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UK, Portugal and Australia to Recognise Palestinian State Ahead of UN Assembly
The United Kingdom and Portugal are set to formally recognise a Palestinian state on Sunday, marking a pivotal shift in Western diplomacy ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Australia is also expected to make a similar announcement, despite vocal opposition from the United States and Israel.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will confirm the UK’s recognition later in the day, following a review that concluded Israel had failed to meet conditions set regarding the conflict in Gaza. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, who served as foreign secretary until earlier this month, said recognition was necessary given the deteriorating humanitarian situation.
In Lisbon, Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel will make Portugal’s announcement at 9:15pm CET, with the backing of both the government and President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. Speaking to broadcaster RTP on arrival in New York, the president said Portugal had consistently supported the principle of Palestinian statehood “under every president, and with every government.”
Canberra is also expected to confirm recognition before the UN meetings begin on Monday, according to Israeli media reports. A Trump administration source told The Times of Israel that Washington had urged Australia not to proceed, but that the decision was driven by “clear internal considerations.”
The moves come amid wider momentum, with France, Canada, Luxembourg, Malta and Belgium preparing similar declarations. French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday he would announce recognition in New York, making France the first G7 nation to do so. “This recognition is part of a comprehensive peace plan for the region,” Macron wrote on X, stressing the urgency of the Gaza crisis.
Belgium has gone further, with Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot confirming that Brussels will impose 12 sanctions on Israel alongside recognition. “Palestine will be recognised by Belgium during the UN session,” he posted, adding that the measures were a response to what he called a “humanitarian tragedy” and violations of international law.
The flurry of announcements underscores mounting international pressure on Israel, which has condemned the moves as rewarding Hamas. US President Donald Trump has also pressed allies to delay or abandon recognition. During his recent visit to London, he told reporters he disagreed with Starmer’s decision, arguing the immediate priority should be the release of hostages held in Gaza.
Nevertheless, the Palestinian Authority welcomed Portugal’s step, with its ambassador in Lisbon describing the recognition as a “courageous and historic” contribution to peace.
More than 140 countries have already recognised a Palestinian state, but the decisions by the UK, France, and other Western powers are seen as especially significant given their roles on the UN Security Council and within the G7.
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Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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