "authoritarian abuse" of the law. Huda Ammori, who helped found Palestine Action in 2020, asked London's High Court to stop the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, before a full hearing of her case that banning Palestine Action is unlawful later this month. British lawmakers this week decided to ban the group in response to its activists breaking into a Royal Air Force base and damaging two planes, a protest against what it says is Britain's support for Israel. Proscription would make it a crime to be a member of Palestinian Action that carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison. Proscribed groups under British law include Islamic State and al Qaeda. Palestine Action has increasingly targeted Israel-linked companies in Britain with direct action. Critics of the government's decision, including some United Nations experts and civil liberties groups, say damaging property does not amount to terrorism. "This is the first time in our history that a direct action, civil disobedience group which does not advocate for violence has been sought to be proscribed as terrorists," Ammori's lawyer, Raza Husain, told the court. Husain described the government's decision as "an ill-considered, discriminatory, authoritarian abuse of statutory power that is alien to the basic tradition of the common law". Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore $3b money laundering case: 9 financial institutions handed $27.45m in MAS penalties over breaches Singapore Seller's stamp duty hike will curb short-term speculation; market effect likely minimal: Analysts Singapore NTUC says some foreigners taking on platform work illegally, calls for work group to address issue World Trump says countries to start paying tariffs on Aug 1, floats range of 10% to 70% Singapore Sengkang murder: Man accused of killing elderly mother escorted back to crime scene Singapore Tourism bump from Lady Gaga concerts raked in up to estimated $150m for Singapore economy Singapore Jail for man who recruited 2 Japanese women for prostitution at MBS Life Book review: OB Markers sequel Ink And Influence makes catch-22 proposal for The Straits Times Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Britain's interior minister, said this week that "violence and serious criminal damage has no place in legitimate protests". Husain said that "one may disagree with what Palestine Action do and think that criminal damage, trespass and burglary are wrong", but that designation the group as a terrorist organisation was "an abuse of language". A decision on whether to pause Palestine Action's impending proscription is expected later on Friday. REUTERS
Straits Times
04-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
UK's Palestine Action bids to pause government ban
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox People wave Palestinian flags during a protest after British lawmakers voted to ban pro-Palestinian campaign group Palestine Action as a terrorist organization, outside Downing Street in London, Britain, July 2, 2025. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett LONDON - Pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action's co-founder on Friday asked a London court to pause the British government's decision to ban the group under anti-terrorism laws, with her lawyers arguing the move was an "authoritarian abuse" of the law. British lawmakers decided to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation this week, in response to its activists breaking into a military base and damaging two planes in protest at what it says is Britain's support for Israel. Proscription would officially designate Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, on a par with Islamic State or al Qaeda, making it a crime to support or belong to the groups. Palestine Action has increasingly targeted Israel-linked companies in Britain with direct action, but critics of the government's move say property damage should not be equated with terrorism. Huda Ammori, who helped found Palestine Action in 2020, asked London's High Court to pause the group's proscription – which comes into force at midnight – pending a full legal challenge due to be heard later this month. Her lawyer Raza Husain told London's High Court: "This is the first time in our history that a direct action, civil disobedience group which does not advocate for violence has been sought to be proscribed as terrorists." Husain described the government's decision as "an ill-considered, discriminatory, authoritarian abuse of statutory power that is alien to the basic tradition of the common law". REUTERS Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore $3b money laundering case: 9 financial institutions handed $27.45m in MAS penalties over breaches Singapore Seller's stamp duty hike will curb short-term speculation; market effect likely minimal: Analysts Singapore NTUC says some foreigners taking on platform work illegally, calls for work group address issue World Trump says countries to start paying tariffs on Aug 1, floats range of 10% to 70% Singapore Sengkang murder: Man accused of killing elderly mother escorted back to crime scene Singapore Tourism bump from Lady Gaga concerts raked in up to estimated $150m for Singapore economy Singapore Jail for man who recruited 2 Japanese women for prostitution at MBS Life Book review: OB Markers sequel Ink And Influence makes catch-22 proposal for The Straits Times
