A UK court on Monday ruled to end life support for a 12-year-old boy despite opposition from his parents and a last-minute intervention by the United Nations.
The Court of Appeal in London decided doctors can switch off life support for Archie Battersbee from 12 pm (1100 GMT) on Tuesday.
Archie had been due to have his life support at the Royal London Hospital ended Monday afternoon after his parents failed in a domestic legal bid to halt the move.
Archie's mother, Hollie Dance, discovered him unconscious at home in April with signs he had placed a ligature over his head, possibly after taking part in an online asphyxiation challenge.
UK courts earlier found that ending life-preserving treatment for Archie was in his best interests as doctors believe he is brain-stem dead.
As a last resort, Archie's parents applied to the United Nations and the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The UN committee requested Friday that his treatment be continued while Archie's case was under consideration.
The UK government then asked the Court of Appeal to "urgently consider" his case Monday afternoon.
An appeal court judge argued the UN request was not enforceable but granted a delay until 12 noon tomorrow.
The Court of Appeal is a High Court based at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.
Archie's mother in an interview with Sky News condemned what she called the "choreographed execution of my son".
"It's so traumatic: to just be dragged through courts, no empathy, no compassion," she said.
Archie's parents are being supported by a campaign organisation, the Christian Legal Centre.
The centre's chief executive, Andrea Williams, tweeted that the case "goes right to the heart of protections at end of life".
(AFP)
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)