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Harry and Meghan make surprise visit to hand out food to LA fires evacuees in Pasadena | US News

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan have been seen hugging and speaking to residents affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles as blazes continue to sweep across the region.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited Pasadena on Friday, where they met with the city’s mayor Victor Gordo and emergency workers tackling the Eaton Fire.

The blaze has burned through almost 14,000 acres and killed six people. It has also damaged or destroyed 4,000 to 5,000 structures.

LA fires latest: New evacuation order as 11 confirmed dead

Harry and Meghan comforted volunteers and handed out food to evacuees.

Footage showed the duchess, wearing a blue “LA” baseball cap, and the prince hugging and consoling people who had fled to the Pasadena Convention Center.

They are also seen speaking to World Central Kitchen (WCK) founder chef Jose Andres.

WCK has pop-up locations around California, including at the Pasadena community centre, where the public and emergency crews can get free hot meals in the wake of the wildfires, its website says.

Meghan was also photographed speaking to Doug Goodwin, whose home was destroyed in the wildfires.

Prince Harry and Meghan speak to Pasadena mayor Victor Gordo in Altadena, California. Pic: AP
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Prince Harry and Meghan speak to Pasadena mayor Victor Gordo (R) in California. Pic: AP

Pic: AP
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Pic: AP

Mr Gordo told reporters: “This is their second visit today. We were here earlier today and they were serving food, anonymously. No one knew they were serving food, with masks on.

“They didn’t come out here for publicity. They came out here to work.

“Then we went to visit some of the families in the impacted area and view first-hand some of the impacted area.

“Then they wanted to go visit the first responders and personally thank them for their efforts to help our families and our neighbours.”

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The royals live in Montecito, near Santa Barbara, around 90 miles from Los Angeles.

They are understood to have donated supplies, including clothing and children’s items, to people affected by the disaster.

They released a statement on Thursday urging people to help those affected by the wildfires and to open their homes to those evacuated.

“If a friend, loved one, or pet has to evacuate and you are able to offer them a safe haven in your home, please do,” the couple wrote on their official website.

“Be sure to check in with any disabled or elderly neighbours to see if they need help evacuating.

“Some families and people have been left with nothing. Please consider donating clothing, children’s toys and other essentials. The American Red Cross is on the ground helping those in need.”

They are reported to have invited friends affected by the wildfires to stay with them.

Kate makes rare appearance for visit of Qatari ruler as Queen tells guests her chest infection was pneumonia | UK News

The Princess of Wales made a rare public appearance as the emir of Qatar and his wife began a two-day state visit to the UK. 

The royal visitors were officially welcomed in Whitehall by King Charles before the emir inspected a guard of honour by the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards on Horse Guards Parade.

The Prince and Princess of Wales had followed tradition and joined Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher, on their journey from their private residence to Whitehall.

Britain's King Charles, William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales stand with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and his wife Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al-Thani, during a ceremonial welcome for the Qatari Emir and his wife, at the Horse Guards Parade, in London, Britain, December 3, 2024. REUTERS/Toby Melville TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
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Pic: PA

Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales greets dignitaries including Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley, as she arrives ahead of a Ceremonial Welcome for the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his wife Sheikha Jawaher, at Horse Guards Parade in London, Tuesday Dec. 3, 2024. (Henry Nicholls via AP, Pool)
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The Princess of Wales greets dignitaries including Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley. Pic: PA

The royal women travelled in one chauffeur-driven limousine while the men travelled in another as they made their way to the parade ground where the waiting King greeted his guests warmly on a dais.

The princess looked relaxed as she stepped from a chauffeur-driven car with the prince, one of only a handful of official events Kate has carried out this year.

It’s one of the princess’s few official appearances during a year in which she has undergone treatment for cancer.

Kate has been gradually returning to royal duties after saying in September her chemotherapy treatment had finished, but she won’t go to the state banquet hosted by the King, where William will be a guest.

