15 October 2023 , 19:36
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As the death toll rises and fears grow that the Israel-Hamas war will spread across the Middle East, hope is in short supply.
But all hope must never be surrendered: hope that lives can be saved not lost, hope the fighting can subside and even halt instead of intensifying, hope hostages can be freed or released rather than killed and hope that diplomacy and compassion somehow produce an enduring peace in this blighted area.
The signs are not promising – indeed they are grim, frightening. If Hamas, with the unforgivable terror it unleashed the weekend before last, plotted to provoke a ferocious backlash by the Israeli Government, it looks as if it will get its wish.
Our Government and those of all responsible nations must call for the response to be proportionate and within international law. Palestinian lives matter as much as Israeli, Israeli as much as Palestinian. Everybody loses when the innocent are slaughtered.
Cold comfort
Government scandals don’t come much costlier than 800,000 of our poorest households missing out on £120million of help with energy bills last winter, all because Tory ministers changed the rules. Depriving families of a £150 annual Warm Home Discount, which incidentally hasn’t risen with higher bills, was sneaky.
Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade
Campaigners calculate 500,000 people in England and Wales receiving Personal Independence Payments and Disability Living Allowance were deemed no longer eligible. And 300,000 missed out after being asked to provide an energy performance certificate that can cost more than £100.
It’s cold comfort for Britons on low incomes.
Queen Madge
Madonna proved she’s still the Queen of Pop, sparkling brightly at the age of 65 on her Celebration Tour. Bringing out her crown jewels in London, with hits such as Like A Prayer and Holiday, the Material Girl’s talent never fades.