4 h. ago ‘We are dying for no reason’: Israeli reservists face fresh call

Soldiers express doubts about Gaza conflict but few will refuse to fightTens of thousands of reservists in Israel will return to active service in the coming weeks amid an intense debate in their ranks over the war in Gaza, which reflects wider divisions in the country.Some will be forced to make their decision within days. The Israel Defense Forces began mobilising tens of thousands of reservists on Tuesday after calling up 60,000 for an expanded offensive in Gaza City, one of the few places in the devastated territory outside its control. More will be ordered to report to military bases if the fighting continues for many months, as analysts expect. Continue reading...

Politics

12 h. ago Europe live: US treasury secretary indicates growing frustration with Putin over Ukraine

Scott Bessent says ‘all options on the table’ and condemns ‘despicable’ increase in attacks as Russian leader receives warm welcome in Chinain BrusselsBelgium will recognise a Palestinian state at the UN general assembly, adding to the growing number of countries seeking to put pressure on Israel and keep alive a two-state solution to end the conflict.“In view of the humanitarian tragedy playing out in Palestine and particularly in Gaza, and in the face of the violence perpetrated by Israel in violation of international law, given its international obligations, including the duty to prevent any risk of genocide, Belgium had to take strong decisions to increase pressure on the Israeli government and the Hamas terrorists.” Continue reading...

Politics

12 h. ago Nigel Farage issues chilling warning to Keir Starmer and says 'I'll get rid of you'

The Reform UK leader has also slammed Labour's decision not to invite him to a forthcoming state banquet for US President Donald Trump

Events

13 h. ago Belgium to recognise Palestinian state at UN and sanction Israel – Middle East crisis live

Foreign minister says move is not aimed at Israeli people but ‘ensuring their government respects international and humanitarian law’The Guardian’s political correspondent Eleni Courea has done an explainer in July with a section looking at what recognising Palestine would look in practice. Here is an extract:Recognition is a symbolic step but one that would infuriate the Israeli government, which argues that it would encourage Hamas and reward terrorism.It is in effect a formal, political acknowledgment of Palestinian self-determination – without the need to engage in thorny practicalities such as the location of its borders or capital city.In light of the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Palestine, particularly in Gaza, and in response to the violence perpetrated by Israel in violation of international law, given its international obligations, including the duty to prevent any risk of genocide, Belgium had to take strong decisions to increase pressure on the Israeli government an...

Politics

45 h. ago Starmer hails expansion of funded childcare amid nursery workforce warnings

Eligible working parents in England can access 30 hours a week of free childcare for children older than nine months.

Events

59 h. ago Palestinians flee Gaza City as escalating Israeli offensive kills 77

Israeli official reveals plan to halt or limit aid into northern Gaza even as malnutrition kills 10 more people

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3 d. ago Starmer warned he must shut migrant hotels or face losing Labour voters to Reform

Labour grandee Lord Falconer tells PM to take action over migrant crisis after government won Court of Appeal challenge over Epping hotel

Events

4 d. ago U.K. bars Israeli officials from defense trade show in London, citing escalation of Gaza war

U.K. bars Israeli officials from defense trade show in London, citing escalation of Gaza war  CBS News

Politics

5 d. ago BREAKING WW3 fears as Putin bombs British building and Starmer warns 'this must end'

Harrowing footage shows the strike hitting the education and cultural organisation at Zhylyanska Street in the Ukrainian capital, part of a huge overnight attack that killed 15, including four children

Events

5 d. ago WW3 fears as Putin bombs British building and Starmer warns 'this must end'

Harrowing footage shows a strike hitting the education and cultural organisation at Zhylyanska Street in the Ukrainian capital, part of a huge overnight attack that killed 15, including four children

Events

7 d. ago Warning to Starmer from his own MPs: Migration could cost you the next election

Keir Starmer has been warned by his own MPs and party grandees that Labour risks losing the next election unless he does more to tackle illegal migration.

Events

1 week ago National Trust among charities warning Keir Starmer they face being 'crippled' by new consumer rights rules

In a letter to the Prime Minister, the charities outlined how provisions under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act might see them lose out on critical funding.

Events

1 week ago Israel to call up 50,000 reservists before planned offensive on Gaza City, says Israeli military official – Middle East crisis live

Call-up notices sent as Israeli plans to increase its offensive; Israel studies Hamas’ response to proposal for 60-day ceasefireGood afternoon, Israel will call up 50,000 reservists before a planned offensive to take Gaza City but most forces that would operate in the Gaza Strip’s largest urban centre would be active duty soldiers, an Israeli military official said on Wednesday. The call-up notices could be sent in the coming days, with reservists to report for duty in September, the military official said.“Most of the troops that will be mobilised in this new stage will be active duty and not reservists,” said the official, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity.Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday that he treats leaders of other countries with respect after his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu attacked him over his decision to recognise a Palestinian state. “I don’t take these things personally, I engage with people diplomatically. He has had similar t...

Events

1 week ago Australian minister says ‘strength not measured by how many people you can blow up’ as row with Netanyahu escalates

Australian home affairs minister’s criticism comes after Israeli prime minister calls Anthony Albanese a ‘weak politician who betrayed Israel’Netanyahu lashes out at AlbaneseFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia’s government has rejected Benjamin Netanyahu’s incendiary criticism and accused some Israeli politicians of “bigoted” views about Palestinians as the extraordinary political fight between the two nations turns uglier.The home affairs minister, Tony Burke – whose refusal of a travel visa for the far-right Knesset member Simcha Rothman stoked criticism from Jerusalem – backed in his decision and criticised the Israeli prime minister over the war in Gaza, where tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians have been killed in Israel’s military and bombing campaign. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Keir Starmer at odds with Donald Trump as Russia warn UK of 'global conflict'

Sir Keir Starmer has arrived in Washington along with several other European leaders as Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrives at the White House for a meeting with Donald Trump

Events

2 w. ago At least 57 Palestinians killed as Israel escalates attack on last major population centre in Gaza City

At least 38 aid seekers among Palestinians killed on Sunday

Events

2 w. ago At least 17 aid seekers killed as Israel escalates attack on last major population centre in Gaza City

Israeli airstrike on Al-Ahli Arab Hospital kills at least seven Palestinians

Events

2 w. ago Several Palestinian people reported injured in overnight attack by Israeli settlers in West Bank – Middle East crisis live

Settlers attacked Palestinian people in village of Susya, south of Hebron, while separately settlers reportedly attacked village of Atara and set fire to vehiclesHere is some more detail on the controversial plan to significantly expand a settlement near occupied East Jerusalem.The decision from the Supreme Planning Council, which meets next week, is expected to support the plan after rejecting objections by Israeli NGOs.The expected decision in favour will come after Israel’s far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich – who backs both the plan and the imposition of Israeli sovereignty through the occupied West Bank – gloated that he believed construction on E1 would “bury the idea of a Palestinian state”. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Donald Trump says Vladimir Putin faces ‘very severe consequences’ if no Ukraine truce agreed

Volodymyr Zelensky warns Russian leader ‘bluffing’ while Sir Keir Starmer insists there is a ‘viable’ chance of a ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv

Politics

2 w. ago Keir Starmer warns 'borders must not be changed by force' as PM and EU leaders put pressure on Donald Trump not to hand parts of Ukraine to Russia

The Prime Minister and some of his European counterparts joined a call this afternoon with the US President and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky.

Events