Islamic Resistance Movement; Palestinian political, militant group
Andy Burnham has been confirmed as Labour leader at a special conference in London and will become prime minister on Monday after Keir Starmer formally resigns. He has pledged a "distinctively Labour" government focused on devolving power to regions, tackling social care and restoring growth in "forgotten places."
Palestinian doctor Hussam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza, remains detained by Israel without charge. New medical assessments describe severe injuries and deteriorating health, with rights groups and international bodies urging independent medical review and his immediate release.
The Trump-backed Board of Peace has drastically scaled back its Gaza reconstruction blueprint. What began as a comprehensive post-war plan has shifted to a limited pilot near Rafah, with international forces overseeing a temporary camp and a technocratic civilian administration. Progress is delayed, and Israeli approvals remain uncertain as elections approach in late October.
The opposition-chaired CHP leadership has faced a court-ordered reshuffle, while Ozgur Ozel signals plans to form a new party after ongoing legal proceedings. Analysts warn the turmoil could intensify Erdogan’s grip ahead of 2028 elections amid a broader crackdown that has triggered market jitters and rights concerns.
Andy Burnham has presented a ten-year plan to rebalance power in Britain, promising a No10 North in Manchester, the biggest council house-building programme since the post‑war era, greater local control of utilities and devolution of employment support while pledging to stick to Labour’s 2024 manifesto and current fiscal rules. He is widely expected to become prime minister on July 20.
Syria's new authorities have begun prosecuting suspects tied to the Assad regime’s abuses as part of a broader push to address past crimes. Arrests include former security and militia figures, with families and rights groups watching closely for transparency and accountability.
OPEC+ has agreed to increase oil output by 188,000 barrels per day from August, marking the fifth straight monthly rise. While the move signals a cautious unwind of earlier cuts, oil supplies remain constrained by the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing regional tensions. Prices have edged back toward pre-war levels as shipping resumes.
Lebanese Christian village leaders have rejected Benjamin Netanyahu’s assertion that some southern Lebanon villages asked to be annexed by Israel. They say the claim is false and aimed at inflaming sectarian tensions. Officials emphasise safety, dignity and loyalty to Lebanon amid ongoing Israel-Hezbollah hostilities.
Khamenei’s funeral ceremonies unfold across Mashhad, Tehran and beyond as Iran’s leadership figures gather for a six‑day event. Mojtaba Khamenei remains absent, fueling questions about his health and authority as regional leaders project unity amid ongoing conflict with the US and Israel.
The island’s aging power plants and fuel shortages have triggered multiple nationwide blackouts, with authorities racing to restore electricity and prioritize essential services as the US oil blockade continues to pressure Cuba’s economy.
Across US politics, support for Israel is waning amid calls to reassess military aid; Democrats and Republicans are rethinking the framework, with prominent voices urging a recalibration of aid and diplomacy.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint as US strikes on Iran escalate, prompting a renewed naval blockade and Iranian retaliation. Trump says he will replace a 20% fee with trade deals, while Tehran vows to respond to perceived Western interference.
The Gaza ceasefire remains in effect as the Board of Peace confirms plans for an international stabilization force. Morocco has signaled its participation, and authorities report ongoing strikes and casualties in Gaza, with Israeli forces targeting police stations and militant sites amid shifting security arrangements.
Israeli strikes in Gaza City have killed four people, including a public-relations official for the Egyptian Relief Committee, as a World Cup screening event unfolds. Dozens are injured; ceasefire remains fragile while fighting continues across the Gaza Strip.
El Niño has strengthened, with forecasters warning it will be among the strongest on record. Regions across Africa, South Asia, and the Americas face droughts, floods, and rising food prices as climate impacts intensify. Aid groups warn that vulnerable communities and smallholder farmers will bear the brunt as aid budgets tighten.
UK Labour leader-in-waiting Andy Burnham has apologised for Labour’s initial Gaza response, saying the UK must press Israel harder and consider sanctions and a ban on settlements. He reframes Labour’s position as it readies him to lead the party, while stressing accountability for war crimes and protection of civilians.
