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Arms spending plan is a threat to our future

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https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/arms-spending-plan-threat-our-future

 Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during a visit to Malloy Aeronautics in Berkshire following the publication of the long-delayed defence investment plan (Dip), June 30, 2026

KEIR STARMER’S parting gift to the country he has so misgoverned is an enormous and unaffordable arms build-up which helps set Britain on the road to war.

The Defence Investment Plan unveiled today specifically cuts energy and transport investment to pay for a fleet of new military drones. New Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis appears to have squeezed new money out of the Treasury where his predecessor John Healey failed.

The vast sums now allocated to the military are never going to be enough for some, of course — the unrepentant Blairite hawks in the Labour Party, as well as the right-wing media and the arms corporations.

Their ideal is a small country attached to a huger military. Starmer’s plan takes a step in that direction.

That he announced it in the twilight days of his premiership is clearly designed to tie the hands of his heir apparent, Andy Burnham.

Not that Burnham has set his face against the frenzied militarisation of the economy. His position remains somewhat enigmatic, on this as on much else.

…

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/arms-spending-plan-threat-our-future

Andy Burnham says that he doesn't have any answers.
Andy Burnham says that he doesn’t have any answers.
Continue ReadingArms spending plan is a threat to our future

West Bank child deaths reflect ‘broader Israeli policy’ of killings ‘with virtually no accountability’: B’Tselem

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This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Family members and relatives take part in a funeral of 7-month-old infant, Sam Fahd Abu Haykal in the West Bank city of Hebron, Palestine on June 6, 2026. [ Wisam Hashlamoun – Anadolu Agency]

Children account for nearly a quarter of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank since October 2023, the highest death rate of minors since Israel’s occupation of the territory in 1967, Israeli rights group B’Tselem said on Monday.

“The widespread, unprecedented killing of Palestinian children and teenagers in the West Bank is the result of a broader Israeli policy that enables the killing of Palestinians with virtually no accountability,” B’Tselem Executive Director Yuli Novak said in a report.

“When the military commander of the area boasts that Israel is killing Palestinians ‘like we haven’t killed since 1967,’ he is confirming exactly that: the system does not merely back those who pull the trigger — it effectively grants them a license to kill,” he added.

The group said that 241 children and teenagers were among 1,086 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank since October 2023.

According to the rights group, 54 Palestinian children were killed in the West Bank last year, and in nearly one-quarter of these cases, Israeli forces delayed or prevented medical teams or local residents from reaching wounded children and teenagers to provide life-saving assistance.

Israel is also still withholding the bodies of 18 of the 54 children and teenagers killed in 2025, it added.

READ: Israeli army kills 2 Palestinians in southern occupied West Bank

“The killing of Palestinian children and teenagers in the West Bank is not the result of isolated mistakes or violations of military orders,” B’Tselem said.

“It is the outcome of an Israeli policy that expands the circumstances in which soldiers are permitted to shoot and kill, including children; backs those who use lethal force; labels Palestinians killed as ‘terrorists’ even when they posed no threat to anyone; and almost never holds the perpetrators to account.”

The rights group noted that “no single indictment” had been filed in connection with the killing of Palestinians in the West Bank since October 2023, including cases in which the victims were children and teenagers.

“The killings in the West Bank cannot be separated from Israel’s killing of more than 21,000 Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip,” B’Tselem said.

“By allowing Israel to kill on such a scale in Gaza without consequences, the international community has effectively given it a green light to pursue the same lethal policy in the West Bank.”

Since October 2023, the Israeli army has killed more than 73,000 people and injured over 173,000 others in a brutal war on Gaza that has caused widespread destruction affecting 90% of civilian infrastructure.

“As long as Israel continues to enjoy near-total impunity in the world, the lives of Palestinians – including children – will remain unprotected and exposed,” B’Tselem said.

READ: UNICEF: More than 260 Palestinian children killed in Gaza since ceasefire began

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Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Donald Trump explains why he established his Bored of Peace
Donald Trump explains why he established his Bored of Peace
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.

Continue ReadingWest Bank child deaths reflect ‘broader Israeli policy’ of killings ‘with virtually no accountability’: B’Tselem

IRGC says it targeted US military positions in region after strikes in south

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Members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) participate in a military exercise aimed at “increasing combat capabilities” in Tehran province, Iran, on May 12, 2026. [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – Anadolu Agency]

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said early Saturday that its naval forces targeted US military positions in response to American “aggression” in the country’s south, Anadolu reports.

In a statement aired by state television, the IRGC said the US violated commitments linked to the ceasefire and carried out airstrikes on Iranian coastal areas.

The IRGC said its naval forces responded by targeting US military positions across the region.

It warned that any repeat of the attacks would be met with a “broader and stronger” response.

The IRGC added that arrangements governing navigation through the Strait of Hormuz fall under understandings reached with Iran, accusing Washington of attempting to violate the commitments through “provocations.”

Earlier, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces struck Iranian missile, drone and radar sites after accusing Tehran of carrying out an attack on a commercial vessel crossing the Strait of Hormuz.

