News
Starmer condemns ‘Far-Right Thuggery’ Following Violence
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to use the full force of the law against “far-right thuggery” after violent incidents erupted across several towns and cities on Sunday. Starmer condemned the actions of “marauding gangs intent on law-breaking” and promised to bring those involved to justice.
In Rotherham, a group of 700 people surrounded a Holiday Inn Express hotel, where they set a fire, smashed windows, and entered the building where asylum seekers were staying. Riot police responded to similar violent scenes in Middlesbrough, Bolton, Hull, Weymouth, and other parts of the UK.
The unrest follows a sixth day of escalating violence in response to the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport last week. Addressing the nation, Starmer emphasized the right of people to feel safe and condemned the targeting of Muslim and minority communities, attacks on mosques, and the display of Nazi salutes, labeling the actions as “far-right thuggery.”
Since Saturday, authorities have made 147 arrests. In Rotherham, at least ten police officers were injured, with one officer left unconscious after being hit by planks of wood and sprayed with fire extinguishers by anti-immigration demonstrators, according to South Yorkshire Police. The officer sustained a head injury, and two others are suspected of having broken bones. Despite the chaos, no injuries were reported among hotel employees and residents, many of whom are asylum seekers. One individual has been arrested on suspicion of public order offenses.
In Weymouth, Dorset, 600 people from opposing sides gathered on the seafront. While police noted “a small number of low-level incidents,” one man was arrested for a public order offense. In Bolton, anti-immigration protesters faced a group of up to 300 masked individuals chanting “Allahu Akbar” (“God is greatest”). Greater Manchester Police issued a Section 60AA order requiring the removal of face coverings used to disguise appearance, in effect until 10 pm on Sunday.
The Home Office announced new measures to offer mosques greater protection, allowing for “rapid security” deployment to enable a swift return to worship. Starmer suggested that the response to the current violence might echo the measures taken during the 2011 riots, at which time he served as director of public prosecutions. “We do have standing arrangements for law enforcement which means that we can get arrests… and convictions done very quickly,” he stated.
Ministers have proposed the possibility of courts sitting 24 hours to fast-track prosecutions, similar to 2011, while police forces are prepared to deploy additional officers to manage potential unrest.
In a devastating incident in eastern India, at least 46 people, including 37 children and seven women, have drowned while celebrating the Hindu Jivitputrika festival. The fatalities, which occurred across 15 districts within the past 24 hours, resulted from victims ritually bathing in rivers and ponds swollen by recent flooding.
The three-day festival, which honors children’s wellbeing, is traditionally marked by mothers fasting and families participating in ritual baths. This year, the swollen water bodies, exacerbated by recent floods, have turned the celebratory ritual into a deadly disaster.
Local disaster management officials have expressed fears that the death toll could rise further. State authorities have promised compensation for the families and relatives of the victims.
Fatal accidents during religious festivals are not uncommon in India, where large gatherings often take place with insufficient safety measures. This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by such gatherings, especially during adverse weather conditions.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have conducted airstrikes in Beirut, reportedly killing Mohammad Hussein Surur, a senior Hezbollah air unit leader. The Lebanese health ministry confirmed two deaths and 15 injuries from the attack. The strikes come amid escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah, with both sides exchanging fire throughout the night and into the morning.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the IDF would continue to fight “with full force” against Hezbollah, aiming to dismantle the Iran-backed militant group. This marks a significant intensification of hostilities between the two sides, which have been exchanging rockets and airstrikes for days. The Lebanese health ministry also reported that 28 people were killed today by Israeli airstrikes.
In retaliation, Hezbollah launched 80 missiles targeting northern Israeli cities, including Safed. Israeli authorities have reported no casualties but noted significant property damage in Safed and Rosh Pina.
Amid the intensifying conflict, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin renewed calls for a diplomatic solution. The U.S., along with 11 other allied nations, has urged both Israel and Hezbollah to agree to a ceasefire to prevent further escalation and civilian casualties.
Ferry travel between the Isle of Man and Lancashire continues to face disruption due to strong winds over the Irish Sea. The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has cancelled Thursday’s 08:45 BST sailing of the Manxman to Heysham and its scheduled 14:15 return journey. This follows the cancellation of the vessel’s return trip from the Lancashire port on Wednesday evening.
The disruptions have affected postal services, with the Isle of Man Post Office reporting delays in deliveries from the UK. While local deliveries within the island remain unaffected, items posted on Wednesday for UK delivery may not reach Royal Mail’s network in time for Friday delivery.
Additionally, the ferry cancellations have caused a delay in newspaper deliveries, with no papers available on the island on Thursday, as confirmed by the island’s wholesale distributor.
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