The Princess of Wales (right) greets Sheikha Jawaher, the wife of Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in London, on behalf of the King, before the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade, for their state visit to the UK. Picture date: Tuesday December 3, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story ROYAL Qatar. Photo credit should read: Aaron Chown/PA Wire
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The Princess of Wales greets Sheikha Jawaher, the wife of the emir of Qatar, in London. Pic: PA

Queen tells guests she had pneumonia

But the Queen missed the open-air greeting and a carriage ride back to Buckingham Palace, after pulling out on Monday.

Camilla, 77, told guests at the state visit that her chest infection was a form of pneumonia.

Camilla is suffering from post-viral fatigue and is missing the outdoor elements of the Qatari visit after being urged by her doctors to take more time to recover.

It is understood Camilla’s condition was viral, not bacterial, and she no longer has pneumonia.

The Queen missed the outdoor ceremonial welcome on a chilly Horse Guards Parade on Tuesday.

Instead, she arrived at Buckingham Palace shortly beforehand, giving a smile as she stepped from her car at the Grand Entrance.

Camilla, 77, waited for the Emir of Qatar and his wife inside, in the warm surroundings of the Grand Hall.

It is understood the Queen was not taken to hospital with pneumonia, but is now facing bouts of extreme tiredness.

King Charles III (centre) and the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (right) during the ceremonial welcome for the Emir of Qatar and his wife Sheikha Jawaher at Horse Guards Parade, London during the state visit to the UK of the Emir of Qatar and the first of his three wives. Picture date: Tuesday December 3, 2024.
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King Charles III and the emir of Qatar inspect troops on Horse Guards Parade. Pic: PA

Her medical team has advised her to take each day as it comes.

She will join the King, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the emir for a group photo before the banquet later. But she will take a short break before dinner while guests are met in a receiving line.

Sheikh Tamim, 44, who was educated in Britain, has a busy schedule of engagements aimed at strengthening the ties between the UK and the Middle East nation, including meeting Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Queen to miss ceremonial welcome during Qatari state visit due to ‘lingering side effects’ of chest infection | UK News

The Queen is to miss the ceremonial welcome during the Qatari state visit tomorrow due to the “lingering side effects” of a chest infection.

The event will take place outdoors on Horse Guards Parade, where the King and the Prince and Princess of Wales will join the Emir of Qatar and his wife.

Buckingham Palace said Camilla will attend other elements of the day, including the arrival lunch at Buckingham Palace.

The 77-year-old also hopes to view an exhibition in the Picture Gallery.

In the evening, Camilla will join the King and their guests for photographs at the start of the state banquet, and attend the banquet itself.

But she will take a short break before dinner while guests are being met in a receiving line.

It is understood she is dealing with “diminished reserves of energy” as well as other “lingering side effects”.

Doctors have advised Camilla to take time to rest and recover fully.

The Queen previously missed the Royal Variety Performance on 22 November due to “some lingering post-viral symptoms” of the chest infection.

In a statement issued hours before the event, she said she had withdrawn “with great regret”. The King, 75, attended the event, which was hosted by comedian Alan Carr and actress Amanda Holden.

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Camilla was also forced to skip Remembrance events earlier in November.

She did not attend the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance, nor the Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph, instead marking the occasion “privately at home”.

However, she did host a Booker Prize reception at Clarence House in mid-November, where she told author Percival Everett: “I think I’m on the mend, but these things always take a bit of time to get rid of.

“You think you’ve got rid of it, then they just sort of hang on for a little bit, but hopefully I’m on the mend now,” she added.

The Queen contracted the chest infection after her long haul trip to Australia and Samoa in October.

The Qatari state visit is Kate’s first as part of her gradual return to public duties since her cancer diagnosis.

The princess will meet Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani and his wife, Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim al Thani, and accompany them to the parade ground to meet the waiting King and senior government figures.

However, Kate will not be attending the state banquet in the evening.

King and Queen to visit Australia and Samoa – but not New Zealand | UK News

Buckingham Palace has released details of King and Queen’s tour of Australia and Samoa, but the trip will not include New Zealand.

An earlier plan to include a visit to New Zealand had to be cancelled “on doctor’s advice”, with “tough decisions” taken on the remainder of the programme for the trip, which will take place from 18-26 October.

