Keir Starmer must try everything possible to stop this war escalating

Israel's invasion of Lebanon and Iran’s missile attack on Israel are a dangerous ratcheting up of a Middle East conflict that needs halting before it absolutely explodes out of control.

Intense international diplomacy is clearly failing but abandoning hope is not an option when so many lives are at stake.

Unfortunately Britain is, at best, a bit player with little real influence in the sphere.

Government calls for a ceasefire in Gaza have fallen on deaf ears, tens of thousands of Palestinians are dead and the Israeli hostages remain locked away.

That said, Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy must continue exerting pressure to try to stop this war escalating.

Terrorism and military action will result in more deaths. Every life matters, and the slaughter of innocents is a crime whatever their nationality. We hold our breath, hoping for the best, while fearing the worst.

Payback time

The more we learn about the Post Office scandal the worse it gets, and sacked boss Henry Staunton’s testimony is no exception.

The lack of interest in righting a terrible wrong is infuriating after the faulty Horizon IT scandal led to sackings, bankruptcies, wrongful convictions, jailings and suicides.

It is why attempting to make amends must be a priority. The government inherited this scandal from the Tories and the evidence of the man sacked by former Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch, now a contender in the opposition party’s leadership race, is damning.

Paying compensation can never reverse the horrors experienced by innocent subpost­masters and mistresses but delays only extend their suffering. Let’s pay up promptly.

Kelly’s highs

Loved for her cheerful Scottish friendliness, Lorraine Kelly is a national treasure.

Forty years on TV really is a landmark to celebrate when, hopefully, some of the best years are still ahead for Lorraine, a hard news journalist with the soft touch of a good friend.