Starmer to hold emergency Cabinet meeting as pressure mounts over Gaza

"British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will convene an emergency Cabinet meeting this week to discuss the escalating crisis in Gaza amid genocidal Israeli siege, local media reports said.

The meeting, which will take place despite Parliament's summer recess, comes as the government faces increasing pressure to recognise a Palestinian state.

Starmer is also due to meet with US President Donald Trump in Scotland, where he is expected to urge the White House to adopt a firmer stance towards Israel."

1 in 3 Palestinians in Gaza hasn't eaten for days: UN

"The UN's top humanitarian official has warned of an accelerating humanitarian disaster in Gaza.

Tom Fletcher, under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, said one in three people hasn't eaten ""for days"" and children are ""wasting away"" amid severe food aid shortages.

He said that despite Israel's decision to support a one-week scale-up of aid, massive amounts of aid are needed to stave off famine."

Syria to hold first post-Assad parliamentary election in September

"Syria plans to hold its first parliamentary elections under the new leadership between September 15 and 20.

The country's High Election Committee met with President Ahmad al Sharaa to brief him on key amendments to the temporary electoral law, following rounds of consultations with various sectors of Syrian society.

Al Sharaa stressed the importance of conducting the elections across all Syrian provinces and rejected any notion of territorial division, which all Syrians oppose."

Zelenskyy signals swift action on anti-graft agencies after EU's plea

"European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to uphold independent anti-corruption bodies.

""Ukraine has already achieved a lot on its European path,"" von der Leyen said in a post on X, adding that ""it must build on these solid foundations and preserve independent anti-corruption bodies, which are cornerstones of Ukraine's rule of law"".

The Ukrainian leader, meanwhile, signalled that supporting legislation could be adopted within days."

US, EU strike trade deal following 'tough negotiations'

"The US and the EU reached a trade deal, ending months-long uncertainty, President Donald Trump announced following a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Scotland.

The US president said he thinks the deal is going to be ""great"" for both parties, which sets the US rate at 15 percent on EU goods.

For her part, the European Commission president also praised the deal, saying it is a ""huge deal""."