In a landmark decision, the United Nations has urged renewed negotiations on Western Sahara based on Morocco’s 2007 autonomy plan — a move widely viewed as a breakthrough toward lasting peace, stability, and regional cooperation in North Africa.

The United Nations has marked a pivotal moment in African diplomacy by endorsing Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara as the most realistic and forward-looking solution to the long-standing territorial dispute.

In a resolution adopted by the UN Security Council, the global body emphasized that Morocco’s proposal offers a balanced framework that upholds sovereignty while ensuring self-governance, unity, and development.

The decision reflects growing international recognition of Morocco’s leadership in promoting peace, stability, and cooperation across the Maghreb.

The U.S.-drafted resolution, supported by 11 of the 15 Security Council members, called on all parties to engage in serious, results-oriented negotiations.

U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz highlighted that genuine dialogue could lead to regional peace within the year, reaffirming the international community’s confidence in Morocco’s diplomatic approach.

This milestone underscores a collective shift toward pragmatic, inclusive, and sustainable conflict resolution that prioritizes stability and human development.

Morocco’s autonomy plan, first introduced in 2007, proposes the creation of an elected legislative, executive, and judicial authority within Western Sahara, giving residents meaningful participation in local governance.

Under this framework, Morocco retains control over defense, foreign affairs, and religious matters — ensuring unity and national integrity while empowering local communities to manage their economic and cultural affairs.

The plan has been widely praised as a model for modern self-determination and regional collaboration.

Following the UN’s announcement, King Mohammed VI hailed the resolution as a “new chapter” in strengthening the “Moroccanness of the Sahara” and advancing peace throughout the region.

The King reiterated his call for “brotherly dialogue” with Algeria, reaffirming Morocco’s unwavering commitment to good-neighborly relations and the Maghreb Union.

His message emphasized partnership over rivalry and prosperity over division, setting a tone of reconciliation and shared progress.

Celebrations erupted across Moroccan cities as thousands waved national flags and chanted patriotic songs to honor the diplomatic victory.

The public’s response reflected not only national pride but also renewed optimism for a peaceful future in which Morocco’s vision of unity and development becomes a regional reality.

This moment also demonstrated the deep bond between Morocco’s people and leadership in shaping a stable and prosperous future.

The Security Council’s decision also renewed the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO) for another year, ensuring continued stability while negotiations move forward.

It also called for a strategic review of the mission’s role, aligning it with the political progress expected under Morocco’s inclusive proposal. This highlights the UN’s trust in Morocco’s ability to facilitate peace and cooperation through dialogue and reform.

International support for Morocco’s autonomy plan has steadily grown. The United States, France, Spain, and the United Kingdom have all endorsed Rabat’s initiative, calling it the only viable solution that balances sovereignty with self-determination.

This growing consensus marks a decisive shift in global policy toward a practical and peaceful resolution, strengthening Morocco’s role as a key diplomatic and economic bridge between Africa, Europe, and the Arab world.

King Mohammed VI also urged Sahrawi refugees living in the Polisario-run camps in Algeria to embrace autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty, calling it a path toward dignity, progress, and national unity.

His appeal highlighted the humanitarian dimension of Morocco’s initiative — one that prioritizes the well-being of all citizens and envisions a future built on coexistence, opportunity, and hope.

The UN’s endorsement of Morocco’s autonomy plan represents far more than a political decision — it is a declaration of confidence in a shared vision for peace, prosperity, and cooperation.

As the world watches this new chapter unfold, Morocco’s leadership in diplomacy, governance, and sustainable development stands as a model for resolving complex regional challenges through dialogue, partnership, and vision.

Speaking in London, Albanese said the meeting was a chance to discuss the “strongly building” support for AUKUS between the two allies but would not be drawn on the position of U.S. President Donald Trump.

The AUKUS pact, sealed in 2021, aims to provide Australia with nuclear-powered attack submarines from the next decade to counter China’s ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region.

