A Palestinian human rights group lost its legal challenge to the British government's decision to supply Israel with parts for F-35 fighter jets and other military equipment. Al-Haq alleged that the U.K. broke domestic and international law and was complicit in atrocities against Palestinians by allowing essential components for the warplanes to be supplied to Israel. The government said the ruling showed it had rigorous export rules and it would continue to review its licensing agreements, a spokesperson said.
The government last year suspended about 30 of 350 existing export licenses for equipment deemed to be for use in the conflict in Gaza because of a "clear risk" the items could be used to violate international humanitarian law. Equipment included parts for helicopters and drones. But an exemption was made for some licenses related to components of F-35 fighter jets, which are indirectly supplied to Israel through the global spare parts supply chain and have been linked to bombing the Gaza Strip.
Thailand swore in new Cabinet members Thursday with its government in flux after the Constitutional Court suspended the prime minister less than a year after the same court removed her predecessor. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was suspended as prime minister while under an ethics investigation for a conversation with a senior Cambodian leader, returned to the cabinet as culture minister.
The top job was filled by Phumtham Wechayachai, a longtime ally of Paetongtarn's father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Phumtham served under Paetongtarn as deputy prime minister and defense minister. He was sworn in Thursday as deputy prime minister and interior minister. Phumtham told reporters that he would keep things running and denied that recent events showed instability within the government. Paetongtarn has faced growing dissatisfaction over her handling of a border dispute with Cambodia, including an armed confrontation in May in which a Cambodian soldier was killed.
British police said they were examining videos of a band that led chants of "death to the IDF" - Israel Defense Forces - at the Glastonbury Festival. Rapper Bobby Vylan, of rap punk duo Bob Vylan, led crowds attending the festival on Saturday in chants of "free, free Palestine" and "death, death to the IDF." Rapper Bobby Vylan, of rap punk duo Bob Vylan, led crowds attending the festival on Saturday in chants of "free, free Palestine" and "death, death to the IDF."
Avon and Somerset Police said that it was aware of comments made by acts at the festival, and said officers will review video evidence "to determine whether any offenses may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation." Irish-language rap group Kneecap also performed Saturday despite a terror charge for one of its members over allegedly supporting Hezbollah, leading a huge crowd in chants of "Free Palestine."
Rescuers were searching Thursday (Jul. 3) for 29 people who were missing after a ferry sank and five people died the previous night near Indonesia's resort island of Bali. As of Thursday afternoon, 31 people had been rescued from the ferry's 53 passengers and 12 crew members, the National Search and Rescue Agency said in a statement. "The condition of this ship is fully submerged, so there is a possibility that there are people inside the ferry. But right now we are focusing on the surface of the water first," Surabaya Search and Rescue head Nanang Sigit said.
The five bodies located by rescuers will be taken to their families in Banyuwangi, Sigit said. The KMP Tunu Pratama Jaya sank almost half an hour after leaving Ketapang port in the East Java town of Banyuwangi late Wednesday for a trip of about 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) to Bali's Gilimanuk port, authorities said.
