Searching...

Middle East crisis live: Israel launches fresh strikes on Beirut; Netanyahu and Trump discuss ‘Iranian threat’

Lebanese capital’s south hit after Israel orders evacuations; Israeli PM’s office says he and US president-elect ‘agreed to work together for Israel’s security’

Lebanese media is reporting that an Israeli drone strike has targeted a vehicle in southern Lebanon.

More details soon …

Continue reading...

from The Guardian https://ift.tt/HbuEOQq

Ukraine war briefing: Biden plans military aid surge from billions still available, say reports

Zelenskyy congratulates Trump on election win – but gloom and uncertainty prevail in Kyiv. What we know on day 988

The Biden White House plans to rush billions of dollars in security assistance to Ukraine before the outgoing Democratic president leaves office in January, sources told Reuters on Wednesday. “The administration plans to push forward … to put Ukraine in the strongest position possible” a senior administration official said on condition of anonymity. Biden’s plans for the transfers were first reported by Politico. The White House did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The outgoing, Republican-controlled House of Representatives last approved aid for Ukraine in April including the authority for Joe Biden to transfer billions of dollars in weapons from US stocks. Of the weapons transfer authority passed in April, $4.3bn remains, in addition to $2.8bn worth of transfers lawmakers approved in previous spending measures and $2bn in funding for the purchase of new weapons from industry. In total, that $9bn in military assistance would be a significant boost to Ukraine’s stores.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian president, has put a brave face on a US election result that could mean a sharp cut in funding for his war effort, writes Patrick Wintour, the Guardian’s diplomatic editor, saying Donald Trump’s commitment to peace through strength could bring a “just peace closer”. But the reality for Ukraine is one of gloom and uncertainty, Luke Harding and Dan Sabbagh write from Kyiv, amid expectations that Trump is likely to end US military assistance, while the Kremlin said its aim of subjugating its neighbour remained unchanged.

Zelenskyy congratulated Trump on his “impressive election victory”, adding: “I appreciate President Trump’s commitment to the ‘peace through strength’ approach in global affairs. This is exactly the principle that can practically bring just peace in Ukraine closer. I am hopeful that we will put it into action together.” Later, Zelenskyy said he congratulated Trump during an “excellent” phone call. “We agreed to maintain close dialogue and advance our cooperation. Strong and unwavering US leadership is vital for the world and for a just peace.”

Analysts say it is by no means certain Washington will back any more assistance for Kyiv once Republicans control the White House and at least the Senate, especially as Ukraine experiences battlefield setbacks. “That’s going to be a problem when you go forward with additional funding for Ukraine, which at some point is going to be necessary,” said Scott Anderson, a fellow in governance studies at the Brookings Institution.

On the frontlines in Ukraine, Yurii Fedorenko, commander of a Ukrainian drone unit in the Kharkiv region, was wearing an American flag patch on his uniform when he spoke to the Associated Press on Wednesday. He is keenly aware of how critical American support has been. “Suppose I were told that there was some country across the ocean that I didn’t even know where it was, and that I had to pay money from my taxes to this country so that it could exist,” said Fedorenko. “I don’t know how I would react. Therefore, I really thank the Americans and I really believe that they have a good education system, because the vast majority of people understand why the United States helps third countries, and in particular now Ukraine.”

Elsewhere in Ukraine, Russia’s defence ministry said its forces had captured the eastern Ukrainian villages of Maksymivka, near Vuhledar which they already hold, and Antonivka, near the embattled town of Kurakhove. Ukraine’s military did not acknowledge that either had fallen into Russian hands but said it repulsed Russian attacks as fighting continued around both villages.

Continue reading...

from The Guardian https://ift.tt/M2b3uGp

Gareth Thomas: ‘Rugby broke me down but I managed to rebuild myself’

The dual code rugby international on stigma, sexual health and inspiring the next generation

By Gavin Willacy for No Helmets Required

Gareth Thomas played 100 times for Wales at rugby union and four at rugby league. He spent the last few years of his career,hoping to illuminate the subject of sexuality. He retired in 2011 after his club – Wrexham-based Crusaders – withdrew from Super League and injury ruled out leading Wales against England, New Zealand and Australia in the Four Nations. He was the only “out” gay male player from around 3,500 first team professionals at nearly 150 British rugby, football and cricket clubs. That figure still remains at one. Progress is glacial.

The former Bridgend, Cardiff and Toulouse centre first spoke publicly about having HIV five years ago. Now 50, and physically well, Thomas was taken to court by a former partner who accused him of infecting him with HIV. Thomas settled in early 2023 but maintained his innocence and said he settled without any admission of liability due to the costs involved of fully defending himself.

Continue reading...

from The Guardian https://ift.tt/1B3pUdD