Israeli soldier vandalizes Jesus statue in southern Lebanon; official condemnation and investigation underway
An Israeli soldier was filmed using a sledgehammer to vandalize a statue of Jesus in the village of Debel in southern Lebanon.The incident has prompted condemnation from Israeli officials and calls for investigation.The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that the soldier's conduct is being investigated and described the act as "wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops." The IDF also stated that appropriate measures will be taken and efforts are ongoing to restore the statue.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed regret for any hurt caused to believers in Lebanon and worldwide.Israel's Foreign Minister issued an apology to every Christian... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 20 Apr 2026 16:01 LONDON
UK PM Starmer faces pressure over Peter Mandelson's ambassador appointment despite failed security checks
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under increasing pressure after it was revealed that Peter Mandelson was appointed as the United Kingdom's ambassador to the United States despite failing to obtain top security clearances.The controversy has sparked a political crisis with calls for Starmer to explain the appointment and address concerns in Parliament.Mandelson, a former prominent politician with links to Jeffrey Epstein, was appointed ambassador in late 2024.However, it has now emerged that he did not pass the necessary security vetting required for such a sensitive diplomatic role.The revelation has led to widespread criticism and intensified calls for Starmer's resignation.The Prime... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 20 Apr 2026 12:02 LONDON
UK Prime Minister Starmer faces Commons over Lord Mandelson vetting scandal
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer appeared before the UK Parliament to address questions regarding the vetting process of Lord Mandelson's appointment as the United Kingdom's ambassador to the United States.Starmer stated that he was unaware of any red flags until last week, despite the warnings being raised in January 2025.The Prime Minister confirmed that civil servants in the Foreign Office had withheld information about concerns flagged during the initial vetting process.He said the first he knew of these issues was when Dame Antonia Romeo, head of the civil service, and Cat Little, head of the Cabinet Office, informed him two... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 20 Apr 2026 01:30 LONDON
UK Prime Minister Faces Commons Over Mandelson Vetting Scandal
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is facing intense scrutiny in the House of Commons following revelations that civil servants withheld critical red flags during the vetting process of Lord Mandelson for his ambassadorial appointment to the United States.Starmer confirmed that he was only informed last week about concerns initially raised by UK Security and Vetting (UKSV) officials in January 2025, despite Mandelson's appointment occurring in December 2024.The Prime Minister stated that "full due process" was believed to have been followed at the time.The controversy has led to calls for Starmer's resignation from opposition leaders, who question the credibility of... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 19 Apr 2026 21:02 LONDON
UK Foreign Secretary concerned over delayed ministerial briefing on Mandelson vetting
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has expressed extreme concern that ministers were not informed sooner about security vetting issues related to Lord Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador.The delay in communication has raised questions about the handling of the vetting process within the Foreign Office and the flow of information to ministers.Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is facing calls to resign from opposition parties amid the political fallout and is due to answer questions in Parliament on Monday.The Foreign Office's top civil servant, Sir Olly Robbins, was sacked last week over the matter and is expected to appear before the Foreign Affairs... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 19 Apr 2026 05:30 LONDON
Sudanese band Aswat Almadina continues music amid war and displacement
Members of Sudan's influential band Aswat Almadina have fled the country due to the ongoing conflict but continue to produce music inspired by their home city, Khartoum, aiming to inspire peace.Timon, a founding member of Aswat Almadina, left Sudan two months after the conflict began in 2023, deeply affected by the violence and destruction he witnessed in Khartoum.The war has caused over 150,000 deaths and displaced around 12 million people, creating what the United Nations describes as the world's largest humanitarian crisis.Despite their dispersion across the world, the band members hold onto hope that their music will serve as a... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 19 Apr 2026 01:00 LONDON
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces political crisis over Mandelson security vetting
The United Kingdom is currently experiencing a political crisis following revelations that Lord Peter Mandelson was appointed as the UK ambassador to the United States despite failing a security vetting process.Security officials initially denied Mandelson clearance, but this decision was overruled by Foreign Office officials.Prime Minister Keir Starmer was reportedly unaware until earlier this week that Mandelson had been granted developed vetting against the advice of UK Security Vetting.The Foreign Office's top civil servant, Sir Olly Robbins, was effectively dismissed following the disclosure.Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones stated that Starmer has not considered resigning over the appointment.Jones... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 17 Apr 2026 09:31 LONDON
Senior UK Foreign Office official leaves post after Mandelson vetting controversy
