Israel
Iranian President Accuses Israel of Escalating Conflict
Iran's new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has accused Israel of intensifying tensions in the Middle East. Speaking during his first official visit to the U.S. at the UN General Assembly in New York, Pezeshkian warned that no one would benefit from a wider war in the region. The reformist leader, who assumed office in July after advocating for improved relations with the West, emphasized that Israel is pushing for a broader conflict. “If a larger war erupts, it benefits no one, and Israel is the one seeking this escalation,” he said.
Lebanon shaken by hand-held radio blasts as ‘solar energy systems erupt’
Israel's defense minister announced a "new phase" of the war as its forces focused on the northern front with Lebanon, where nine people were killed in the latest wave of explosives. A second wave of explosions has shaken Lebanon, this time connected to hand-held radios, with reports indicating that solar energy installations have also exploded in numerous regions.
Pager and walkie-talkie strikes on Hezbollah were daring and well-planned
It may take years to get the complete tale of how Hezbollah planned coordinated explosions of thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies. Even without Israel formally admitting guilt, it is apparent that the strike was meticulously prepared, no matter how unclear the outcome. Experts suspect that a little stable explosive was carefully inserted into each sabotaged device. Alan Woodward, a cybersecurity professor at Surrey University, says, "There wouldn't need to be much explosive, as proximity to a human body means it would cause injury even if it were just a few grams."
A missile fired from Yemen lands in Israel, creating a fire
According to the Israeli military, a long-range ballistic missile fired from Yemen landed in central Israel, starting fire. The missile activated air raid sirens in Tel Aviv and throughout central Israel, including the Ben Gurion International Airport, sending civilians fleeing for safety. There were no reports of injuries or damage, and the airport administration stated that normal operations resumed shortly after that. They also displayed images of a chunk that landed on an escalator at Modiin's principal train station.
Foreign secretary declares UK arms sales suspension to Israel
David Lammy stated that the restriction was not an arms embargo, but there was a "clear risk" that some UK weapons would be used in violation of international law. The UK will halt some arms sales to Israel, Foreign Secretary David Lammy has said. Mr Lammy stated that the decision was made following an examination of export licences for UK guns, which discovered a "clear risk" that they may be used to commit "a serious violation of international humanitarian law".
The government sets out more Having an anti-Israel stance
The new-ish government has taken a different stance on Israel and the Middle East crisis than its predecessor, the third time in two months. When David Lammy became foreign secretary in early July, he asked for an evaluation of whether the evidence suggested that Israel's approach to the conflict violated international law. As I understand it, the assessment was comparable to those requested by the previous government and carried out by the same officials.
Blinken travels to Israel for Gaza ceasefire talks
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to visit Israel shortly in his latest attempt to broker a cease-fire and hostage-release agreement in Gaza. His eleventh journey to the region since the conflict began in October comes just days after the United States submitted a modified proposal aimed at closing long-standing gaps between the two sides. The United States and Israel have voiced hope about a solution since discussions resumed in Doha last week, but Hamas claims any progress is an "illusion".
PwC fined £15 million for fraud at London Capital & Finance
PWC has been fined £15 million for failing to warn about alleged fraud at London Capital & Finance (LCF). The auditor is the first accounting company to be penalised by the City authority. The Financial Conduct Authority's inquiry discovered that while working on the minibond company's 2016 accounts, PWC's audit team discovered several red lights but neglected to notify the regulator.
Joe Biden ‘optimistic’ about Middle East ceasefire despite Israeli bombings in Gaza and Lebanon
The US president's words come as regional tensions have risen in recent weeks, with fatal Israeli attacks reported in Gaza and Lebanon. US President Joe Biden has expressed greater optimism about a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas than in previous months. "As of an hour ago, we were still playing. I am optimistic. It's still not over. "Just a couple more issues, and I believe we have a shot," he told reporters on Friday.
Biden claims the Gaza ceasefire arrangement is closer than ever
Joe Biden stated that he was "optimistic" about reaching a ceasefire accord in Gaza. "We are closer than we've ever been," the US president said after the latest round of talks, adding that he was sending his secretary of state to Israel to continue the "intensive efforts to conclude this agreement". However, a senior Hamas official stated that there had been no development and that mediators were "selling illusions".
US orders Middle East submarine, carrier strike group faster sailing
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin has directed the deployment of a guided missile submarine to the Middle East and the acceleration of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group's arrival. The order was issued on Sunday evening during a phone chat between Austin and Israeli Minister of Defence Yoav Galant, as tensions rose following the deaths of key Hamas and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants. Austin reaffirmed the United States' commitment to take every feasible measure to defend Israel, as well as the upgrading of US military force posture and capabilities throughout the Middle East in response to growing regional tensions, according to the Pentagon.
As Middle East simmers, European leaders urge moderation
France, Germany, and the United Kingdom have urged Iran and its allies to desist from planned strikes on Israel in response to the recent assassinations of prominent Hamas and Hezbollah members. On Monday, the leaders of the three European governments released a joint statement urging "de-escalation and regional stability" in the Middle East, as well as an immediate ceasefire. The death of two Iran-aligned leaders last month heightened global concern that the battle in Gaza will expand into an all-out regional warfare.