With the King‘s ongoing cancer treatment, “subtle adjustments” have been made to the busy schedule to allow time for rest.

The King and Queen’s nine-day trip will take in Sydney, Canberra and Apia to “celebrate the best” of both Australia and Samoa.

It will be the King’s 17th official trip to Australia and his first to Samoa.

The Prince of Wales, and The Duchess of Cornwall hold Koalas at Government House in Adelaide, Australia in 2012. Pic: PA
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The then Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall holding koalas in Australia in 2012. Pic: PA


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Pic: PA

Australia will also be the first Commonwealth realm he has visited as monarch.

The couple will carry out a number of engagements, many of which will reflect their personal interests.

In Canberra, they will be welcomed to the Australian parliament by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has long-standing republican views.

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They will also lay a wreath at the Australian War Memorial, and visit the “For our Country” memorial, dedicated to the service of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

The royal couple will attend a barbeque in Sydney and visit the iconic opera house perched on the harbour.

And perhaps most poignantly the King, who revealed he had cancer in February, will meet two cancer doctors. Both are Australians of the Year who were recognised for their work on skin cancer.

Australia currently has the world’s highest rates of melanoma.

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After the Australian leg of the tour, the couple will travel to Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

This will be the first time the King has attended as head of the Commonwealth, a role he took over from the late Queen Elizabeth II.

King Charles wears the Imperial State Crown and Queen Camilla wears the Diamond Diadem during a ceremony on the day of the State Opening of Parliament at the Palace of Westminster.
Pic Reuters
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The State Opening of Parliament.
Pic: Reuters

Some had questioned whether this trip would take place after the King announced his cancer diagnosis in February.

His only overseas visit since then was to Normandy in June for the D-Day commemorations.

A state banquet isn’t part of the schedule, but the King will host a black-tie and traditional dress dinner for Commonwealth leaders.

Although the King and Queen will meet members of the public, palace officials have been advised against using the term “walkabout” which has a very different meaning for indigenous Australians.

For indigenous people, a “walkabout” is a rite of passage to mark one’s shift from adolescence to adulthood.

Starmer to visit US for second time as prime minister – but will he meet Harris and Trump? | US News

Sir Keir Starmer will travel to Washington this coming week for a bilateral meeting with President Biden.

The trip to the White House, on Friday, will be the prime minister’s second visit since he was elected in July.

In a statement, the White House said the leaders would focus on “global issues of mutual interest”.

“The leaders will have an in-depth discussion… including continuing robust support to Ukraine in its defence against Russian aggression, securing a hostage release and ceasefire deal to end the war in Gaza, protecting international shipping in the Red Sea from Iranian-backed Houthi threats, and advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the White House statement said.

It continued: “They will also discuss opportunities to strengthen US-UK cooperation to secure supply chains and increase climate resilience. President Biden will underscore the importance of continuing to strengthen the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom.”

The UK is heavily invested in several live geopolitical challenges which all predate Sir Keir’s premiership.

The hope, according to sources, is that mutual progress can be made on the various challenges with the outgoing Biden administration.

Britain and the US have cooperated closely on Ukraine, leading a Western alliance that has, at times, shown some reluctance in its continued support against Russian aggression.

On protecting international shipping in the Red Sea against continued Houthi attacks from Yemen, the UK has been a key partner for the US in a mission that’s shown limited success.

The potential for some divergence between the two leaders could come over Gaza.

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July: Starmer backs ‘special relationship’

Last week, the UK announced that it would suspend the export of some arms to Israel because of the risk that they could be used in non-compliance with international humanitarian law.

US government lawyers have not come to the same conclusions about how Israel is using weapons in Gaza but this week a State Department spokesman said the UK was making a sovereign decision that it was entirely entitled to make.

Notably, however, a foreign policy advisor to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump struck a different tone.

Robert O’Brien – who is likely to be in a Trump White House if he wins in November – said that a UK-US special relationship would be under strain if the UK restricted weapons sales to Israel.

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The relationship between Mr Biden and Sir Keir reflects their political alignment. During his first visit to the White House, just days after taking office, President Biden, who was then the Democratic candidate for November’s election, spoke warmly of the much coveted “special relationship”.

