Elizabeth Tsurkov, Princeton Student, Is Released From Iraq, Trump Says
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Almost exactly a year ago I interviewed the Hamas leader and chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya in Doha. I met him in a house not far from the building that Israel attacked on Tuesday afternoon.
From the beginning of the war in Gaza, al-Hayya had been the chief Hamas negotiator, sending and receiving messages to the Israelis and Americans via Qatari and Egyptian intermediaries.
At moments where ceasefires were thought likely, al-Hayya, along with the men who were also targeted this afternoon, were only a short distance from the Israeli and American delegations. When they were attacked, al-Hayya and the other top Hamas leaders were discussing the latest American diplomatic proposals to end the war in Gaza and free the remaining Israeli hostages.
Israel's swift declaration of what it had done immediately fuelled speculation on social media that the latest American proposals were simply a ruse to get the Hamas leadership in one place where they could be targeted.
On 3rd October last year, as Khalil al-Hayya walked into the venue for our meeting in a modest, low-rise villa, I was surprised that he had so little security. We had to give up our phones, and a couple of bodyguards came with him into the house.
Outside plain clothes Qatari police sat smoking in an SUV. That was it. A hundred bodyguards could not have stopped an air strike, but al-Hayya and his people were relaxed and confident.
The point was that Qatar was supposed to be safe, and they felt secure enough to move around relatively openly.
A few months earlier, on 31 July 2024, Israel had assassinated Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas political leader in Tehran, where he was attending the inauguration of President Masoud Pezeshkian.
With the war in Gaza raging, I had wondered whether it might be dangerous to sit in the same room as Khalil al-Hayya. But like him, I thought Qatar was off limits.
In the last few decades Qatar has tried to carve itself a position as the Switzerland of the Middle East, a place where even enemies could make deals.
The Americans negotiated with the Afghan Taliban in Doha. And in the almost two years since the attacks on 7th October 2023, Qatar has been the centre of the diplomatic efforts to negotiate ceasefires and perhaps even an end to the war.
The peace efforts, driven by President Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff, were faltering badly. But now they are in ruins. In the words of one senior western diplomat "there is no diplomacy."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told Israelis that their enemies will never be able to sleep easy and are paying the price for ordering the 7th October attacks.
The Israeli offensive in Gaza is gathering pace. A few hours before the attack on Doha, the Israeli military, the IDF, told all Palestinians in Gaza City to leave and move south. It's thought something like one million civilians could be affected.
In his televised comments Netanyahu told Palestinians in Gaza "don't be derailed by these killers. Stand up for your rights and your future. Make peace with us. Accept President Trump's proposal. Don't worry, you can do it, and we can promise you a different future, but you've got to take these people out of the way. If you do, there is no limit to our common future."
If Palestinians in Gaza are able to hear his words, they will ring very hollow. Israel has destroyed the homes of hundreds of thousands of them, as well as hospitals, universities and schools.
With Gaza already gripped by starvation, famine in Gaza City itself and a humanitarian catastrophe across the territory the forced movement of many more people will only increase Israel's lethal pressure on civilians.
Israel has already killed more than 60,000 Palestinians in Gaza, the majority of whom were civilians. Netanyahu himself faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for war crimes, and Israel is being investigated by the International Court of Justice for genocide.
The attack in Doha is a sign that Netanyahu and his government will press forward as hard as they can all fronts, not just Gaza. They are confident that with American support, their military can enforce their will.
The Doha attack earned a rare rebuke from the White House. Qatar is a valuable ally, that hosts a huge US military base and is a major investor in the US.
But Netanyahu appears to be calculating that Donald Trump, the only leader he feels he must listen to, will content himself with the diplomatic equivalent of a rap over the knuckles.
Israel's offensive in Gaza continues. And as the planned recognition of Palestinian independence at the UN later this month by the UK, France, Canada, Australia and other western countries approaches, Netanyahu's ultra nationalist cabinet allies will redouble calls to respond with the annexation of occupied Palestinian territory in the West Bank.
The US has said Israel's strike on Hamas targets in Qatar "does not advance Israel or America's goals", adding that President Donald Trump "feels very badly" about the attack.
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt read a statement from Trump at a briefing on Tuesday. It said the US was notified of Israel's attack on Hamas, with a strike "very unfortunately" taking place in the capital Doha.
It described Qatar as "a sovereign nation and close ally of the United States that is working very hard and bravely taking risks with us to broker peace".
Six people were killed in the strike, Hamas said, including one member of the Qatari security forces, but the group said its leadership team survived.
The Israeli military said it conducted a "precise strike" targeted at Hamas senior leaders using "precise munitions". Israeli media reported the operation involved 15 Israeli fighter jets, which fired 10 munitions against a single target.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he authorised the strike and there would be "no immunity" for Hamas leaders.