A licensing change at Reading Festival could allow main-stage music on Thursdays and extend alcohol hours from 2027, amid ongoing festival format tweaks and high-profile headliners for Reading and Leeds.
EU discussions on curbing trade with Israeli settlements face deep division over whether a ban, tariffs or licensing should be used. While some member states push for strong action, others caution against harming the EU-Israel relationship. The debate comes amid rising settlement activity and calls for accountability under international law.
A new AP-NORC survey shows Jewish Americans feel more vulnerable amid rising antisemitism and debates over Israel. The findings reveal how safety worries, protests about Israel, and partisan divisions shape Jewish identity and public life.
A wave of developments across US, Gaza and Kenya signals changing political dynamics. The Democratic Socialists push a sweeping program; Kamala Harris engages pro-Palestinian activists; Gaza demonstrations falter amid security concerns; Kenya deploys pre-emptive tactics to curb street protests.
Ro Khanna has said his group was detained for over an hour by Israeli settlers armed with US-made rifles during a West Bank visit. The incident, which Khanna says involved blocking roads and interference by the IDF, has amplified scrutiny of Israeli occupation, settler violence, and U.S. military aid policy as Khanna weighs a 2028 presidential bid.
Former Qatari emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has died at 74. His abdication in 2013 paved the way for a peaceful transition of power to his son, while his leadership transformed Qatar into a global energy, media and diplomatic heavyweight.
Senator Lindsey Graham has died after a "brief and sudden illness," his office has said. The 71-year-old Republican had returned from a trip to Ukraine and was due to appear on Meet the Press. The DC medical examiner has preliminarily attributed the death to an aortic dissection linked to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease; officials will release final findings after tests.
Iraq is pushing to deepen economic ties with the United States, signing oil and energy deals while aiming to increase oil production and secure IMF backing. Baghdad seeks to disarm Iran-aligned militias and to bolster state control over weapons as U.S. and Iranian pressures intensify. The talks center on shifting from crisis management to a strategic economic partnership.
The Public Office (Accountability) Bill, known as the Hillsborough Law, has passsed second readings and is advancing through Parliament. It imposes a duty of candour on public officials to tell the truth about public tragedies, including how intelligence services will be bound by safeguards. Andy Burnham and Keir Starmer are central as leadership transitions unfold. Campaigners welcome the move as justice for victims’ families.
France unveils a statue of Captain Alfred Dreyfus at the Court of Cassation as authorities warn against renewed antisemitism. Police evacuated Sarcelles after a suspicious vehicle carrying a military weapon was found near a synagogue, triggering a terrorism investigation and heightened security.
Qatar has announced four days of national mourning after the death of Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who ruled from 1995 to 2013 and transformed the small emirate into a major regional power. Crowds and dignitaries have gathered in Lusail for funeral prayers and tributes, while the new emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, receives mourners and foreign leaders.
The government has announced a three-year funding package to increase police presence in Jewish neighbourhoods, at synagogues, schools and community centres, following a spate of antisemitic attacks and the national terror threat level being raised to severe. The plan includes more than 500 additional officers across England and Wales, with around 386 million to London and counter-terrorism capabilities.
Sen. Lindsey Graham has died after a career shaping US foreign policy. Axios reports he believed a Saudi-Israel normalization deal could anchor a regional settlement and help end Iran’s war, planning intensive diplomacy after Israel’s elections and the US midterms. He urged a swift move if diplomacy failed to reopen the Hormuz Strait.
AP-NORC polling shows a clear generational divide among Jewish Americans on Israel’s actions since the Gaza war: older, religiously affiliated Jews emphasize security and homeland, while younger, more secular Jews focus on cultural identity and humanitarian concerns. The survey also notes rising safety concerns and a growing openness to binational or power-sharing models, underscoring a shift in attitudes amid ongoing tensions.
Hamas has announced it will dissolve its Gaza governing body and transfer civilian administration to a US-backed technocratic committee, the NCAG, aiming to unlock Gaza’s political future. The move follows persistent negotiations on security, disarmament and oversight, while Israel’s response and regional dynamics shape the path forward.