“I kind of see you guys as the knot tying the transatlantic alliance together, the closer you are with Europe. We know where you are, you know where we are,” Mr Biden told Sir Keir.

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How does the US election work?

No meetings have been announced between Sir Keir and vice president Kamala Harris, the new Democratic Party candidate for the November election, though it’s possible she will be part of the bilateral meetings with President Biden.

A significant moment would be a meeting between Sir Keir and Mr Trump.

No plans have been announced but such a meeting would be seen as diplomatically savvy, especially if a Harris meeting materialises, and it would not be without precedent.

Former prime minister David Cameron met Republican nominee Mitt Romney in July 2012 and Gordon Brown met Barack Obama when he was the Democratic Party candidate in 2008.

Sir Keir’s visit comes at the end of a week in which US secretary of state Antony Blinken will meet Foreign Secretary David Lammy in London.

Gaza will be a key focus but Mr Blinken will travel with ambassador Katherine Tai, the US trade representative.

Trade and technology are set to be on the agenda too.

The UK is still seeking to formalise a post-Brexit trade partnership with the US.

Zelenskyy to visit Number 10 as UK promises to lead ‘crackdown’ on Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ | Politics News

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit Number 10 on Friday as the UK government promises to lead a “crackdown” on Russian oil vessels.

The Ukrainian leader, who has been in the country for the European Political Community (EPC) summit, will meet the whole of the new cabinet in Downing Street to brief them on the ongoing war and “the need to ramp up Europe’s defence industrial base to outpace the Russian threat”.

It will be the first time Sir Keir Starmer has hosted a foreign leader since becoming prime minister, as well as the first time a president has addressed the cabinet in person since former US president Bill Clinton in 1997.

Politics live: Reaction to summit at Blenheim Palace

The meeting comes after 44 European countries and the European Union agreed at the EPC summit to work together to disrupt Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet”.

It is a group of around 6,000 vessels that carry 1.7 million barrels of oil a day, which the government says the country uses to “generate significant funds to fuel its war machine”, with some thought to act as listening stations or to transport weapons.

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The UK and Ukrainian defence ministers are also expected to sign a new defence export support treaty, worth £3.5bn and agreed by the two leaders, to increase military hardware and weapons production for the war effort.

President Zelenskyy also met representatives of the UK defence industry and UK Defence Secretary John Healey on Wednesday to discuss how to deepen cooperation and boost defence industrial production.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Sir Keir said: “Ukraine is, and always will be, at the heart of this government’s agenda and so it is only fitting that President Zelenskyy will make a historic address to my cabinet.

“Russia’s incremental gains on the battlefield are nothing compared with the collective international support for Ukraine, or the strength of ties between our people.

“And alongside our European partners, we have sent a clear message to those enabling Putin’s attempts to evade sanctions – we will not allow Russia’s shadow fleet, and the dirty money it generates, to flow freely through European waters and put our security at risk.”

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The event comes amid growing uncertainty around the future of funding for Ukraine due to the US presidential elections.

Donald Trump, who is hoping to return to the White House after the US election in November, this week announced his running mate as Ohio senator JD Vance – an arch critic of US aid to Ukraine and of American taxpayers bankrolling European security.

Sir Keir has doubled down on his backing of President Zelenskyy, however, announcing a £3bn package of funding at the recent NATO summit in Washington.

Ukraine visit highlights tough decisions for new defence secretary amid growing global conflicts | Politics News

A trip to Ukraine by the UK’s new defence secretary within 48 hours of taking office underlines the importance attached by the new government to helping Ukrainian forces in their war with Russia.

But, despite positive-sounding statements about new military assistance, John Healey does not have a magic tap that he can instantly turn on to offer the volume of weapons and ammunition – in particular artillery shells – that Kyiv most urgently needs.

Instead, he is taking charge of military matters at a time when UK defence is in crisis after months of drift under the Conservatives and decades of demise.

