The fragile twig of peace is melting PART ONE

Guys, you need to walk out now. You are gaining nothing by staying.

A deep-dive poll published by Le Monde on 14 Sept - the first in a series – gives a fascinating picture of France seven months before the most significant presidential election in its post-war history. Alarming?  Reassuring? A little of both…but mostly alarming. 1/

Why I’m Voting for a Texas Democrat by @KarlRove wsj.com/opinion/why-im-votin… via @WSJopinion

🚨 Emily Maitlis to host a major new six-part investigative podcast series, A Very British Epstein for Global, exploring Jeffrey Epstein's connections to Britain. ✍️ @DEADLINE @Jake_Kanter @maitlis | @global deadline.com/2026/09/emily-m…

ICYMI @thenewsagents

"A law finally catching up with a truth we have always known" — my latest in @arabnews arab.news/ckyd9

In a difficult and dangerous world, a decade on from Brexit, there is a risk that Britain loses the confidence to lead and stand up for its values. I’m not prepared to let that happen. It is more important than ever that Britain stands for something. We have called for years for a two-state solution in the Middle East, but we must recognise that those words are meaningless unless we back them up with action. For too long, we have been hesitant to act, fearful of being accused of being anti-Israel. Today we are announcing carefully judged, targeted steps that are not aimed at the Israeli people, but at the unacceptable policies of the current Israeli government. The suffering of the Palestinian people is a scar on the conscience of the world. Innocent Palestinians, including children, continue to be killed in Gaza. And there is still a humanitarian crisis, with far too little aid getting in. The scale of destruction is hard to comprehend. More than 70,000 people lie dead - at least 20,000 of them children. Families and communities have been torn apart. Millions displaced. And the population of Gaza is now penned into just one third of the territory. I know that people across the UK feel very deeply about this issue - and so do I. Before I became Prime Minister, I said our country’s response had been too slow and simply not good enough. That’s why I committed to changing the government’s approach. I will not stand by as the horrific suffering continues to grow and the prospect of a two-state solution - the best hope for peace and stability in the region - comes under attack. More settlements have been approved under the four years of this Israeli government than in the previous 20 years. The UN has reported more than 1,500 incidents of settler violence so far this year, aimed at driving out Palestinians. And the situation is growing worse, fast. The Israeli government has now approved 104 new settlements since it took office in December 2022, and ahead of the October elections in Israel, it is allowing tenders for the construction of the E1 mega settlement to go ahead. This would cut a swathe through the heart of the West Bank - snuffing out the hope of realising a two-state solution. It cannot be allowed to happen. That’s why we are announcing a new package of tough measures to put pressure on the Israeli government: First, we will ban the trade in goods with illegal settlements in Palestine. Second, we have formally changed the view of the British government to say for the first time that the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory is unlawful - independent of, but in line with, the conclusion of the international court of justice. And third, we will sanction individuals and companies that support, facilitate or profit from illegal settlements. That includes any businesses or investors that take part in the construction of the E1 settlement. In addition, we are announcing a new package of desperately needed humanitarian aid to Gaza. We are taking these steps because it is the right thing to do. I have condemned the monstrous terrorist attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 in the strongest possible terms - and continue to condemn Hamas. However, it does not justify the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza or the West Bank. The measures we are taking are about targeting illegal settlements and increasing the pressure on the Israeli government to change course. We are not imposing sanctions on Israel as a whole, which would punish the Israeli people, many of whom disagree with their government’s position. The Israeli people are not responsible for the actions of their government. And nor is the Jewish community in the UK. Blaming British Jews for the actions of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is wrong, plain and simple. And it is antisemitism, plain and simple. I met the representatives of the Jewish community just last week. I know the fear they live with day by day. My government will stop at nothing to ensure they are safe and to stamp out antisemitism in every part of our society. The measures we are announcing today are about protecting the only solution that could see the Israeli and Palestinian people living side by side in peace and security - something that people up and down the UK desperately want to see. The government I lead will keep working with our partners around the world to keep that hope alive.

We send our love and support to the Jewish community in Manchester and beyond who last night gathered to remember Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby, who were killed defending their synagogue last year. My thoughts are with their families and all those who have been affected by the attack. I know for many Jewish people, the sorrow and fear from that day has not lifted and I know we must do more to protect communities across the country. I want Jewish people to know that their safety is a priority of mine and I’m determined to stamp out antisemitism for good.

Listen to the words of retired Israeli generals speaking out against Israeli settlers terrorizing Palestinians in the West Bank. “This is ethnic cleansing." “Once a society behaves this way, that society is doomed.” Not another nickel for the extremist Netanyahu government.

Canada is going to Eurovision 2027.   If you have what it takes to represent Canada at the most gloriously over-the-top celebration of music on earth, apply now: cbc.radio-canada.ca/en/eurov…

Ahead of Reform UK's party conference, we asked Britons to describe Nigel Farage in three words 71% used at least one negative term, with the most common being "racist" and "liar" 27% used at least one positive term, with the most common being "patriotic" and "honest"

It has been an honour and a privilege to represent Holborn and St Pancras for the last 11 years. My statement.

I agreed to 3 debates over a month ago. You declined every single one. You love to talk tough on Fox. Say it to me on the debate stage.

I am in close contact with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz @bundeskanzler, whom I have assured that Hungary stands in full solidarity with Germany as an important ally after the Russian hybrid attack in Leipzig.

My dad and his family were driven from their home by violent, lawless mobs during the pogroms. Jews can't look the other way when violent, lawless mobs are driving innocent Palestinians from their homes on the West Bank. nytimes.com/2026/08/31/world…

A 5-year-old Texan just spent the first day of school in an ICE detention center. ICE kidnapped Liam Tadeo on his way to a soccer game with his dad. Liam should be in kindergarten. Instead, our government has thrown him in a prison camp hundreds of miles from home.

🧵🇺🇦🇬🇧It's Ukrainian Independence Day and Andy Burnham carried out his first official visit to Ukraine. Since the war broke out between two thirds and three quarters of Britons have consistently said it matters to the UK that Ukraine wins the war.

I am grateful to Prime Minister @andyburnham for making his first foreign visit specifically to Ukraine, on the anniversary of the restoration of our independence. Our partnership with the UK is special for Ukraine – we have built an unprecedentedly strong and friendly dialogue that we can certainly be proud of. It was an honor, on behalf of the Ukrainian people, to present Andy with the first new state distinction – “Gratitude of the Ukrainian People,” awarded to the people of the United Kingdom. And today we are expanding our cooperation even further – Ukraine and the United Kingdom will develop their partnership in the field of artificial intelligence. We signed the relevant declaration today. During our meeting today, we discussed the full range of our cooperation – licenses to produce Storm Shadows, assistance with insurance in the Ukrainian market, how to ensure Ukraine’s financial resilience, diplomacy, and other issues. We value the fact that the UK’s course remains unchanged – full support for Ukraine and our defense. Thank you, Andy! Thank you, Great Britain!

Ossoff: "I have zero interest in running for president in 2028, and frankly zero interest in the 2028 fantasy football right now ... these midterms are the whole ballgame ... I don't know that we have a free and fair election in 2028 unless we restore checks and balances in these 2026 midterms."