Arab ethnonational group native to the Levant, descendants of long-settled inhabitants
Phoebe Bridgers’s Lost Weekend chronicles personal loss and public life, blending Americana with electronic textures. The album addresses her father’s death, a high-profile breakup, and a year of upheaval, while underscoring her status as a leading songwriter.
Eight Muslim-majority states have condemned arson attacks on two West Bank mosques, attributing responsibility to Israel as settlers have ignited a wave of violence in the occupied territory. Reports describe scorched walls, graffiti including calls for vengeance, and damage to religious sites. The incidents follow a period of rising settler violence since the Gaza war began in 2023.
Video evidence from B’Tselem contradicts Israeli claims that a car carrying a Palestinian family slowed before soldiers opened fire near Hebron. Seven-month-old Sam Abu Haikal was killed; his parents were injured. The incident adds to ongoing West Bank violence amid a fragile ceasefire.
Norway plans a legislative package to ban trade in goods produced in Israeli settlements across the occupied Palestinian territories, including the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The bill also targets real estate and commercial activity linked to settlements, with consultations running for three months.
The Court of Appeal has ruled that the home secretary lawfully proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, reversing a High Court judgment. The ruling preserves a ban that criminalises membership or support and has already prompted thousands of arrests and fresh police action at protests outside the Royal Courts of Justice.
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.
Polls show Israelis believe Iran has gained from the conflict and the US-Iran deal; long-term security for Israel is seen as weakened, and Netanyahu’s leadership faces growing criticism as US-Iran talks proceed.
New Pew and Axios polls show growing international skepticism toward Donald Trump’s leadership, with 36-country surveys revealing low confidence in his ability to handle world affairs, while some allied nations show nuanced or mixed views. The data highlight a widening gap between U.S. rhetoric and international perception, just as debates over U.S. foreign policy persist.
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.
Federal authorities allege that charity fronts diverted funds to Hamas-linked figures and to Palestinian Islamic Jihad, with cryptocurrency transfers totaling over $30,000 and dozens of transfers to Gaza. The cases involve a Rochester-area mother who led an anti-Israel group and faces up to 20 years in prison.
Seven activists have been convicted on six misdemeanour counts for actions during a Tax Day protest in 2024 that blocked traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge. One defendant faces an additional charge for refusing to disperse. Sentencing is set for August; conspiracy charges resulted in a mistrial.
Palestinian residents report a surge in settler violence across the West Bank, with multiple incidents including arson, property seizure, and clashes with Israeli forces. Reports indicate ongoing attacks are linked to broader settlement activity, with no immediate arrests in some cases and sporadic detentions in others.
Egypt's coach has openly shown solidarity with Palestinians after a 4-2 penalty victory over Australia in the World Cup round of 32. The gesture supports Gaza amid the ongoing crisis, while FIFA confirms that Palestinian flags are permitted at the tournament. Hassan says Egypt and the Arab world represent a broader regional moment.
Palestinian paediatrician Hussam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza, remains detained by Israel without charge. Rights groups including MSF and PHRI report severe health deterioration and alleged torture, calling for urgent independent medical review and his release. UN and other bodies have highlighted his case, as international pressure grows.
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.
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.
Jewish Americans are increasingly feeling politically homeless as support for Israel and concerns about antisemitism divide Democrats and Republicans. A recent AP-NORC poll shows most Jewish adults feel neither party represents them well, with many invoking fear and isolation amid the Gaza war’s ongoing political fallout.
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.
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.
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.
New York City open primaries face opposition from Mayor Mamdani as activists push for a system that could widen voter participation. The debate centers on whether the closed primaries strengthen incumbents or expose voters to broader choice.
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 United States has launched a broad campaign to isolate the International Criminal Court, aiming to weaken its authority and deter investigations involving American personnel. Rubio argues the ICC threatens U.S. sovereignty, while allies face pressure to withdraw or face penalties. Several ICC officials have already faced sanctions.
At least nine Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza on Saturday, including three children. An airstrike on a Gaza City apartment building killed five people from the same family, with several others wounded. The toll across Gaza has climbed over 73,000 since October 2023, as civilians continue to flee and ceasefire talks remain at an impasse.
New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani has said he believes Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu belongs before the International Criminal Court and has told the city's law department to review whether existing New York law allows detaining Netanyahu if he visits for the UN General Assembly. President Donald Trump has posted that Netanyahu will not be arrested in the United States.
A strike on a Nasr apartment kills at least five people, including children, with several others wounded. In Zeitoun, another strike kills four; Israeli forces say they targeted Hamas infrastructure and operatives. Gaza's health ministry reports rising casualties amid ongoing exchanges in the wake of a ceasefire.
Multiple fires have torn through the Havat Gilad settlement and nearby areas in the West Bank, destroying homes and forcing evacuations. Police say an initial probe points to a lit cigarette butt discarded from a vehicle as the likely cause, with arson not ruled out but not yet established. Dozens of structures have been damaged and residents face a humanitarian crisis as firefighting efforts continue.
Spain defeats Argentina 1-0 in extra time to claim the 2026 World Cup. Netanyahu has publicly supported Argentina, while Spain’s Sánchez condemns Israel’s Gaza campaign. The final has become a global stage for competing political loyalties, drawing reactions from Palestinian supporters and international actors.
