3 h. ago Trump completes ‘semiannual’ physical before traveling to Middle East

White House had described doctor visit as ‘routine yearly checkup’ although president had annual physical in AprilUS politics live – latest updatesDonald Trump – the oldest person ever to be elected US president – had what he has described as a “semiannual physical” at the Walter Reed national military medical center on Friday.The visit, which the White House announced earlier this week, comes as Trump is preparing to travel to the Middle East on the heels of a ceasefire deal in the Israel-Hamas war. The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, described it as a “routine yearly checkup”, although the president had his annual physical in April. Continue reading...

Politics

4 h. ago ‘Your body shivers from the scale of the destruction’: Thousands of Palestinians head back to their shattered lives after ceasefire

As the Israeli-Hamas ceasefire holds for now, Bel Trew in Tel Aviv and Nedal Hamdouna in Gaza report on the Palestinians walking home to the rubble of their homes while Israelis dare to hope for the release of all the hostages taken on October 7 2023

Events

5 h. ago Voices: Peace in the Middle East is the biggest prize of all

Editorial: It is now for the people of Israel and Palestine to show the same extraordinary fortitude and resilience they have shown in wartime, and strike a lasting settlement

Politics

5 h. ago Gaza latest: Hamas thanks Trump for role in peace deal but says Tony Blair not welcome

Israeli troops withdrew to agreed lines earlier in the day as part of ‘phase one’ of Trump’s peace deal

Politics

7 h. ago Hotels and airports overwhelmed as visitors to one country dump their bags

Visitors to Japan are leaving behind their suitcases behind at hotels and airports, causing significant cost, hassle and even security concerns, Audrey Kohout, Co-CEO of Luggage Forward, told the Mirror

Society

8 h. ago Gaza latest: Tens of thousands of Palestinians return home as Israel says ceasefire is in effect

Israeli troops withdrew to agreed lines earlier in the day as part of ‘phase one’ of Trump’s peace deal

Politics

8 h. ago Trump has been lavished with praise for delivering peace in Gaza – but did he really?

Donald Trump has been feted for his diplomatic role in the Gaza peace plan, but does the evidence stack up, asks world affairs editor Sam Kiley

Politics

10 h. ago Gaza latest: Netanyahu says Israeli troops will remain in Gaza ‘until Hamas disarms’ despite ceasefire

Israeli shelling continued into Friday after the government ratified a ceasefire with Hamas, witnesses said

Politics

11 h. ago Palestinians begin journey to Gaza’s north as Israel says ceasefire now in effect – live

Thousands of Palestinians travel back to the north of the territory after IDF forces retreated to deployment linesIsraeli military has said that the ceasefire agreement has come into effect, as troops have now retreated to the deployment lines agreed upon.In a statement released on Telegram, the IDF says troops “began positioning themselves along the updated deployment lines” from midday local time. Continue reading...

Politics

12 h. ago Maria Corina Machado, who defeated Trump to win the Nobel Peace Prize, is one of the president’s biggest fans

Maria Corina Machado was given the award for promoting democracy in Venezuela and says that the US president is the country’s best chance for regime change

Politics

13 h. ago PAD London 2025 Is Here, and Middle East Galleries Make Their First

PAD London 2025 Is Here, and Middle East Galleries Make Their First-Ever Appearance  AD Middle East

Politics

13 h. ago ‘We are so tired of this life’: The West Bank’s dwindling Palestinian Christian community struggles amid settler violence

Across the wider Middle East, the Christian population has steadily declined as people fled conflict and attacks

Events

14 h. ago Netanyahu has clung on through Israel’s war, but will he survive peace? Experts weigh in on what happens next

With a ceasefire set to take effect, questions loom over whether the Israeli PM can hold together his far-right coalition. But analysts tell Taz Ali that the great survivor of Israeli politics may find a way to carry on

Events

14 h. ago Gaza latest: Israeli troops begin withdrawal from Gaza ahead of Hamas ceasefire and hostage release

Israel says its cabinet has approved the 'outline' of a deal to release the hostages

Events

15 h. ago Gaza ceasefire plan live: Israel’s government approves deal for hostages’ release as US troops to ‘oversee’ truce

Ceasefire supposed to begin immediately after early Friday’s cabinet approval under deal, says Israeli officialIsraeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner after a government meeting to approve the US-brokered deal to release all hostages and implement a ceasefire in Gaza.The Times of Israel reports that Gaza’s civil defence service has issued a warning to Palestinians not to approach the areas where the Israeli forces are present, particularly towards the border, until the IDF has officially announced their withdrawal and officials confirm this. Continue reading...

Politics

19 h. ago Gaza latest: Israeli cabinet approves Trump’s peace plan for ceasefire and hostage release

Israel says its cabinet has approved the 'outline' of a deal to release the hostages

Politics

23 h. ago Israeli Cabinet approves 'outline' of deal to release hostages held by Hamas

Israel’s Cabinet has approved President Donald Trump’s plan for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of all the remaining hostages held by Hamas, a key step toward ending a ruinous two-year war that has destabilized the Middle East

Economics

24 h. ago Hamas and Israel prepare to implement ceasefire as Netanyahu says deal approved by government

Israel’s government ratified the ceasefire and hostage deal on Friday, clearing the way to suspend hostilities in Gaza within 24 hoursIsraelis and Palestinians celebrated on Thursday night as Hamas and Israel’s government began preparations to implement a ceasefire deal that promises a durable end to a bloody two-year conflict that has killed tens of thousands, destabilised much of the Middle East and prompted protests around the world.In Gaza, there was joy but much anxiety. Many expressed the fear that the new deal would collapse, bringing more suffering to the devastated territory. Though crowds gathered in some places to dance and sing, in many places witnesses reported muted reaction amid loud overflights by warplanes and drones. Continue reading...

Politics

24 h. ago Gaza latest: Israeli cabinet signs off on peace deal ahead of ceasefire with Hamas

US president Trump says 'first phase' of ceasefire deal will involve release of hostages and withdrawal of Israeli troops

Politics

24 h. ago Gaza latest: Israeli cabinet briefed on Trump’s ‘vision for Gaza’ as they discuss peace deal sign off

US president Trump says 'first phase' of ceasefire deal will involve release of hostages and withdrawal of Israeli troops

Politics