UN secretary general urges Middle East to step back from brink of full-scale war | First Thing
A tense meeting of the UN security council followed Iran's attack on Israel. Plus, Donald Trump's criminal trial begins
Good morning,
The UN secretary general has urged members to de-escalate tensions to avoid a full-scale war in the Middle East. It's time to step back from the brink," Antonio Guterres said on Sunday. Neither the region nor the world can afford more war."
What will Israel do next? It is unclear. Analysts suggest a wider war could suit Netanyahu by keeping allies onside, after Israel came under pressure over the scale of civilian casualties in Gaza. Benny Gantz, a member of Israel's wartime unity government, said Israel would build a regional coalition and retaliate against Iran in the fashion and timing that is right for us".
How is the Biden administration acting? Iran's attack has forced the US to reiterate its commitment to Israeli security while simultaneously distancing itself from a full-scale conflict. A senior administration official told reporters on Sunday the US was committed to defending Israel" but would not be a part of any response they do", adding that the goal was to de-escalate regional tensions.
This is a fast-moving story. Netanyahu is scheduled to speak at 9am ET. Follow the Guardian's live coverage here.
What are the details of the case? Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in connection to a $130,000 payment he made in 2016 to Daniels. The trial will last six weeks. Each charge carries a maximum of four years' incarceration.
What did Trump say in the run-up to the trial? He is pleading not guilty to all 34 counts. Trump called the proceedings a communist show trial" during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, and attacked the judge, prosecutor and legal system as corrupt on Truth Social - part of his continued attacks on American democratic institutions.
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