READ: US strikes Iran following attack on ship in Strait of Hormuz: CENTCOM

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Experiencing issues with this image not appearing. I suspect because it's so critical of Zionist Keir Starmer's support of and complicity in Israel's genocides.
Genocide denier and Current UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is quoted that he supports Zionism without qualification. He also confirms that UK air force support has been essential in Israel’s mass-murdering genocide. Includes URLs https://www.declassifieduk.org/keir-starmers-100-spy-flights-over-gaza-in-support-of-israel/ and https://youtu.be/O74hZCKKdpA
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don't need people to join wars after they've already won. He's challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump explains why he established his Bored of Peace
Donald Trump explains why he established his Bored of Peace

Continue ReadingIRGC says it targeted US military positions in region after strikes in south

Hezbollah rejects direct talks with Israel, urges Lebanese government to embrace Iranian support

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Billboards featuring the late former Iranian leader Ali Khamenei and his son Mojtaba Khamenei, who were killed in U.S. and Israeli attacks against Iran on February 28, are displayed on the Rafic Hariri International Airport highway with the text reading “Thank you, loyal Iran” in Beirut, Lebanon on June 21, 2026. [Houssam Shbaro – Anadolu Agency]

Hezbollah has renewed its opposition to any direct negotiations with Israel, urging the Lebanese government to abandon what it described as a policy of concessions and to take advantage of Iranian support in addressing the conflict with Israel.

In a statement, the group criticised the Lebanese government’s current approach, saying it had resulted in “gratuitous concessions” to Israel and deepened political divisions within Lebanon.

Hezbollah reiterated its categorical rejection of direct negotiations with Israel, calling instead for an immediate and unconditional Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory.

The group also urged Lebanese authorities to capitalise on what it described as Iran’s support, arguing that it had helped secure a ceasefire and commitments from the United States regarding an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon.

Hezbollah warned against what it called continued political intransigence, saying the current approach had come at the expense of Lebanon’s sovereignty.

Israel will remain in territory occupied in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza ‘indefinitely’: Defence minister

The statement rejected any arrangements that would link an Israeli withdrawal to additional conditions or negotiations.

Hezbollah also criticised proposals involving what it referred to as “experimental zones” north of the Litani River, warning against any agreements that, in its view, could provide Israel with new strategic gains.

The group said Lebanese authorities should insist on a complete and immediate Israeli withdrawal from all Lebanese territory, alongside the return of displaced residents, the release of detainees and an end to Israeli military operations against Lebanon.

Hezbollah added that all other issues should remain internal Lebanese matters and should not be subject to negotiations or external conditions.

The statement comes as US-mediated talks between Lebanon and Israel continue in an effort to address security arrangements along the border and reduce the risk of renewed conflict following months of hostilities.

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Experiencing issues with this image not appearing. I suspect because it's so critical of Zionist Keir Starmer's support of and complicity in Israel's genocides.
Genocide denier and Current UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is quoted that he supports Zionism without qualification. He also confirms that UK air force support has been essential in Israel’s mass-murdering genocide. Includes URLs https://www.declassifieduk.org/keir-starmers-100-spy-flights-over-gaza-in-support-of-israel/ and https://youtu.be/O74hZCKKdpA
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don't need people to join wars after they've already won. He's challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump explains why he established his Bored of Peace
Donald Trump explains why he established his Bored of Peace

Continue ReadingHezbollah rejects direct talks with Israel, urges Lebanese government to embrace Iranian support

Washington talks stall as Israel refuses to leave southern Lebanon

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Buildings and structures suffer extensive damage after strikes carried out during the second day of Eid al-Adha, in the city of Tyre, southern Lebanon, on May 29, 2026. [Houssam Shbaro – Anadolu Agency]

Negotiations between Israel and Lebanon in Washington have reportedly hit a deadlock over the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, amid Israeli demands for guarantees preventing the return of Hezbollah and preserving the operational freedom of its military.

According to diplomatic sources cited by the Israeli newspaper Maariv, the fifth round of US-mediated talks has so far failed to produce an agreement that would allow Israeli troops to withdraw. Israel is insisting on remaining in southern Lebanon until it is assured that Hezbollah has been pushed away from the area and prevented from rebuilding its military infrastructure.

The dispute emerged during the fifth round of meetings between the Israeli and Lebanese delegations in Washington, according to the London-based newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat.

READ: Israeli minister says army won’t leave occupied territory in Lebanon ‘even if US demands’ it

Sources familiar with the talks said Israeli Ambassador to the United States and head of the Israeli delegation, Yechiel Leiter, strongly objected to a proposed mechanism related to the Lebanese file, prompting US officials to intervene several times in an effort to ease tensions.

The sources added that the US side argued that involving Iran in some arrangements linked to Lebanon could serve as a means of pressuring Hezbollah and ensuring the implementation of understandings aimed at preserving Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial unity.

The current round of negotiations, which began on Tuesday and runs until Thursday, is focused on a proposal to establish so-called “pilot zones”, where the Lebanese army would assume full security responsibility to demonstrate its ability to prevent the return of Hezbollah activity.

READ: Israeli soldiers’ parents demand end to Lebanon fighting and return of troops

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it's fun to kill everyone ... unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it’s fun to kill everyone … unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
Orcas discuss Donald Trump and the killer apes' concept of democracy. Front Orca warns that Trump is crashing his country's economy and that everything he does he does for the fantastically wealthy.
Orcas discuss Donald Trump and the killer apes’ concept of democracy. Front Orca warns that Trump is crashing his country’s economy and that everything he does he does for the fantastically wealthy.

Continue ReadingWashington talks stall as Israel refuses to leave southern Lebanon