Turbulence causes injuries and a fatality on Singapore Airlines flight
Twenty passengers, including six Britons, remain in intensive care after a Singapore Airlines flight from Heathrow encountered severe turbulence. Singapore's prime minister has promised a thorough investigation following the death of 73-year-old Geoffrey Kitchen, who suffered a suspected heart attack. A total of 79 passengers and six crew members were injured. The turbulence occurred over Myanmar's Irrawaddy Basin, causing the plane to drop 6,000 feet. The airline’s CEO apologised for the traumatic experience.
Gove addresses antisemitism in the UK
Michael Gove has addressed the rise in antisemitism in Britain, warning it signals broader societal dangers. In his speech, Gove likened the situation to historical instances where countries becoming unsafe for Jews indicated a descent into darkness, referencing Nazi Germany and others. He criticised the display of anti-Jewish symbols at pro-Palestine marches and called for stricter measures against such displays of hatred. Gove urged the House of Lords to pass a bill preventing public bodies from boycotting Israeli-linked businesses. His comments follow a record 4,103 antisemitic incidents in the UK in 2023.
Ukraine winning its other battle - against corruption
Since gaining independence in 1991, Ukraine has struggled with endemic corruption, a battle seen as crucial for its war against Russia. Transparency International now ranks it 104th out of 180 countries, its highest position since 2006. Recent developments have been the arrests of supreme court head Vsevolod Knyazev, agriculture minister Mykola Solsky, and SBU officer Artem Shylo, though all deny wrongdoing and are out on bail. A pivotal development was the 2015 launch of Prozorro, a digital platform which reduced corruption in government procurement, saving nearly $6 billion in four years. With substantial Western aid flowing in, ensuring proper control is critical. Corruption has not only drained resources but also hindered foreign aid and military recruitment (many Ukrainians have bribed their way out of the country to avoid conscription). Last year, Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed regional conscription officials amid bribery scandals.
Three European countries recognise Palestine
The leaders of Norway, Ireland, and Spain have announced that their countries will recognise Palestine as a state on 28 May to promote peace in the Middle East, Norway’s prime minister Jonas Gahr Store said that there can be no peace in the region without recognition. Ireland’s prime minister Simon Harris and Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez made similar announcements, with Sanchez condemning Israeli policies in Gaza. Harris expressed confidence that more countries would follow suit, and stressed Ireland's support for Israel's secure existence. Harris said that Ireland was unequivocal in recognising Israel’s right to exist securely and in peace with its neighbours, adding: ‘Let me also be clear, Hamas is not the Palestinian people. A two-state solution is the only way out of the generational cycles of violence, retaliation, and resentment.’ Israel’s immediate response was to recall its envoys from the three countries.
