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Middle East crisis live: Trump changes strait of Hormuz plan again as Rubio says US offensive is ‘over’

The Pakistani prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, said he is “grateful” to Donald Trump for his decision to pause his “Project Freedom” in the strait of Hormuz. Sharif said the decision will lead to a “lasting agreement that secures durable peace and stability” for the region. In a post on X, he wrote: I am grateful to President Donald Trump for his courageous leadership and timely announcement regarding the pause in Project Freedom in the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump’s gracious response to the request made by Pakistan and other brotherly countries, particularly the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and my dear brother Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia H.R.H Prince Mohammed bin Salman, will go a long way towards advancing regional peace, stability and reconciliation during this sensitive period. Pakistan remains firmly committed to supporting all efforts that promote restraint and a peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy. We are very hopeful that the current momentum will lead to a lasting agreement that secures durable peace and stability for the region and beyond.

Three evacuated from hantavirus cruise ship as Canary Islands rejects plans for it to dock there – Europe live

The Dutch foreign ministry has just confirmed the nationalities of the three people evacuated from the ship, as confirmed by WHO, and they Dutch, British, and German citizens, Reuters reported.

Mexico nightclub’s $300 cover charge for US citizens captures popular mood

A Mexico City nightclub has gone viral for charging Americans a nearly $300 cover charge, while citizens from any other country pay just $20 for access, and Mexicans and other Latin Americans pay only $14. The Instagram announcement from the nightclub Japan in the Roma Norte neighborhood has been liked over 26,000 times and received more than 200 comments, mostly supporting the policy as part of a broader revolt in the capital against what many see as a US takeover. “It’s not that ‘we charge gringos more’ it’s that we offer discounts to people that need it,” the club said in its cheeky Instagram post. “The cover charge is $5,000 [pesos]. Citizens of the USA don’t get a discount.” The post goes on to say that citizens from any other country get a 93% discount, Mexicans and Latin Americans get 95% off, and students and teachers get a 97% discount, paying just 150 pesos for access to the nightclub. The club’s owner, Federico Crespo, said the tiered pricing was a reflection of deteriorating Mexico-US relations under Donald Trump. “This is a response to a year of insults directed at us – as a country – by the United States,” he said. “It’s very much a response to the many attacks against Mexico from Trump.” However, Crespo said the cover charge system was also a response to the “gentrification and touristification” of the city. The nightclub’s post is part of a general backlash in Mexico City against what many see as an invasion of Americans and other foreigners in trendy neighborhoods such as Roma and Condesa, driving up prices and displacing locals. Last year, protesters took to the streets in a furious march that at points turned violent, with marchers dressed in black smashing windows of local businesses. Afterwards, the streets were littered with broken glass, the walls covered with furious graffiti: “Get out of Mexico.” While Mexico City has long been a popular spot for American visitors, there was a noticeable increase during the coronavirus pandemic, when many from the US took advantage of “work from home” policies to flock to the Mexican capital where rents were far more affordable. The result of this rise in so-called “digital nomads” has been a proliferation of Airbnbs, soaring rents in desirable neighborhoods and a general shift in the urban environment: in some areas of Mexico City, English is heard as much as Spanish. The trend reflects similar tendencies around the world, in cities such as Barcelona, Genoa and Lisbon which are also popular with digital nomads. Local people complain that new arrivals are taking advantage of cheaper living conditions, often not paying local taxes and eroding their communities. Crespo said the extra money from the cover charges was distributed among workers at Japan. “It’s a way to give that money to the people most affected by this issue: rising rents, the soaring cost of living and the need to commute longer distances to get to work. By giving the workers the money collected from cover charges, we help them out a little bit.”

‘Putin only cares about parades’: fury as Russia rains missiles on Ukraine during 24-hour truce

