U.K. Will Recognize Palestinian Statehood in September, Barring Israel-Hamas Cease-Fire
Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Tuesday that Britain would recognize the state of Palestine in September if Israel does not agree to a cease-fire with Hamas, pouring pressure on the Israeli government to halt a war that has put Gaza on the brink of famine. Mr. Starmer said recognition would not be immediate but would come as part of a broader European effort to end the ruinous war between Israel and Hamas. Britain followed in the steps of France, which announced last week that it would recognize an independent Palestinian state in September. Britain’s decision will deepen Israel’s diplomatic isolation after it abandoned a truce with Hamas in March and resumed its military offensive in Gaza. It also carries significant symbolic weight, given Britain’s diplomatic stature and history in the Middle East.
Source:The Times
July 29, 2025 17:39 UTC
Deadline Friday to file reassessment appeals
Property owners challenging new assessed values calculated during Lackawanna County’s first comprehensive reassessment since 1968 face a Friday appeals deadline if they plan to make their cases at formal hearings starting next month and continuing through October. And while an influx of additional appeals is possible before the deadline, the county remains on pace to receive fewer appeals than officials and experts predicted it might as the reassessment project nears completion. Those who plan to appeal their new assessed values but have yet to formally file must do so by 4 p.m. Friday, he said. Reassessment appeals hearings will begin Monday at 10 a.m. and continue through October. Those boards have the right to increase, decrease or leave unchanged an appealing property owner’s assessment.
Source:The Times
July 29, 2025 17:23 UTC
Starmer says UK will recognize Palestinian state unless Israel agrees ceasefire, ends Gaza suffering
By JILL LAWLESS and DANICA KIRKA, Associated PressLONDON (AP) — The U.K. will recognize a Palestinian state in September unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire in Gaza, allows the U.N. to bring in aid and takes other steps toward long-term peace, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Tuesday. On his flight back to the U.S. on Tuesday, Trump said the two never discussed the U.K. potentially recognizing a Palestinian state. More than 140 countries recognize a Palestinian state, including a dozen in Europe. Countries including Ireland, Spain and the Netherlands have sought to aggressively pressure Israel to let in more aid and cease military operations. More than 250 of the 650 lawmakers in the House of Commons have signed a letter urging the British government to recognize a Palestinian state.
Source:The Times
July 29, 2025 17:23 UTC
Starmer Is Edging Closer to Recognizing Palestinian Statehood, U.K. Officials Say
Britain is now more actively weighing the recognition of a Palestinian state, two senior government officials said Monday, a striking shift prompted by public revulsion at the images of starving children in Gaza and intense pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer from lawmakers in his own Labour Party. Mr. Starmer did not follow President Emmanuel Macron when he announced last week that France would recognize the state of Palestine. The British prime minister said in a statement at the time that recognition had to be part of “a wider plan which ultimately results in a two-state solution and lasting security for Palestinians and Israelis.”But the British officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive internal deliberations, said momentum was building because of the escalating humanitarian crisis, with reports of deaths from starvation in Gaza after months of restrictions on aid imposed by the Israeli authorities. Mr. Starmer has long backed the right of Palestinians to an independent state. But officials said he had resisted immediate recognition because he viewed it as a largely “performative” gesture that would not improve conditions on the ground and could even complicate negotiations to strike a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.
Source:The Times
July 29, 2025 16:49 UTC
Aldi raises minimum rate for staff in UK supermarket first
The budget-friendly grocery chain claims to be the first UK supermarket to introduce the new minimum rate. Aldi raises minimum wage for store workersGiles Hurley, chief executive of Aldi UK and Ireland, said: “Our people are the driving force behind our success across the UK. The UK national minimum wage was raised to £12.21 an hour in April for workers over the age of 21. For Sainsbury’s and Argos workers, the national minimum hourly rate will rise to £12.60 in August, having increased to £12 in March. Rival German discounter Lidl, earlier this year, increased hourly pay for thousands of workers to £12.75 an hour across the UK.
Source:The Times
July 29, 2025 16:29 UTC
Line of Duty: BBC’s biggest drama ‘to return’ after final episode ‘disappointed’ lead star
Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy noticeMother of God – Line of Duty star Adrian Dunbar has said the show is poised to return next year after being left “frustrated” by the finale. “We’re really excited about getting our hands on a Line of Duty script, to see what happens to us,” he told The Times. Dunbar, who starred in the show alongside Martin Compston and Vicky McClure, predicted the backlash as the episode “robbed us of a huge denouement”. “But after several meetings with Jed [Mercurio, creator and writer] and the production team, they’ve finally managed to clear space in their calendars next year to commit to making the show.”
Source:The Times
July 29, 2025 15:30 UTC
Cat Deeley announces shock split from husband Patrick Kielty
“There will be no further comment.”Cat Deeley and Patrick Kielty announce splitDeeley is best known for presenting This Morning alongside Ben Shephard but has previously hosted the likes of SMTV Live and So You Think You Can Dance. Shephard and Deeley presented their first show as the new permanent presenters of This Morning in March 2024. The duo took over from Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, who co-hosted ITV1’s flagship morning programme together for 14 years before they both left in 2023. Recommended reading:Deeley rose to fame as a presenter of Saturday morning ITV children’s programme SM:TV Live alongside Ant and Dec, and its spin-off music programme CD:UK with Willoughby. Kielty is a comedian and presenter known for hosting The Late Late Show on RTÉ One and presenting the Saturday morning show on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Source:The Times
July 29, 2025 15:28 UTC
New Ticket Office Opening Times for 25/26
With the 2025/26 season right around the corner, the Leicester Tigers Ticket Office is open for all your ticketing needs and enquiries, with new opening times. Season Tickets for both the men’s and women’s team are available now, while priority sale for our opening Gallagher Premiership fixture against Harlequins is open to Season Ticket Holders, Members and those on The List. The new Ticket Office opening hours for queries are as follows:Monday: 10am – 4pmTuesday: ClosedWednesday: 2pm – 7pmThursday: 10am - 2pmFriday: 10am – 2pmWeekends: Matchdays only, from around 9am till an hour before kick off (times vary)Alternatively, tickets can be purchased online at Tickets.LeicesterTigers.com, you can call Reception who are able to answer questions or send over your enquiries via email to: [email protected], where we will endeavour to respond within 2 working days. Linked HERE are the list of benefits included in Leicester Tigers Season Ticket packages, which can be purchased through clicking the button below.