Rishi Sunak, the previous prime minister, only appeared to grasp the vital importance of defence a few weeks before he called the general election. He declared in April that he was putting the British defence industry on a “war footing” and promised to spend 2.5% of national income on the armed forces by the end of the decade, up from just over 2% now.

Pic: MoD/PA
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Pic: MoD/PA

Sir Keir Starmer has made a point of emphasising that defence and national security are the first duty of his government.

However, a detailed focus on fixing the hollowed-out military has been notably absent from his initial public statements even though the world is increasingly dangerous, given Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the threat of a widening conflict in the Middle East and tensions with China over Taiwan.

The new prime minister and his defence secretary will talk about their plans for defence this week – such as when they will lift UK defence spending to 2.5% of GDP – as they meet world leaders at a major NATO summit in Washington.

Labour has long promised to conduct a review of defence within its first year in charge – with expectations growing of an announcement about the launch of this piece of work.

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But the problems faced by the Royal Navy, army and Royal Air Force as well as the branch of the Ministry of Defence charged with procuring military equipment are all too well known.

Yet another lengthy review – the last government only refreshed its defence blueprint a year ago – simply risks delaying difficult decisions that, in the absence of significant new funding, will have to be taken to cut some capabilities and prioritise others.

A lighter touch review might make more sense given that presumably many of the officials who will be asked to produce information will be the same ones who did it last time around.

Whatever happens, Mr Healey will want to attempt to drive through genuine reform of defence procurement to deliver better value for money when buying anything from boots to nuclear-armed submarines.

He has also said he will appoint a national armaments director to oversee the ramping up of defence industrial capacity to produce more weapons and ammunition to replenish the UK’s stocks as well as to keep a supply of munition going to Ukraine.

Speaking in the southern city of Odesa, Mr Healey said: “There may have been a change in government, but the UK is united for Ukraine…

“This government is steadfast in our commitment to continue supplying military assistance and will stand shoulder to shoulder with our Ukrainian friends for as long as it takes.”

Princess Anne’s husband Sir Tim Laurence arrives at hospital to visit his wife | UK News

Princess Anne’s husband has arrived for a visit at the hospital where she was taken following an injury believed to have been caused by a horse.

Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence arrived by car at the main entrance of Southmead Hospital, north Bristol, shortly after midday on Tuesday.

He and the Princess Royal are expected to eat lunch together.

It is believed his wife suffered minor injuries to her head and a concussion caused by impact with a horse’s head or leg.


Trooping of the Colour ceremony ** STORY AVAILABLE, CONTACT SUPPLIER** Featuring: Princess Anne Where: London, United Kingdom When: 15 Jun 2024 Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE** (Cover Images via AP Images)
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Princess Anne at Trooping the Colour this year. Pic: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images/AP

It is understood she was admitted to the southwest England hospital, which is a major trauma centre, after emergency services and an air ambulance attended her Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire.

Anne married Sir Tim, her second husband, in a low-key ceremony in 1992.

The Olympic-medal winning horsewoman is expected to stay in hospital until later this week.

“Her Royal Highness remains in Southmead Hospital, Bristol, as a precautionary measure for observation and is expected to make a full and swift recovery,” a statement by Buckingham Palace said on Monday.

The King was informed of his sister’s injuries and joined the rest of the royal family in wishing her a a “speedy recovery”, the statement added.

The palace said the princess is “recovering well”.

Doctors have recommended she postpone engagements for the week ahead. It is understood that includes a trip to Canada scheduled for the end of this week.

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“Her Royal Highness sends her apologies to any who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result,” a palace official said.

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Grant Shapps abandoned Ukraine port visit over Russian missile threat | World News

Grant Shapps was forced to abandon a visit to a port city in Ukraine after British intelligence warned of a credible missile threat from Russia.

Officials told the defence secretary Russia had become aware of his travel plans to Odesa, where a convoy carrying Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Greece’s prime minister had narrowly avoided an airstrike.

That news raised the threat level to Mr Shapps’s safety from substantial to critical, according to The Sunday Times, which had access to the delegation and was the first to report the abandoned plans.

Mr Shapps, travelling with chief of the defence staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin and a small team of British officials, took an overnight train from Poland, arriving in Kyiv on 7 March.

