Israel’s strike on bustling Gaza cafe killed a Hamas operative – but dozens more people were killed
The attack raises more questions over whether Israel’s use of force is proportionate, as required by international law.
Fictional K-pop bands beat BTS and Blackpink in US charts
Songs from the film KPop Demon Hunter have surpassed the success of real-life K-pop bands BTS and Blackpink.
Jeremy Corbyn says ‘discussions are ongoing’ after Zarah Sultana claimed she would ‘co-lead new party’ with him – as it happened
This blog is now closed, you can read more on this story here
My colleague Lauren Almeida, who is running the Guardian’s business live blog, has shared the following:
Rachel Reeves has not given herself enough fiscal headroom to manage public finances, Charlie Bean, the former deputy of the Bank of England has said, and has to “neurotically fine tune taxes”.
About £10bn – that’s a very small number in the context of overall public spending. Government spending is about one and a quarter trillion so £10bn is a small number … and it is a small number in the context of typical forecasting errors.
You can’t forecast the future perfectly both because you can’t forecast the economy and you can’t forecast all the elements of public finances …. The forecasts are imprecise and there is no way you can avoid that. That is a fact of life.
In light of reports of atrocities committed by the Israeli government in Gaza and reports of the UK’s collaboration with Israeli military operations, it is increasingly urgent to confirm whether the UK has contributed to any violations of international humanitarian law through economic or political cooperation with the Israeli government since October 2023, including the sale, supply or use of weapons, surveillance aircraft and Royal Air Force bases.
Continue reading...Hamas says it delivered ‘positive response’ on US Gaza ceasefire plan
The group says it is ready to begin negotiations immediately, as Donald Trump says there can possibly be a deal next week.
BBC on French beach as police slash migrant ‘taxi-boat’ heading to UK
Watch video of French police destroying a boat in the English Channel in a rare and unusual intervention, which police have made clear is not a new tactic.
Smartphone bans in Dutch schools have improved learning, study finds
After initial concerns, pupils are said to be more focused and have better social interactions with each other
Bans on smartphones in Dutch schools have improved the learning environment despite initial protests, according to a study commissioned by the government of the Netherlands.
National guidelines, introduced in January 2024, recommend banning smartphones from classrooms and almost all schools have complied. Close to two-thirds of secondary schools ask pupils to leave their phones at home or put them in lockers, while phones are given in at the start of a lesson at one in five.
Continue reading...Jeremy Corbyn confirms talks about forming new party with Zarah Sultana
Corbyn says ‘discussions are ongoing’ after MP’s surprise announcement, and is understood to be reluctant to take title of party leader
Jeremy Corbyn has confirmed he is in discussions about creating a new leftwing political party, hours after the MP Zarah Sultana announced she was quitting Labour to co-lead the project.
Sultana, the MP for Coventry South who had the Labour whip suspended last year for voting against the government over the two-child limit on benefits, said on Thursday night she was quitting Labour and would “co-lead the founding of a new party” with Corbyn.
Continue reading...Power outage hits the Czech Republic and disrupts Prague public transport – AP News
- Power outage hits the Czech Republic and disrupts Prague public transport AP News
- Czech Republic hit by major power outage triggered by fallen cable Reuters
- Major blackout hits Czech Republic DW
- Czechia recovers from power blackout after day of chaos and confusion Expats.cz
- Grid Gaps and Cyber Threats: Why Smart Infrastructure Stocks Are Poised to Surge Post-Czech Outage AInvest
Druze worry about being left behind in post-war Syria
Recent attacks on the religious minority in Damascus have fuelled growing distrust towards the state.
‘I don’t know who to trust anymore’: Druze worry about being left behind in post-war Syria
Recent attacks on the religious minority in Damascus have fuelled growing distrust towards the state.
‘I don’t know who to trust anymore’: Druze worry about being left behind in post-war Syria
Recent attacks on the religious minority in Damascus have fuelled growing distrust towards the state.
Russia expanding Ukraine chemical weapons use, allege European spy agencies – Al Jazeera
- Russia expanding Ukraine chemical weapons use, allege European spy agencies Al Jazeera
- Russian use of chemical weapons against Ukraine 'widespread', Dutch defence minister says Reuters
- Russia ramps up use of banned chemical weapons in Ukraine, including WWI-era poison gas, 3 European intel services say CBS News
- Dutch and German Intelligence Say Russia Increasingly Uses Chemical Weapons in Ukraine The Moscow Times
- Netherlands, Germany Collect ‘Concrete’ Evidence of Russian Chemical Attacks Kyiv Post
UN says 613 Gaza killings recorded at aid sites, near humanitarian convoys
An OHCHR spokesperson says the figure is as of June 27, adding that more incidents have taken place since then.
‘Lucky to be alive’: The 12-year-old shot by Israeli snipers in Jerusalem
Two young members of a Palestinian family were left with life-altering injuries when Israeli police opened fire.
Boy, 8, is found being raised by pack of DOGS in squalid drug den – and can only communicate by barking – The US Sun
- Boy, 8, is found being raised by pack of DOGS in squalid drug den - and can only communicate by barking The US Sun
- Thai Boy Found Barking Like Dogs Due to Mother's Drug Neglect Khaosod English
- Authorities Rescue Boy, 8, From Neglect and Find Him Unable to Speak People.com
- Boy, 8, found being raised by DOGS in squalid conditions and can only communicate by barking The Mirror
- 8-year-old Thai boy raised by dogs rescued from drug den, only communicates by barking Hindustan Times
Gaza aid fund behind “every manner of depravity”
Tarek Loubani, a doctor in Gaza, says Palestinians queuing at aid sites run by the GHF regularly face gunfire.
From Gaza to ICE raids, why is US firm Palantir under scrutiny?
From anti-immigration raids, Gaza kill lists and government contracts, US data firm Palantir has been under scrutiny.
Russia expanding Ukraine chemical weapons use, allege European spy agencies
Russia denies using the weapons, as does Ukraine; International body says previous accusations not "substantiated."
Nico Williams signs new contract with Athletic Bilbao until 2035
The highly sought-after Spain forward extended his contract with Athletic Bilbao, ending rumours of a move to Barcelona.
Watch: French police wade into sea to slash migrant ‘taxi-boat’
The BBC's Andrew Harding saw French gendarmes using knives to slash an inflatable small boat, packed with men, women and children.