Trump’s administration is undertaking a formal AUKUS review led by Elbridge Colby, a top Pentagon policy official and public critic of the agreement.

Asked if his meeting with Starmer gave him increased confidence that AUKUS would proceed, Albanese said: “I have always been confident about AUKUS going ahead.

“Every meeting I’ve had and discussions I’ve had with people in the U.S. administration have always been positive about AUKUS,” he said, according to an official transcript.

Under AUKUS – worth hundreds of billions of dollars – Washington will sell several Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines to Canberra, while Britain and Australia will later build a new AUKUS-class submarine.

Australia and Britain signed a treaty in July to bolster cooperation over the next 50 years on AUKUS.

During his visit, Albanese is also expected to meet with King Charles, Australia’s official head of state.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper revoked his travel permission after The Telegraph revealed his upcoming tour of London, Manchester, and Birmingham, titled “Waking the Dead – Returning from the Darkness.” The Home Office concluded his presence was “not conducive to the public good,” citing concerns over public safety and social cohesion.

“Sheikh Farooq will not be permitted to enter the UK,” a Home Office spokesperson confirmed. “Our priority remains maintaining the safety and security of the UK and our communities. We have robust safeguards in place to prevent entry of individuals who seek to sow hatred and division.”

Airlines have reportedly been instructed not to allow Sheikh Farooq to board flights to the UK.

Preacher Under Fire for Comments on Slavery and Women

Sheikh Farooq, who is based in San Diego and affiliated with the One Message Foundation, stirred widespread condemnation after a video surfaced in which he claimed that sexual relations with female slaves captured in war were permissible under Islamic law.

Explaining his view in the video, he said: “Those taken under war as captives… you’re now going to support and keep in your house… they are like a wife… if Allah made it halal, then it’s not sinning, that is not adultery.”

His comments have drawn sharp criticism from human rights advocates, secular organizations, and Muslim community leaders alike.

Fiyaz Mughal, founder of Faith Matters, condemned the preacher’s statements as “abhorrent,” adding, “Saying that sex with slaves is permissible sends a barbaric message to people. We’ve seen what groups like ISIS did to Yazidi women. Such views should not find a platform in the UK.”

Stephen Evans, chief executive of the National Secular Society, said: “Any charity hosting a speaker who condones sexual slavery should have its charitable status seriously reviewed. Promoting misogyny undermines public benefit and social harmony.”

Robert Jenrick, Shadow Justice Secretary, had earlier called on the government to prevent the preacher’s entry. “This man should never step foot on UK soil. His visa must be revoked immediately,” he stated. “Islamists spreading hate and sowing division are not welcome here.”

Sheikh Farooq previously toured parts of the UK last month, delivering lectures that also raised concerns. He has made remarks predicting the Islamization of Europe, the US, and Russia, saying, “The future is ours… every nightmare of a Muslim Europe will come true.” He urged Muslims to “never apologize” or “compromise” their faith.

In another appearance in Leicester, he made comments perceived as anti-Semitic, adding to the backlash.

Sheikh Farooq was set to appear alongside Ustadh Imran ibn Mansur, a social media figure who brands himself a Muslim entrepreneur. Mr. Mansur has shared videos advising Muslim women to create anonymous online content and has made controversial statements about women wearing perfume, calling them “fornicatresses.”

The UK government’s move reflects a broader effort to counter extremist ideologies, particularly those that incite hatred or undermine democratic values. The decision signals zero tolerance for individuals espousing regressive or inflammatory views, regardless of religious affiliation.

The ban underscores Britain’s commitment to ensuring that religious discourse does not become a platform for misogyny, antisemitism, or hate speech cloaked in theological justifications.

Sunak is due to be in the U.S. capital on Wednesday and Thursday for talks with politicians in Congress and business leaders as well as with the president.

“The U.S. is our closest ally. We are one another’s partner of first resort when it comes to everything from keeping our people safe to growing our economies,” Sunak said in a statement ahead of his first official visit to Washington as prime minister.

