Foreign

Rishi Sunak in Israel on Heels of Joe Biden’s Visit

By Web News 321

Rishi Sunak has pledged to stand with Israel, as he arrived in the country ahead of meetings with Israeli leaders.

Upon landing in Tel Aviv, the UK prime minister said Israelis had suffered a “horrific act of terrorism” at the hands of Hamas earlier this month.

Mr Sunak will meet Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog later as part of a two-day visit to the region.

He will also use the trip to press for humanitarian aid in Gaza.

The visit comes right after US President Biden’s, as world leaders step up efforts to prevent the conflict with Hamas spilling into the wider region.

Speaking upon arrival, Mr Sunak told reporters he hoped for “productive” meeting with Israel’s leaders.

“Above all, I’m here to express my solidarity with the Israeli people,” he added.

“You have suffered an unspeakable, horrific act of terrorism and I want you to know that the United Kingdom and I stand with you”.

BBC / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Foreign

Sunak Draws Plan to Address Migrant Crossings

By Web News 373

A new law set to go before Parliament on Tuesday will introduce new measures aimed at removing migrants entering the UK on small boats.

It is expected the Illegal Migration Bill will prevent those arriving illegally from claiming asylum or returning to the UK in future.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said it was “fair for those at home and those who have a legitimate claim to asylum”.

Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer has described the plans as “unworkable”.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said the bill would push “the boundaries of international law” without breaking it, telling the Express the measures were needed to “solve this crisis”.

The government believes the issue of migrant crossings matters to voters and will be key at the next election.

The PM has made tackling it one of the central pledges of his premiership, and ministers are prepared to test legal limits to address the issue.

There are also clear political messages being raised, with Ms Braverman accusing Labour of “betraying hard-working Brits” by not backing the plans.

More than 45,000 people entered the UK via Channel crossings last year, up from around 300 in 2018.

Under the proposals, the home secretary would be placed under a “duty to remove” those arriving illegally in the UK.

This would take precedence in law over someone’s right to claim asylum – although there would be exemptions for the under-18s and those with serious medical conditions.

While the bill would not become law for several months it would apply retrospectively, meaning anyone arriving in the UK illegally from Tuesday would be at risk of deportation.

The new laws are expected to strain the UK’s commitment to the European Convention on Human Rights and the UN’s Refugee Convention which currently give rights to asylum seekers arriving in the UK.

Bbc/Adebukola Aluko

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Foreign

Sunak Pledges to Address UK’s Economic Problem

By Web News 429

Rishi Sunak, the new UK Prime Minister has met with King Charles at Buckingham Palace.

After his meeting on Tuesday, Sunak reechoed that the UK was facing a “profound economic crisis”

In his first speech outside No 10 Downing Street, Sunak said he would fix some of the mistakes made by Liz Truss.

He also said his focus was to unite the country.

“I will unite our country, not with words but, with action. I will work day in and day out to deliver for you,” Sunak said.

Liz Truss resigned 44 days after becoming the PM, making her the shortest-serving one in UK history.

In a farewell message, Truss defended her legacy of trying to push through tax cuts and said leaders needed to be bold.

“Our country continues to battle through a storm, but I believe in Britain. I believe in the British people, and I know that brighter days lie ahead,” she said.

Mr Sunak won the Tory leadership contest without a vote being cast after rivals Penny Mordaunt and Boris Johnson dropped out of the race, in a stunning turnaround from his loss to Liz Truss just weeks ago.

FRCN/Adebukola Aluko