The focus on air drops into Gaza is a “grotesque distraction” that will not reverse the territory’s deepening starvation crisis, aid agency leaders have warned. Israel’s military said early on Sunday that it had airdropped humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, after also announcing humanitarian corridors for UN aid convoys. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Jordan are expected to conduct air drops in the coming days, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said the British government is committing “everything we can” to get aid to Gaza via air drops. Ciarán Donnelly, of the International Rescue Committee, said aid…
Author: dmnews
Israel has responded to sustained and growing international condemnation that it is responsible for starvation in Gaza by announcing a series of measures the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said would “improve the humanitarian response”. It is allowing airdrops of aid, carrying out the first one itself during the night and allowing the United Arab Emirates air force to follow with another later on Sunday. The IDF also announced that it would allow a “tactical pause in military activity” in some areas and set up “designated humanitarian corridors… to refute the false claim on intentional starvation.” Hamas has condemned the moves…
Virtual private network (VPN) apps have become the most downloaded on Apple’s App Store in the UK after sites such as PornHub, Reddit and X began requiring age verification of users on Friday. VPNs can disguise your location online – allowing you to use the internet as though you are in another country. It means that people are likely using them to bypass requirements of the Online Safety Act, which mandated platforms with certain adult content to start checking the age of users. As of Monday morning, half of the top ten free apps in Apple’s app download charts in…
The King has led a chorus of praise for the “awesome” Lionesses after their European Championship victory on Sunday. After Sarina Wiegman’s side clinched a nail-biting win against Spain on penalties, he said England had showed “there are no setbacks so tough that defeat cannot be transformed into victory, even as the final whistle looms”. Prince William and Princess Charlotte, who watched the match from the stands in Switzerland, said they “couldn’t be prouder” of the side. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who was also in attendance, called the team “history makers”. Downing Street said it will hold a special…
Nurses are expected to reject their pay award in England this week, raising the possibility of strikes later in the year, the BBC understands. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has been holding a consultative vote on their 3.6% pay rise, previously describing it as “grotesque” to award nurses a lower increase than doctors, teachers, prison officers and the armed forces. It will announce the results later this week but the BBC understands it will show an “overwhelming” rejection of the deal. Any decision on formal strike action would not be made until later in the year. In May, the…
A leading animal charity has called for all dog rescue organisations to be licensed amid growing concerns of behavioural issues and disease risks in imported pets. Thousands of dogs are brought into the UK each year, many of which are being sold to owners via websites and social media posts without any significant matching process or assessment. The BBC has spoken to numerous owners who have faced serious difficulties with dogs delivered to their door from countries such as Romania, Ukraine and North Macedonia, including infectious diseases and aggressive behaviour. David Bowles, spokesman for the RSPCA, described the process as…
Sir Keir Starmer is expected to discuss efforts to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza when he meets US President Donald Trump in Scotland later. The prime minister is travelling to Ayrshire for the talks, during which he is likely to discuss what can be done to urgently get a ceasefire in place, as international concerns grow about starvation in Gaza. Previous talks over a ceasefire and hostage release scheme in Qatar came to a halt this week after the US and Israel withdrew their negotiating teams. The two leaders are also expected to discuss trade in the wide-ranging talks…
Gang leaders, corrupt officials and police officers, fake passport dealers and firms supplying small boats could be publicly named in UK sanctions targeting people-smuggling. The first measures are due to be unveiled on Wednesday and are seen as central to government plans to tackle criminal networks behind the crossings. Individuals and companies are expected to be hit with asset freezes, travel bans, and restrictions from engaging with the UK’s financial system under the sanctions. It is understood the first tranche will include the names of around two dozen people accused of facilitating the trade or profiting from it – but…
A new photograph of Prince George has been issued by Kensington Palace to mark his 12th birthday. The photo of the smiling prince was published on social media with a message from his parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales, which read “Happy 12th Birthday to Prince George!” alongside a birthday cake emoji. The picture, with a rural setting and the prince in a countryside-style gilet and wearing a friendship bracelet, was taken in Norfolk earlier this year by photographer Josh Shinner. George, the elder son of Prince William and Catherine, is second in line to the throne. A short…
NHS bosses are putting patients at risk of harm in the upcoming doctors’ strike, the British Medical Association says. The union believes NHS England’s plan to limit the number of routine treatments being cancelled will stretch senior doctors covering for striking resident doctors too thinly. NHS England has ordered hospitals only to cancel non-urgent care, such as hip and knee operations, in exceptional circumstances. But BMA deputy leader Dr Emma Runswick told the BBC the plan risked causing a host of last minute cancellations and “at worst could be risk and lead to harm”. The walkout by resident doctors –…