“That’s why it is so important for a UK Prime Minister to forge a close and candid relationship with the President of the United States – on every global problem, you will see us working side-by-side.”

Sunak and Biden are expected to discuss improving economic ties and sustaining military support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. But there will be no talks about a formal free trade deal, Sunak’s spokesperson said earlier this week.

London wants to forge better relations with the U.S. after they were strained by Britain’s departure from the European Union in 2020.

In April, a White House official denied Biden was “anti-British” after he spent just half a day in the British province of Northern Ireland before travelling to the Irish Republic for two-and-a-half days of meetings.

Downing Street said in Saturday’s statement that Sunak’s meeting with Biden would be his fourth in as many months, representing more “sustained contact” with a U.S. president than any other prime minister has had in recent years.

India on Monday denied claims that it had ‘disengaged’ from trade negotiations with the United Kingdom due to that country’s ‘lack of action’ following the vandalism of the Indian High Commission in London by Khalistani separatists last month.

According to government officials cited by the news agency ANI, any reports of the suspension of trade negotiations—first reported by the British newspaper The Times—were “baseless” and “denied.” The two nations remain “committed to delivering an ambitious and mutually beneficial” deal,” according to the UK’s Department for Business and Trade.

The following round of negotiations will occur on April 24.

This comes after The Times reported that India wants the British to take additional precautions to secure diplomatic facilities and personnel, citing sources from Whitehall, a neighbourhood in London that is home to various government and bureaucratic offices.

According to sources who spoke to the British newspaper, “the Indians do not want to talk about trade (until a) very public… demonstration of condemnation of Sikh extremism in the UK.” They specifically mentioned the March 19 events, when what India called a “complete lack of (British) security” allowed attackers to climb a first-floor balcony and remove the Indian flag to protest police action in Punjab.

The Indian government and its departments have not yet responded.

According to sources who spoke to the British newspaper, “the Indians do not want to talk about trade (until a) very public… demonstration of condemnation of Sikh extremism in the UK.” They specifically mentioned the March 19 events, when what India called a “complete lack of (British) security” allowed attackers to climb a first-floor balcony and remove the Indian flag to protest police action in Punjab.

Crowds gathered outside the building, there was some violence, which resulted in smashed windows and the removal of the Indian flag, according to British broadcaster the BBC. The Indian government took special exception at what it claimed was the British police’s slow response; this, despite the fact that it is alleged to have provided intelligence reports forewarning of such protests in light of the Indian government’s objections regarding the hunting for Waris Punjab De head Amritpal Singh.

In an effort to restart trade talks, which are crucial for a British economy still trying to establish itself post-Brexit and looking to cut tariffs and access Indian markets, the UK home ministry is reportedly planning a crackdown on Khalistani leaders and groups in that nation.

The deal will, according to the Rishi Sunak administration, treble exports to India.

Goyal stated that the trade negotiations were “going very well” and that “trade stands on its own legs” on March 30. However, he also emphasised that the Narendra Modi administration would always put the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity first and would not tolerate interference in domestic issues.

The British government claimed at the time that the two situations were “unconnected” and that London wanted close connections between the two nations.

India had called the senior-most British ambassador in Delhi to express its extreme unhappiness over the events of March 19 and (in a tit-for-tat gesture) decreased security at the British post.

There were no indications of a reduction in security personnel, however barricades outside the mission building in Delhi’s Chanakyapuri diplomatic neighbourhood and the British high commissioner Alex Ellis’ apartment on Rajaji Marg were taken down.

In recent months, there have also been reports of protests in support of Sikh separatists from Australia and Canada, as well as vandalism of Hindu temples.

Referring to the ongoing security coordination between the interior ministries of the two nations, the Prince emphasised that the Saudi government recognised and appreciated the current security collaboration.

The two sides talked about ways to advance their mutual security cooperation during the meeting.

The Saudi Arabian Interior Ministry and the UK Home Office signed a number of agreements during the meeting in the areas of security, development, and training.