The most senior official at the UK Foreign Office, Sir Olly Robbins, is leaving his post following a controversy over the security vetting of Lord Mandelson for the role of ambassador to the United States.Robbins effectively lost his position after the Foreign Office overruled the vetting agency's recommendation to fail Mandelson.Lord Mandelson was appointed as the UK's ambassador to the US in December 2024 before completing the required security vetting, which he ultimately failed.Despite this, the Foreign Office allowed him to assume the role in February 2025.Mandelson was dismissed from the ambassadorial post seven months later due to revelations about... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 16 Apr 2026 23:03 LONDON
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Faces Criticism Over Security Vetting Override for Peter Mandelson
The United Kingdom is witnessing political controversy after reports emerged that Peter Mandelson, appointed as ambassador to the United States, was granted high-level security clearance despite failing the official vetting process.Government sources confirmed that the Foreign Office overruled security officials who had initially denied Mandelson clearance following a confidential background check in January 2025.Mandelson was sacked from his ambassadorial role in September 2025 after less than a year in office, amid revelations of his links to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.Police have also opened an investigation into allegations of misconduct in office by Mandelson.This controversy matters as it... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 16 Apr 2026 18:31 LONDON
EU to Discuss Potential Sanctions on Israel Amid Middle East Tensions
European Union foreign ministers are scheduled to discuss the possibility of imposing sanctions on Israel during a meeting in Luxembourg on 21 April.The proposed sanctions include suspending the EU-Israel association agreement, which currently provides Israel with trade benefits worth approximately €1 billion annually.Several EU member states, including Belgium, Ireland, Malta, Slovenia, and Spain, have previously advocated for such measures.However, the final decision hinges on the position of Hungary's new government, which remains uncertain.Italy recently imposed defense sanctions on Israel, signaling a shift in its stance amid growing domestic opposition to Israeli policies.Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government has taken a... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 15 Apr 2026 19:39 LONDON
Israel and Lebanon Hold First Direct Talks in Decades, Agree to Ongoing Negotiations
Israel and Lebanon held their first direct talks in decades on April 14, 2026, in Washington, DC, agreeing to begin ongoing negotiations aimed at the security of both countries.The meeting was hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and lasted over two hours.This was the first direct engagement between Israeli and Lebanese officials since 1983.The talks took place amid Israel's ongoing military campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon and the broader US-Israel conflict with Iran.The conflict has resulted in significant casualties and displacement in Lebanon, with nearly 2,124 residents killed and more than 1.1 million displaced.Lebanon called for an immediate... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 15 Apr 2026 03:06 LONDON
Italy Suspends Defence Cooperation Deal with Israel Amid Middle East Tensions
Italy has suspended the automatic renewal of its defence cooperation agreement with Israel, marking a significant shift in relations between the two countries.The decision was announced by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on April 14, 2026, amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.The defence agreement, originally approved by Israel in 2006, facilitates cooperation in military equipment exchange, technology research, training of military personnel, and information technology.It is automatically renewed every five years, but Italy's government has now put this renewal on hold.This move follows recent criticism by the Italian government of Israeli military actions in Lebanon, which have resulted in... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 14 Apr 2026 16:06 LONDON
Canada Special Elections Result in Liberal Majority
Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberal Party secured a majority in the House of Commons following special elections held on April 13, 2026.The elections filled three vacant parliamentary seats, two in Toronto and one in Quebec.The Liberals won the two Toronto-area ridings, University-Rosedale and Scarborough Southwest, while the Quebec riding of Terrebonne remained undecided but showed a slight Liberal lead.These victories bring the Liberal Party to 173 seats in the 343-seat House of Commons, surpassing the threshold for a majority government.This ends a year of minority government under Carney's leadership.The majority allows Carney's government to pass legislation without relying on opposition... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 14 Apr 2026 07:06 LONDON
Hezbollah Opposes Lebanon-Israel Talks Amid Ongoing Conflict and Displacement
Hezbollah has declared it will not abide by any agreements resulting from the direct Lebanon-Israel talks scheduled to take place in Washington, urging Lebanon to withdraw from the negotiations.These talks represent the first direct diplomatic engagement between Lebanon and Israel in decades.Wafiq Safa, a senior member of Hezbollah's political council, stated that the group is not interested in or concerned with the outcomes of the negotiations.Separately, Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem called on Lebanon to pull out of the talks in a televised address.The talks come amid ongoing conflict in Lebanon, where Israeli strikes have killed at least 2,055 people, including... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 14 Apr 2026 03:30 LONDON
