Foreign Secretary David Cameron delivers a speech at the National Cyber Security Centre in London. He stated that Britain would continue to send arms to Israel unless a red line was crossed. Getty
Foreign Secretary David Cameron delivers a speech at the National Cyber Security Centre in London. He stated that Britain would continue to send arms to Israel unless a red line was crossed. Getty
Foreign Secretary David Cameron delivers a speech at the National Cyber Security Centre in London. He stated that Britain would continue to send arms to Israel unless a red line was crossed. Getty
Foreign Secretary David Cameron delivers a speech at the National Cyber Security Centre in London. He stated that Britain would continue to send arms to Israel unless a red line was crossed. Getty

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UK

David Cameron: Britain will send arms to Israel until red line crossed

Foreign secretary also insisted UK was using its leverage to ensure aid was getting into Gaza

Soraya Ebrahimi
Soraya Ebrahimi
London

May 08, 2024

  • English
  • Arabic

Britain will continue to send arms to Israel despite the looming offensive in Rafah, David Cameron has said.

But after a key note speech delivered in London, the foreign secretary refused to be drawn on what the UK’s “red line” would be if Israel attacked southern Gaza, where 1.4 million citizens are sheltering.

Lord Cameron argued that Britain’s exports were marginal, unlike America which was a major arms supplier, as he responded to a question on whether Britain would follow the US after it warned that it would withhold weapons from Israel over Rafah.

“The US is a massive state supplier of weapons to Israel,” he said. “We do not have a UK Government supply of weapons to Israel, we have a number of licences, and I think our defence exports to Israel are responsible for significantly less than 1 per cent of their total.”

He insisted that Britain had the most rigorous arms export controls in the world and these were kept under constant review.

The most recent Foreign Office report stated that arms worth £42 million were exported, the majority of them spare parts for F-35 fighters, which have been used to bomb Gaza.

Read more

Israeli 'double-counting' of aid deliveries to Gaza threatens UK arms exports deal

Britain defends 'careful' arms sales policy amid calls to stop supplying Israel

Lord Cameron also called on Britain and its allies to “out-compete, out-co-operate and out-innovate” adversaries, citing the Red Sea as a key battle.

International shipping has faced a deadly threat from missiles and drones launched by the pro-Iranian militia controlling the straits around Yemen. “While many countries have criticised the Houthi attacks, it is only the US and Britain that have been willing and able to step up and strike back at them,” he said.

The Foreign Office billed Lord Cameron's address as his first “big-picture” policy intervention, mapping out how the UK should respond to a more dangerous world.

“If [Vladimir] Putin’s illegal invasion teaches us anything, it must be that doing too little, too late, only spurs an aggressor on,” Lord Cameron said.

Since returning as foreign secretary late last year, Lord Cameron hinted at dismay at how few countries have been willing to get involved in military operations targeting Houthi bases.

“I see too many examples in this job of this lesson not having been learnt,” he said. “Take the Red Sea, where ship after ship has been attacked.”

US and UK carry out more strikes against Houthis in Yemen – video

He also addressed some European countries’ apparent unwillingness to invest in defence “even as war rages on our continent”.

He also urged Nato countries to agree at a summit in the US in July to spend 2.5 per cent of their GDP on defence.

Lord Cameron also underlined the need for the UK to invest in old alliances, with the freedom of being outside the EU, such as partnerships in Europe, the Five Eyes alliance, the G7 and Nato.

He called for a push to establish new partnerships, like the Aukus alliance with the US and Australia, and the Joint Expeditionary Force collaborations with nations in northern Europe.

