After years hidden away, Oldham’s memorial to six local volunteers who died fighting fascism in the Spanish civil war has been restored to public view, marking both a victory for campaigners and a renewed tribute to the town’s proud International Brigade heritage, says ROB HARGREAVES
THE US negotiators attempting to secure a temporary ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, alongside mediators from Egypt and Qatar, appear to have one goal in mind: to secure the credit for this still elusive but eventual alleged triumph exclusively for the Washington government.
The emphasis on scoring political points over humanitarian priorities has resulted in the mediators presenting what longtime Israeli hostage negotiator and peace activist Gershon Baskin describes as “a very bad deal” that is destined to fail.
“The mediators want the deal more than Israel and Hamas do,” Baskin said in an interview with a US radio programme, Here and Now.
Starmer’s decision to recognise Palestine only as long as Israel continues to massacre its inhabitants has been met with outrage, writes LINDA PENTZ GUNTER



