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Keir Starmer doubles down on Israeli ministers’ sanctions despite being slammed by US

SIR Keir Starmer yesterday doubled down on sanctioning Israeli ministers, despite being savagely rapped by the US.

Donald Trump’s administration hit out at Britain after the PM broke with tradition and imposed a travel ban and asset freeze on two far-right members of Israel’s government, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.

Itamar Ben-Gvir giving a thumbs-up during an interview.
AFP
Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s national security minister, was sanctioned by Britain[/caption]
Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotric addressing relatives of Israeli hostages.
Alamy
Bezalel Smotrich also had his assets frozen and a travel ban imposed[/caption]
Secretary of State Marco Rubio testifying at a Senate hearing.
Reuters
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio slammed the PM’s sanctions on two Israeli ministers[/caption]

In a scathing attack on the move, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the sanctions “do not advance American efforts to achieve a ceasefire, bring all hostages home and end the war”.

Mr Rubio warned Britain “not to forget who the real enemy is”.

The US ambassador to the UK said he “fully supported” Mr Rubio’s slap down and warned the PM against “impeding constructive dialogue”.

Ben-Gvir, who is pushing to annex the West Bank and wants to permanently expel Palestinians from Gaza, said: “The American administration is a moral compass in the face of the confusion of some Western countries that choose to appease terrorist organizations like Hamas.

“Israel is not afraid — we will continue to fight terrorism.

“History will judge the Chamberlains of our time.”

At PMQs Sir Keir defended the sanctions as a bid to “uphold human rights and defend the prospect of a two-state solution”.

The PM said: “Acting alongside our allies, we have sanctioned individuals responsible for inciting appalling settler violence and expansion.

“We will continue to support all efforts to secure a ceasefire, the release of all hostages despicably held by Hamas and the humanitarian aid that needs to surge in.

Sir Keir Starmer leaving 10 Downing Street.
Getty
Sir Kier Starmer stood by the sanctions[/caption]

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BYD Dolphin Surf is a small, simple £18k motor packed with things that please… it knocks its rivals out the park

I’M a big fan of small and simple cars because I like value for money more than I do screens and gadgets.

This BYD Dolphin Surf is small and simple.

Lime green electric car parked on city street.
This BYD Dolphin Surf is small and simple
Lime green SUV parked on a city street.
The Dolphin Surf has four seats, three with ISOFIX anchor points and a surprisingly practical boot

Just press and go.

It’s value for money at £18,650.

And yet it’s got a rotating touchscreen and all those gadgets thrown in anyway.

Where’s the catch?

I can’t see one.

It knocks a Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03 out of the park because it’s a proper car for not much more and it’s comfortably less than the already brilliant-value Renault 5.

Finance from £269 a month with £269 deposit. Or £199 a month with about £3k deposit.

It’ll cost pennies to run.

I reckon many will be bought as second cars but end up being the one owners use the most.

Dolphin Surf has four seats, three with ISOFIX anchor points for the kiddlywinks, and a surprisingly practical boot that’ll swallow the Friday big shop.

Properly comfy seats by the way. Made of “vegan leather” whatever that means.

Big drink holders. Phone storage tray.

Apple CarPlay. Reversing camera.

Adaptive cruise control for your out-of-town runs.

All things that please and all included in the price.

You can even use your little BYD bud as a mobile power bank – running everything from party lights to a fridge.

Now I should spell out that Dolphin Surf comes in two battery sizes.

The entry-level Active gets you a 137-mile battery by the WLTP test and a big enough e-motor to keep you swimming in quick traffic.

Then there’s the £22k Boost nudging 200 miles from the 43kWh battery.

‘BRIM THE BATTERY’

Both use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry for higher levels of durability and safety.

So you can “brim” the battery every time without depleting it.

Both roll on Hankook tyres. Another positive.

Even the lime green paint job is free.

How safe is it? It’s engineered to attain a four-star safety rating.

The body uses 68 per cent high-strength steel and the car is brimming with anti-crash gear.

The car will be made in Hungary soon – and avoid tariffs.

I told you BYD would quickly chime with UK drivers and the Chinese are already outselling Honda, Citroen, Fiat and more.

There are a load of plug-in hybrids coming next, including a junior SUV and a pick-up truck called Shark.

Key facts: BYD DOLPHIN SURF

  • Price: £18,650
  • Battery: 30kWh
  • Power: 87hp
  • 0-62mph: 11.1 secs
  • Top speed: 93mph
  • Range: 137 miles
  • CO2: 0g/km
  • Out: Now
BYD Atto 3 car interior dashboard and steering wheel.
The Dolphin Surf boasts a rotating touchscreen
BYD car interior with dashboard and steering wheel.
There’s also a phone storage tray, Apple CarPlay and a reversing camera

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Addiction to ketamine rises eight-fold in a decade as powerful tranquiliser becomes popular with Gen Z

DOCTORS have sounded the alarm over an eight-fold rise in ketamine addiction in a decade.

The powerful tranquilliser is popular with Generation Z because of its relatively low cost, experts say.

Prescription bottle of Ketamine with warning label about addiction and misuse.
Getty
Addiction to ketamine has risen eight-fold in a decade, experts have warned[/caption]

Clinics in England treated 3,609 people of all ages for addiction last year, eight times more than 426 in 2014, figures reveal.

Ketamine, also referred to as “K” or “Ket”, numbs pain and can cause a trippy high.

Dealers sell it in powder form for around £20 to £40 a gram compared with £40 to £60 a gram for low-quality cocaine.

Doctors say heavy use can cause liver disease and permanently damage the bladder and kidneys. It is linked to constipation, depression and loss of mental sharpness.

Many medics fail to understand how addictive it can be, an NHS report said.

Led by Dr Irene Guerrini of the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, it called the drug’s prevalence “concerning”.

It said: “As ketamine use increases, more individuals are seeking treatment for addiction.

“Long-term use can seriously harm both physical and mental health, diminishing quality of life, affecting personal relationships and impairing academic or professional performance.”

Dr Guerrini called for stricter guidelines on how the NHS uses the drug and more funds for treatment and prevention.

Ministers are considering uprating 34878330from a Class B to Class A drug.

GETTING HELP:

If you think that you have a drug addiction then please contact your GP.

You can also visit FRANK for honest information about drugs and to find local treatment services.

If you are having trouble finding the right help, call the FRANK drugs helpline on 03001236600

Or click here to visit the NHS website for more advice and support

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