The UN has condemned Hamas for obstructing humanitarian aid deliveries in Gaza, with reports of armed groups entering food-distribution points and a WFP warehouse. The EU commits almost 900 million euros to early recovery and reconstruction, while donors seek conditions for disbursement amid ongoing conflict and calls for Hamas disarmament.
Reports show a covert operation aimed at grooming Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as Iran’s leader has faltered. Ahmadinejad has been moved between locations under IRGC custody, with fresh questions about Israel’s role and the broader implications for Iran’s leadership and regional stability.
Military prosecutors have filed charges against Shadi Jumaa for the 2007 killing of Ido Zoldan near al-Funduq, West Bank. Jumaa was arrested in Qalqilya after being released by the Palestinian Authority. The indictment says the attackers planned a shooting on a highway targeting Jewish motorists; Zoldan, a 29-year-old father of two, was killed.
Maine’s Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate has been disrupted as the party withdraws a candidate amid scandal. Insiders plan to crown a replacement at a closed convention, raising questions about transparency and voter choice ahead of November.
The BBC’s annual salaries list shows Scott Mills as the highest-paid on-air star for 2025–26, following his sacking in March amid a police probe into historical offences. Several long-time earners have departed, while others remain and new leadership roles at radio and TV are highlighted.
The ICC oversight body is set to vote on Karim Khan’s fate after allegations of misconduct toward a female aide. Khan has denied wrongdoing; the UK Bar Standards Board and US sanctions have added pressure as the Assembly of States Parties prepares for a special session at the UN on July 24.
CENTCOM says three Corsair unmanned surface vessels have hit Bandar Abbas naval base, marking the first combat use of sea drones by U.S. forces. The operation degraded Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping, with drones capable of 1,000-lb payloads and 1,000-nautical-mile range. The incidents follow escalating drone warfare in the region.
Mahmoud Khalil has filed a federal lawsuit in New York alleging a conspiracy between senior Trump administration officials and pro‑Israel groups to jail and silence pro‑Palestinian activists. The suit cites the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871 and targets figures in the White House, Heritage Foundation, Canary Mission, and Betar USA. Khalil, a former Columbia student, is challenging deportation while continuing broader court battles.
A developing clash in Congress over a GOP budget reconciliation package seeks to fund Iran-related military actions and domestic priorities. Republicans push a defense-heavy framework with limited offsets, while Democrats press for affordability and oversight as votes approach.
The US has pressed Israel to redeploy troops from Syria and Lebanon, amid renewed calls for security zones along borders. Washington has been mediating talks with Lebanon and Syria while Israel maintains a military presence in the region. Trump has urged faster weapons production as the conflict widens.
Democrats are divided over US military aid to Israel as House Republicans push an amendment to cut funding. The measure fails, but the vote reveals fractures within the party over Gaza, Netanyahu's government, and the future of US support.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have threatened to close key export routes as U.S. strikes continue and Houthi attacks escalate. Tehran is signaling it could disrupt Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, widening pressure on Washington and imperiling a large share of global energy shipments.
Groups challenge Trump’s February 2025 sanctions on ICC officials and allied entities in New York federal court, arguing First Amendment rights and US sovereignty. The case follows escalating US pressure on the ICC and comments by Rubio about broader measures.
Pew Research Center’s latest global poll shows more countries hold favorable views of China than the U.S. in 25 of 36 countries surveyed, with shifts linked to tensions surrounding the Trump administration and recent global events. The movement marks the first time China has surpassed the U.S. in the long-running survey, underscoring a realignment in international opinion.
Rubio has won backing from key conservative Jewish circles, signaling a potential tilt in Republican support among American Jews amid ongoing debates over Israel policy and antisemitism. The Times of Israel reports rising enthusiasm for Rubio within MAGA-aligned Jewish voters, while New York politics coverage highlights similar concerns about antisemitism within Democratic leadership.
Israel’s president has spoken of a dream for peace with Saudi Arabia, emphasizing rapprochement and direct talks with U.S. support. In a Riyadh interview and separate comments, he discusses broader regional goals, including potential ties with Lebanon and Syria, and notes concerns about Iran and the Gaza war.