Labour's first year in power: inside the 11 July Guardian Weekly
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Spotlight | Tehran's spies forced out into the openJulian Borger reports on how Iran's attempts to recruit a network of informers inside Israel have been revealed through court indictments
Environment | 'We want to be left alone'The Mashco Piro live in isolation in the border lands between Peru and Brazil but, report John Reid and Daniel Biasetto, logging, drug trafficking and the climate crisis are forcing them into contact with outsiders
Features | Why do Tesla's cars keep crashing?A series of shocking incidents – from drivers trapped in burning vehicles to dramatic stops on the highway – have led to questions about the safety of the brand, discover Sönke Iwersen and Michael Verfürden
Opinion | Who will save the United Nations?If the US cuts off the cash it will have world-changing effects, but it's not the only country falling short in its obligations, says Simon Tisdall
Culture | In brotherhood and strife With Oasis back in UK stadiums, Britan's poet laureate and fan Simon Armitage explores how the band's creativity was forged by the rivalry between Noel and Liam Gallagher
As usual, David Squires casts a brilliantly focused eye on the week in football, with an amusing celebration of the Women's Euros in Switzerland that somehow works in references to Clarkson's Farm and Luton Town's 'PVC conservatories'. His cartoons are full of details that demand a couple of readings, and are always perfectly pitched, especially this week, as he includes a single-frame tribute to Portugal forward Diogo Jota. Anthony Naughton, assistant editor
Squid Game season three – Netflix's most-watched TV debut ever – underscores the unstoppable rise of Korean storytelling globally. Like Parasite, it explores deep themes such as class struggle and hierarchy, resonating worldwide and boosting the Korean wave. These works show how storytelling – rooted in local realities – can raise global awareness of social issues from diverse perspectives. What comes next for non-English language films and TV?Hyunmu Lee, CRM Engagement & Retention
Audio | Mushroom trial: Erin Patterson found guilty – Full Story podcast
Video | Timelapse footage shows how quickly Texas flood waters rose over causeway
Gallery | A 'floating university' and a pink mosque: Dhaka builds for a wetter future
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Sky News
an hour ago
- Sky News
Starmer's plan to recognise Palestinian state labelled 'appeasement towards jihadist terrorists' by Netanyahu
Sir Keir Starmer's plan to recognise Palestine as a state has been attacked as "appeasement towards jihadist terrorists" by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The prime minister said the UK will recognise a Palestinian state by September unless Israel takes "substantive steps" to end the situation in Gaza, Israel agrees to a ceasefire, commits to a long-term sustainable peace, allows the UN to restart aid supplies and does not annexe the West Bank. About 250 MPs from all parties - half of them Labour - had signed a letter last week calling for Sir Keir to immediately recognise a Palestinian state. Sir Keir said that by giving Israel a deadline of 9 September UN meeting, he hoped this would play a part "in changing the conditions on the ground, and making sure aid gets into making sure that there is hope of a two-state solution for the future". But Mr Netanyahu condemned the plan, saying Sir Keir "rewards Hamas's monstrous terrorism and punishes its victims". "A jihadist state on Israel's border today will threaten Britain tomorrow," he wrote on X. "Appeasement towards jihadist terrorists always fails. It will fail you too. It will not happen." The Israelis also accused Sir Keir of pandering to his MPs and France, after Emmanuel Macron committed to recognising a Palestinian state last week, and harming efforts to release Israeli hostages. Lib Dems and Greens: 'Bargaining chip' Sir Keir also faced accusations of using Palestinian state recognition as a "bargaining chip" by both the Lib Dems and the Green Party. Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said a Palestinian state should have been recognised "months ago" and "far greater action" is needed to stop the humanitarian disaster in Gaza. Green Party foreign affairs spokesperson Ellie Chowns, who wants immediate state recognition, said it was a "cynical political gesture". Humza Yousaf, Scotland's former SNP first minister, who revealed a family member was killed in Gaza days ago, told Sky News statehood "shouldn't be dependent" upon the conditions Sir Keir has set for Israel, but is the "inalienable right" of the Palestinian people. The British Palestinian Committee, representing Palestinian interests in the UK, described conditions as "absurd and performative". UK Jewish groups seek clarity The Board of Deputies of British Jews, the UK's largest Jewish organisation, said it was "seeking urgent clarification" that the UK will not recognise Palestine as a state if Israeli hostages remain in Hamas captivity, or if Hamas keeps rejecting a ceasefire deal. The Labour Friends of Israel group said it has "shared goals" with the government but state recognition "will be a merely symbolic act unless the UK uses its influence to establish the principles of a meaningful pathway to a Palestinian state". Sarah Champion, Labour MP and chair of the international development committee, who started the MP letter calling for state recognition, said she was "delighted and relieved". However, she added: "I'm troubled our recognition appears conditional on Israel's actions." When Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the plan at a UN meeting, he received applause. Not many other Labour MPs commented. Tories accuse Starmer of appeasing MPs Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Sir Keir of being more focused on a "political problem for the Labour Party" than other issues facing the UK. "Recognising a Palestinian state won't bring the hostages home, won't end the war and won't get aid into Gaza," she posted on X. "This is political posturing at its very worst." Tory shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel said the announcement was "to appease his backbenchers" as "he knows that promises to recognise Palestine will not secure lasting peace". Donald Trump said he and Sir Keir "never did discuss" the PM's plan to recognise a Palestinian state during their meetings in Scotland the day before. 2:13 However, Tammy Bruce, spokeswoman for the US state department, said Sir Keir's plan is a "slap in the face for the victims of October 7", which "rewards Hamas", the Telegraph reported.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Lowering voting age could deepen class divide in schools due to lack of political literacy among teenagers
