There has been international condemnation of Israel’s treatment of pro-Palestinian activists who were on board a Gaza-bound aid flotilla intercepted by Israeli naval forces.

The US, the UK, France, Italy and Canada were among the countries which expressed outrage after far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video showing himself taunting activists kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs.

His actions also drew rare criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said they were “not in line with Israel’s values”.

The flotilla, which carried a token amount of aid, set out to highlight the conditions for Palestinians in war-torn Gaza. Israel dismissed it as a “PR stunt at the service of Hamas”.

More than 50 boats taking part in the Global Sumud Flotill set sail from Turkey. Armed Israeli naval commandos intercepted the fleet in international waters west of Cyprus, about 250 nautical miles from the coast of Gaza, which is under an Israeli maritime blockade.

Ben-Gvir – an ultra-nationalist who, as national security minister, oversees Israel’s police force – posted a video on social media, captioned “Welcome to Israel”. It showed him visiting a detention facility at the port of Ashdod where the activists are being held.

He is seen encouraging security personnel as they push down a female activist who shouts “Free, Free, Palestine” as he walks past her.

Ben-Gvir is shown waving a large Israeli flag next to dozens of activists kneeling on the ground with their hands tied behind their backs. He tells them in Hebrew: “Welcome to Israel. We are the masters.” Other activists are shown kneeling on the deck of a ship as the Israeli national anthem is played.

The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, called Ben-Gvir’s actions “despicable”. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the video showed “totally disgraceful scenes”, adding that she had sent a summons to the Israeli embassy to demand an “urgent explanation”. Italy, France, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain said Ben-Gvir’s actions were “unacceptable” and that they had summoned their respective Israeli ambassadors.

Jane Hill presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Emir Nader.

Subscribe to our channel here: https://bbc.in/bbcnews

For the latest news download the BBC News app or visit BBC.com/news

#BBCNews

source

The area near Kostyantynivka in eastern Ukraine is currently one of the most dangerous hotspots and the Ukrainian military admits that Russian forces have reached its outskirts.

Ukraine’s 93rd brigade has had the job of defending Kostyantynivka and its surrounding towns and villages from Russia’s advance.

If this highly strategic city falls, Moscow will be able to push towards the last remaining Ukrainian strongholds in the Donbas region – Kramatorsk and Sloviansk – from the north, east and south.

But warfare in the region has a new look, with drone attacks now the primary choice of weapon for both sides.

Subscribe to our channel here: https://bbc.in/bbcnews

For the latest news download the BBC News app or visit BBC.com/news

#Ukraine #Russia #BBCNews

source

The bodies of all five divers who died in the Maldives last week have now been found, officials have confirmed.

The Italians were found inside a 60-metre-deep (197ft) cave in Vaavu Atoll by a joint team of highly trained Finnish and Maldivian divers, the officials said.

The body of the fifth Italian diver, a member of the group, had already been recovered shortly after Thursday’s accident.

A Maldivian rescue diver also died on Saturday while searching for the bodies of the group.

Subscribe to our channel here: https://bbc.in/bbcnews

For the latest news download the BBC News app or visit BBC.com/news

#Maldives #Italy #BBCNews

source

As Russia ramps up its attacks, with reportedly more than 800 long-range Shahed drones fired in a single day, Ukraine is stepping up its defence.

Ukraine has been developing one of the world’s most advanced layered air defence systems, with their expertise now sought out by countries in the Middle East.

It says it will soon be able to shoot down up to 95% of the drones launched by Moscow, and has also enlisted private companies to help counter the threat.

BBC Defence Correspondent Jonathan Beale has been finding out more about how Ukraine is adapting.

Subscribe to our channel here: https://bbc.in/bbcnews

For the latest news download the BBC News app or visit BBC.com/news

#Ukraine #Russia #Drones #Defence #BBCNews

source

Why Britain keeps losing prime ministers? This is an American friendly guide to UK politics.

In the decade since Britain voted to leave the European Union, the country has cycled through six prime ministers, victims of both their own decisions, and global pressures.

Now, Sir Keir Starmer, the current prime minister and leader of the left-leaning Labour party, could be the seventh leader to fall, under pressure from members of his own party who feel he has failed to tackle key issues like the cost of living, immigration, and sluggish economic growth.

To top it off, recent local elections across the country proved disastrous for Labour as it lost ground to populist parties on both the left and right, and only two years after a landslide victory some of Sir Keir’s own party members are calling for him to step down.

How did British politics become so volatile? BBC diplomatic correspondent James Landale joins us to explain.

New episodes of The Global Story are released daily. If you’re in the UK, listen on BBC Sounds. If you live outside the UK, listen on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

Listen to the podcast here: https://app.magellan.ai/listen_links/the-global-story-ytl

Subscribe to our channel here: https://bbc.in/bbcnews

For the latest news download the BBC News app or visit BBC.com/news

#BBCNews #Politics

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
02:00 Why is Starmer under pressure?
04:05 A bitesize timeline of the last decade of British politics
05:56 The Nigel Farage factor
08:49 Why did Keir Starmer and Labour win?
11:20 Why has the Labour government been unpopular?
14:08 The local elections disaster for Labour
20:31 Who is Andy Burnham?
22:31 What is driving political instability in the UK?

source