At the White House briefing on Tuesday, Leavitt said: "President Trump immediately directed Special Envoy [Steve] Witkoff to inform the Qataris of the impending attack, which he did. The president views Qatar as a strong ally and friend of the United States."
"The president also spoke to the emir and prime minister of Qatar and thanked them for their support and friendship to our country. He assured them that such a thing will not happen again on their soil," she added.
Leavitt said "eliminating Hamas, who have profited off the misery of those living in Gaza, is a worthy goal" and reiterated that Trump "wants all of the hostages in Gaza and the bodies of the dead released in this war to end now".
The attack took place on early Tuesday afternoon, with footage showing a badly damaged building in Doha.
Qatar's foreign ministry condemned the strike "in the strongest possible terms," and said the attack was a "blatant violation" of international law.
It later said that Qatari officials were not notified of the Israeli strike ahead of time, contradicting the US statement.
"The communication received from one of the US officials came during the sound of explosions," said Qatar's foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari in a post on X.
Leavitt did not specify when the US notified the Qataris of the attack.
Qatar has hosted Hamas's political bureau since 2012 and played a key role in facilitating indirect negotiations between the group and Israel since the 7 October attacks.
It has also been a close ally of the US. Around 10,000 American troops are stationed at a US airbase in al-Udeid, just outside Doha. In May, Trump announced a "historic" economic agreement signed between the two countries that he said is valued at least $1.2 trillion (£890bn).
Qatar has also recently gifted Trump a plane - valued at $400m - as an "unconditional gift" to be used as the new Air Force One, the official aircraft of the US president.
Hamas said their negotiating team in Doha survived Tuesday's attack, adding that the action "confirms beyond doubt that Netanyahu and his government do not want to reach any agreement" for peace.
It said it holds the US administration "jointly responsible" due to its ongoing support of Israel.
The office for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu put out a statement shortly after the strike, which said the attack was "a wholly independent Israeli operation".
"Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility," the statement said.
A few days prior to the attack, Hamas said it welcomed "some ideas" from the US on how to reach a Gaza ceasefire, and that it was discussing how to turn them "into a comprehensive agreement".
In its statement, the White House said Trump believes the "unfortunate" attack "could serve as an opportunity for peace," and that Netanyahu had expressed to him after the attack that "he wants to make peace and quickly".
Israel carried out a strike on senior Hamas leaders in Qatar's capital, Doha, on Tuesday afternoon.
Qatar quickly accused Israel of "reckless" behaviour and breaking international law after the attack on a residential premises in the city.
The Israel Defense Forces claimed to have targeted those "directly responsible for the brutal October 7 massacre".
Here is what we know so far.
Explosions were heard and smoke was seen rising above the Qatari capital Doha early on Tuesday afternoon.
Verified footage showed smoke rising from a heavily damaged section of a complex next to Woqod petrol station on Wadi Rawdan Street, close to the West Bay Lagoon district north of central Doha.
According to the Israeli military, it conducted a "precise strike" targeted at Hamas senior leaders in Qatar using "precise munitions".
Israeli media says the operation involved 15 Israeli fighter jets, firing 10 munitions against a single target.
Qatar has hosted Hamas's political bureau since 2012 and played a key role in facilitating indirect negotiations between the group and Israel since the 7 October attacks.
According to a Hamas official, members of the Hamas negotiating delegation were targeted during a meeting.
The IDF has said the strike was carried out on the group's "senior leadership", although it is not yet clear exactly which individuals were targeted.
The office for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu put out a statement shortly after the strike, claiming the attack was "a wholly independent Israeli operation".
"Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility," it said in a statement.
The White House also quickly confirmed it was informed of the operation, almost certainly because of the proximity of the huge US airbase at al-Udeid, just outside Doha.
This means that Donald Trump had a chance to say no to Israel but chose to give a green light instead.
Given this was an attack on sovereign Qatari territory, questions remain over how this will affect the massive US airbase at al-Udeid and how it will affect US relations with all its Gulf Arab allies.
Qatar has acted as a mediator between Israel and Hamas and has hosted negotiations between them since October 2023.
A couple of days ago, Hamas said it welcomed "some ideas" from the US about how to reach a Gaza ceasefire agreement that it received through mediators. It said it was in discussion about how to turn them "into a comprehensive agreement that meets the needs of our people".
It's thought likely the targeted Hamas leaders were in the middle of discussing their formal response to the US ideas.
