More on the bbc news website and app. Hello, i m martine croxhall. The us secretary of state antony blinken is travelling to middle east as cautious optimism grows amongst israeli negotiators about the possibility of reaching a deal on gaza. It comes after president biden said that a ceasefire deal was closer than ever. But senior hamas figures have dismissed such optimism as an illusion. Meanwhile, there have been more israeli air strikes in gaza and israel also said it had struck targets inside neighbouring lebanon. The us feels the stakes are so high with the threat of an all out regional conflict that wider peace is essential. That s according to our middle east correspondent, sebastian usher. Let s take a listen. I think we have got three messages coming out in a way from the us, very strong, very urgent, very much pushing the ceasefire negotiations. They have broken down a number of times before. But i think the us feels the stakes are so high this time with the threat of a regio
Hello, i m martine croxall. Ukraine s air force say they ve destroyed another bridge in russia s kursk region. Air force commander mykola oleshchuck released this footage, saying russia was minus one more bridge and that strikes were depriving them of logisitical capabilities. It comes almost two weeks after ukraine s surprise cross border operation into russia. These are the latest pictures from the rostov region in south west russia. The governor there says firefighters were called to put out a fire at an industrial facility struck by debris from a ukrainian drone. Both sides say air defences destroyed multiple drones and missiles fired by the other side overnight. Ukraine s offensive in the kursk region represents the first time in more than 80 years that a foreign army has seized and occupied russian territory. The attack has shocked the russian public, who d been lead to believe that their country s border was safely guarded. Our russia editor steve rosenberg sent this report from
Hello, i m catherine byaruhanga. The us secretary of state antony blinken has arrived in israel on his 9th visit to the region since the war in gaza began to push once again for a ceasefire and hostage release deal. The us and israel have expressed careful optimism about a deal since talks resumed last week. But hamas denies progress is being made and accused israel of adding new conditions to the agreed proposals. This afternoon, the israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu insisted israel could not be flexible on all issues accusing hamas of being obstinate. Jenny hill sent this report. There s a crushing familiarity to gaza s grief. Funerals for those killed overnight in israeli airstrikes. Israel insists it s targeting hamas fighters. This was an entire civilian family, mohammed says. A woman and her six children. As the human cost of this conflict surges, so too does the risk it will spill over into all out regional war. Urgent diplomacy is under way. The us secretary of
To not one, not two, but three debates against Kamala Harris. It is unclear if the Vice President has agreed to the terms yet. She takes to the stage in detroit, michigan shortly, so we will see what she has to say. Sir Keir Starmer has been chairing another Emergency Meeting with Law Enforcement officials in the wake Ofanti Immigrantand far right riots in england and Northern Ireland. Last night, there had been fears of further disorder, but instead mostly peaceful anti racism protests took place across england. The metropolitan Police Commissioner thanked communities for their show of unity and praised officers for their work. So far, nearly 500 people have been arrested and 149 charged in connection with the violence seen in towns and cities since last week, and more lengthy Prison Sentences have been handed down to those involved in rioting. Meanwhile, a suspended Labour Councillor has been arrested on suspicion of encouraging murder after comments made at a London Counter protest.