Kyiv has criticised Russia for attacking several Ukrainian cities overnight with more than 100 combat drones and three missiles, in spite of a unilateral 24-hour ceasefire called by Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Ukraine’s president had announced the truce after the Kremlin said it wanted a ceasefire on Saturday during its annual military parade in Red Square – but he said he would reciprocate if Vladimir Putin broke Ukraine’s ceasefire, which ends at midnight on Wednesday. Instead of pausing operations, Moscow has intensified them, with a series of devastating bombings on busy urban areas. On Tuesday, 28 civilians were killed in bomb and missile strikes in the Donetsk, Poltava and Dnipro regions and dozens were injured. The latest strikes on Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia showed that Russia rejected peace, Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andriy Sybiga, said. “This shows fake calls for a ceasefire on May 9th have nothing to do with diplomacy. Putin only cares about military parades, not human lives,” he wrote on social media. Sybiga added: “Such attitude necessitates strong and increased pressure on the Russian regime, including new rounds of sanctions, isolation, accountability for Russian crimes, and enhanced support for Ukraine in all areas.” Moscow’s drone and bomb attacks on Tuesday were the most deadly in Ukraine for weeks. They came at a time when Russia’s advances on the battlefield have practically stopped, with its armed forces losing more territory in April that they gained – for the first time since 2024. The Kremlin has taken widespread measures to protect Saturday’s parade – which celebrates the allies’ victory over Nazi Germany in the second world war – after recent long-range Ukrainian drone strikes on a range of targets. For the first time in nearly 20 years the event will take place without a display of tanks and ballistic missiles. Air defence systems have been transferred to the Russian capital from other areas, and the mobile internet network has been shut down, apparently as a security precaution. It is unclear if Ukraine will seek to disrupt the event, or instead target Russia’s oil infrastructure and military-industrial sites. Moscow’s defence ministry said it downed 53 Ukrainian drones between 21.00 and 07.00 (1800-0400 GMT) – far fewer than in previous days. It did not say whether any of the drones attacked after Kyiv’s unilateral truce was supposed to come into effect at midnight. Talks on ending Europe’s worst conflict since the second world war have shown little progress. Putin has refused to moderate demands first made during his 2022 full-scale invasion, including the handover of swathes of Ukrainian territory and the removal of its pro-western government.

Albanese has announced plans for a $10bn fuel and fertiliser supply package. What will this mean at the petrol pump?

The federal government will invest more than $10bn to shore up fuel supplies amid the Middle East conflict and attempt to shield the country from future global oil shocks. A government-owned reserve for diesel and jet fuel will be established under a plan to increase Australia’s backup stocks to 50-day supply. “We know that the international environment is getting more unstable, not less. And so, we have to look at what we have done in this crisis and see what we can do to build Australia to be better prepared even for the next international crisis, whenever it might occur,” the energy minister, Chris Bowen, said on Wednesday. What – if anything – will the package mean for fuel prices? Could the $10bn have been better spent elsewhere? And what about actually refining more fuel onshore? ‘A big change in our approach’ The $10.7bn package, which will be funded in next Tuesday’s federal budget, contains two major pieces. Taxpayer money to the tune of $7.5bn has been allocated to underwrite cargoes of fuel and fertiliser and help companies boost storage capacity through a combination of loans, equity, guarantees, insurance and price support. Sign up for the Breaking News Australia email Export Finance Australia has already struck several of these deals under emergency powers that passed the federal parliament in late March. A further $3.2bn will be spent establishing a publicly owned fuel reserve that will hold about 1bn litres of diesel and jet fuel. Bowen indicated the fuel would be stored at private facilities rather than at a new government-owned site. Private companies will be required to hold an extra 10 days of fuel under the so-called minimum stock obligation (MSO), taking Australia’s overall reserves of diesel and jet fuel to 50-day supply. As of 28 April, there were 43 days’ worth of petrol, 33 days of diesel and 28 days of jet fuel in reserve, according to government figures. Last month, the Coalition announced a plan to increase fuel stocks to 60 days, which would bring Australia closer to the International Energy Agency’s 90-day standard. Guardian Australia understands the new MSO requirements will probably start in 2027 but won’t be fully implemented until 2030, giving companies time to increase storage capacity. “This is a big change in our approach as a country and a good one,” Bowen said, noting 22 of the 32 IEA member countries had government-owned reserves. ‘This is not an energy security plan’ The $10.7bn investment won’t have an immediate impact on petrol and diesel prices at the bowser – but nor is it designed to. The package is about long-term fuel security rather than short-term relief, which the government provided via a three-month halving of the fuel excise. Environmentalists have criticised the government for doubling down on petrol and diesel rather than using the international oil shock to reduce Australia’s reliance on fossil fuels. “I hope there’s an encore because this is not an energy security plan, it’s a short-term petrol supply plan,” said Greg Bourne from the Climate Council. “We’ve been bitten twice in five years, and need to get off the treadmill of global supply shocks. This is a once in a generation opportunity to provide genuine energy security, with renewable energy that that we own and control. The sun and wind can’t be embargoed, blockaded, or weaponised.” Heidi Lee, the chief executive of Beyond Zero Emissions, said while the plan might offer “short-term reassurance” it doesn’t “address the underlying problem”. “Australia remains deeply exposed to global fuel markets and long, complex supply chains for everything from refined petroleum to manufactured goods. In an increasingly unstable geopolitical environment, that is a growing economic risk,” Lee said. The shadow energy minister, Dan Tehan, said Wednesday’s announcement was a belated acknowledgment from the government that Australia was in a “national fuel crisis”. NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said the new measures would “go some way to future-proofing” Australia’s fuel and energy needs. “The global events of the last two months have opened our nation’s eyes to the immediate need for Australia to take its fuel security seriously,” he said. What about refining? The oil shock sparked by the US and Israel’s war in Iran has exposed Australia’s extreme reliance on imported fuel. Roughly 90% of refined fuel products are shipped in from overseas after the closure of all but two local refineries – Ampol’s Lytton refinery in Brisbane and Viva Energy’s facility in Geelong. The federal government wants to increase domestic refining capacity and has allocated $10m from the new fuel security package to help bankroll feasibility studies into new or expanded projects. The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said one “serious proposal” had already been put forward and would be receiving the support of the commonwealth and a state government. Albanese did not disclose further details, including which state the proposal was based, and his office would not comment when contacted by Guardian Australia.