Ukrainian rescuers at the site of a rocket attack on a residential building in Dnipro, south-eastern Ukraine. EPA
Ukrainian rescuers at the site of a rocket attack on a residential building in Dnipro, south-eastern Ukraine. EPA
Rescues carry a person wounded by a Russian missile strike in Dnipro. Reuters
Rescues carry a person wounded by a Russian missile strike in Dnipro. Reuters
Rescuers tackle a blaze at a building struck by Russian bombs, in Dnipro. AP
Rescuers tackle a blaze at a building struck by Russian bombs, in Dnipro. AP
An apartment building hit by a Russian missile strike in Dnipro. Reuters
An apartment building hit by a Russian missile strike in Dnipro. Reuters
Ukrainian soldiers fire at Russian positions near the town of Kupyansk, Kharkiv Region. AFP
Ukrainian soldiers fire at Russian positions near the town of Kupyansk, Kharkiv Region. AFP
A building destroyed by a Russian air strike in the front-line town of Orikhiv. AP
A building destroyed by a Russian air strike in the front-line town of Orikhiv. AP
A dog stands on the rubble as rescuers work at the site of a destroyed building during a Russian missile strike in Chernihiv. Reuters
A dog stands on the rubble as rescuers work at the site of a destroyed building during a Russian missile strike in Chernihiv. Reuters
A Ukrainian serviceman works on an FPV drone in a workshop in the Donetsk region. Reuters
A Ukrainian serviceman works on an FPV drone in a workshop in the Donetsk region. Reuters
Local resident Kateryna, 77-years-old, walks with a litter of puppies, which she feeds in the yard of her bomb-damaged apartment block in the town of Kurakhove. AFP
Local resident Kateryna, 77-years-old, walks with a litter of puppies, which she feeds in the yard of her bomb-damaged apartment block in the town of Kurakhove. AFP
Ukrainian rescuers at the scene of a missile strike near a residential building, in Zaporizhzhia. EPA
Ukrainian rescuers at the scene of a missile strike near a residential building, in Zaporizhzhia. EPA
A woman looks at the damage in her flat after debris from a missile strike hit nearby, in Kyiv. EPA
A woman looks at the damage in her flat after debris from a missile strike hit nearby, in Kyiv. EPA
Ukrainian firefighters at the scene of a missile strike in Kyiv. EPA
Ukrainian firefighters at the scene of a missile strike in Kyiv. EPA
Ukrainian servicemen take part in military training at an undisclosed location near the frontline. EPA
Ukrainian servicemen take part in military training at an undisclosed location near the frontline. EPA
Ukrainian troops run near the site of a rocket attack on an industrial building, in Kharkiv. EPA
Ukrainian troops run near the site of a rocket attack on an industrial building, in Kharkiv. EPA
A pilot operates a drone at a training ground in the Kyiv region. AFP
A pilot operates a drone at a training ground in the Kyiv region. AFP
Ukrainian and Russian soldiers are depicted in a tug-of-war on a memorial in Izium, Kharkiv region. AP
Ukrainian and Russian soldiers are depicted in a tug-of-war on a memorial in Izium, Kharkiv region. AP
A man looks at his home in a damaged apartment building in Izium, Kharkiv. AP
A man looks at his home in a damaged apartment building in Izium, Kharkiv. AP
Ukrainian civilian women are trained to use weapons, in Kyiv. AFP
Ukrainian civilian women are trained to use weapons, in Kyiv. AFP
A Ukrainian soldier mans a position as new recruits receive training at an undisclosed location in the Donetsk region. EPA
A Ukrainian soldier mans a position as new recruits receive training at an undisclosed location in the Donetsk region. EPA
A man pays tribute at a makeshift memorial for fallen Ukrainian soldiers, at the Independence Square in Kyiv. AFP
A man pays tribute at a makeshift memorial for fallen Ukrainian soldiers, at the Independence Square in Kyiv. AFP
An emergency worker at the scene of a Russian attack in Odesa. AP
An emergency worker at the scene of a Russian attack in Odesa. AP
Ukrainian recruits are trained by members of the Danish military, in the east of England. AP
Ukrainian recruits are trained by members of the Danish military, in the east of England. AP
Danylo, commander of an engineering and sapper company of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, inspects pyramidal anti-tank obstacles known as 'dragon's teeth' before installing them into a new fortification line in Zaporizhzhia region. Reuters
Danylo, commander of an engineering and sapper company of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, inspects pyramidal anti-tank obstacles known as 'dragon's teeth' before installing them into a new fortification line in Zaporizhzhia region. Reuters
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: BorrowMe (BorrowMe.com)

Date started: August 2021

Founder: Nour Sabri

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: E-commerce / Marketplace

Size: Two employees

Funding stage: Seed investment

Initial investment: $200,000

Investors: Amr Manaa (director, PwC Middle East) 

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

OIL PLEDGE

At the start of Russia's invasion, IEA member countries held 1.5 billion barrels in public reserves and about 575 million barrels under obligations with industry, according to the agency's website. The two collective actions of the IEA this year of 62.7 million barrels, which was agreed on March 1, and this week's 120 million barrels amount to 9 per cent of total emergency reserves, it added.

The biog

Hobbies: Salsa dancing “It's in my blood” and listening to music in different languages

Favourite place to travel to: “Thailand, as it's gorgeous, food is delicious, their massages are to die for!”  

Favourite food: “I'm a vegetarian, so I can't get enough of salad.”

Favourite film:  “I love watching documentaries, and am fascinated by nature, animals, human anatomy. I love watching to learn!”

Best spot in the UAE: “I fell in love with Fujairah and anywhere outside the big cities, where I can get some peace and get a break from the busy lifestyle”

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ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

The hotels

Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.

The tours

A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages. 

Bio:

Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour

Favourite Hobby: Serving poor people 

Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Favourite food: Fish and vegetables

Favourite place to visit: London

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TO A LAND UNKNOWN

Director: Mahdi Fleifel

Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa

Rating: 4.5/5

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Rating: 5/5

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COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Lamsa

Founder: Badr Ward

Launched: 2014

Employees: 60

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: EdTech

Funding to date: $15 million

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UAE currency
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  • Is there a God?
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  • What is inside a black hole?
  • Can we predict the future?
  • Is time travel possible?
  • Will we survive on Earth?
  • Is there other intelligent life in the universe?
  • Should we colonise space?
  • Will artificial intelligence outsmart us?
  • How do we shape the future?
SPECS
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On Women's Day
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo

Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic

Power: 242bhp

Torque: 370Nm

Price: Dh136,814

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  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
65
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The Sky Is Pink

Director: Shonali Bose

Cast: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Farhan Akhtar, Zaira Wasim, Rohit Saraf

Three stars

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'THE WORST THING YOU CAN EAT'

Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.

Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines: 

Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.

Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.

Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.

Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.

Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Drishyam 2

Directed by: Jeethu Joseph

Starring: Mohanlal, Meena, Ansiba, Murali Gopy

Rating: 4 stars

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Results

4.30pm Jebel Jais – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (Turf) 1,000m; Winner: MM Al Balqaa, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Qaiss Aboud (trainer)

5pm: Jabel Faya – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (T) 1,000m; Winner: AF Rasam, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

5.30pm: Al Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Mukhrej, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

6pm: The President’s Cup Prep – Conditions (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Mujeeb, Richard Mullen, Salem Al Ketbi

6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club – Prestige (PA) Dh125,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Antonio Fresu, Abubakar Daud

7pm: Al Ruwais – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Pat Dobbs, Ibrahim Aseel

7.30pm: Jebel Hafeet – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Nibraas, Richard Mullen, Nicholas Bachalard

South Africa squad

: Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wkt), Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen (wkt), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Duanne Olivier, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada.

Updated: May 09, 2024, 2:19 PM`
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