logo
War in Gaza ‘must end now', urge UK and 24 allies

War in Gaza ‘must end now', urge UK and 24 allies

LONDON: Britain and 24 Western allies, including Australia, Canada, France and Italy, declared on Monday that the war in Gaza 'must end now', arguing that civilians' suffering had 'reached new depths'.
'We urge the parties and the international community to unite in a common effort to bring this terrible conflict to an end, through an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire,' the grouping added in a joint statement.
'Further bloodshed serves no purpose. We reaffirm our complete support to the efforts of the US, Qatar and Egypt to achieve this.'
The signatories — which also included Japan, several EU countries, Switzerland and New Zealand — added they were 'prepared to take further action to support an immediate ceasefire'.
The wide-ranging statement branded the controversial Israeli-supported relief effort in Gaza as 'dangerous' and said it deprives Gazans of 'human dignity'.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

India, UK trade deal signals Modi's priorities as New Delhi eyes EU, US pacts
India, UK trade deal signals Modi's priorities as New Delhi eyes EU, US pacts

Business Recorder

time7 minutes ago

  • Business Recorder

India, UK trade deal signals Modi's priorities as New Delhi eyes EU, US pacts

NEW DELHI: India's trade deal with Britain is a sign of New Delhi's new gradual shift to opening up its markets while shielding crucial sectors from competition and could be its template for future agreements, government officials and analysts said on Friday. Signed on Thursday and hailed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as 'a blueprint for our shared prosperity', the deal with the UK represents India's biggest ever strategic partnership with an advanced economy. It comes at a time rising global trade tensions and at a pivotal moment for India's historically protectionist trade strategy, as the Asian giant looks to strike similar deals with partners including the EU, U.S., and New Zealand. Under the pact, India notably agreed to cut tariffs on imported British vehicles, opening up competition for a domestic industry that makes up nearly 7% of the Indian economy. 'This is a policy shift, especially as India has long used high tariffs to protect domestic manufacturers,' Ajay Srivastava, founder of Global Trade Research Initiative and a former Indian trade negotiator, told Reuters. India's Modi and UK PM Starmer ink trade deal The easing of its protectionist stance also applies to government procurement and pharmaceuticals and will likely be replicated in deals with Brussels and Washington, he added. But it remains a cautious shift. Under the UK deal, auto imports will be capped under a quota system to shield local manufacturers, and tariff reductions will be gradual. India has committed to reducing auto tariffs from over 100% to 10% over 15 years, within an annual import quota starting at 10,000 units and rising to 19,000 in year five. Tariff reductions on whisky and other goods will also be phased over several years to allow domestic industries to adjust. Red lines India has stuck to its red lines in the deal, making no concessions on agricultural items such as apples and walnuts or dairy products including cheese and whey. 'There is no question of opening up the agriculture or dairy sector in any trade negotiation — be it with the EU, Australia, or even the U.S.,' a senior Indian official said. India, US interim trade deal prospects dim ahead of tariff deadline, sources say The calibrated strategy aims to leverage trade for economic growth, the official said, but the government will continue to shield millions of Indians dependent upon subsistence farming and low-margin work. Indian farmers are eyeing broadened access to the UK's $37.5 billion agriculture market under the deal. And Indian exporters will benefit from zero tariffs on goods including textiles, footwear, gems, furniture, auto parts, machinery, and chemicals. 'With zero tariffs, India's garment exports to the UK could double in three years,' said N. Thirukkumaran, general secretary of the Tiruppur Exporters Association. 'This also paves the way for the EU agreement, which could bring even bigger gains,' he added. But the strategy could face a major test in negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump's administration, which has used the threat of steep tariffs to pressure trading partners into making concessions. Trade Minister Piyush Goyal told Reuters on Thursday that India is also hopeful of reaching a trade agreement with Washington that includes 'special and preferred treatment'. But the U.S. is pushing for greater access to India's agricultural and dairy markets.

Pakistan condemns Israeli attempt to assert sovereignty over Occupied West Bank
Pakistan condemns Israeli attempt to assert sovereignty over Occupied West Bank

Business Recorder

time4 hours ago

  • Business Recorder

Pakistan condemns Israeli attempt to assert sovereignty over Occupied West Bank

Pakistan unequivocally condemned on Friday the Israeli parliament's unlawful attempt to assert 'sovereignty' over the Occupied West Bank. 'This deplorable act constitutes a grave violation of international law and reflects Israel's persistent disregard for Palestinian rights and established international norms,' the Foreign Office (FO) said in a press release today. The FO said that such deliberate and provocative actions highlight the occupying power's systematic attempts to undermine efforts for peace and entrench its illegal occupation. 'These unilateral measures represent a dangerous escalation that jeopardizes regional stability and prospects for a just and lasting settlement.' Violence has surged in the West Bank since the beginning of the war in Gaza, sparked by an unprecedented Hamas attack on Israeli soil on October 7, 2023. At least 960 Palestinians – including militants and civilians – have been killed by Israeli soldiers or settlers, according to an AFP tally based on Palestinian Authority data. In the same time period, at least 36 Israelis – including civilians and security forces – have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations there, according to official Israeli figures. Moreover, the FO, in its press release urged the international community to take swift and decisive action to hold Israel accountable for its violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions and international humanitarian law. These measures will neither be recognized nor alter the internationally acknowledged status of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the FO said. 'Pakistan reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the Palestinian people's inalienable right to self-determination. We steadfastly advocate for the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and viable Palestinian state based on the pre-June 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions.'

China's premier tells EU leaders ‘we can't afford' massive industrial subsidies
China's premier tells EU leaders ‘we can't afford' massive industrial subsidies

Business Recorder

time5 hours ago

  • Business Recorder

China's premier tells EU leaders ‘we can't afford' massive industrial subsidies

BEIJING: Chinese Premier Li Qiang dismissed EU fears over Beijing's allegedly excessive subsidies to its industry, telling the bloc's leaders 'we can't afford it' in markedly candid remarks during a tense summit. Speaking during a roundtable with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday, Li insisted that 'China is by no means doing what some call a subsidies policy or fiscal subsidies'. 'China is not as rich as Europe, and we can't afford it,' he said. 'We would not be stupid enough to use the fiscal funds accumulated through the government and the hard work of our people to sell our products to foreign consumers,' Li added. Von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa were in Beijing on Thursday for a summit dominated by tensions between the EU and China over trade and Russia's war in Ukraine. Xi says China, EU must deepen trust but bloc chief urges 'real solutions' Chief among the bloc's concerns was its yawning trade deficit with China, which stood at around $360 billion last year. The EU has also raised fears that Beijing's vast subsidies to its industry could help it undercut European competitors with a flood of cheap exports to the continent. Li, China's number two official, rejected those claims in a roundtable with the EU's leadership. 'Some enterprises, especially manufacturing enterprises, feel more deeply that China's manufacturing capabilities are too strong, and Chinese people are too hardworking,' the Chinese premier said. 'Factories run 24 hours a day,' he said. 'Some people think this will cause some new problems in the balance of supply and demand in world production,' the Chinese premier said, admitting: 'We see this problem too.' Li also rejected claims the Chinese economy – plagued by sluggish growth for years now – was in dire straits. 'Of course, there are difficulties and challenges, but it is difficult for us to say that China's economy is in a downturn,' he said. 'Our GDP growth rate is always above five percent,' he insisted.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store