Wednesday briefing: How Trump’s attempt to reopen to strait of Hormuz brought war closer again

Good morning. Uncertainty once again reigns in the Middle East. The uneasy ceasefire between the US and Iran threatened to disintegrate after Donald Trump launched an initiative – dubbed “Project Freedom” – to help thousands of sailors stranded in the Gulf by the war to pass through the strait of Hormuz. To Iran, the announcement was a cynical provocation. Flurries of fighting restarted as Iran sought to maintain its grip on the critical passageway out of the region. However overnight, the US president declared via social media that his project had been “paused for a short period of time” to see if an agreement with Iran could be finalised, but added that the blockade of ports would remain in place. For today’s First Edition, I spoke with Julian Borger, the Guardian’s senior international correspondent, about Trump’s strategy and the likelihood of a return to war. But first, this morning’s headlines. Five big stories UK politics | Zack Polanski falsely claimed to be a spokesperson for the British Red Cross while campaigning for the Green party leadership, the charity has said. Fuel shortages| Two million airline seats have been cut from this month’s schedules as airlines redraw their operations because of soaring jet fuel prices amid the Middle East conflict. UK news| A British crew member who became ill after a suspected outbreak of hantavirus on luxury cruise ship the MV Hondius is to be medically evacuated, officials have said. Tax | An increased windfall tax should be imposed on the UK’s largest banks, say trade union leaders, after the big four lenders reported almost £14bn in first-quarter profits, partly fuelled by market turbulence amid the Iran war. Society | People from black backgrounds in England are twice as likely to experience strokes as their white counterparts, while also being less likely to receive timely care, according to the largest study of its kind. In depth: ‘Iran’s strength is its ability to keep the strait closed’ Since the conflict began in late February, an estimated 20,000 sailors have been trapped in the Gulf, unable to pass through the strait of Hormuz into the open ocean. Concerns about their physical and mental health are growing as they face the prospect of enduring a blistering Middle Eastern summer while at anchor waiting for peace. Food and essential supplies are feared to be running low on some trapped vessels. On Sunday, Trump announced the launch of Project Freedom, a presidential initiative, which would see the stranded 850 vessels pass through the southern section of the strait of Hormuz under the protection of the US military. Trump presented the plan as a humanitarian endeavour “meant to free people, companies, and countries that have done absolutely nothing wrong – they are victims of circumstance” in a post on Truth Social. But Iran did not buy it. They have imposed a blockade on foreign shipping since US-Israeli attacks on 28 February – and maintaining the closure is a key part of their negotiating position. Iran fired missiles at the UAE – a reminder to the world that a return to war is close. In a spate of claims and counterclaims, the US military said that they had destroyed six Iranian small boats carrying missiles and drones. Both sides appear keen to avoid a return to fighting. On Tuesday, the US’s top general Dan Caine clarified that Iran had not broken the ceasefire despite clashes over the strait. Now the US has backed down on the effort to guide stranded ships out – for now. Posting on Truth Social late on Tuesday, Trump said he had made the decision based “on the request of Pakistan and other Countries, the tremendous Military Success that we have had during the Campaign against the Country of Iran and, additionally, the fact that Great Progress has been made toward a Complete and Final Agreement with Representatives of Iran”. But unease remains, with no direct response yet from Iran and a lack of clarity over whether Trump could reinstate his latest mission. And observers fear another round of violence is not far away. *** A desperate situation Trump’s Project Freedom was aimed at undermining Iran’s capacity to maintain its blockade of the strait, says Julian Borger. “ Iran’s strength is its ability to keep the strait closed – and if that gets challenged then that’s an important card that Iran would have lost. That’s why it’s so important for them to keep it closed,” he says. “Even though Iran is being careful not to engage with the US navy directly, it is keen to keep up a sense of threat around going through the strait.” Just two vessels passed through the strait during Trump’s short-lived project. The US route passes through Emirati and Omani waters, which are more difficult to navigate through than the Iranian side of the passage due to coral reefs and other hazards. But the sheer length of time that ships have been stranded in the Gulf means that some will probably risk the route, says Julian. “For shipowners and crews, you’ve got to remember how desperate they are. They have been stuck there for weeks and weeks with no end in sight, so it is tempting for some to at least try to get out,” he says. “The owners will be watching to see what happens with the first trickle of ships.” *** Military v government After the initiative was announced, a South Korean flagged vessel was struck by what President Trump said was an Iranian attack, and