28 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

29 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

68 h. ago UK still intends to recognise a Palestinian state, David Lammy to tell MPs

Foreign secretary to say an assessment will be carried out of whether Israel has complied with Keir Starmer’s termsDavid Lammy will tell MPs on Monday that the UK still intends to recognise a Palestinian state next month, with Israel having shown no sign of meeting the government’s demands.The foreign secretary will say in a Commons statement that government officials intend to carry out a formal assessment in the coming days of whether Israel has complied with the tests set out by the prime minister, Keir Starmer, last month. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago US bars Palestinian leader Abbas from UN meeting to recognise state

Trump administration extends visa ban to include authority’s president

Politics

9 d. ago Religious town at centre of mystery behind hundreds of deaths and mass graves

A man "wracked with guilt" has come forward and given a chilling account of how he buried and disposed of hundreds of bodies of victims of sexual assault and murder in a holy town.

Events

2 w. 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

2 w. ago Five teens charged with bullying offences after girl’s death that shocked Malaysia

Public anger over Zara Qairina Mahathir’s death has spurred mass rallies, a royal decree for anti-bullying reforms, and renewed calls for justice in Malaysia’s education system

Events

2 w. ago Israel’s foreign minister revokes visas of Australian representatives to Palestinian Authority

The move follows Australia’s refusal of a visa for the far-right Israeli politician Simcha RothmanGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIsrael’s foreign minister has revoked the visas of Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority, citing Australia’s “unjustified refusal” to grant visas to Israeli figures and its intention to recognise Palestinian statehood.In a post to X on Monday night, Gideon Sa’ar said the decision was made following the Albanese government’s cancellation of Simcha Rothman’s visa on Monday ahead of his speaking tour this month. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Labour needs to ‘pick things up’ after a ‘tough’ first year, says Sadiq Khan – UK politics live

London mayor says he has ‘confidence we will turn it round’ as he addresses audience at Edinburgh fringeThe former home secretary Jack Straw has urged Labour not to panic about the threat of Reform, who are riding high in the polls as Nigel Farage capitalises on the “small boats” and asylum backlog issue. Here is an extract from the write up of the interview he gave to the Guardian’s deputy political editor, Jessica Elgot:In an interview with the Guardian, he praised Starmer’s intention to recognise a Palestinian state after an ultimatum to Israel – but defended the home secretary, Yvette Cooper, saying he would also have proscribed the direct action group Palestine Action.The British political veteran said he believed Starmer and his cabinet were “head and shoulders” above opposition politicians and would reap the rewards of a gradual improvement in the economy and public services, which would not come immediately. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Jack Straw urges Labour not to panic about threat of Nigel Farage

Former home secretary praises Keir Starmer’s success on world stage and says PM can win over sceptical UK publicKeir Starmer and his ministers must not “panic” about the threat of Nigel Farage, the former home secretary Jack Straw has said, adding that the prime minister had impressed on the world stage and should show more of that side of himself at home.In an interview with the Guardian, he praised Starmer’s intention to recognise a Palestinian state after an ultimatum to Israel – but defended the home secretary, Yvette Cooper, saying he would also have proscribed the direct action group Palestine Action. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Middle East crisis live: time not right to recognise Palestinian state, says Danish PM – updates

Mette Frederiksen says recognition should take place when a ‘sustainable and democratic state’ could be created, and that Denmark would use its EU presidency to increase pressure on Israel and HamasThe Metropolitan police has said that 60 more people will be prosecuted for showing support for Palestine Action, which was proscribed by the UK government last month.More than 700 people have been arrested for supporting the group since its proscription on 5 July.We are deeply concerned about the unimaginable crisis in Gaza, which is having a terrible impact on civilians and especially the children. Starvation is deepening. Water scarcity is increasing very much each day. Colleagues on the ground are reporting that people are now basically rationing between either using water for drinking or for hygiene. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Harlem to Hebron: the long history of Black solidarity with Palestinians

A mutual alliance between oppressed people has been revived with Israel’s full-scale invasion of GazaDon’t already get The Long Wave in your inbox? Sign up here“Our freedom will be incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinian people.” When Nelson Mandela spoke those words in 1997, it resonated deeply across much of the Black diaspora, which has long felt a strong kinship with the struggles of the Palestinian people. In this week’s Long Wave, as yet more journalists are killed in Gaza, and some western countries make belated moves to recognise a Palestinian state, I examine the history of that Black solidarity, and how it has endured.Before that, some housekeeping: we’d love to know what you think of The Long Wave – what you’re enjoying, what you’re not and how we can improve. So if you can spare a few minutes, please fill out this short survey. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Recognising Palestinian state must not distract from ending Gaza mass deaths, UN expert says

Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur for the occupied territories, calls for practical actions and warns against distracting ‘attention from where it should be: the genocide’The United Nations special rapporteur for the occupied territories has warned that moves to recognise a Palestinian state should not distract member states from stopping mass death and starvation in Gaza.“Of course it’s important to recognize the state of Palestine,” Francesca Albanese told the Guardian after several more countries responded to the mounting starvation in Gaza by announcing plans to recognize an independent Palestine. “It’s incoherent that they’ve not done it already.” Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago MP removed from New Zealand parliament in heated debate over Palestinian recognition

Green party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick accused government MPs of lacking a ‘spine’ during debate on whether to recognise a Palestinian stateNew Zealand parliamentarian Chlöe Swarbrick was ordered to leave parliament on Tuesday during a heated debate over the government’s response to the conflict in Gaza.An urgent debate was called after the centre-right government said on Monday it was weighing up its position on whether to recognise a Palestinian state. Close ally Australia on Monday joined Canada, the UK and France in announcing it would recognise a Palestinian state at a UN conference in September. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Australia’s PM Albanese says Netanyahu ‘in denial’ over suffering in Gaza

Australian premier says Israel’s reluctance to listen to allies contributed to his decision to recognise a Palestinian state

Politics

3 w. ago Australia’s Albanese says Israeli PM Netanyahu ‘in denial’ over suffering in Gaza

Australian premier says Israel’s reluctance to listen to allies contributed to his decision to recognise a Palestinian state

Politics

3 w. ago Australia joins France, Britain and Canada to recognise a Palestinian state

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says a two-state solution is the ‘best hope’ to bring an end to the conflict

Politics

3 w. ago Hundreds march in London against UK recognising a Palestinian state

Hundreds march in London against UK recognising a Palestinian state  AL-Monitor

Politics

3 w. ago Six killed and dozens wounded by Israeli army while collecting aid, says Gaza civil defence – Middle East crisis live

Israeli troops reported to have targeted civilians assembling near an aid point in central GazaThe US and UK have “disagreements” on Gaza including over whether to recognise a Palestinian state, JD Vance has suggested as he arrived in England for his summer holiday.The US vice-president was speaking before a bilateral meeting with David Lammy, the UK foreign secretary, at his 17th-century grace-and-favour country house, Chevening. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Make America Bait Again! JD Vance shows off fishing skills on visit to David Lammy's country retreat (and boasts he caught more)

David Lammy and US vice-president JD Vance showed off their fishing skills at the Chevening country retreat.

Events