3 h. ago Trump’s killing of 11 alleged Venezuelan drug traffickers sets a dangerous precedent | Kenneth Roth

Unless this dangerous precedent is condemned and curtailed, it will enable US authorities to summarily shoot anyone they chooseThe US military’s killing of 11 alleged Venezuelan drug traffickers traveling by boat in international waters in the Caribbean is an illegal use of war powers to address what should have been a situation of law enforcement. Unless this dangerous precedent is condemned and curtailed, it will enable US authorities to summarily shoot anyone they choose by simply declaring a “war” against them.Last month, it was reported that Donald Trump had signed a secret decree authorizing the Pentagon to use military force against certain designated Latin American drug cartels, claiming that they were “terrorist” organizations. On Tuesday, Trump wrote that on his orders the military had targeted Tren de Aragua “narcoterrorists”, accusing them of “operating under the control of Nicolas Maduro”, the Venezuelan leader, and being “responsible for mass murder, drug trafficking, ...

Events

7 h. ago The worst drought in decades is threatening Syria's fragile recovery from years of civil war

The eastern Mediterranean and Middle East are in the grips of one of their worst droughts in decades, which is drying rivers and lakes, shriveling crops and even leading to water cutoffs in major cities

Events

9 h. ago While Starmer struggles with a broken system in Westminster, real power keeps leaking elsewhere | Rafael Behr

Far from No 10, Nigel Farage has been amassing power in the sprawling, networked space where 21st-century politics happensSign up for our new weekly newsletter Matters of Opinion, where our columnists and writers will reflect on what they’ve been debating, thinking about, reading and moreWith a buzz of activity in parliament and mandatory back-to-school metaphors, a new political season opens in Westminster, but is that where politics really happens? Yes, in terms of people making policy and law in buildings that are world-famous for that purpose, the SW1 postcode is where it is at.But the heart of the machine beats with a weak pulse. The UK state is heavily centralised by the standards of most democracies, yet the people at the centre don’t feel powerful. Ministers can’t enforce bin collections in remote areas or call a halt to Middle East wars but they are made to feel answerable for all that is ill in the world, from hyperlocal to geopolitical.Rafael Behr is a Guardian columnist ...

Politics

27 h. ago At least 21,000 children disabled in Gaza during war, says UN committee – Middle East crisis live

More than 40,000 have suffered ‘new war-related injuries’ with more than half left disabled, says UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with DisabilitiesYemen’s Houthis have claimed responsibility for a missile launched at Israel (see 8.17am BST), saying they fired two ballistic missiles at Tel Aviv in what they said was an initial response to Israeli attacks on Yemen.The Israeli military moved deeper into Gaza City on Wednesday, with soldiers and tanks pushing into Sheikh Radwan, one of the urban centre’s largest and most crowded neighbourhoods, reports Reuters. Continue reading...

Events

32 h. ago Satellite images show construction at site linked to Israel’s suspected nuclear programme

Israel does not confirm or deny having atomic weapons

Politics

43 h. ago Israel calls up 40,000 reservists as military pushes ahead with ground operation in Gaza

Benjamin Netanyahu is keen to accelerate a new Gaza offensive despite warnings from senior ranks

Events

51 h. ago Netanyahu says that Trump told him to ‘go into Gaza with full force’ and ‘finish’ the war

The Israeli PM claimed he is facing US pressure to abandon partial ceasefire deals with Hamas, according to Israeli reports

Politics

55 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

2 d. ago Time for tea: Whittard of Chelsea opening new UK stores after sales surge

The retailer posted a 9.1% rise in net revenues to £49.8 million for 2024, with UK sales up 6.5% to £42 million.

Events

3 d. ago Storms and Israeli ‘terror cell’ threats: What we know about Greta Thunberg’s blockade

Israel was said to be drafting up plans to arrest Thunberg and other activists on the Global Sumud Flotilla and detain them

Events

3 d. ago Gaza aid flotilla carrying Greta Thunberg returns to port due to storm

After departing Barcelona with much fanfare, it was forced to turn back overnight

Events

3 d. ago Trump’s Gaza plan involves ‘voluntary’ relocation of Palestinians – and giving them $5,000 each: report

Proposals reportedly being considered by White House would see six to eight ‘dynamic, modern and AI-powered smart planned cities’ erected on land torn apart by two years of war

Politics

3 d. ago ‘We fear we are next’: Palestinian journalists in Gaza targeted by Israeli smear campaigns

With the Committee to Protect Journalists warning that more reporters are at risk of being killed by Israeli ‘war crimes’, Bel Trew and Nedal Hamdouna hear from those whose work places them firmly in the firing line

Politics

3 d. ago Israeli attacks on Gaza City kill dozens ahead of planned offensive

Hundreds of thousands of civilians are sheltering in Gaza City as Israel’s leaders discuss a plan for attack

Events

4 d. ago Two months after its war with Israel, Iran braces for another showdown

As Europe considers triggering the JCPOA's snapback mechanism and reimposing sanctions, Independent Persian’s editor-in-chief Camelia Entekhabifard warns about the possibility of a second Iran-Israel war

Politics

4 d. 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

Events

4 d. ago Detectives investigating 'at least 70 charities' with links to the Israel

The Charity Commission said criminal investigations could take place into groups 'supporting different sides of the Middle East conflict' (pictured).

Politics

4 d. ago Yemen’s Houthi rebel group confirm their prime minister has been killed in Israeli airstrikes

The prime minister of Yemen's Houthi government, Ahmad Ghaleb al-Rhawi has been killed in an Israeli strike, according to a news agency run by the group, citing a statement by the head of the organisation’s Supreme Political Council, Mahdi al-Mashat.

Politics

5 d. ago Revealed: What Tony Blair and President Trump spoke about during White House meeting on Gaza

The former Prime Minister held talks on the Middle East process with the US President and his son-in-law Jared Kushner , with whom he has worked with for months, on August 27.

Politics

5 d. ago Middle East KFC operator to diversify away from US brands after Gaza boycott

Sales at fast-food franchise operator tumbled when consumers turned on western outlets over American support for Israel

Politics