2 h. ago Rhetoric heats up and modern missiles evade defences as the conditions are set for yet more violence in the Middle East

Israel’s rhetoric has gone up into the use of the N (azi) word as the battlespace is being shaped for more bloodletting, World affairs editor Sam Kiley reports from Tel Aviv

Events

3 h. ago Trump in the Situation Room as he 'considers' using 30,000lb bombs on Iran and Israel threatens to assassinate Supreme Leader: Live updates

President Trump has entered the Situation Room as he mulls using a 30,000lb 'bunker buster' bomb to devastate Iran's nuclear capabilities after Iran escalated its attacks on Israel overnight.

Politics

3 h. ago London stocks fall as BoE keeps rates on hold; Middle East tensions persist

London stocks fall as BoE keeps rates on hold; Middle East tensions persist  KITCO

Events

3 h. ago Netanyahu stuns Israelis by describing ‘personal cost’ of postponing son’s wedding

Israeli prime minister prompts furious backlash for remarks in front of missile-struck hospital at height of Iran conflict Middle East crisis – live updatesBenjamin Netanyahu has evoked the spirit of London during the blitz, and pointed to his own family’s sacrifice amid the blood, toil, tears and sweat of his nation: the second postponement of his son’s wedding.The Israeli prime minister’s remarks, solemnly delivered to the cameras against the backdrop of a missile-struck hospital building in the southern city of Be’er Sheva, set off a howl of derision that echoed around the Hebrew-language internet, at the height of a war that Netanyahu unleashed on Friday. Continue reading...

Politics

3 h. ago Netanyahu stuns Israelis by describing ‘personal cost’ of Iran war

Israeli prime minister prompts furious backlash for remarks in front of missile-struck hospital at height of Iran conflict Middle East crisis – live updatesBenjamin Netanyahu has evoked the spirit of London during the blitz, and pointed to his own family’s sacrifice amid the blood, toil, tears and sweat of his nation: the second postponement of his son’s wedding.The Israeli prime minister’s remarks, solemnly delivered to the cameras against the backdrop of a missile-struck hospital building in the southern city of Be’er Sheva, set off a howl of derision that echoed around the Hebrew-language internet, at the height of a war that Netanyahu unleashed on Friday. Continue reading...

Politics

5 h. ago Netanyahu is using Muslim women’s 'rights’ to justify his war. What hideous, hollow hypocrisy | Mona Eltahawy

As his troops slaughter civilians in Gaza, he claims to be standing up for Iranian women’s autonomy. He is far from the first warmonger to do soThe Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has invoked the Iranian regime’s heinous women’s rights record to justify his heinous war on Iran. This is the man whose genocide of Palestinians in Gaza killed more women and children in its first year than the equivalent period of any other conflict over the past two decades.“They’ve impoverished you, they’ve given you misery, they’ve given you death, they’ve given you terror, they shoot down your women, leaving this brave, unbelievable woman, Mahsa Amini, to bleed on the sidewalk for not covering her hair,” he told Iranians in an interview with Iran International.Mona Eltahawy writes the Feminist Giant newsletter. She is the author of The Seven Necessary Sins for Women and Girls and Headscarves and Hymens: Why the Middle East Needs a Sexual RevolutionDo you have an opinion on the issues rais...

Events

5 h. ago Kylian Mbappe hospitalised at Club World Cup with Real Madrid star's tournament under threat

Kylian Mbappe's participation at the Club World Cup is at risk after his club Real Madrid confirmed the superstar forward has been hospitalised with illness.

Society

6 h. ago What are the legal issues around Britain helping Trump bomb Iran?

Keir Starmer is weighing up whether to back the US and – as a lawyer – will be aware of the legal landscapeMiddle East crisis – live updatesUK politics live – latest updatesAs Keir Starmer considers whether Britain should support the US if Donald Trump decides to bomb Iran, the attorney general, Richard Hermer, has reportedly warned him that UK involvement could be illegal. The prime minister was an outspoken opponent of the Iraq war when he was a human rights lawyer in 2003 and will be well aware of the thorny legal issues around engagement in strikes against Iran. Continue reading...

Politics

7 h. ago Mapped: Where Iran and Israel’s missiles have struck as Tehran hits major hospital

Tensions escalate after Israel launches largest bombardment on Iran in decades early on Friday

Events

7 h. ago Starmer warns Trump not to 'ramp up'  Middle East turmoil by joining Israel's attacks on Iran

The PM repeated his call for de-escalation in the region, saying concerns about Tehran's nuclear programme were best dealt 'by way of negotiations than by way of conflict'.

Events

8 h. ago Ministers urged to publish legal advice on UK involvement in Israel

Calls follow news that attorney general advised government to limit its involvement to defending alliesUK politics live – latest updatesMiddle East crisis – live updatesMinisters are facing calls to publish legal advice given to the government on Israel’s war against Iran after reports emerged that the attorney general had warned that any UK involvement beyond defensive support would be illegal.Richard Hermer, the government’s most senior legal officer, is said to have raised concerns internally about the legality of joining a bombing campaign against Iran. Continue reading...

Politics

8 h. ago Juventus star breaks ranks and speaks out on awkward Donald Trump visit

Juventus players were invited to the Oval Office for a meeting with Donald Trump on Wednesday, with the US president proceeding to discuss the Civil War and the escalating crisis in the Middle East

Politics

8 h. ago All of Donald Trump's options in Iran as president faces biggest decision yet

Will Donald Trump bow to Netanyahu’s calls for escalation in the Middle East, hold his nerve and wait, or listen to MAGA voices urging him to pull back from the brink?

Politics

8 h. ago Starmer warns of ‘real risk’ in Middle East as Trump mulls bombing Iran

The Prime Minister pushed for de-escalation amid signs that the US president could join Israel’s military action against Iran.

Events

8 h. ago Starmer warns Trump against ‘ramping up’ Middle East conflict by striking Iran

Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesman called for restraint and a return to diplomacy

Events

9 h. ago Bank of England holds interest rates at 4.25% amid fears Middle East crisis and rising food inflation could increase cost

Most economists had predicted that the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) would opt to keep interest rates on hold at 4.25 per cent following its latest meeting.

Economics

9 h. ago UK interest rates kept on hold with Bank alert to ‘highly unpredictable’ world

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee decided to keep rates unchanged at 4.25%.

Events

9 h. ago Tucker Carlson and Ted Cruz’s fiery interview saw the pair clash over antisemitism, Iran and the Bible

The former Fox News anchor and Texas Senator exchange bitter barbs as tensions over prospect of U.S. entering new war in Middle East spill over

Politics

9 h. ago Tories warn Starmer not to 'hide' behind legal advice amid claims Attorney General has been 'restraining' UK from backing Israel

Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel urged the PM to take the right decision for 'national security' as the Middle East crisis threatens to escalate.

Events

10 h. ago Tucker Carlson and Ted Cruz’s fiery interview saw the pair come to blows over antisemitism, Iran and the Bible

The former Fox News anchor and Texas Senator exchange bitter barbs as tensions over prospect of U.S. entering new war in Middle East spill over

Politics