The SNP has found itself embroiled in a growing antisemitism controversy after several of its MSPs signed a motion suggesting that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) should be classified as a terrorist organisation, reports The Times. The motion, tabled at Holyrood by SNP backbencher James Dornan, called for the UK government to proscribe the IDF alongside groups such as Al Qaeda, the Wagner Group, and Islamic Jihad — instead of the campaign group Palestine Action. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENTThe move has sparked outrage from the Board of Deputies of British Jews, which said branding the IDF as a terrorist group was inherently antisemitic. “If the IDF did not exist, Israel would cease to exist,” said Michael Wegier, the organisation’s chief executive. From this weekend, membership or support of the group is now a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

Breaking Kohli’s RecordTop Indian Run-Getters in Debut Series as Test Captain460 – Shubman Gill vs England (Away, 2025, 4 innings)*449 – Virat Kohli vs Australia (Away, 2014/15, 4 innings)347 – Vijay Hazare vs England (Home, 1951/52, 7 innings)319 – Nari Contractor vs Pakistan (Home, 1960/61, 6 innings)305 – Dilip Vengsarkar vs West Indies (Home, 1987/88, 5 innings)303 – Mohammad Azharuddin vs New Zealand (Away, 1989/90, 4 innings)Massive Knock at Edgbaston346 – Shubman Gill vs ENG, Edgbaston, 2025*344 – Sunil Gavaskar vs WI, Port of Spain, 1971340 – VVS Laxman vs AUS, Kolkata, 2001Live EventsA Rare Feat in SENA Countries(You can now subscribe to our(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channelShubman Gill has created history by becoming the highest run-scorer in a debut Test series as India captain, surpassing Virat Kohli’s previous record. The young opener achieved this during the second Test against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham.Gill has scored an impressive 460 runs in just four innings, making a strong mark in his first series as full-time Test captain. He began the series with a brilliant 147 at Headingley and followed it up with a stunning 269 in the first innings at Edgbaston. It’s also the highest aggregate by an Indian in a single Test match:Gill has also joined an elite list of Indian batters who have scored over 300 runs in a single Test in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries. Only Rahul Dravid (305 in Adelaide) and Sachin Tendulkar (301 in Sydney) had done it before him.With this record-breaking start, Gill has not only led from the front but also signalled a promising new era in Indian Test cricket.

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Updated Saturday timetable for Wales Air Show 2025 in SwanseaIf you're heading to Wales Air Show this weeked, find out where you can spot your faves including the Red ArrowsThe Red Arrows will be returning to the skies of Swansea this weekend (Image: Richard Swingler )It's one of Wales' best loved summer events. Wales Air Show once again takes place over Swansea Bay on the weekend of July 4-5. ‌Team Raven: 16.2516.25 Typhoon: 16.4216.42 Red Arrows: 17.00They shared on the Wales Air Show X at 3.54pm: "Our air displays have now started, however due to the weather flight times this afternoon are fluid and subject to change. On both days, the Red Arrows will be flying to Wales from Exeter airport and will fly over Welsh towns on the route. ‌Funfair and amusements will be based at the Civic Centre and on Oystermouth Road, including Red Arrow and Typhoon simulators, thrill seeker rides, children’s rides, games and amusements.

Reform MP James McMurdock has resigned the party whip as he faces an investigation into £70,000 worth of Covid bounce back loans he took out for businesses during the pandemic. Reform MP James McMurdock has 'removed the party whip from himself pending the outcome of an investigation'McMurdock pictured with Nigel Farage. The newly elected Reform UK MP was once jailed for attacking a former girlfriendNeither company has filed accounts or annual corporate filings since the loans. 'At Reform UK we take these matters very seriously and James has agreed to cooperate in full with any investigation. In an explosive statement issued on March 7, Mr Yusuf and Mr Anderson said Mr Lowe was being investigated over complaints by two female employees.

Read our Privacy noticeA Reform UK MP has resigned the party whip pending an investigation into allegations of business impropriety before he was elected, the party’s chief whip has said. Mr McMurdock may have also fallen foul of parliamentary rules by not declaring his directorships of the companies in his register of interests. Mr McMurdock then said he asked for the whip to be suspended as a “precautionary measure” and “for the protection of Reform UK”. But the unexpected election of Mr McMurdock created a major headache for Mr Farage, as it emerged months later that he had once been jailed for repeatedly kicking his girlfriend. Mr McMurdock pleaded guilty to assault by beating, and the “serious nature of the offence” meant the sentence was not suspended.