A Palestinian official earlier told the BBC the US plan would see the 48 remaining hostages in Gaza freed in the first 48 hours of a 60-day truce in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and good-faith negotiations on a permanent ceasefire.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has entered the contest to be Labour's deputy leader, becoming the most senior figure to put her name forward so far.
Bell Ribeiro-Addy, MP for Clapham and Brixton Hill, is so far the only other declared candidate in the race to replace Angela Rayner in the deputy leader role.
Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee Emily Thornberry has said she is considering entering, while Tooting MP, and former deputy leader candidate, Rosena Allin-Khan has ruled herself out.
Candidates have until Thursday evening to get nominations from at least 80 Labour MPs in order to take part in the contest.
They will also need the backing of either 5% of local parties, or three Labour-affiliated groups, including two unions.
Those who clear the bar face a vote by party members, with the winner announced on 25 October.
Former MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace is launching legal action against the BBC over a data protection claim, according to court documents.
The case has been filed at the High Court, but no further details have yet been made public.
Wallace was sacked in July after a report upheld more than 40 allegations about his conduct on MasterChef.
A BBC spokesperson said: "We have not been formally notified of any legal proceedings so at this stage we are unable to comment."
Wallace's representatives have been approached for a comment.
BBC News is editorially independent from the wider corporation.
Wallace had hosted MasterChef for 20 years, but stepped away from presenting the cooking show last year after facing a string of misconduct claims.
The show's production company Banijay ordered an immediate inquiry into the allegations, which was conducted by an independent law firm.
This summer, the report revealed that 45 claims against Wallace had been substantiated, including one of unwelcome physical contact and three of being in a state of undress.
In total, the report said 83 allegations were made against the TV presenter, with the majority of the upheld claims relating to inappropriate sexual language and humour, but also culturally insensitive or racist comments.
Following that report, Wallace issued a statement to the PA news agency, saying that "none of the serious allegations against me were upheld".
"I challenged the remaining issue of unwanted touching but have had to accept a difference in perception, and I am deeply sorry for any distress caused. It was never intended."
A separate claim that his co-host John Torode had used a severely offensive racist term was also substantiated. Torode has said he has "no recollection" of the incident.
Both presenters were sacked, but the BBC decided to still broadcast this year's amateurs series of MasterChef - with both Wallace and Torode in it - for the sake of the chefs who had taken part in it.
On Tuesday, the BBC's director general Tim Davie defended that decision, saying the "vast majority" of chefs on the show wanted it to air.
But he added: "I think the consequences for the individuals who presented MasterChef have been very significant, they're no longer working with the BBC, so there are those consequences."
Speaking to MPs, he also said he was "not letting anything lie" when it came to rooting out abuses of power within the corporation.
Earlier this week, it was revealed that food critic Grace Dent and chef Anna Haugh are the new hosts of MasterChef.
Autumn has arrived and is making its presence known with an unsettled start to September.
Wind and rain are set to sweep in from the Atlantic on Wednesday bringing about a drop in temperature and a risk of thunderstorms.
The weather will remain unsettled into the weekend with a chance of deeper areas of low pressure developing in the North Atlantic during the coming days
Currently it's too early to be exact about the impact these lows may have - including if any will develop into a named storm. If that happens then the first storm of the season would be called 'Storm Amy'.
You can keep up to date via the BBC Weather app or by following our latest forecast.
The jet stream will shift to the south of the UK allowing areas of low pressure to move in from the west
The jet stream - a fast moving ribbon of air in the upper atmosphere - is going to be moving to the south of the UK this week and strengthening in speed. This will allow developing areas of low pressure to drift eastwards bringing rain and wind to all areas.
Through much of spring and summer, the jet stream was stuck further north in a 'blocked' pattern which often kept rain-bearing weather fronts away. However, as it often the case this time of year, as we transition out of summer and into autumn, we're now seeing a more westerly influence to the weather. The blocked pattern has broken down and this has opened the doors for Atlantic weather systems to move in.
Rain is on the way for all of us this week with the wettest weather likely around the western coasts
As we head deeper into the autumn months, most forecast models indicate an increased chance of a 'wetter than average' spell from September to November in the UK. However there is always a lot of uncertainty in seasonal forecasts, and these should be interpreted as likely trends rather than expected conditions.
It's unlikely we'll see a repeat of September 2024 which was the wettest on record for 10 English counties, including Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Wiltshire. They received more than 3 times their expected September rainfall leading to widespread flooding.
This year so far, the UK has experienced its sunniest spring and warmest summer on record. Both these seasons have also been very dry for many, especially for some regions of England and Wales, where hosepipe bans remain in force and drought has been officially declared.
The data from January to August shows that the UK as a whole has received just 44% of its expected annual rainfall (compared to an expected average of 67% by this stage in the year).
