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Ed Miliband condemned for shaking hands with Iran minister at ‘propaganda win’ UN meeting as British couple are ‘held hostage’
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has faced criticism after shaking hands with Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, during talks in New York. Conservative MP Alicia Kearns called the meeting a “propaganda win” for Tehran, while the Foreign Office said Miliband warned Iran that Britain would not tolerate intimidation, threats or hostile activity on UK soil. The…
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Early election speculation clouds Labour as trade deficit soars to twenty-year peak
Downing Street advisers urge PM to call spring election amid police reform tensions and record trade deficit. Also in the bulletin: Trump-Xi state dinner and Waymo’s driverless expansion milestone.
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Tales Of Syria’s Disappeared; Lebanese Wartime Adoption & Palestinian Mental Health Set For Cinemed-Aflamuna Project Incubator
The Montpellier Mediterranean Film Festival and Beirut-based Aflamuna have selected seven Arab film projects for their fifth joint incubator, to be held during Cinemed in October. The programme highlights stories involving Syria’s disappeared, Palestinian mental health and family trauma, while helping filmmakers connect with European producers, institutions and potential partners. Among the projects is Anas…
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Australia host Brazil in Townsville as Asian Cup preparations begin
Australia and Brazil are meeting in Townsville in the first of two post-2026 World Cup friendlies in Queensland. The matches begin Australia’s preparations for the 2027 Asian Cup, while Brazil seek to rebuild after an underwhelming World Cup campaign. Australia’s 25-player squad is missing Mohamed Toure and Alex Robertson through injury, but welcomes Riley McGree…
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Saudi Grand Mufti urges border troops to risk death fighting Houthis
Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti issued a rare and strongly worded religious message to troops stationed on the kingdom’s borders, calling on them to be prepared to sacrifice their lives in fighting the Iran-backed Houthis. This escalation reflects weeks of intensifying violence, with the Houthi group launching salvos of missiles and drones at Saudi targets whilst…
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Trump and Xi showcase warmth while disputes over Iran and Taiwan persist
President Donald Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping at a lavish White House State Dinner, presenting their relationship as warm and constructive despite persistent US-China tensions. Their discussions covered Iran, trade, artificial intelligence and Taiwan, showing that diplomatic pageantry had not resolved major strategic disagreements. Trump urged China to use its influence with Iran to…
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Energy bill support may target benefit claimants as price cap rises feared
The Chancellor is reportedly considering targeted help for rising energy bills, with support likely to focus on households receiving means-tested benefits rather than the wider middle class. The potential increase in the energy price cap, linked to instability in the Middle East, could significantly raise costs next year and intensify pressure on household finances and…
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Trump hosts Xi at lavish dinner amid deep US-China disagreements
Donald Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping at a lavish White House state dinner attended by prominent political, business and technology figures, presenting the event as an opportunity to ease tensions between the two countries. Despite Trump’s praise for their relationship, the leaders remain divided over the war in Iran, trade, Taiwan and how artificial…
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Trump and Xi extend trade truce as major disputes remain unresolved
President Xi Jinping’s White House visit showcased ceremonial pomp but yielded limited substantive progress on fundamental disputes. The trade truce between Washington and Beijing was extended only until January rather than the year-long agreement China sought, signalling that the US intends to extract greater concessions before offering longer-term stability. This compressed timeline is particularly significant…