A pro-Palestinian protest group has been banned as a terrorist organization by the British government, putting it on the same legal footing as the Islamic State and Al Qaeda in the first use of far-reaching security laws in response to property damage. The group, Palestine Action, which has targeted Israel-linked defense companies and vandalized military planes at Britain’s largest Royal Air Force base, lost a legal bid to temporarily delay the law, and it is set to go into effect at midnight local time. Palestine Action’s full legal challenge against the British government is still pending, with the next hearing scheduled for July 21. The ban makes it illegal to be a member of Palestine Action, or to support it in a number of other ways, including by raising money for the group, “glorifying” its activities, arranging meetings, sharing the group’s social media material or wearing its merchandise.

(July 5): UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves told Cabinet ministers that tax increases in the Labour government’s fall budget are likely to be even more challenging than a £40 billion (US$55 billion or RM230.54 billion) ­package she put in place last year, The Times reported. Reeves said the new increases are likely to be smaller but that she has limited options as taxes need to rise to cover the cost of abandoning welfare reforms, according to the report. Her comments went further than her public statements that have been less explicit about the prospect of higher taxes, The Times said. Reeves said she regretted going into the parliamentary session in tears after a “tough day in the office” but hoped that people could relate to her distress, The Guardian reported. “It was a personal matter but it was in the glare of the camera,” she was quoted as saying.

Black Sabbath 'stage times' leaked for Back to Beginning gig - including when Ozzy will be onA schedule has been shared on Reddit showing what time each band will be playing for the Villa Park gig today - including when Ozzy Osbourne will take to the stageOzzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath performs during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony at Alexander Stadium (Image: Getty Images )Stage times for all the artists today at the Black Sabbath Back to the Beginning gig appear to have been leaked on Reddit. A schedule showing when each band will be on stage has been made public on r/blacksabbath on the social media site, causing widespread excitement amongst heavy metal fans. ‌This isn't official, and could just be hearsay, but we'll get more of an idea when the bands start performing at 1pm. ‌Read more: Black Sabbath live updates as thousands descend on Villa Park today for Back to the Beginning gigRead more: Black Sabbath at Villa Park - line-up, times, set list, tickets and how to get thereThere could also be some surprises thrown in that are not on this sheet. What do you think of the 'stage times' shared on Reddit?

Mohammed Siraj's six-wicket haul made sure that England did not eat away a lot from India's lead (Image via AP Photo/Scott Heppell)Tracing Moeen Ali's steps in BirminghamPoll Who was the standout performer for India in the second Test at Edgbaston? Coming together at 84/5, the duo mounted a stunning counterattack. Brook compiled a superb 158 off 234 balls, while Smith showcased remarkable fluency to notch up 184 from just 207 deliveries. The pacer clean bowled Brook with a delivery that breached his defence, setting off a collapse that saw England tumble from 387/5 to 418 all out. They lost their last five wickets for just 31 runs.In the process, England recorded an unwanted statistical feat.

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The Chancellor warned there would be “costs to what happened”, as she faced questions about how she would cover a shortfall left by the Downing Street climbdown on planned cuts to disability benefits. The fallout threatens to cause lasting damage to morale in Labour ranks, with some MPs calling for a reset in relations between the parliamentary party and the leadership before fractures widen. Ms Reeves added: “It’s been damaging. Ms Reeves is said to have already told ministers that the decision to water down the welfare package means taxes will rise in the autumn. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said the Government is still committed to welfare reform, but ministers will now wait for the conclusions of the Timms review before implementing changes to Pip.

Keir Starmer Under Pressure: Could He Be Forced Out as Labour Leader? YouGov poll for Sky News and The Times found that Nigel Farage ’s party has a seven-point lead on 29%, while the support for the Labour Party has declined to 22%, as reported by The Express.Even Starmer acknowledged the threat his party is facing because of Reform when he addressed MPs this week, saying, "The Conservatives are not our principal opponent. Reform are our main rivals for power. We have a moral responsibility to make sure Farage never wins," as quoted in The Express report.ALSO READ: Elon Musk flip-flops? Slams Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, then praises him as a peacemaker — what’s going on?

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