If we were to reach 'normal' rainfall totals by the end of the year, we'd need to see a very wet spell of weather from September to December, with 141% of average rainfall each month.
Although this week's rainfall is welcome and will go some way to help river levels and soil moisture content, it will take some time for catchments to recover and for reservoirs and aquifers to respond. Rainfall moves slowly through the water cycle, needing to soak deep through the soil and way down into the groundwater stores.
According to the Met Office "Sustained rainfall throughout autumn and winter will be needed in some areas to restore water resources.".
As our world warms, climate scientists expect the UK to experience wetter, warmer winters and hotter, drier summers. Although the distribution and intensity of the UK's rainfall is shifting, the link between climate change and drought is complex due to hydrological and societal factors.
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© Illustration by Sam Whitney/The New York Times; source photographs by Rick Friedman and Anadolu/Getty Images
中国由于受到对美出口放缓的拖累,8月份出口增速降至六个月以来最低。受此影响,中国企业转向欧洲市场(8月份同比增长10%)。数据显示,中国对美出口呈现下降,但对欧洲出口继续上升。另据9月8日周一发布的官方数据,上个月中国出口同比增长4.4%,低于7月份7.2%的预期增幅,低于5.0%的预期。
中国对美出口量明显停滞。根据9月9日周一发布的官方数据显示,尽管中美贸易战已暂时休战,但两国关系持续紧张,8月份中国对美出口环比下降了11.8%。
上个月中国对美出口商品的价值,据中国海关的统计数据为316亿美元,低于7月份的358亿美元。6月份出口额曾达到382亿美元。
中国经济依赖出口,受到美国总统唐纳德·特朗普反复无常的贸易政策的压力。自去年 1 月重返白宫以来,特朗普发动了一场全球贸易战。
由于中美两国贸易休战的积极影响消退,总体而言,中国8月份出口增速降至六个月以来的最低水平,受对美出口放缓的影响,这凸显出北京方面在第四季度刺激经济的必要性。
根据中国海关数据显示,上个月中国出口受到与欧洲和亚洲贸易的提振。数据显示,8月份中国对欧盟出口同比增长10.4%,对东南亚国家出口同比增长22.5%。
点点资产管理公司 (Pinpoint Asset Management)的首席经济学家张智威指出:“中国出口商一直在寻求扩大其在其他国家的市场份额。”
“这项国际化举措可能迄今为止对中国出口的韧性有所贡献,”该专家继续说道。根据9月8日周一发布的官方数据,上个月中国出口同比增长4.4%,低于7月份7.2%的预期增幅,低于5.0%的预期。
中国海关数据显示,中国8月份进口只增长了1.3%。分析师此前平均预期进口额将增长3.0%,而上个月进口额增长了4.1%。
谈判正在进行中
中国国内需求持续低迷,这加剧了北京决策者面临的挑战。目前,根据世界两大经济体于8月11日同意延长90天的贸易休战协议,中国出口到美国的产品将被征收30%的关税,而美国产品进入中国则将被征收10%的关税。
尽管北京和华盛顿之间的协议谈判仍在继续,但进展甚微,“暂停”结束后的前景仍不明朗。经济学家警告称,美国高于35%的关税,这是美国总统特朗普今年4月宣布的:特朗普打算对中国产品征收高达145%的关税,而这对于中国出口商来说将过高。
中国海关数据显示,8月份中国贸易顺差升至1023亿美元,高于前一个月的982.4亿美元。而6月份,该数字曾升至1147亿美元。
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路透社9月9日星期二巴黎站消息,法国欧洲事务部长本雅明·哈达德当天表示,尽管法国的政局动荡,法国对乌克兰的军事支持将会继续。他还宣布,无论谁将会成为法国新一任总理,他原定于9月11日对乌克兰的访问都会保持。不久后,总统马克龙宣布任命现任国防部长塞巴斯蒂安·勒科尔努为新任总理。
贝鲁政府被推翻后,法国即将在不到两年时间内迎来第五位总理。法国欧洲事务部长本雅明·哈达德自去年被任命以来,已历经了两位总理。他表示,“支持乌克兰确实是一个跨党派的事项,从社会党到共和党再到中间派”,“这对我国的利益绝对是至关重要的”。
他解释说,法国的“国防预算得以保留,过去几年的增长也得到了保障,而且这一趋势将会继续”。本周,本雅明·哈达德将前往乌克兰,他表示,“这是我将传达的强烈信息之一”。
路透社表示,马克龙已承诺,今年向乌克兰提供额外的20亿欧元军事援助。而9月9日马克龙任命现任国防部长塞巴斯蒂安·勒科尔努接任总理之位,表明(国防军事方面的)政策将保持延续性。