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The United Kingdom has formally rejected assertions that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, reaffirming its decision to continue supplying components for the global F-35 fighter jet programme, while maintaining a suspension on direct arms exports that could be used by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the ongoing conflict. Image Source: White House In a letter dated September 1 and addressed to Sarah Champion MP, Chair of the UK Parliament’s International Development Committee, then-Foreign Secretary David Lammy clarified the government’s position under the Genocide Convention.  Lammy stated that “the crime of genocide occurs only where there is specific ‘intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group,’” and affirmed that “the Government has not concluded that Israel is acting with that intent.” The correspondence followed queries from the Committee about the UK’s legal obligations under the Genocide Convention in relation to arms export...

Shabana Mahmood, the newly appointed Home Secretary in the UK government, is expected to announce plans to move asylum seekers out of hotels and into military barracks, in a decisive first move to reshape the UK’s migration and asylum policy.  The initiative follows a summer of protests at hotel sites and signals a significant shift in the government’s approach to managing irregular migration. Image Source: UK Home Office According to reports by trusted news sources, dozens of hotels currently housing asylum seekers are set to close, as the Ministry of Defence prepares to repurpose sites for accommodation.  The decision reflects growing pressure to reduce the visibility and cost of hotel-based arrangements, which have drawn public backlash and political scrutiny in recent months. The announcement is anticipated as part of a broader policy recalibration under Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration, which undertook a major cabinet reshuffle this week.  Mahmood’s new ...

In what may have been her first official engagement as the United Kingdom’s newly appointed Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper placed a call to her Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha, stating Britain’s continued support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and defense. Image Source: @FCDOGovUK on X The swift outreach came just hours after Cooper's appointment was confirmed, signaling what Ukrainian officials interpreted as a deliberate and symbolic prioritization of UK–Ukraine ties amid the ongoing war with Russia. “I had a warm and meaningful conversation with Yvette Cooper just a few hours after she was appointed,” Sybiha posted on X. “We take it as a sign of respect and priority in sustaining the UK’s unwavering support.” Cooper responded publicly: “Good to talk to Andrii Sybiha to reinforce unwavering UK support for Ukraine. We continue to do all we can to end the war and secure a just peace.” Sybiha, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, also acknowledged Cooper’s history of advocacy for Ukraine...

French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation on Saturday following the Paris summit of the "Coalition of the Willing" -- a diplomatic initiative aimed at securing international commitments for post-war security guarantees to Ukraine. Image Source: PM NaMo Macron said he briefed Modi on the outcomes of discussions held with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other participating nations during the summit, which focused on coordinated support for Ukraine and pathways toward a ceasefire. “I presented the result of the work we conducted with President Zelensky and our partners,” Macron said in a post on social media platform X.  “India and France share the same will for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine,” he added, affirming that both countries would continue to work together “to chart the path to peace.” Je viens de m’entretenir avec le Premier ministre @NarendraModi . Je lui ai présenté le résultat des trava...

Canada has announced a $3 million emergency aid package to support relief efforts in Afghanistan following a deadly magnitude 6.0 earthquake that struck the country’s eastern provinces last week, leaving more than 2,200 people dead and thousands injured. Image Source: Canada PM The funding, confirmed by Secretary of State for International Development Randeep Sarai, comes as humanitarian agencies struggle to reach survivors in remote and heavily damaged areas, particularly in Kunar, Nangarhar, and Laghman provinces. The quake struck on August 31 in Kunar’s Nurgal District near the Pakistan border, with aftershocks and landslides continuing to hamper rescue and recovery operations.  The U.S. Geological Survey estimated that up to 10,000 deaths were possible, with nearly 900,000 people exposed to severe shaking. Entire villages were destroyed, and as much as 98% of structures in some districts were damaged. Canada’s financial commitment will be distributed through multiple internat...

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday issued a stark warning that any foreign military personnel deployed to Ukraine -- even in the context of a post-ceasefire mission -- would be treated as “legitimate targets for defeat,” escalating tensions as international partners push forward with plans for postwar security guarantees for Kyiv. Image Source: MFA Russia Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Putin said that any Western deployment into Ukraine, especially during active hostilities, would violate Russian red lines and be met with force.  “If any troops appear there, especially during the ongoing hostilities, we assume they will be legitimate targets for defeat,” he stated. His comments follow a summit in Paris where 26 nations, including NATO and Indo-Pacific allies, pledged long-term military and economic commitments to Ukraine.  French President Emmanuel Macron announced the formation of a “Coalition of the Willing” that could deploy forces “by land,...

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that he held an extended phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump following the Paris meeting of the Coalition of the Willing , where 26 countries pledged post-ceasefire troop deployments to support Ukraine.  European leaders reportedly participated in the call, marking it as a multi-party consultation on the next steps toward peace and deterrence . Image Source: BFMTV In a public statement, Zelenskyy described the call as “long and very detailed,” with discussions focused on the conditions required to bring the ongoing war to an end, particularly by leveraging economic pressure against Russia.  “We talked about how to push the situation toward real peace. The most important element is pressure — strong economic measures to deprive Russia’s war machine of money and resources,” Zelenskyy stated. Zelenskyy Proposes U.S.-Backed Format to Shield Ukraine’s Skies A significant portion of the call reportedly focused on Ukraine...

The devastating 6.2 magnitude earthquake in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush mountains has left at least 825 dead and over 3,100 injured , Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed.  Entire villages in Kunar and Nangarhar provinces were destroyed, while landslides blocked key mountain roads and communications.  Image Source: SaraWahedi Rescue teams, including volunteers and helicopters, are battling time and terrain to reach survivors. International Aid Rushed; Humanitarian Crisis Deepens The Taliban government has allocated 100 million Afghanis (USD 1.5 million) for relief and set up a special committee led by Rural Development Minister Mohammad Younus Akhundzada.  The United Nations dispatched emergency teams, warning that the disaster could worsen Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis, with over half the population already in need of aid. India extends humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan in the wake of earthquake. https://t.co/LYIk1ZhIqP pic.twitter.com/...