77 m. ago The Guardian view on Netanyahu’s Iran war: long planned, recklessly pursued – and perilous for all | Editorial

Israel’s strikes against Tehran risk spiralling conflict, flout legal norms and may permanently bury the last chance for nuclear diplomacyIn late 2020, Gen Mark Milley – then chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff – urged Donald Trump not to attack Iran and to ignore pressure from the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who was pushing hard for military action. Mr Trump backed down after the general warned that attacking Iran would start a war, with the risk of US officials being “tried as war criminals in The Hague”.Five years on, Israel’s prime minister has the fight with Tehran that he has spent decades preparing for, bolstered by Mr Trump’s claims that international law no longer applies. After all, why worry about red lines when The Hague’s already got a warrant out for you and your allies pretend not to notice? It helps when the US treats the international criminal court like a rogue actor. Mr Trump has even gone after the court’s judges and prosecutor for ...

Events

2 w. ago Kent beat holders Gloucestershire in Blast thriller as Somerset see off Surrey

Liam Dawson warmed up for England duty with a four-wicket haul.

Politics

2 w. ago Have bat, will travel: Raza and cricket’s wanderers follow in footsteps of WG Grace

Zimbabwe player’s high-profile trip around the world this week should prompt more players to think global and play localDo you remember the first of Zimbabwe’s three ODIs against Bangladesh in 2022? No? Let me refresh your memory. Bangladesh’s batters had racked up 303 for two. Zimbabwe had lost both openers by the end of their second over. They were 62 for three when Sikandar Raza came to the crease. He scored 135 of the 240 runs the home side needed and Zimbabwe won with nearly two overs to spare.Raza rescued them in the ODI that followed, too – another century – and ended up top-scoring in Zimbabwe’s first series win in three years. The then 36-year-old put his determined spirit down to his training in the Pakistan Air Force: “I couldn’t become a fighter pilot,” he said, “but I think, as a person, I will always be a fighter.” Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Ben Stokes claims Jacob Bethell comments were ‘twisted to suit an agenda’

The England captain had hinted at an immediate return to the Test side for the left-hander but has since clarified his remarks

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3 w. ago Bennett scores Zimbabwe’s fastest Test century before England regain grip

Only Test, D2: England 565-6d; Zimbabwe 265 & 30-2Stokes shines as England toil before enforcing follow-onThere were a few sideways glances during the first day of Zimbabwe’s first Test match in England for 22 years, followed by calls for cricket’s longest format to adopt a two-division structure. After a flogging like the one their players had just suffered across three sessions, perhaps this was to be expected.But on day two, cheered on by some wonderful pockets of support, the tourists mustered a pushback. First came an improved showing with the ball, England losing three for 67 to declare on 565 for six, followed by something of a fairytale century from opener Brian Bennett. Though bowled out for 265, and closing on 30 for two following on, Zimbabwe had given their hosts a far stiffer outing. Continue reading...

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3 w. ago Zak Crawley feels like ‘part of the team again’ after Trent Bridge run fest

The out-of-form opener struck 124 runs as the hosts powered to 498-3 on day one

Politics

3 w. ago ‘I’m the right man’: Zak Crawley ignores pressure with century against Zimbabwe

‘I’ve been made a better player by people around me’Crawley’s place thought to be under threat from BethellIf Zak Crawley showed little sign of the pressure he was under as he became one of three English centurions on the opening day against Zimbabwe, it is possibly because he did not know he was under any.The opener’s place in the team was presumed to be at risk after a poor run of form was followed by heavy hints that Jacob Bethell would be parachuted straight into the team on his return from the IPL, but after scoring 124 – England’s third-highest innings of the day after Ben Duckett’s 140 and Ollie Pope’s unbeaten 169 – the 27-year-old insisted he had heard no such rumours and had felt nothing from his coaches and colleagues except support. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Zak Crawley feels like ‘part of the team again’ after Trent Bridge century

Crawley hit 124 as the hosts powered to 498 for three on day one.

Politics

3 w. ago Ollie Pope scores century as England set new record in dominant win over Zimbabwe

England make light-work of Zimbabwe in first meeting between the nations for 22 years

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3 w. ago Ben Duckett hundred powers England into dominant position against Zimbabwe

Duckett made 140 as England reached two on 295 for one.

Politics

3 w. ago Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett get England off to solid start against Zimbabwe

The hosts reached 130 without loss at lunch on day one at Trent Bridge.

Politics

3 w. ago The 10 symptoms of 'silent killer' high blood pressure you should never ignore

Around one third of people with high blood pressure don't realise, earning it the nickname "silent killer".

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