Negotiators from Israel and the Palestinian territories held their first peace talks in almost three years in Washington yesterday. The talks were made possible by strong lobbying from US secretary of state John Kerry. Both sides began the talks over an iftar dinner–the evening meal that marks the breaking of the daily fast for muslims during the month of Ramadan–which was held at the state department. Kerry has urged both sides to strike "reasonable compromises".
Barclays will be issuing £5.8bn in new shares as part of efforts to fill a £12.8bn capital shortfall created by fresh regulatory demands. The bank will also issue £2bn of bonds. Chief executive Antony Jenkins has said that the plan would not reduce the supply of vital loans to small businesses and households. The European Union's foreign affairs representative has met with Mohammed Morsi, the former Egyptian president ousted in a military coup. Catherine Ashton visited Mr Morsi yesterday evening for two hours of "in-depth" discussions. Baroness Ashton's visit comes after more than 70 Morsi supporters were killed in clashes with the country's security forces.
The UK is risks losing the fight against cyber crime, a committee of MPs has warned. Online fraud and state-sponsered cyber-espionage are seen as particular threats. The Home Affairs Select Committee, which scrutinises the Home Office, said much low-level internet-based financial crime was falling into a "black hole" and was not reported to the police. The group has said that more law enforcement officers need to be trained in digital crime detection, while experts in dealing with so-called "e-crime" should be protected from spending cuts. Heavily armed Taliban militants launched an attack on a prison in north west Pakistan last night, according to official reports. More than 250 prisoners were freed, 25 of whom have been described as "dangerous terrorists", when the group, armed with guns, grenades and bombs broke into a jail in the town of Dera Ismail Khan. Six policeman are reported to have been killed.
