A holy city with a long, contested history
The government has designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right (IMCR) and Russia’s GRU Volunteer Corps as national security threats. Ministers have said the measures will criminalise support, extend policing powers and allow prosecutors to pursue those who carry out or direct sabotage in the UK. Police have arrested a suspect, Vahid Aberi, and carried out searches in Liverpool and Birmingham; he will appear in court in London.
The United States has carried out repeated air and naval strikes across Iran, hitting military and transport targets including bridges, ports and coastal facilities, and Iran has responded with missiles and drones against US-linked bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan. The June memorandum of understanding to pause the war has weakened and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen as hostilities rise.
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.
EU discussions on curbing trade with Israeli settlements face deep division over ban, tariffs, or licensing. Several member states have already imposed or considered unilateral measures amid rising settlement activity and calls for accountability under international law. The debate follows new data on settlement expansion and international rulings.
Direct Israel‑Lebanon talks have begun in Washington as the US is trying to prevent Lebanese fighting from collapsing a new US‑Iran memorandum of understanding. Israel has insisted on keeping troops in a southern Lebanon security zone; the US has opened separate monitoring and deconfliction channels while urging restraint to protect the broader ceasefire talks with Iran.
Somaliland has opened diplomatic ties with Israel since recognition in 2025. Leaders are meeting in Jerusalem to expand security, economic, and technological cooperation. An embassy has opened in Jerusalem, and talks focus on deepening strategic collaboration and regional stability.
The UN and rights groups have condemned Israel’s move to transfer planning and construction powers in Hebron’s H2 zone to Israeli authorities. Palestinian and international actors say the unilateral action undermines agreements and risks escalating tensions in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
A cluster of benzodiazepine-contaminated Prinok baby purees has prompted a health inquiry in Jerusalem; meanwhile, teen Benny Benadryl challenges have led to ICU cases in the U.S. and warnings from the FDA and health officials. Separate reports outline GLP-1 overdoses and ongoing Benadryl-related fatalities, urging vigilance and safer practices.
Israel has approved the expansion of a Jewish school in Hebron’s historic core, a move that accompanies steps to transfer planning powers to Israeli authorities and broaden settlement building. Palestinian officials say the move fragments the Hebron Agreement and intensifies pressure on Palestinians in the city.
The Israeli Defense Forces have intensified strikes against Hamas and allied groups in Gaza, targeting commanders and operational cells. Across the Gaza Strip, the IDF says it is destroying weaponry, reconciling with ceasefire terms, and pursuing a broader security objective. Palestinian casualties and continued political negotiations shape the evolving conflict.
Israel has maintained a hard line on Iran, pressing for a broader Arab-Israeli unity government while Washington pushes a diplomatic path toward Tehran; observers warn the u.S.-Israel alliance faces renewed strain as Iran-focused diplomacy unfolds and Gulf states recalibrate ties.
A UN independent commission has found evidence that Palestinian children have been deliberately targeted by Israeli forces in Gaza and the West Bank, with about 20,179 children killed in Gaza between Oct 2023 and Oct 2025, constituting roughly 30% of child fatalities. Israel rejects the report, while UNICEF notes ongoing child casualties since the ceasefire. The commission says the attacks amount to genocide and crimes against humanity.
Rocket Lab has announced plans to acquire Iridium in an $8 billion deal, aiming to merge launch, manufacturing and a global satellite network to broaden its space-services footprint. The transaction values Iridium at $54 per share and signals ongoing consolidation in the satellite industry as SpaceX broadens its own services.
De la Espriella has won the runoff by under a point and pledges to restore Colombia's ties with the United States and Israel, reversing Petro-era policies amid rising violence.
The United States–backed Abelardo de la Espriella has won Colombia’s presidential runoff, defeating Iván Cepeda by about 250,000 votes. Cepeda has conceded after the official count matched the preliminary tally, and Petro announces a transition. De la Espriella pledges a hardline security stance and closer ties with allies, while Cepeda’s camp highlights foreign interference. The transition date is set for August 7.
The Board of Peace has convened with international figures to map a Gaza plan aimed at isolating Hamas and kicking off a “temporary reconstruction” in Hamas-free zones. Donors have balked at funding, Israeli political gridlock persists, and legal immunity concerns shadow the mission as talks race to preserve momentum.
The ceasefire in Gaza remains fragile as Israeli strikes persist and Palestinian casualties rise. Multiple incidents near Beit Lahiya and Khan Younis have killed civilians, including a 13-year-old, and drawn international concern. Authorities say casualties continue to mount since the October 2023 war, despite a formal ceasefire.
Israel has moved to recognise the Armenian genocide in a cabinet-backed proposal, a measure that still requires Knesset ratification. The move comes as Israel-Turkey ties deteriorate over Israel’s Gaza war, with commentators calling it a cynical bid to pressure Ankara. Several European and regional voices have weighed in on the implications for regional diplomacy.
The United States and Iran have oscillated between indirect negotiations in Doha and denials of any planned talks. Doha mediators are engaging with both sides as new pressures around the Strait of Hormuz persist. Reports from Doha indicate mixed signals from Washington and Tehran about whether direct talks are on the table.
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.
The Vatican has excommunicated four SSPX bishops and several priests for unauthorised ordinations, warning the faithful that adherence to the Society constitutes schism. The move escalates a long-running standoff with the traditionalist group and heightens tensions around Vatican II reforms and relations with Jews and other faiths.
