Decision appears to be based on official assessment of Israel’s compliance with humanitarian law that did not cover recent events

David Cameron personally recommended that the UK should continue to sell arms to Israel two days after three British aid workers were killed in an Israeli airstrike.

James Kirby, 47, from Somerset, James Henderson, 33, from Cornwall and John Chapman, 57, from Dorset, members of World Central Kitchen, were killed on 1 April.

Johnny Mercer says he will ‘do all I can’ to change rules after veteran turned away from polling station

The veterans minister has apologised to former military personnel who have been prevented from using their veterans ID in order to vote in the local elections in England on Thursday.

Downing Street said it would “look into” changing the controversial new rules, which require photo ID in order to vote, to allow veterans’ ID cards on to the list of valid identification.

Union of Jewish Students deplores ‘torrent of antisemitic hatred’ in British universities since start of Israel-Gaza war

The prime minister has backed a police crackdown on any outbreak of disorder on university campuses, as Jewish students warned that pro-Palestinian encampments are creating a “hostile and toxic atmosphere”.

In recent days, new encampments have been set up at the universities of Manchester, Sheffield, Bristol and Newcastle, among others, after violent scenes on US campuses resulted in mass arrests of students and staff.

Swinney tells campaign launch event he can bind party together, restore trust and achieve Scottish independence

Kate Forbes has ruled herself out as a candidate in the Scottish National party leadership contest, clearing the way for John Swinney to become the next first minister.

Forbes, a former finance secretary who came to close to winning last year’s contest, confirmed growing suspicions she had reached an agreement with Swinney to back his bid.

A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie gig cancelled at last minute after air conditioning part fell during soundcheck

Angry music fans have demanded compensation from the troubled Co-op Live arena after it cancelled its opening concert for the third time, leaving thousands of fans stranded in Manchester.

The venue announced minutes after the doors opened on Wednesday night that US star A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie would no longer be performing due to a “technical issue”.

Insurers report rise in cases of images being manipulated with ‘shallowfake’ technology

A surge in fraud cases in which photos are manipulated to show fake car crash damage is alarming insurers and helping to push motor insurance costs up to record levels.

The insurer Allianz said incidents where apps were used to distort real-life images, videos and documents increased by 300% between 2021-22 and 2022-23, and it added that this had “all the signs of becoming the latest big scam to hit the insurance industry”.

Suspect also accused of two counts of attempted murder and two of grievous bodily harm

A man has appeared in court charged with murdering Daniel Anjorin, 14, with a samurai sword.

Marcus Arduini Monzo appeared at Westminster magistrates court on Thursday morning, charged with the murder of the teenager in Hainault, east London.

Dozens of demonstrators in Peckham surround coach, preventing it from taking people to barge in Dorset

Hundreds of protesters have blocked an attempt to collect asylum seekers from a London hotel and take them to the Bibby Stockholm barge.

Arrests were made as police waded into the crowd blocking the road near a Best Western hotel in Peckham. It was not until 3pm, seven hours after it turned up, that the coach sent for the asylum seekers was able to leave the area – without asylum seekers onboard – and a number of police vans carrying protesters who had been detained were also able to leave.

Keith Davidson back on stand on Thursday; judge Juan Merchan skeptical of Trump lawyer’s claim gag order violates client’s right to free speech

• Lawyer who negotiated Stormy Daniels deal to resume Trump-trial testimony
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We’re still waiting for proceedings to kick off.

As Donald Trump and Todd Blanche, his defense lawyer, are chatting at the table, the ex-president appears to be more animated, more engaged, than he has generally been.

Sumatran ape applied sap and leaves to open cut after suspected fight with another male, say scientists

The high intelligence levels of orangutans have long been recognised, partly due to their practical skills such as using tools to crack nuts and forage for insects. But new research suggests the primate has another handy skill in its repertoire: applying medicinal herbs.

Researchers say they have observed a male Sumatran orangutan treating an open facial wound with sap and chewed leaves from a plant known to have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.