Trump UNAFFECTED With Gaza 'Famine'; Tells Netanyahu To 'Decide' After Hamas Talks Derailed
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First Post
18 minutes ago
- First Post
UK to recognise Palestine in September unless Israel takes 'substantive steps' in Gaza: Starmer
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer informed his ministers that recognition of Palestinian statehood would proceed in September if the Israeli government fails to act on the key conditions set by London, according to a report read more British Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during a welcome reception at the Britain's ambassador's residence in Washington, DC on Wednesday. AP File Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Tuesday announced that the United Kingdom will formally recognise the State of Palestine in September unless Israel takes a series of 'substantive steps' in Gaza, including agreeing to a ceasefire. The potentially historic decision, which Starmer described as part of a broader plan for 'lasting peace,' follows his recall of the UK Cabinet from recess for emergency discussions on the escalating crisis in the besieged enclave. According to an AFP report, citing Downing Street, Starmer informed his ministers that recognition of Palestinian statehood would proceed in September if the Israeli government fails to act on the key conditions set by London. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD They include ending 'the appalling situation in Gaza', reaching a ceasefire, making 'clear there will be no annexation in the West Bank', and committing 'to a long-term peace process that delivers a two-state solution,' it added. 'I have always said that we will recognise a Palestinian state as a contribution to a proper peace process at the moment of maximum impact for the two-state solution,' AFP quoted Starmer as saying in a Downing Street address. 'With that solution now under threat, this is the moment to act.' UK, France may lead G7 on Palestine French President Emmanuel Macron announced last week that France would formally recognise a Palestinian state during the UN General Assembly in September. Echoing that stance, Starmer said Britain would follow suit unless Israel takes 'substantive steps' to end the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. If carried out, the UK and France would become the first G7 nations to formally endorse Palestinian statehood — a move that has already drawn sharp criticism from both Israel and the United States. However, reports suggested Starmer is believed to have presented his plan for the long-running conflict in the Middle East to US President Donald Trump when the pair met in Scotland on Monday. Trump appeared to give his blessing for the recognition move, saying during a wide-ranging press conference lasting more than an hour that 'I don't mind him (Starmer) taking a position.' Trump on Tuesday, however, dismissed the reports and said that he and Starmer did not discuss London's plan to recognise a Palestinian state. 'We never did discuss it,' Reuters quoted Trump as telling reporters on board Air Force One while travelling back to the US after meeting Starmer in Scotland. Trump said recognising a Palestinian state would reward Palestinian militant group Hamas. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'You're rewarding Hamas if you do that. I don't think they should be rewarded,' he said. Trump said the US had sent money for food aid for Palestinians in Gaza, and that he wanted to make sure it's properly spent. 'I want to make sure the money is spent wisely and is spent judiciously, and that food is distributed in a proper manner,' he said. Speaking Tuesday, Starmer also detailed several demands for the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which is holding Israeli hostages seized in its attacks on October 7, 2023. 'They must immediately release all of the hostages, sign up to a ceasefire, disarm and accept that they will play no part in the government of Gaza,' he said. The UK leader added that London 'will make an assessment in September on how far the parties have met these steps', adding: 'No one should have a veto over our decision.' 'Two-state solution' Starmer has been under growing domestic and international pressure to formally recognise a Palestinian state, as the humanitarian situation in Gaza dramatically worsens. Macron publicly pressed for joint recognition of Palestine during his UK state visit earlier this month, while an increasing number of MPs in Starmer's ruling Labour party have been demanding action. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD More than 220 British lawmakers from nine parties including Starmer's Labour published a letter last Friday urging him to formally recognise a Palestinian state. The commitment was included in Labour's election-winning manifesto last year, as part of 'a two-state solution with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state'. Starmer's office also said that the UK had dropped its first aid by air into the Gaza Strip, as UN aid agencies warned that the Palestinian territory of more than two million people was slipping into famine. It said 'the first airdrops of British aid' were landing Tuesday, 'containing around half a million pounds' worth of lifesaving supplies'. 'The Palestinian people have endured terrible suffering now in Gaza because of a catastrophic failure of aid. We see starving babies, children too weak to stand,' the UK leader said in a televised address. 'The suffering must end,' he added. With inputs from agencies
Indian Express
18 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Donald Trump warns India of 25% tariffs if trade deal not reached
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that Indian imports could face tariffs as high as 25% if the two countries are unable to finalise a trade agreement soon. 'They are going to pay 25%,' Trump told reporters, according to CNN. When asked whether India would be charged tariffs between 20% and 25%, Trump replied, 'Yeah, I think so. India has been; they're my friends.' The United States and India have been discussing a trade deal for months, but no final agreement has been reached. Trump has been pressing for greater access for American goods to the Indian market. He has often made similar demands in other trade negotiations. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said further talks would be needed to move things forward. 'They have expressed strong interest in opening portions of their market,' Greer said in an interview with CNBC on Monday, as reported by CNN. 'We, of course, are willing to continue talking to them. But I think we need some more negotiations on that with our Indian friends to see how ambitious they want to be.' This is a developing story
Indian Express
18 minutes ago
- Indian Express
US-China trade talks end without deal as tariff deadline nears
Trade talks between the United States and China ended on Tuesday without a deal to extend a temporary pause on steep tariffs, raising concerns that high duties could return from 12 August. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Ambassador Jamieson Greer met Chinese officials in Stockholm over two days to discuss the way forward, but no agreement was reached. The talks were described as 'constructive' by both sides, and officials said discussions would continue. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Bessent said: 'We just haven't been given that signoff.' He added that President Donald Trump would have to make the final decision on whether to extend the current truce. 'The meetings were very productive,' Bessent said, according to CNN. Greer echoed that view, saying: 'With respect to a potential pause, we're going to head back to Washington, DC, and we're going to talk to the president about whether that's something that he wants to do. It's certainly something that's under discussion.' Without a deal, the United States and China could reinstate heavy tariffs that were previously in place before the current 90-day pause. Greer told CNN that tariffs on Chinese goods could rise by around 34 percent, although still below the peak rate of 145 percent seen earlier. In May, China had lowered tariffs on American goods from 125 percent to 10 percent, while the US reduced its tariffs on Chinese goods from 145 percent to 30 percent. China's International Trade Representative, Li Chenggang, said both countries would 'continue to push for the scheduled extension,' according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. However, Bessent disputed the suggestion that anything had been finalised. 'The Chinese deputy minister did say that we had agreed on a pause. We have not. Nothing is agreed until we speak with President Trump,' he said, as quoted by CNN. Greer also clarified that 'the president has discretion to change the rate depending on the circumstances that we have.' Speaking separately aboard Air Force One, President Trump told reporters he had just spoken with Bessent, who reported 'a very good meeting with China.' Trump added, 'He felt very good about the meeting, better than he felt yesterday,' according to Reuters. Trump also said he expects to be briefed on the talks on Wednesday and would then decide whether to extend the tariff pause. He said he hoped to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping before the end of the year. When asked about a possible trade deal with India, Trump said no agreement had been reached. He added, 'India has higher tariffs than almost any country,' Reuters reported. As of now, no breakthrough has been made, and both sides remain under pressure to find a solution before the mid-August deadline.