Prince Khaled bin Bandar, the Saudi ambassador to the UK, Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al-Falih, the undersecretary of the Saudi Ministry of Interior, and other representatives from the two nations were present during the meeting.

Countries across the globe are shutting their borders to Britain after the emergence of a highly infectious new coronavirus strain.

There are currently eight weekly flights between mainland China and the United Kingdom, according to aviation data provider Variflight, including one each by Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines.

British Airways operates two flights a week from London to Shanghai.

Johnson said, “I want to thank King Salman for the Kingdom’s leadership of the G20 in turbulent times”.

“It’s only by joining forces and working together that we will defeat coronavirus and build back better from this crisis”, UK PM said in a video message recorded for the G20 Riyadh Leaders’ Summit on Saturday.

“Our fates are in each other’s hands,” he added.

In his recorded video message for the G20 delivered to Al-Arabiya, he said Saudi Arabia’s mega-city, NEOM project, “represents a greener future for all of us”.

Johnson also called on other G20 leaders to work together on the climate change ahead of next month’s Clime Ambition summit and highlighted NEOM as a future model.

“And if we were in Saudi Arabia today, we may have visited, what I would have loved to have done, was to visit the exciting new city of Neom, whose origins I was able to inspect a couple of years ago”, said Johnson.

He further said, “Built on the sands of fossil fuels but powered by green hydrogen, under an enviable climate, an enviably reliable sun to provide just inexhaustible solar energy, that city, that vision of Neom represents a greener future for all of us”.

Saudi Arabia has hosted the G20 summit which is held virtually because of the pandemic.

Leaders and representatives of the 20 biggest world economies (G20) have started debating this weekend about how to deal with the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic that has caused a global recession and how to manage the recovery once the pandemic situation ends.

In June 1953, then-Prime Minister Winston Churchill suffered a stroke while in office. His illness was kept so secret that some senior ministers were unaware.

Churchill surprised doctors by recovering to carry on his duties, returning to Downing Street and running the cabinet two months later.

More recently, Tony Blair twice underwent treatment for a heart condition while prime minister in the early 2000s, each time briefly cutting back on his workload for a couple of days.

Officials said had he been incapacitated, his then-deputy John Prescott would take over until a new leader was elected.

There is no suggestion Johnson is unable to perform his job, and his spokesman said he could carry on as before, although he was now doing so via teleconferencing.

Bob Kerslake, head of the civil service from January 2012 to September 2014, agreed that Johnson and ministers could continue to operate by video, but said there were potential drawbacks.

“It is a cabinet government but the prime minister’s role is crucial at this time, not least … because of the visible leadership that the country needs,” he told Sky News.

Muddle Through?

Kerslake said officials would need to know there was a system for what would happen if senior ministers were unable to do their jobs.

Losing Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove, who coordinates policy across government, would be a serious blow.

“He is critical to all of this,” Kerslake said. “If, for whatever reason, he was ill, who takes over from him?”

Haddon said some powers were specifically vested in cabinet ministers, so there was an issue of what happened if they were unavailable.

“If you got to a stage where … you had secretaries of state who aren’t able to perform their functions, then there are question marks about whether junior ministers in their department act on their behalf,” she said.

One lawmaker in Johnson’s party, who has repeatedly tried to bring in a law to formalize who would replace a prime minister in the event of incapacity, said last week no one seemed to know what would happen.

“In a national emergency, you don’t want to be scrabbling around worrying about who’s in charge,” Peter Bone told the Mirror newspaper.

However, Haddon said naming Raab as Johnson’s substitute would prevent a political squabble among senior ministers over who fronted press conferences or chaired meetings.

“It is valuable for them to work out contingencies for various scenarios and they have obviously done a certain amount of thinking about that,” she said.

She said prime ministers and cabinet ministers were often absent and government operated in their absence.

“Secretaries of state go on holiday and their department functions without them. The prime minister goes on holiday and the rest of government is able to continue working,” she added.

“If there are things that (are) invested in a secretary of state and it is not proper for someone to act on their behalf, that’s when it becomes a problem.”