Latest news with #Britons
Daily Mail
15 minutes ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Travel warning for six countries where 'airspace could be closed'
The UK government has issued new advice for several countries that could be impacted by 'ongoing hostilities' between Israel and Iran. The fresh warning affects six countries including one that's a major holiday destination for UK travellers. Tourists have been warned they could face delays and cancellations to flights in Oman, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. In the update, which was posted to the countries' FCDO pages last night, the government warns that 'ongoing hostilities in the region and between Israel and Iran could escalate quickly and pose security risks for the wider region'. It adds: 'There is a possibility of travel disruption, including short-notice airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights, and other unanticipated travel impacts. 'You should monitor local and international media for the latest information. Be vigilant and follow the instructions of local authorities. 'Check with relevant airlines for the latest updates before travelling.' The UAE is a major tourist destination for the UK with more than one million Britons travelling to the Middle Eastern country in 2024. In the update, the government warns that 'ongoing hostilities in the region and between Israel and Iran could escalate quickly and pose security risks for the wider region'. Oman (pictured above) is under the warning While there is no warning against travelling to any of the six countries, Brits should check their flight details for the latest updates. The travel advice for Jordan, another popular holiday destination in the region, has not changed. The UK government advises against all travel to both Israel and Iran. Israel launched its assault on Iran - named Operation Rising Lion' - on Friday June 13. The IDF has targeted the country's nuclear sites and military bases. Iran has retaliated with drone attacks, one of which shut down the country's largest oil refinery in Haifa. Donald Trump has said he will decide whether the US will get involved in the conflict between Israel and Iran within the next two weeks. and Germany are set to meet with the Iranian foreign minister today in Geneva in a search for a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
Western Telegraph
18 minutes ago
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
UK readies charter flights out of Tel Aviv as Middle East crisis spirals
Downing Street urged Britons in the region to register their presence with the Foreign Office as the crisis deepens and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called on all sides to reach a diplomatic outcome. Number 10 on Friday morning said that the situation remains 'fast-moving' and would continue to be monitored closely. The situation in the Middle East remains perilous. We are determined that Iran must never have a nuclear weapon. Meeting with @SecRubio and @SteveWitkoff in the White House today, we discussed how a deal could avoid a deepening conflict. A window now exists within the next two… — David Lammy (@DavidLammy) June 19, 2025 A spokesman added: 'We are advising British nationals to continue to register their presence in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, to be contactable with further guidance on these flights. 'The Foreign Secretary will shortly announce that the Government is working with the Israeli authorities to provide charter flights from Tel Aviv airport once airspace reopens.' Sir Keir has also urged Donald Trump to step back from military action against Iran, which could deepen the crisis in the Middle East. The Prime Minister said there is a 'real risk of escalation' in the conflict as he urged all sides to seek a diplomatic outcome. He said there had previously been 'several rounds of discussions with the US' and 'that, to me, is the way to resolve this issue'. Iran and Israel continued striking each other's territory overnight as the crisis deepens. A hospital in southern Israel was hit by a missile, while a heavy water facility in Iran was targeted in the latest blow against Tehran's nuclear programme. The hospital attack led defence minister Israel Katz to say Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 'absolutely should not continue to exist' – in a sign that plans to kill him could be revived after previously being vetoed by Mr Trump. His comments came as Foreign Secretary David Lammy arrived in Geneva for talks with the Iranian foreign minister and European allies as the UK presses for a diplomatic solution to the conflict. The Foreign Secretary is meeting Abbas Araghchi on Friday alongside his counterparts from France, Germany and the EU as he seeks to negotiate a settlement before Mr Trump decides on whether to take military action against Tehran. In a statement read by his press secretary on Thursday, Mr Trump said there was still 'a substantial chance of negotiations' and said he would make a decision on deploying US forces 'within the next two weeks'. Mr Trump had previously said he 'may' join Israeli strikes against Iran and its nuclear programme, but added: 'I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I'm going to do.' Friday's meeting with the so-called E3 countries follows Mr Lammy's visit to Washington, where he met US secretary of state Marco Rubio in the White House on Thursday evening to discuss 'how a deal could avoid a deepening conflict'.
