Monday evening news briefing: Israeli tanks cut key road out of …
Good evening. Israeli tanks advanced into the fringes of Gaza City, witnesses said, as the army ramped up its war on Hamas – saying it had killed dozens of militants in hundreds of strikes.
Elsewhere, an “incel” terrorist who tried to kill a US spy after being “ghosted” by her predecessor has been jailed for life.
Israeli tanks cut key road out of Gaza City
Israeli tanks advanced into the fringes of Gaza City[1], witnesses said, as the army ramped up its war on Hamas – saying it had killed dozens of militants in hundreds of strikes. Videos circulating on social media showed an Israeli tank and bulldozer in central Gaza blocking the territory’s main north-south highway, which the Israeli military earlier told Palestinians to use to escape the expanding ground offensive[2].
‘Incel’ terrorist who tried to kill US spy is jailed for life
An “incel” terrorist who tried to kill a US spy after being “ghosted” by her predecessor[3] has been jailed for life. Joshua Bowles, a former GCHQ employee, stabbed the woman in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, as she was leaving netball practice. The computer programmer claimed he had acted because he was disgusted by her “murky” activities[4] working for the US National Security Agency alongside GCHQ.
German woman whose naked body was paraded around Gaza found dead
The body of Shani Louk, a German-Israeli who was abducted by Hamas at the Nova music festival[5] and paraded half-naked in a truck, has been found and identified. Ms Louk’s mother Ricarda announced her death on Monday, saying: “Unfortunately we got the news yesterday that my daughter is no longer alive.” Ms Louk was attending the festival near the Gaza border when Hamas militants attacked it on Oct 7, opening fire and sending partygoers fleeing through the desert[6].
Israel-Hamas war live updates: Israel rescue hostage soldier from Gaza[7]
Evening Briefing: Today’s essential headlines
Matthew Perry | The cast of Friends have yet to break their silence on the death of their co-star. According to sources, the cast are “reeling” about the death of their “brother”[8], and did not see it coming.
- NHS | Doctors told not to ‘swipe right’ at work to avoid dating patients[9]
- UK weather | Flooded roads shut as Storm Ciaran closes in[10]
- Watch | Met Police take 40 minutes to remove Just Stop Oil activists from Parliament Square[11]
- BBC | Presenter warns against science being ‘just done by European white guys’[12]
- Israel-Hamas war | Tory MP sacked for breaking ranks with Rishi Sunak to call for Gaza ceasefire[13]
Pictured: Passenger trains collide in India
A drone view shows heavy machinery removing damaged coaches following the collision
Credit: REUTERS/R.Narendra
At least 13 people have died and 25 were injured after two passenger trains collided in India[14], officials said. The incoming train reportedly slammed into a stationary train in Andhra Pradesh state’s Vizianagaram district, causing a derailment of at least three rail cars.
Comment and analysis
- Tim Stanley | For how long will conservatives support Israel?[15]
- Andrew Orlowski | Cheap electric cars are still out of reach[16]
- Nick Timothy | British society will pay a terrible price for indulging extremism[17]
- John Ralfe | MPs are gambling with your pension – and handing you the bill for theirs[18]
- Celia Walden | I like to think Matthew Perry was optimistic when he died[19]
World news: Adam Johnson’s fiancee pays heartbreaking tribute after ice hockey player’s death
The fiancee of an ice hockey player killed after his throat was slashed by an opponent’s stray boot blade[20] has paid tribute to her “sweet angel”. Ryan Wolfe, who is said to have run onto the ice and prayed next to Adam Johnson as he received emergency medical treatment, says she will miss him “forever”. The player had been struck in a “freak” clash with Matt Petgrave, who had since been sent a barrage of hateful messages online[21].
Feature of the day
21 weird facts about mushrooms (including how many are growing on your feet right now)
Fungi expert Merlin Sheldrake wants the world to wake up to the prolific wonders that surround us[22].
Business news: HSBC says worst of China’s property crisis over after major policy correction
China’s economy is past the worst of its property crisis[24], according to the chief executive of HSBC. Noel Quinn said “the major correction is over” and said HSBC now expects the property market to stabilise. It came even as the bank set aside $500m (£412m) to cover losses from the troubled sector and cut its forecasts for growth in the world’s second-largest economy because of the property crunch.
References