tag

Canada was in mourning Wednesday, Prime Minister Mark Carney said, after a lone shooter killed at least nine people, including seven at a school, and injured dozens more in a remote western town.An emotional Carney said in brief remarks to reporters that "the nation mourns" with British Columbia's Tumbler Ridge after Tuesday's shooting. "Canada stands by you."He said he had requested flags be lowered to half-staff for seven days following the tragedy, among the deadliest shootings in Canada's history, and that numerous world leaders had offered their condolences.Tumbler Ridge, a tight-knit community of about 2,400 residents, lies in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies near the provincial border with Alberta, hundreds of kilometers from any major city.Mayor Darryl Krakowka told public broadcaster CBC "the community is grieving. It's a big tragedy, we're one big family here."The town was in a state of shock Wednesday as media began to descend on the remote community, ringed by snow-capped mountains.Emergency responders found six people shot dead Tuesday at Tumbler Ridge's secondary school, while a seventh person died in transit to hospital, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said in a statement.Two others were killed at a nearby residence, while at least 25 people sustained injuries in the attack.The suspect, described by police in an initial emergency alert as a "female in a dress with brown hair," was found dead at the school with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.Police have not yet released identifying information about the shooter or victims, but CBC News reported the suspect's identity was known to authorities."We will get through this. We will learn from this. But right now, it's a time to come together, as Canadians always do in these situations, these terrible situations, to support each other, to mourn together and to grow together," Carney said.He called off a planned trip to the Munich Security Conference and will brief parliament at 2:00 pm (1900 GMT).King Charles, the monarch of Canada, said in a statement that he and Queen Camilla were "profoundly shocked and saddened" to learn of the attack."In such a closely connected town, every child's name will be known and every family will be a neighbor," he said.While several mass killings have occurred in recent years in Canada, deadly attacks on schools are very rare, especially compared to the neighboring US.In 1989, a self-described anti-feminist man killed 13 female students and a secretary at Montreal's Ecole Polytechnique.After the country's deadliest shooting attack, which left 22 people dead in Nova Scotia in 2020, Canada banned some 1,500 models of assault weapons.Tumbler Ridge student Darian Quist told CBC he was in his mechanics class when there was an announcement that the school was in lockdown.He said initially he "didn't think anything was going on," but started receiving "disturbing" photos about the carnage."It set in what was happening," Quist said.He stayed in lockdown for more than two hours until police stormed in, ordering everyone to put their hands up before escorting them out of the school.Area schools will remain closed for the rest of the week.Local journalist Trent Ernst, a former substitute teacher at Tumbler Ridge, expressed shock over the shooting at the school, where one of his children had just graduated.He noted that school shootings have been a rarity occurring every few years in Canada compared with the US."I used to kind of go: 'Look at Canada, look at who we are.' But then that one school shooting every 2.5 years happens in your town and things... just go off the rails," he told AFP.Pastor George Rowe of Tumbler Ridge Fellowship Church told CBC that it was "very, very difficult to deal with.""Everybody here, practically, they know everybody... I don't think it will be a big surprise when the name is released because you're in a small community," he said.Ken Floyd, commander of the police's northern district, said Tuesday was "an incredibly difficult and emotional day" and that the investigation was ongoing.Floyd told reporters the shooter was the same suspect police described as "female" in a prior emergency alert, but declined to provide any details on the suspect's identity.Officers were searching homes and properties in the community to see if there were additional sites connected to the incident. 

Her Excellency Minister of State for International Co-operation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser al-Misnad met Tuesday with the visiting British Special Envoy for Women and Girls Baroness Harriet Harman. During the meeting, they discussed co-operation between the countries and ways to support and strengthen them, particularly in the field of humanitarian and development programmes, notably girls' education in conflict-affected areas, in addition to a number of topics of mutual interest.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Saturday all countries should "uphold international law" after President Donald Trump announced US forces had captured Venezuela's leader Nicolas Maduro in a large-scale assault.Calling the situation "fast-moving", Starmer added that "the UK was not involved in any way in this operation" as he urged patience in order to "establish the facts"."I want to speak to President Trump, I want to speak to allies," the British leader said in brief comments aired on UK television hours after the US attack."I can be absolutely clear that we were not involved in that. And as you know, I always say and believe we should all uphold international law."Starmer added that "hopefully more information will come out" about the situation when Trump holds a press conference later Saturday.The UK has not recognised the results of the disputed 2024 election that handed Maduro a third term in power, and has called for a "peaceful, negotiated transition" of power there.Following Saturday's events, Starmer said his government's focus was on supporting around 500 British nationals thought to be in Venezuela."We're working with the (British) embassy to make sure that they are well looked after, safeguarded and get appropriate advice," he added.The Foreign Office in London on Saturday updated its advice to urge against all travel to Venezuela.It noted Venezuelan authorities had "announced a 'state of external commotion' due to air strikes on targets across the country"."This could lead to closure of Venezuelan borders and airspace," the advice added.The US actions prompted strong political reactions in Britain.Nigel Farage, leader of the hard-right Reform UK party and a longtime Trump ally, called them "unorthodox and contrary to international law"."But if they make China and Russia think twice, it may be a good thing. I hope the Venezuelan people can now turn a new leaf without Maduro," he added.But Ed Davey, leader of the centrist Liberal Democrats, urged Starmer to "condemn Trump's illegal action in Venezuela"."Maduro is a brutal and illegitimate dictator, but unlawful attacks like this make us all less safe," he added, arguing they give Russian President Vladimir Putin and China's Xi "a green light" to "attack other countries with impunity". 

