Live updates: Follow the latest news on the UK general election
President Sheikh Mohamed and other world leaders have reacted to Labour’s landslide victory, which has returned the party to power in Britain for the first time in 14 years.
The UAE President congratulated Keir Starmer, who became the country’s new prime minister on Friday, replacing Rishi Sunak.
Writing on X, he extended his my congratulations to Mr Starmer, saying he look forward to working together "to further strengthen the long-standing partnership between our countries.”
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also extended his congratulations.
The leaders of countries in Europe were among the first to congratulate Mr Starmer early on Friday.
Writing on X, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine and the UK have been, and will continue to be, reliable allies “through thick and thin”.
“We will continue to defend and advance our common values of life, freedom, and a rules-based international order.”
He added his thanks to his “good friend” Mr Sunak, as he praised the UK government's “steadfast support” under his leadership.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shared his “warm congratulations” with Mr Starmer but also thanked Rishi Sunak for his years of “friendship”.
He posted to X: “On behalf of the State of Israel, I extend my warm congratulations to (Sir Keir) Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
“I am confident that we will continue working together to strengthen the historic friendship between the UK and Israel and to advance the twin goals of security and peace.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, congratulated Mr Starmer on X, adding: “I look forward to working with you in a constructive partnership to address common challenges and strengthen European security.”
Charles Michel, European Council President, said Labour’s victory was “historic”.
He added: “See you soon in the European Political Community meeting on 18 July in the UK, where we will discuss common challenges, including stability, security, energy and migration.”
In a statement, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris congratulated Mr Starmer on a “comprehensive victory”.
“I congratulate him and his candidates and I look forward to working together as close neighbours and friends.”
French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated Mr Starmer and said he was “pleased with our first discussion”.
“We will continue the work begun with the UK for our bilateral co-operation, for peace and security in Europe, for the climate and for AI,” the French leader said.
One of the key issues Mr Starmer will face in the early days of his premiership will be the war in Gaza. This was highlighted by several Labour candidates losing to independent challengers campaigning on a pro-Palestine platform.
The Labour leader was heckled with shouts of “Free Palestine” both at the polling station in his Holborn and St Pancras constituency and at his election count as he was declared to have won his seat.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he looked forward to working with Mr Starmer to bring home hostages taken by Hamas, while also expressing his “deepest appreciation and gratitude” to Mr Sunak.
“As [Mr Starmer] prepares to enter Downing Street as Prime Minister, I look forward to working together with him and his new government to bring our hostages home, to build a better future for the region, and to deepen the close friendship between Israel and the United Kingdom,” Mr Herzog posted on X.
Mr Herzog also thanked Mr Sunak “for his leadership and for standing with the Israeli people especially during this most difficult period”.
In its manifesto, the Labour Party has committed to recognising a Palestinian state.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he “very much” looked forward to working with Mr Starmer and Angela Rayner.
“They have very similar views to us on a range of issues. I'm sure we'll work closely on [defence pact] Aukus, where we worked very closely as well with the former government,” he added.
Elsewhere in the Commonwealth, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Mr Starmer’s win was a “historic” election victory.
“Lots of work ahead to build a more progressive, fair future for people on both sides of the Atlantic. Let's get to it, my friend,” he added on X.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon congratulated Mr Starmer and thanked Mr Sunak.
Writing on X, he said: “New Zealand and the UK are great friends and can do so much more together. I look forward to working on every opportunity together as prime ministers. Thank you @RishiSunak for your service to your nation and friendship to New Zealand.”
Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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UAE%20SQUAD
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SPEC SHEET
Display: 10.4-inch IPS LCD, 400 nits, toughened glass
CPU: Unisoc T610; Mali G52 GPU
Memory: 4GB
Storage: 64GB, up to 512GB microSD
Camera: 8MP rear, 5MP front
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C, 3.5mm audio
Battery: 8200mAh, up to 10 hours video
Platform: Android 11
Audio: Stereo speakers, 2 mics
Durability: IP52
Biometrics: Face unlock
Price: Dh849
MEYDAN%20RACECARD
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Match info:
Manchester City 2
Sterling (8'), Walker (52')
Newcastle United 1
Yedlin (30')
Company Profile
Name: JustClean
Based: Kuwait with offices in other GCC countries
Launch year: 2016
Number of employees: 130
Sector: online laundry service
Funding: $12.9m from Kuwait-based Faith Capital Holding
Sui Dhaaga: Made in India
Director: Sharat Katariya
Starring: Varun Dhawan, Anushka Sharma, Raghubir Yadav
3.5/5
Stage result
1. Jasper Philipsen (Bel) Alpecin-Fenix 4:42:34
2. Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Hansgrohe
3. Elia Viviani (Ita) Ineos Grenadiers
4. Dylan Groenewegen (Ned) BikeExchange-Jayco
5. Emils Liepins (Lat) Trek-Segafredo
6. Arnaud Demare (Fra) Groupama-FDJ
7. Max Kanter (Ger) Movistar Team
8. Olav Kooij (Ned) Jumbo-Visma
9. Tom Devriendt (Bel) Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux
10. Pascal Ackermann (Ger) UAE Team Emirate
West Asia Premiership
Dubai Hurricanes 58-10 Dubai Knights Eagles
Dubai Tigers 5-39 Bahrain
Jebel Ali Dragons 16-56 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Second Test
In Dubai
Pakistan 418-5 (declared)
New Zealand 90 and 131-2 (follow on)
Day 3: New Zealand trail by 197 runs with 8 wickets remaining
If you go
The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road.
The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.
Results
6.30pm: The Madjani Stakes (PA) Group 3 Dh175,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Aatebat Al Khalediah, Fernando Jara (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (trainer).
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Dubai Avenue, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: My Catch, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile (TB) Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Golden Goal, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
UAE players with central contracts
Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Rameez Shahzad, Shaiman Anwar, Adnan Mufti, Mohammed Usman, Ghulam Shabbir, Ahmed Raza, Qadeer Ahmed, Amir Hayat, Mohammed Naveed and Imran Haider.
The bio
Favourite food: Japanese
Favourite car: Lamborghini
Favourite hobby: Football
Favourite quote: If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough
Favourite country: UAE
Scoreline
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 17
Jebel Ali Dragons 20
Harlequins Tries: Kinivilliame, Stevenson; Cons: Stevenson 2; Pen: Stevenson
Dragons Tries: Naisau, Fourie; Cons: Love 2; Pens: Love 2