Satellite images show a growing barrier along the Yellow Line in Gaza, with berms and concrete blocks extending through Palestinian communities and cutting off land and water access. Israel says the barrier aims to prevent infiltration and protect troops, while Palestinians fear it signals a de facto border and intensified displacement.
UNESCO has placed several Lebanese cultural sites on its danger list amid ongoing Israel-Hezbollah clashes. Tyre and Beaufort Castle face threats to their conservation, with the Lebanese government requesting the designation. The move follows direct damage from recent hostilities and concerns over access, with UNESCO urging protection of the sites’ universal value.
Benjamin Netanyahu has met President Donald Trump in a closed-door Oval Office meeting during a Washington visit for Senator Lindsey Graham's memorial. The leaders have discussed Iran, coordination on regional security and the Abraham Accords; White House officials have declined to release a readout while both sides have stressed continued cooperation despite recent tensions.
Several sources report that more than 4,000 Israeli settlers have stormed the Al-Aqsa compound on Tisha B’Av, with far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir entering under heavy police protection. Palestinian officials say restrictions barred many worshippers; officials warn the move could threaten the status quo and spur regional tensions.
UNESCO has placed Sebastia in the West Bank and five Mount Amel castles in southern Lebanon on the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger, citing ongoing conflicts. Israel opposes the move, calling it politicisation, while Palestinian and Lebanese officials celebrate protections amid tensions.
A Texas suit has been filed to block a state law requiring framed Ten Commandments posters in every public school classroom. Plaintiffs argue the mandate burdens religious freedom under state law and Prop. 15. The case seeks a temporary restraining order before the new school year. The action follows earlier federal rulings on the same law.
Multiple mosques in the northern West Bank have been set ablaze in what authorities describe as a wave of settler violence. Officials say two Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers have died in the broader clashes surrounding Tal and surrounding villages.
Violence in the West Bank has intensified as Israeli forces raid towns and settlers attack Palestinians. Reports confirm deaths on both sides and a push by the government to accelerate settlement construction amid ongoing clashes and raids.
Pro-Palestine Action supporters have gathered outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court as trials and potential terrorist connections draw attention to UK counter-terrorism laws. Activists face sentencing after convictions for 2024 Barclays protest damage; prosecutors are weighing terrorist connections amid broader political crackdowns.
Netanyahu has met with Trump in Washington to review three approaches to Iran: a diplomatic deal, sustained economic pressure with a blockade, or a renewed military campaign. The discussions, conducted without public detail, aim to determine the path that best prevents a nuclear Iran while considering global energy impacts.
Boy George has released a new track, We Will Dance Again, referencing 7 October attacks and defending Israel's actions in Gaza. The song has sparked backlash from supporters of Palestine and drawn commentary from media and figures worldwide. Reports note the track’s Hebrew chorus and questions over its use of AI in production.
The 1951 Refugee Convention has shaped protections for millions, but fragmentation is rising amid record displacement. EU dialogue, U.S. policy shifts, and new consultations aim to reform protection by 2027.
The Iran-aligned Houthis have declared a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia, with talks of charging fees for traffic through Bab el-Mandeb. Chinese ships would be exempt. International navies face stretched capacity as Gulf trade risks grow.
Boy George has withdrawn from the London Palladium production of Jesus Christ Superstar after releasing a controversial anti-Gaza song supporting Israel. His manager says the move is in the artist’s best interests, while George maintains his stance for peace. The drama follows backlash, with the production continuing as cast members and crew navigate the fallout.
Since Thursday, tens of thousands have crossed into Ceuta, triggering a cross-border crisis. Spain reports dozens of deaths and ongoing efforts to account for victims as migrants return to Morocco. The political fallout involves Spain, Morocco, and wider EU concerns about migration policy and regional stability.
A Jordan-hosted emergency meeting convenes to address escalating tensions around Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa and Christian holy sites. Arab ministers warn of potential regional instability as Israeli actions provoke protests and international scrutiny ahead of October elections.
Migrant crowds surged into Ceuta last week, with Spain reporting thousands crossing into the enclave. Authorities say most have returned, but around 1,000 unaccompanied minors remain in Ceuta as rescue operations and border control continue. The events have drawn international attention and raised questions about border policy and migrant protection.
Miliband has furthered UK-US discussions in Washington, stressing the urgency of reopening the Strait of Hormuz to ease living costs while reaffirming support for Ukraine and calling for humanitarian relief in Gaza; Rubio shares a more measured public account of their talks.
The Board of Peace has issued its first construction contract for a 150-person outpost in Gaza to house Moroccan troops, Arkel International is named as contractor, and the legal framework remains unsettled. Israel questions the plan, and rights advocates warn of potential rights violations as the timeline and scope remain uncertain.
Israel has green‑lit a UAE-backed pilot project in eastern Rafah near the Yellow Line to establish temporary housing and repair civilian infrastructure, with Gaza still under Israeli security control. Palestinian observers warn the plan risks creating isolated enclaves and prolonging occupation while a limited international stabilization force is discussed.
Tens of thousands of people crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta at the end of July. Spanish and local officials have said roughly 70,000 returned but Ceuta’s leader estimates 3,000–11,000 remain, including hundreds of unaccompanied minors living in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions. The influx has provoked EU diplomatic rows and temporary border checks.