A total of 50 British politicians have penned a letter to the UK Foreign Secretary urging him to allow direct flights between the United Kingdom and the north of Cyprus. The letter highlights that Ercan (Tymbou) airport abides by international aviation security standards and that the north is not a risk with no history of poor safety.
– Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a summer election in the UK, surprising many and giving a modest boost to the pound.
– Keir Starmer’s Labour Party has been leading in opinion polls since Sunak took power in 2022.
– UK equities tend to be quite flat in the six months after a national election, with the FTSE 250 outperforming the FTSE 100.
– The pound is sensitive to election time, reflecting international investor opinion about the UK and expected government policies.
– Sectors like Natwest Group, housebuilders, and the water sector will be under scrutiny during the election.
– Bond market investors will closely examine the two parties’ spending plans, especially Labour’s, to ensure bond market stability.
– Credit default swap markets currently price the UK as if it had a higher credit rating than it actually does.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced an early general election for July 4, 2024, without the UK government insignia, indicating it was not government business. Sunak continued his announcement despite being drenched in rain, facing criticism for not using an umbrella. The Conservatives lag behind Labour in polls, with Sunak taking a gamble by calling the election early. Both Sunak and Labour leader Keir Starmer are seen as uninspiring choices for prime minister.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that Moscow will retaliate with strikes on British targets if British weapons are used by Ukraine to strike Russian territory. This warning was issued in response to British Foreign Secretary David Cameron’s statement that Ukraine had the right to use weapons provided by London to hit targets inside Russia. Russia has decided to hold exercises this month to simulate the launch of tactical nuclear missiles in reaction to this remark.
International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan has requested an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, causing a diplomatic dilemma for key member states who must balance support for Israel with backing the ICC’s actions. Some capitals, such as Paris, London, and Berlin, were informed beforehand about the plans, but many have not disclosed how they will respond if warrants are issued. Germany, in particular, faces challenges due to its support for Israel’s security and the ICC prosecutor’s independence. U.S. President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have criticized the move, while European countries like Britain and Italy are divided over the issue. The ICC has jurisdiction over the conflict between Israel and Hamas since October 7, 2022, despite Israel not being a member of the court. The international community’s response to the arrest warrants will be crucial for the ICC’s credibility and the rule of law.
A British shipment of nearly 100 tonnes of aid has left Cyprus bound for a new temporary pier in Gaza to address the severe humanitarian crisis facing over 2 million people in the region. The shipment included 8,400 shelter coverage kits, and the pier is expected to allow the delivery of 90 truckloads of international aid per day, with a potential increase to 150 truckloads once fully operational.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his military to practice the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in response to perceived threats from France, Britain, and the United States. The drills will involve missile forces in the Southern Military District, alongside aviation and navy units, with Belarus also participating. The significance lies in linking the drills to current tensions, with mock warheads likely to be used in training exercises. The message is seen as nuclear signaling to deter NATO and the West from escalating the conflict in Ukraine. There is speculation about Russia’s potential use of tactical nuclear weapons defensively, rather than offensively on the battlefield.
David Cameron stated that stopping British arms sales to Israel if it launches a ground assault on Rafah in the Gaza Strip would strengthen Hamas. Israel ordered Palestinians to evacuate more of the southern city as it prepares for a ground attack, despite U.S. President Joe Biden’s threat to withhold weapons. Cameron believes that Britain should not support an operation in Rafah without a plan to protect civilians. He mentioned that less than 1% of Israel’s weapons come from Britain and are controlled by a strict licensing system. Cameron suggested that changing the approach to arms exports could strengthen Hamas and make a hostage deal less likely.
Donald Trump is facing a hush money trial in New York and is using the media attention to amplify his claims of persecution. He is meeting with foreign dignitaries at Trump Tower, making staged visits to locations like a convenience store in Harlem, and posting on his Truth Social platform. Despite the trial, Trump has not had any campaign rallies but is planning some in battleground states. The trial could carry political risks for Trump, as opinion polls show some Republican voters may turn against him if he becomes a convicted felon. The Biden White House is seeking to draw a contrast between Trump and Biden, with Trump accusing the trial of being a witch hunt on his social media platform. Foreign dignitaries have visited Trump at Trump Tower, and he has made efforts to engage in major issues like the war in Ukraine.
A Palestinian rights group, Al-Haq, is challenging British arms exports to Israel due to alleged breaches of international law in the Gaza war. The case will be heard in October at London’s High Court.