Scottish Sun
22 minutes ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
UK readying charter flights to rescue trapped Brits from Israel as Iranian missiles fall & US weighs strikes
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) UK nationals are to be evacuated from Israel by emergency chartered flights out of Tel Aviv. British authorities are scrambling to arrange the planes after they were accused of abandoning Britons stuck out there. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The Foreign Office, led by David Lammy, is finally organising to fetch Brits stuck in Israel Credit: Alamy 2 Brits are to be flown out of Tel Aviv Credit: AFP The UK and Israeli governments are now working together to get Brits out, with No 10 saying the "fast-moving" situation would be closely monitored. David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, said: 'As part of our efforts to support British nationals in the Middle East, the government is working with the Israeli authorities to provide charter flights from Tel Aviv airport when airspace reopens, based on levels of demand from British nationals." Brits in Israel were urged to register their presence with the authorities and told they would be contacted with further guidance. The Foreign Office was accused of refusing to draw up evacuation plans. They apparently told those trying to flee they should take a risky bus journey to Egypt or Jordan. There was anger that the families of diplomats working at the Embassy in Tel Aviv had been fetched, but most people offered nothing. There are up to 60,000 British citizens who live in Israel, and more are likely to have been visiting as the air battle with Iran began. A Downing Street spokesman said: "We are advising British nationals to continue to register their presence in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, to be contactable with further guidance on these flights." More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
AsiaOne
9 hours ago
- Health
- AsiaOne
British lawmakers to vote on landmark assisted dying law, World News
LONDON — British lawmakers will vote on Friday (June 20) on whether to proceed with a bill to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill people, in what would be the biggest social reform in the country for a generation. Last November, lawmakers voted 330 to 275 in favour of the principle of allowing assisted dying, paving the way for Britain to follow Australia, Canada and other countries, as well as some US states. Now, after months of scrutiny, amendment and emotional debate, the bill must clear another stage of voting to keep it on the road to legalisation, a process that could still take months. A vote against would stop it in its tracks. The Labour lawmaker who has proposed the new law, Kim Leadbeater, said there could be a reduction in the number of members of parliament who support the bill on Friday, but she was confident it would still be approved. One member of parliament who supports the legislation said there were about a dozen votes between those in favour and against, with a number yet to declare their position. Dozens of lawmakers earlier in June signed a letter to the leader of the House of Commons saying that there had not been enough time to debate the details of such a consequential law change. Leadbeater said her biggest fear was that if the legislation was voted down, then it could be another decade before the issue returns to parliament. The issue was last considered in 2015 when lawmakers voted against it. "It works and it is safe, and it provides dignity to terminally ill people," she told reporters before the vote. "This is not an either or when it comes to palliative care or assisted dying. It is about choice for people." Public support Opinion polls show that a majority of Britons back assisted dying, and supporters say the law needs to catch up with public opinion. But, since the initial vote, some lawmakers say they are worried the bill's protections against the coercion of vulnerable people have been weakened. Under the proposed law, mentally competent, terminally ill adults in England and Wales with six months or fewer to live would be given the right to end their lives with medical help. In the original plan, an assisted death would have required court approval. That has been replaced by a requirement for a judgement by a panel including a social worker, a senior legal figure and a psychiatrist. Lawmakers have also raised questions about the impact of assisted dying on the finances and resources of Britain's state-run National Health Service and the need to improve palliative care. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour government is neutral on the bill, meaning politicians can vote according to their conscience rather than along party lines. Lawmakers will hold a final debate on the legislation on Friday morning before a likely vote in the afternoon. If it passes, the legislation will be sent to the House of Lords, parliament's upper chamber, for further scrutiny. [[nid:718468]]
The Star
12 hours ago
- Health
- The Star
British lawmakers to vote on landmark assisted dying law
FILE PHOTO: A protestor holds a placard as they gather outside the parliament as British lawmakers debate the assisted dying law, in London, Britain, November 29, 2024. REUTERS/Mina Kim/File Photo LONDON (Reuters) -British lawmakers will vote on Friday on whether to proceed with a bill to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill people, in what would be the biggest social reform in the country for a generation. Last November, lawmakers voted 330 to 275 in favour of the principle of allowing assisted dying, paving the way for Britain to follow Australia, Canada and other countries, as well as some U.S. states. Now, after months of scrutiny, amendment and emotional debate, the bill must clear another stage of voting to keep it on the road to legalisation, a process that could still take months. A vote against would stop it in its tracks. The Labour lawmaker who has proposed the new law, Kim Leadbeater, said there could be a reduction in the number of members of parliament who support the bill on Friday, but she was confident it would still be approved. One member of parliament who supports the legislation said there were about a dozen votes between those in favour and against, with a number yet to declare their position. Dozens of lawmakers earlier in June signed a letter to the leader of the House of Commons saying that there had not been enough time to debate the details of such a consequential law change. Leadbeater said her biggest fear was that if the legislation was voted down, then it could be another decade before the issue returns to parliament. The issue was last considered in 2015 when lawmakers voted against it. "It works and it is safe, and it provides dignity to terminally ill people," she told reporters before the vote. "This is not an either or when it comes to palliative care or assisted dying. It is about choice for people." PUBLIC SUPPORT Opinion polls show that a majority of Britons back assisted dying, and supporters say the law needs to catch up with public opinion. But, since the initial vote, some lawmakers say they are worried the bill's protections against the coercion of vulnerable people have been weakened. Under the proposed law, mentally competent, terminally ill adults in England and Wales with six months or fewer to live would be given the right to end their lives with medical help. In the original plan, an assisted death would have required court approval. That has been replaced by a requirement for a judgement by a panel including a social worker, a senior legal figure and a psychiatrist. Lawmakers have also raised questions about the impact of assisted dying on the finances and resources of Britain's state-run National Health Service and the need to improve palliative care. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour government is neutral on the bill, meaning politicians can vote according to their conscience rather than along party lines. Lawmakers will hold a final debate on the legislation on Friday morning before a likely vote in the afternoon. If it passes, the legislation will be sent to the House of Lords, parliament's upper chamber, for further scrutiny. (Reporting by Sarah Young and Andrew MacAskill; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