Vance and Rubio are positioning themselves on Iran and Lebanon as White House and State Department deny any rift. Delegations led by Vance and Rubio have shaped recent talks with Iran, with a fragile ceasefire framework under close U.S. oversight.
The opening ceremony of the Maccabiah Games is underway in Jerusalem as Israel marks 1,000 days since the Hamas attacks. Organizers highlight resilience while ongoing security concerns loom over the event.
The Times of Israel, Axios, Al Jazeera and other outlets report on a forthcoming White House meeting between Netanyahu and Trump, as they reaffirm shared goals on Iran. Trump has publicly asserted control over talks while Netanyahu emphasizes a strong US-Israel alliance. A NATO summit and ongoing ceasefire negotiations frame the context for possible joint actions and strategy.
The Israeli economy is navigating the strongest shekel in 33 years, weighing on exports and forcing startups to reassess operations. Banks and the government are rolling out measures to support cash flow, while foreign exchange dynamics are reshaping real estate and hiring decisions. The Times of Israel reports multiple developments, including rate cuts, export pain, and a policy response.
Iran’s Supreme Leader’s envoy defends the MoU with Washington as Tehran faces persistent conservative criticism. Iran says it is preparing for a broader, unified front against perceived U.S. and Israeli pressure while negotiating teams pursue a ceasefire and longer-term settlement. The US and Iran remain engaged, with regional actors warning of renewed tensions.
Authorities have mobilised for a three-day state funeral for Ali Khamenei, with millions expected to attend. Tehran lies in a hush as shops close and airspace tightens. The funeral will travel to Najaf, Karbala and Mashhad, with a Saudi-led war context looming over the proceedings.
Hundreds of thousands fill Tehran for the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as violence continues around Iran’s war with the United States and Israel. Iran’s leadership appears intact as new faces step forward, while the leadership’s line calls for revenge amid ongoing negotiations with the United States. The funeral coincides with demonstrations and threats directed at U.S. President Trump and Israel’s Netanyahu.
Israel says it is continuing operations in southern Lebanon to neutralize Hezbollah threats, with clashes around the Ali Taher ridge and ongoing tunnel-disruption efforts. The conflict has drawn in interstate tensions, with Lebanon’s government defending negotiations that aim to secure Israeli withdrawal and Hezbollah demilitarization.
The film Citizen Vigilante, linked to Uwe Boll and Armie Hammer, has been posted for free by Elon Musk on X, prompting complaints that the platform amplified anti-Muslim content. UK Muslim groups urge Ofcom to assess compliance with the Online Safety Act as questions grow over X’s moderation and the safety of users.
President Donald Trump has overridden the NATO agenda at a summit in Ankara by pressing allies to boost defence spending, threatening trade with Spain, and floating withdrawal of US troops from Europe. He has also signalled he will lift sanctions on Turkey and is considering selling F‑35 jets and engines to Ankara, prompting Israeli and European alarm.
Netanyahu has navigated mounting tensions as regional actors and US partners comment on security and diplomacy. He has signaled openness to voluntary emigration discussions, while maintaining a hard line on threats from Iran and Hezbollah. The coming weeks will test alliance politics and Israel’s strategy in Gaza, Lebanon and beyond.
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 United States has signaled the removal of Syria from its designated state sponsors of terrorism, with President Trump telling Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa that barriers to rebuilding will be removed and US investment will follow. Congress will review for 45 days before any change takes effect, and officials say sanctions relief could accelerate Syria’s reconstruction and reintegration, though experts caution structural reforms are still needed.
Prices have fallen across major Israeli cities amid war-related uncertainty. April data show a 19% drop in apartment transactions and a sharp decline in investor purchases, while foreign buyers led Jerusalem's 2025 acquisitions.
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.
Iran has continued attacks on US bases across the Gulf region, targeting Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman with missiles and drones. US-led airstrikes have responded with approximately 90 targets hit in Iran as the Strait of Hormuz remains a focal point of the conflict. Regional leaders urge restraint while diplomacy is pursued.
Tensions between the United States and Iran have renewed clashes over the Strait of Hormuz. Both sides have exchanged strikes as Iran seeks to maintain control of the strait, while the United States pushes for a return to free passage. Diplomats from Qatar and other Gulf states are attempting to de‑escalate, even as threats to regional stability persist.
The conflict between the United States and Iran remains volatile after a string of exchanges in the Gulf. Mediators are pressing to reopen talks, with Qatar and other parties seeking to restore a memorandum of understanding that aims to turn a ceasefire into a lasting peace. Washington says the ceasefire is over, while negotiators insist talks will continue.
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.
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.
Mitch McConnell has publicly confirmed that a fall led to his hospitalization and outlines ongoing tests as doctors assess the cause; he is in rehabilitation and will not yet return to the Senate.
AP-NORC survey shows a generational divide among Jewish Americans: older, religiously affiliated Jews emphasize Israel in identity and security while younger Jews prioritize cultural links; views on Gaza and genocide claims vary, with concerns about safety rising in the US.
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 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.
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.
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.
The conflict between the US and Iran has intensified after a fragile ceasefire collapsed. US and partner forces have conducted strikes against Iranian targets, while Iran has retaliated with attacks on US bases and allied facilities. Two US service members have been killed in Jordan, with others wounded or missing amid ongoing missile and drone exchanges.