Source:The Times
July 29, 2025 14:12 UTC
What is Google's AI Mode? How to use new tool in UK
But what exactly is AI Mode and how can you use it? Our most powerful AI search is now rolling out in the UK 🇬🇧AI Mode in Google Search expands on AI Overviews and allows you to go even deeper through follow-up questions and helpful links to the web. Learn more → https://t.co/EDyWBRrtEb pic.twitter.com/Qx4s0JanV3 — Google UK (@GoogleUK) July 29, 2025What is Google AI Mode in UK and how to use it? “In fact, we’ve found that early users of AI Mode are asking questions that are two or three times the length of traditional search queries.”Recommended reading:What is the difference between AI mode and AI Overviews? Meanwhile, AI Mode offers a conversational, chat-like interface that replaces the standard results page with more in-depth breakdowns of search queries.
Source:The Times
July 29, 2025 12:37 UTC
How the Lionesses have changed the women’s game
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Source:The Times
July 29, 2025 12:32 UTC
London stabbing near Tower Bridge: Two dead, two injured including suspect in knife attack; no terror link suspected, say police
Nigel Farage Warns British PM Starmer Against Recognising Palestine | ‘Wrong Time To Reward Hamas’More details awaitedTwo people died and two others, including the suspect, were injured in a stabbing incident at a business in central London’s Southwark area near Tower Bridge on Monday, according to police.A 58-year-old man died at the scene, while a 27-year-old man succumbed to his injuries after being taken to hospital, Metropolitan police added.Police arrested a man in his 30s in relation to the attack, though he remained in critical condition.Another injured man was hospitalised with non-life-threatening injuries.Detective chief superintendent Emma Bond said that the incident was not considered terror-related. "Our investigation is in the early stages and we are working hard to understand the full circumstances of this shocking incident," Emma Bond said, Reuters reported. "At this point, we do not believe it to be terrorism-related and there is no further risk to the public," Bond added.Police have not disclosed the name of the business where the stabbing took place or the possible motive behind the attack.The identities of the victims and the suspect also remain unknown.
Source:The Times
July 29, 2025 11:15 UTC
Scotland 2025: the end of delusion, the start of recovery?
And now the grim crown: Scotland is the only high-income country where mortality among young men is rising. In Scotland, despair is a death sentence, and the State calls it “inclusion.”The lived experience in working-class communities? Decolonise thisEducation in Scotland has become a sort of reverse alchemy where gold is transmuted into grievance. This, despite the fact the Conservatives have never governed Scotland under devolution. Because once you hit bottom and Scotland has punched through the floorboards, the only way left is up.
Source:The Times
July 29, 2025 08:59 UTC
Fans pack out The Mall as victorious Lionesses celebrate Euro 2025 win with open-bus tour in London
Ms Buckingham added: “For the players, this hasn’t happened overnight – it’s been years of training. The crowd was filled with people of all ages and genders, gathered together to show their support for the Lionesses. He told The Independent he had gotten up early to make his giant banner which read: “Well done ladies. Cheers erupted as large red fireworks went up into the sky and the tune of Sweet Caroline could be heard across the park. “This is unbelievable, probably one of the best things we’ve ever, ever been a part of, so thank you for coming out.”
Source:The Times
July 29, 2025 08:20 UTC
Google rolls out AI mode for Search in UK
What is AI mode in Google SearchBoat Aavante Prime 5.1 5000DA soundbar review: DOLBY ATMOS POWER! Google is rolling out AI mode in the UK. Sharing a blog post, the company said “Starting to roll out in the UK today, you’ll see it appear as a tab on your Search results page, and in the Google app for Android and iOS.”AI mode in Google Search offers a more Gemini app-like experience. For example, you can now ask questions like: “Things to do in Edinburgh this weekend with friends. In AI Mode, one can simply tap the microphone icon and ask a query.
Source:The Times
July 29, 2025 05:44 UTC
Starmer Is Edging Closer to Recognizing a Palestinian State, UK Officials Say
Britain is now more actively weighing the recognition of a Palestinian state, two senior government officials said Monday, a striking shift prompted by public revulsion at the images of starving children in Gaza and intense pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer from lawmakers in his own Labour Party. Mr. Starmer did not follow President Emmanuel Macron when he announced last week that France would recognize the state of Palestine. The British prime minister said in a statement at the time that recognition had to be part of “a wider plan which ultimately results in a two-state solution and lasting security for Palestinians and Israelis.”But the British officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive internal deliberations, said momentum was building because of the escalating humanitarian crisis, with reports of deaths from starvation in Gaza after months of restrictions on aid imposed by the Israeli authorities. Mr. Starmer has long backed the right of Palestinians to an independent state. But officials said he had resisted immediate recognition because he viewed it as a largely “performative” gesture that would not improve conditions on the ground and could even complicate negotiations to strike a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.
Source:The Times
July 29, 2025 05:32 UTC