Andy Burnham has rightly spoken out on Labour's Gaza shame. Now comes the hard part Submitted by David Hearst on Mon, 07/13/2026 - 13:20 The future prime minister should reconstruct a Labour Party with a strong moral core. This begins with Palestine and not repeating Starmer's fatal mistakes Andy Burnham, British prime minister in waiting, delivers a speech at the People's History Museum in Manchester, Britain, on 29 June, 2026 (Reuters) On It is easy, if not to say tempting, to be cynical about Andy Burnham .
Syrian Druze chief suggests Sweida integration into Israel Submitted by Alex MacDonald on Mon, 07/13/2026 - 13:48 Hikmat al-Hijri says his province's 'autonomy' could be preserved as part of its southern neighbour Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri reading a speech to the Druze community in Syria (Wikicommons) Off A spiritual leader of Syria 's Druze community has suggested that the country's Sweida province be integrated into Israel. Speaking at an event to mark the first anniversary of violent sectarian unrest in the southern province, Hikmat al-Hijri said his home's autonomy could be preserved under the protection or even "integration with another state". "We are determined to preserve our autonomy in Sweida so that we can live an independent life and present people with a model for this region," he said.
Iran says it will not comply with deal if US does not uphold MoU commitments Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday that the country would no longer abide by the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the US in June if Washington continued to violate its commitments to end the war. "Each time that the other party has failed to meet its obligations, we did not uphold ours... we will continue to act in this manner," Esmaeil Baghaei told a press conference in Tehran.
EU countries discuss trade ban on Israeli settlement goods EU foreign ministers on Monday discussed imposing an import ban on products from Israeli settlements, after pressure from a number of member states. "Everybody agrees that the situation in the West Bank is really intolerable," EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas said at the start of a meeting in Brussels, according to AFP. "What is happening in the West Bank is actually making it more and more impossible that the two-state solution ever can come into effect," Kallas added.
Starmer’s parting gift of billions for the military is a chain around Burnham's neck Submitted by Tom Blackburn on Thu, 07/09/2026 - 14:29 After a sustained media campaign by military hawks, this proposed increase in defence expenditure is being shielded from effective scrutiny US President Donald Trump stands next to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer as NATO leaders gather for a family photo at a NATO leaders' summit in Ankara, Turkey on 8 July, 2026 (Reuters) On British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Defence Investment Plan ( DIP ), although presented as an urgent response to unprecedented security threats facing Britain , says more about the imperatives of domestic politics than about national security needs. These big military spending announcements have always, to a large extent, been calculated to suit domestic political prerogatives rather than actual defence, but the DIP is explicitly the product of political manoeuvring. The plan, unveiled with much fanfare on 30 June after intense lobbying and weeks of concerted propaganda conducted through the media, proposes throwing another £15bn ($20bn) into the gaping maw of the Ministry of Defence (MoD); this is below the £28bn (approximately $37bn) it had sought, but however much the MoD receives at the expense of other government departments, it never seems to be enough.
Germany moves to criminalise denial of Israel’s existence while refusing to recognise Palestine Germany’s upper house of parliament has backed a law that could imprison people for denying Israel’s right to exist, even as Berlin refuses to recognise a Palestinian state and intensifies its crackdown on pro-Palestine activism. The Bundesrat approved the proposal, submitted by the state of Hesse, on Friday. The Bundestag, the lower house of parliament, is expected to consider it after its summer recess.
Pakistan urges restraint and de-escalation between US and Iran Pakistan has urged all parties to avoid further escalation and honour the memorandum of understanding reached last month. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on “all sides” to “exercise restraint, take immediate steps towards de-escalation and uphold respective commitments” under the agreement. “On its part, Pakistan remains committed to providing all support towards achieving lasting peace and stability in the region through dialogue and diplomacy,” the ministry said.
US Senator Lindsey Graham dies after 'brief illness' Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, one of the most significant voices on US foreign policy and a longtime ally of President Donald Trump, has died at the age of 71 following a brief illness, his office announced on Sunday. A statement from Graham's office said he died on Saturday evening and that his family had requested privacy. First elected to the Senate in 2002, Graham regularly courted intense international criticism for his pro-war rhetoric and interventionist foreign policy.
Lindsey Graham, staunch backer of Israel and US wars, dies aged 71 Submitted by MEE staff on Sun, 07/12/2026 - 10:39 The longtime senator was one of Washington's most vocal supporters of military action against Iran US Senator Lindsey Graham arrives at a rally with President Donald Trump in Charlotte, North Carolina, 2 March 2020 (Brendan Smialowski/AFP) Off Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, one of the most significant voices on US foreign policy and a longtime ally of President Donald Trump, has died at the age of 71 following a brief illness, his office announced on Sunday. A statement from Graham's office said he died on Saturday evening and that his family had requested privacy. First elected to the Senate in 2002, Graham regularly courted intense international criticism for his pro-war rhetoric and interventionist foreign policy.
