Several metres deep. In the north of the territory, the un says a convoy of its staff carrying out polio vaccinations was held at gunpoint for eight hours by the israeli army on monday. The staff have now been released, but the un says it s not sure whether it can continue the vaccination campaign as planned. Meanwhile, syria says at least 18 people have been killed and dozens injured in a series of israeli air strikes. Syrian state media says multiple sites were targeted including scientific research centres. Monitoring organisations say that one of the sites, in the city of masyaf, was housing pro iranian weapons experts. Iran rejected reports that iranian sites were hit. Israel says it will not comment on reports of the strikes. Israel has previously acknowledged carrying out hundreds of strikes in recent years on targets in syria that it says are linked to iran. Joining me is frank lowenstein, who served as united states special envoy for middle east peace under president barack ob
Of ireland, after tensions over brexit, but Sir Keir Starmer is in dublin, saying the moment is right for a meaningful reset in relations. Hes been holding talks with his opposite number simon harris. Our Ireland Correspondent Sara Girvin reports. After years of strained relations, this was the moment Sir Keir Starmer was given A Hundred Thousand welcomes to dublin. There were smiles and handshakes as he and his irish counterpart were presented with football jerseys. This will be proudly worn in North London before too long. Both leaders said this was an opportunity to renew and deepen the friendship between britain and ireland. I know as two new leaders of our respective countries, we both said we wish to really place British Irish Relations on a new path, and i really appreciate the time that youve given to that since taking office. Its really important to me and to my government, and i think it is the moment for reset, and its when we put meaning behind those words. International ma
Catherine philp is world affairs editor at the times. She s reported from war zones for decades, and recently accompanied ukrainian forces across the border into kursk. So, i was coming into ukraine for. . . I ve been coming on and off since before the invasion, and this was a long scheduled visit. Itjust so happened that it came at a time when ukrainian forces had crossed the border into russia. So, obviously, my immediate question was, can we go? can we get there? setting it up with the ukrainians was not the hard bit. Actually, it was convincing my editors and, you know, layers of management back at the times that this was a safe thing to do, or that we could mitigate the risks involved in it. Because they weren t just about the danger there. They were also these legal risks about. . . . . The legal consequences of illegally crossing into russia, which is how the russian government have perceived the trip. But you obviously persuaded them, cos you went. Just to explain, then, who yo
By the netanyahu government . President erdogan said he condemns what he called a barbaric attack by israel. The white house says it is deeply disturbed by the incident. Here s us secretary of state, antony blinken. First things first, let s find out exactly what happened and we will draw the necessary consequences. As you have heard me say, i have no higher priority than the safety and protection of american citizens around the world, wherever they are, something i take with the utmost seriousness, so if we have more info, we will share it and, as necessary, act on it. Our international correspondent, mike thomson sent this report. She had been taking part in a protest in the northern west bank. It was organised, one of many taking place in recent weeks to protest against the increased expansion of settlements in the west bank and it is said by local media that israeli police had opened fire on those taking part in the demonstration and also used stun grenades and tear gas to try
violin plays. ceremonies are being held to mark holocaust memorial day to remember the millions of people persecuted and murdered by the nazis. and britain s alfie hewett and gordon reid secure theirfourth successive australian open wheelchair doubles title their 16th grand slam title together. hello and welcome. the chancellor, jeremy hunt will make a major speech shortly about where long term growth in our economy will come from. mr hunt is expected to dismiss gloom as he sets out plans to increase productivity in the uk. it s also thought he ll pledge a relentless focus on the key industries of the future. but it comes against the backdrop of a cost of living crisis and ongoing strikes about public sector pay. it comes in a week the government has faced accusations it has no long term plans for growth. according to advance extracts from his speech released by the treasury he will say. the government will offer a plan for long term prosperity based on british genius