Ukraine launched British Storm Shadow missiles and its domestically produced long-range drones to hit several Russian oil and gas facilities, Ukrainian military and security officials said Thursday.Ukraine has previously used the British-made missiles ⁠to attack Russian industrial targets ⁠that it says help Moscow's war.The Ukrainian General Staff said that the air force used Storm Shadow cruise missiles to strike the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Russia's Rostov region."Multiple explosions were recorded. The target was hit," the General Staff said on the Telegram app Thursday.It said the refinery was one of the biggest oil product suppliers in southern Russia and was supplying diesel and jet fuel to the Russian troops fighting in Ukraine.Ukraine's SBU security service ⁠said that the locally made long-range drones hit oil product tanks in the Russian port of Temryuk in the Krasnodar region and a gas processing plant in Orenburg in southwestern Russia.The Orenburg gas processing plant, the largest facility of its kind in the world, is located about 1,400km (about 870 miles) from the Ukrainian border.In the Krasnodar region, Russian regional authorities said that two oil product tanks caught fire at the southern port of Temryuk after the drone attack.Flames covered an area of about 2,000sq ⁠m, authorities at the Krasnodar operational headquarters said on the Telegram app.As Russia's war in Ukraine approaches its four-year mark and diplomatic efforts to end it have so far failed to produce any tangible results, both Kyiv and Moscow have stepped up their drone and missile attacks on energy facilities.Kyiv has increased its strikes on Russia's oil refineries and other energy infrastructure since August as it seeks to cut Moscow's oil revenues, a key source of funding for its war effort.The Ukrainian General Staff also said that Ukrainian troops hit a military airfield in the Russian city ⁠of Maikop in the republic of Adygea in the North Caucasus region.

Hong Kong's oldest pro-democracy party has decided to disband, the group announced Sunday, after its members formally voted to dissolve the organisation and enter liquidation.The Democratic Party was founded in 1994, near the end of British colonial rule, when Hong Kong's leading liberal groups merged."Over these thirty years, we have taken part in and borne witness to the development and transformation of Hong Kong society, watching its systems and environment undergo one profound change after another," the party said in a statement. "Yet as the times have shifted, we now, with deep regret, must bring this chapter to a close."At Sunday's meeting, 117 out of 121 members voted for the group's liquidation, with the remaining four votes being blank ballots, Lo Kin-hei, the party's chair, told a news conference.He said that it was a "collective decision" made by party members, adding that it is the best way forward for them."We are deeply grateful to all the citizens who have walked with the Democratic Party for the past 30 years," Lo said.Former party leader Emily Lau reacted to the dissolution with dismay when leaving the meeting, telling reporters: "I don't understand why the Democratic Party would end up like this."" I find it very problematic," she said. "I think Beijing needs to provide an explanation."Lo said the disbandment was due to Hong Kong's "political environment", but declined to provide details of the constraints the party was facing.Senior party members previously told Reuters that they had been approached by Chinese officials or middlemen and told to disband or face severe consequences, including possible arrest.There was no immediate response to a request for comment from the Hong Kong Liaison Office, China's main representative body in Hong Kong.The Democratic Party's top concern was determining how the city would eventually elect its own leader and lawmakers through universal suffrage under China's "One Country, Two Systems" model.It said in its manifesto that "as part of the Chinese citizenry, we have the rights and obligations to participate in and comment on the affairs of China".Following Hong Kong's handover to China in 1997, the party became the most influential voice of opposition in the city's legislature and led peaceful street demonstrations.The disbandment decision indicated the regression of Hong Kong from being a liberal society into an "authoritarian society", said Yeung Sum, a former party leader who has served jail time.With the demise of Hong Kong's top pro-democracy parties, no candidate put forward a pro-democracy platform in the legislature election held this month – which critics pointed to as another sign of the city's slide towards authoritarianism.Yeung added that younger generations would feel frustrated if the political system went "backwards"."I think this kind of fighting for democracy will carry on, even though we got ourselves disbanded today," the 78-year-old said. "We won't die away. We won't fade away."Beijing tightened its grip on the Chinese finance hub after massive and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests in 2019.After the imposition of the national security law, the city's political opposition dwindled, with most democracy campaigners jailed or overseas.The party holds no elected seats after its lawmakers resigned en masse from the Legislative Council in 2020.Four party lawmakers were jailed last year for subversion under a Beijing-imposed national security law.Former party leader Albert Ho is behind bars pending trial for national security charges that could see him jailed for life.Hong Kong's second-largest opposition group, the Civic Party, closed its doors in 2023.Another party, the League of Social Democrats, announced its disbandment in June this year, citing "immense political pressure"."The Hong Kong government should be more open, they should accept more different kinds of opinions, even though there may be some opposition," Lo said Sunday. "But that is how the society works and that is how things progress." 