Iran adviser says Hormuz 'more important' than nuclear bombs An adviser to Iran's supreme leader has said that the Strait of Hormuz was more important than "dozens of atomic bombs". "This strategic passage is more important than dozens of atomic bombs, and the Islamic Republic of Iran will protect it," Mohsen Rezaee was quoted by the ISNA news agency as saying. “Hormuz acts as a strategic deterrent and Iran will protect the country’s interests and security by relying on its defence capabilities and national strength,” Rezaee also added, according to Tasnim news agency.
Former Qatari emir Sheikh Hamad dies at 74 Submitted by MEE and agencies on Sun, 07/12/2026 - 09:27 His reign saw the launch of Al Jazeera and Qatar's emergence as a regional power Qatar’s former emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani attends the opening of the Arab League summit in Doha, 26 March 2013 (Karim Sahib/AFP) Off Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former emir who transformed Qatar from a small Gulf state into a major player in global diplomacy, energy and media, has died at the age of 74, the country's royal court announced on Sunday. "With hearts steadfast in faith in God's decree and destiny, the Amiri Diwan mourns the great loss to the nation of the late - may God have mercy on him - His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who passed away this morning," the Amiri Diwan said in a statement. No cause of death has been announced.
Lindsey Graham, key Trump ally, dies after sudden illness US Republican senator Lindsey Graham, a key ally of Donald Trump, a staunch Israel supporter, and a foreign policy hawk who advocated for military intervention against Iran, has died from a sudden illness, his office said in the early hours of Sunday. He had just turned 71. He has served in the Senate since 2003, representing South Carolina.
Iran's Ghalibaf tells US to 'keep your word or pay the price' Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said in a post on X that the "era of one-sided deals is over". "We told you: keep your word or pay the price. Reality is knocking," he added.
Germany moves to criminalise denial of Israel’s existence while refusing to recognise Palestine Submitted by Elis Gjevori on Sat, 07/11/2026 - 23:33 The proposed law could jail people for five years despite warnings that it violates freedom of expression German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (R) and his Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa'ar address a press conference at the Foreign Office in Berlin on May 5, 2026. (Ralf Hirschberger/AFP) Off Germany’s upper house of parliament has backed a law that could imprison people for denying Israel’s right to exist, even as Berlin refuses to recognise a Palestinian state and intensifies its crackdown on pro-Palestine activism. The Bundesrat approved the proposal, submitted by the state of Hesse, on Friday.
Iran warns it could abandon US memorandum over violations Iran has warned that it will stop observing a memorandum of understanding with the United States if Washington continues to breach its commitments, state television reports. Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, said Tehran would no longer consider itself bound by the agreement if the US failed to uphold its side. "If the United States continues to violate its commitments under the Memorandum of Understanding, then Iran will not consider itself bound by its commitments under this understanding," he said.
Oman and Iran hold Strait of Hormuz navigation talks Oman and Iran have held talks in Muscat on securing safe and unrestricted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, the Oman News Agency reports. The two sides agreed to continue technical and political discussions aimed at reaching arrangements in line with international law.
Qatar joins Iran-Oman talks on reopening Strait of Hormuz passage Qatari officials have joined talks between Iran and Oman in Muscat over navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, Axios reports, citing a diplomatic source. Officials at the meetings are discussing a possible statement on reopening the central passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The route lies in international waters and would allow ships to resume passage through the strategic waterway.
Iran warns it will not be bound by deal with US if violations continue Iran has warned that it will no longer be bound by a deal with the US aimed at ending the war if Washington's violations of the agreement continue, Iranian state television reported. Referring to the deal struck with the help of Pakistani mediation, Tehran's UN ambassador said "that if the United States continues to violate its obligations under the Islamabad Understanding, Iran will no longer consider itself bound by its commitments under that understanding", according to a statement carried by state broadcaster IRIB.
Iran's supreme leader vows killers of father 'will be held accountable' Submitted by MEE staff on Sat, 07/11/2026 - 15:24 Mojtaba Khamenei described avenging 'all the martyrs' as a 'necessary national demand' The graves of Iran’s late supreme leader Ali Khamenei and members of his family at the Shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad, 10 July 2026 (Khamenei. ir/AFP) Off Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei vowed on Saturday to avenge the killing of his father and predecessor, Ali Khamenei, saying those responsible for his killing would be held accountable. In a written statement published on the supreme leader's Telegram account and reported by Iranian media, Mojtaba Khamenei described avenging his father as "a necessary national demand" and said, "the free people of the world will soon begin part of the mission of revenge".
Iran's supreme leader vows killers of father 'will be held accountable' Submitted by MEE staff on Sat, 07/11/2026 - 15:24 Mojtaba Khamenei described avenging 'all the martyrs' as a 'necessary national demand' The graves of Iran’s late supreme leader Ali Khamenei and members of his family at the Shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad, 10 July 2026 (Khamenei. ir/AFP) Off Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei vowed on Saturday to avenge the killing of his father and predecessor, Ali Khamenei, saying those responsible for his killing would be held accountable. In a written statement published on the supreme leader's Telegram account and reported by Iranian media, Mojtaba Khamenei described avenging his father as "a necessary national demand" and said, "the free people of the world will soon begin part of the mission of revenge".