But the planned onward journey to Odesa was called off after an intelligence update revealed the Kremlin’s knowledge of it.

“Putin has shown himself to be reckless, ruthless and careless,” Mr Shapps, who instead travelled back to the UK via Poland, told the Sunday Times.

“The fact that he came perilously close to essentially assassinating two Western leaders, it doesn’t matter whether that is deliberate or accidental.

“What the hell is he doing, and why the heck would the West allow him to do that kind of thing?”

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Five people were killed in the airstrike that just missed Mr Zelenskyy’s convoy, according to Ukrainian authorities, which happened on 6 March, the day before Mr Shapps arrived in Kyiv.

It was the senior Tory’s second trip to Ukraine as Defence Secretary and his third since the outbreak of the war in February 2022.

It comes as Mr Zelenskyy faces waning enthusiasm in the West for supporting Kyiv.

European countries are struggling to find enough weapons and ammunition to send to Ukraine, and US help worth $60bn (£47bn) is stalled over political differences in Washington.

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A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “On a recent trip to Ukraine, the defence secretary did not make a planned visit to Odesa for security reasons.

“The UK continues to provide strong support for Ukraine and the defence secretary’s visit and engagements only underscored the importance of this support in the face of Putin’s aggression.”

Rishi Sunak could visit Israel as soon as Thursday, Sky News understands | Politics News

Rishi Sunak is set to visit Israel, possibly as soon as Thursday, Sky News understands.

The prime minister’s trip could be part of a broader visit to the region, which may include stops in Jordan and Egypt.

It follows visits from Germany’s chancellor Olaf Scholz today and US president Joe Biden on Wednesday.

Israel-Gaza latest: IDF hints at ‘something different’ to ground offensive

And it comes amid growing concern about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with calls to open aid corridors as the Israeli military prepares for the next phase of its campaign against Hamas following the incursion on 7 October.

At least 1,400 people were killed, thousands more injured and almost 200 taken hostage when Hamas carried out the surprise assault on Israel, the most deadly attack by the group in decades.

Since then, at least 2,778 Palestinians have been killed as Israel launched retaliatory airstrikes on Gaza and cut off fuel, water, food and medical supplies from entering the cramped territory, which is home to more than two million people.

Mr Biden is travelling to Israel on Wednesday amid concerns the conflict could spiral into a wider regional issue.

As part of his trip, the US president will also meet King Abdullah of Jordan, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also travelled to Israel for an impromptu visit on Tuesday, while French President Emmanuel Macron said he will travel to the region “as soon as I consider that we have a useful agenda and very concrete actions to drive forward”.

News of Mr Sunak’s visit emerged before a strike on a hospital in Gaza which Palestinian officials claimed killed at least 500 people. Israel denied involvement in the blast, saying the explosion was caused by a misfired Palestinian rocket.

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Former CIA Director General David Petraeus assesses the impact of President Biden visiting Israel.

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Downing Street would not comment publicly on whether Mr Sunak would head to the region.

The prime minister’s official spokesman said: “We’ll set out travel plans in the usual way, I couldn’t get into speculation.”

However Mark Regev, an advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, told Sky News on Tuesday night he was scheduled to visit.

Asked if it’s best President Biden doesn’t travel to Israel, he said: “I disagree, I disagree. And it’s not just he [who’s] coming – your prime minister, the British prime minister is supposed to come, the French prime minister’s supposed to come.”

Mr Sunak updated Cabinet on Tuesday with the latest developments from the conflict, telling ministers Hamas was responsible for the “murder and suspected abduction of British nationals”.

At least six Britons were killed in the Hamas attacks, with a further 10 missing – some feared dead.

Mr Sunak also held calls with the leaders of Qatar and Saudi Arabia when it was agreed the conflict “must not be allowed to destabilise the wider region and cause further bloodshed”.

They also held conversations on efforts to free Britons taken hostage by Hamas, and on ensuring safe passage for aid to Gaza.

British officials are working to secure the opening of the Rafah crossing to allow Britons to flee to Egypt and for humanitarian aid to get into Gaza.