The British Embassy in Doha hosted its annual King’s Birthday Party Thursday. The celebration brought together senior representatives from Qatar and the UK to mark the enduring friendship between the two nations, while looking ahead to future collaboration across a range of sectors, a statement said.The evening reflected on the strong history of UK–Qatar relations and highlighted opportunities to expand partnerships in trade, defence, culture, education, and innovation.In his remarks, British ambassador Neerav Patel underscored the depth of the UK-Qatar relationship and the importance of people-to-people ties in sustaining it.“These people-to-people connections are the beating heart of our relationship. Through our work, friendships, creativity and commitment, we all help make this relationship thrive. We are proud of the living bridge between our countries.”The ambassador praised the quintessential role of Qatar in international diplomacy and global development under the leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, and highlighted the great depth of cooperation with the UK across every major file.He also highlighted the launch of the British Community Foundation, a new non-profit initiative supporting the British community in Qatar and strengthening cultural exchange with Qatari society.This year’s theme invited guests to enjoy a journey 'From Tube to Tower,' showcasing iconic British motifs — from London red telephone boxes to classic fish and chips — bringing a slice of Britain to Doha, the statement added.

The Royal Grammar School Guildford Qatar (RGSGQ), one of the leading British international schools in Qatar, proudly celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, marking a decade of nurturing the next generation of leaders and achievers within a vibrant, inclusive community. Since opening its doors in 2016, RGSGQ has carried forward more than 500 years of academic excellence from its parent school, the Royal Grammar School Guildford in the UK, while fostering an inclusive and forward-looking environment in Qatar. As part of a global family of schools spanning Dubai, Nanjing, Muscat, and most recently in Bengaluru, RGSGQ is united by enduring values of respect, scholarship, courage, inclusivity, integrity, and collaboration. Within this ethos, curiosity and character flourish—preparing students for both academic success and personal growth. Over the last ten years, RGSGQ has welcomed families from more than 40+ nationalities. The school delivers an enriched curriculum, combining a strong foundation in traditional academics with innovative teaching practices delivered by British-trained teachers that prepare students for the challenges of tomorrow. With smaller class sizes and a nurturing approach, the school ensures each child thrives, and feels supported and valued. Academic progress has been a hallmark of RGSGQ’s journey. Student achievements across IGCSEs, A Levels, and BTEC have consistently strengthened year after year. Graduates now study at major universities worldwide in disciplines such as medicine, engineering, business, aeronautics, and the arts. To honour the school’s 10th founding year, RGSGQ will host a series of celebratory events bringing together students, alumni, families, and staff. These occasions not only commemorate a successful decade but also reaffirm the school’s mission—to deliver an outstanding education that nurtures minds, builds character, and equips students to thrive in an ever-changing world. “This anniversary is not just about reflecting on how far we’ve come—it’s about celebrating the limitless opportunities ahead for our students. We are proud to carry the legacy of the Royal Grammar School Guildford as we continue shaping the leaders of tomorrow here in Qatar,” said Mrs Fiona Scott, Principal of RGSGQ. With a decade of distinction behind it, RGSGQ steps confidently into the future—committed to academic excellence, innovation, and community spirit.

The British government agreed a loan guarantee worth £1.5 billion ($2 billion) for Jaguar Land Rover to shore up its cash reserves and supply chain, the trade minister said Sunday, after a damaging recent cyberattack.JLR said on September 2 that it had been targeted by hackers, forcing it to suspend production at its UK factories.The automaker said on Thursday that its IT systems were partly back online as part of a "phased restart", but production would remain on pause until at least October 1.The government announced that it would back the company with a loan guarantee "expected to unlock up to £1.5 billion to give certainty to its supply chain".The move does not mean that the government will lend money directly to JLR, which is owned by India's Tata Motors.Instead, a government credit agency will provide the guarantee for a loan from a commercial bank that will be repaid over five years.Trade minister Peter Kyle said the guarantee "will help support the supply chain and protect skilled jobs in the West Midlands, Merseyside and throughout the UK"."This cyberattack was not only an assault on an iconic British brand, but on our world-leading automotive sector and the men and women whose livelihoods depend on it," he said.JLR has said its partial systems restart was helping to clear a backlog of payments to its suppliers, after unions warned that some were at risk of collapse due to the disruption.Cyber gangs have increasingly targeted luxury brands and retailers, including Britain's Marks and Spencer, Harrods and the Co-op food chain.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Friday hailed the "vital role" played by Qatar in winning the release of a British couple held by Taliban authorities in Afghanistan.He welcomed the release of Peter Reynolds, 80, and his wife, Barbie, 76, who had been arrested in February, saying: "This long-awaited news will come as a huge relief to them and their family.""I want to pay tribute to the vital role played by Qatar," including His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, "in securing their freedom", Starmer added in a statement.