The decision to lower the voting age to 16 could widen the inequality divide among teenagers in the UK due to the lack of political education in school. Academics have warned that the move to extend the vote to 16 and 17-year-olds risks only benefitting those from wealthier backgrounds, unless all students are given equal access to citizenship education. Recent research from the University of Roehampton found specific classes on politics and democracy have been provided unevenly across the country, with more affluent schools likely to receive dedicated lessons. It also found that pupils with university-educated parents are more likely to discuss politics at home, and feel more confident engaging in political debates. This results in teenagers from low income households often being at a disadvantage in terms of understanding parties and voting systems, which the research concluded 'compounded class-based disparities'. 'Votes at 16 is an important milestone, but without proper political education in every school, we risk widening the democratic gap between privileged and disadvantaged teenagers', said Dr Bryony Hoskins, Professor of Political Comparative Social Science at the University of Roehampton. 'The students most likely to benefit are those already surrounded by political knowledge and encouragement, leaving disadvantaged young people behind again. 'The result is a political system that feels unrepresentative and irrelevant to many young people. If we ignore this, votes at 16 could actually entrench inequality.' Labour's manifesto committed the party to lowering the voting age to 16 in line with Scottish and Welsh elections. Sir Keir Starmer said it was 'important' to lower the voting age, as 16-year-olds were old enough to work and 'pay in' through tax, so should 'have the opportunity' to say how they wanted their money spent. But a poll of 500 16 and 17-year-olds conducted for ITV News by Merlin Strategy found only half said they thought they should be allowed to vote, and only 18 per cent would definitely vote. Labour stood to gain the most, with 33 per cent saying they would back the party, while 20 per cent said they would choose Reform UK and 18 per cent the Greens. A EU and UK Research and Innovation project was trialled on 900 pupils earlier this ear, and found that a five-lesson political literacy programme improved students' belief in their own ability to engage with politics. 'We now have clear evidence that short, structured lessons that use inclusive education methods can make a real difference,' said Professor Hoskins. 'This should be part of every young person's education and not a postcode lottery.' Ahead of the next general election, researchers are calling on the Department of Education to ensure political literacy becomes a compulsory part of the national curriculum.
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
Arab world tells Hamas to lay down arms and end rule of Gaza
The Arab world has called on Hamas to lay down arms and surrender its rule of Gaza. In an unprecedented move, Arab countries including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt joined calls for the Palestinian terror group to disband in a bid to end the war that has devastated the territory. Seventeen countries including the European Union and Arab League threw their weight behind a seven-page text agreed at a United Nations conference on reviving the two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians. 'In the context of ending the war in Gaza, Hamas must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, with international engagement and support, in line with the objective of a sovereign and independent Palestinian State,' said the declaration. It followed a call on Monday by the Palestinian delegation at the UN for both Israel and Hamas to leave Gaza, allowing the Palestinian Authority to administer the coastal territory. The text also condemned the deadly Hamas attacks against Israel of October 7, 2023, which launched the war. France, which co-chaired the conference with Saudi Arabia, called the declaration 'both historic and unprecedented'. 'For the first time, Arab countries and those in the Middle East condemn Hamas, condemn October 7, call for the disarmament of Hamas, call for its exclusion from Palestinian governance, and clearly express their intention to normalise relations with Israel in the future,' said Jean-Noel Barrot, France's foreign minister. The text, co-signed by France, Britain and Canada among other western nations, also called for the possible deployment of foreign forces to stabilise Gaza after the end of hostilities. 'We supported the deployment of a temporary international stabilization mission upon invitation by the Palestinian Authority and under the aegis of the United Nations and in line with UN principles, building on existing UN capacities, to be mandated by the UN Security Council, with appropriate regional and international support,' said the declaration. Israel and the United States did not take part in the meeting. Earlier this month, Hamas sources told Saudi media that the group would consider laying down its arms as part of a ceasefire deal with Israel. It comes as Sir Keir Starmer said on Tuesday that Britain would recognise Palestine as a state unless Israel met a series of conditions, including ending the 'appalling' situation in Gaza. The move follows Emmanuel Macron, who announced last week that France would recognise Palestinian statehood. For decades, most UN members have supported a two-state solution with Israel and a Palestinian state existing side by side. But after more than 21 months of war in Gaza, the ongoing expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and Israeli officials declaring designs to annex occupied territory, it is feared a Palestinian state could become geographically impossible. The current war in Gaza began following the Hamas attacks on Israel, which responded with a large-scale military response that has claimed tens of thousands of Palestinian lives and destroyed most infrastructure in the enclave.