missiles were fired at the UAE by Iran. The Iranians later apologised – but the volley highlights the challenge of convincing shipowners that it is safe to pass through the strait, especially with Iran’s decentralised military doctrine, which permits its military commanders significant freedom to operate independently of its country’s rulers. “Before the war, part of Iran’s defence doctrine was based on the expectation that their leadership would get decapitated. So, local commanders were given a lot of leeway in how they chose to carry out their operations and could inflict as much damage on the enemy as possible,” says Julian. “In a delicate situation like this, it’s difficult for the decentralised Iranian system to collaborate as much as they might want. This might be the reason you had those strikes on the UAE and then an expression of regret.” Markets were unconvinced by the move from Trump, with oil hovering about $115 a barrel. The Taco trade (“Trump always chickens out”) has been replaced by the Nacho trade (Not a chance Hormuz opens), according to Bloomberg columnist Javier Blas – and right now it appears both may be true. *** An alternative to war Despite the signalling from both Iran and the US that neither are keen to return to fighting, the game of chicken around the strait could easily lead to the end of the ceasefire, says Julian. The US has been resupplying its forces in the region, which includes guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 land and sea based aircraft, drones and about 15,000 troops. On Monday, Trump said Iran would be “blown off the face of the Earth” if vessels taking part in Project Freedom were attacked. “It definitely brings us closer to a return to fighting. Iran is in a difficult situation. It wants to keep the air of threat to dissuade shipping, but it does not want to go back to war. On the other hand, nor does Trump. Last week, he was given options by American military commanders which included a return to full-scale war or naval escorts. He chose the most cautious option, which is Project Freedom. But they are prepared to go back to war,” he says. What else we’ve been reading Brazil has been caught up in a whirlwind of whistling WhatsApp groups, where you aren’t allowed to communicate in any other form. Tiago Rogero reports. Martin The Guardian’s editor-in-chief Kath Viner has written an essay on how to survive the information crisis in the modern world – and how our journalism is responding to it. Patrick Francesc Planes interviews members of Gen Z in Peckham and finds out what gives them confidence in their looks. Martin Devi Sridhar has written about an exciting new study into the health benefits of eating earlier in the day. Patrick I don’t recall being anxious about whether my children were going to be boys or girls, but Imogen Crimp recalls finding out she was having a boy as a moment that changed her. Martin Sport Football | Bukayo Saka’s first-half goal edged Arsenal past Atlético Madrid to reach the Champions League final with a 2-1 aggregate victory. Tennis | Emma Raducanu has pulled out of the Italian Open with a post-viral illness, minutes after holding a positive pre-tournament press conference. Golf | Jon Rahm has reached a deal with the DP World Tour that will see him retain his membership and remain eligible for the 2027 Ryder Cup. The front pages “Labour under pressure after UK borrowing costs hit 28-year high,” is the splash on the Guardian today. “Long-term borrowing costs highest in decades as prolonged inflation looms,” says the FT. The i paper leads with “Millions face flight cancellations as jet fuel shortage deepens and Iran ceasefire falters”, while the Sun focuses on the same issue, opting for the headline: “Come cry with me”. “New powers to treat Iran proxies as foreign spies” says the Times, while the Metro has “A target on the back of UK Iran critics”. “Thirty Green candidates probed over antisemitism,” says the Mail. The Telegraph has “Starmer could cost us the election, says Welsh leader,” while the Mirror carries a plea to voters from the prime minister: “We’re still only ones on your side.” Finally the Star with “Tale of the vape”, on Angela Rayner kicking the habit. Today in Focus Is Europe ready for a future without the US? – podcast Trump has threatened to pull 5,000 troops from Germany – while European leaders worry this is just the start of a US withdrawal from the continent. Deborah Cole discusses whether Europe is really ready to defend itself alone. Cartoon of the day | Ella Baron The Upside A bit of good news to remind you that the world’s not all bad France is offering €1 meals to all university students – a move described by higher education minister Philippe Baptiste as “a small internal revolution” in tackling hardship. The subsidised three-course lunches, previously limited to those on low incomes, are now available to everyone. For one student, the impact is immediate: “I come here 20 times a month. That’s about €60. Whereas now, I’ll pay €20,” freeing up money for “going out or eating at a restaurant”. With nearly half of students reporting having skipped meals for financial reasons, the policy aims to ensure fewer go hungry. Sign up here for a weekly roundup of The Upside, sent to you every Sunday Bored at work? And finally, the Guardian’s puzzles are here to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow. Quick crossword Cryptic crossword Wordiply

Singapore introduces caning for boys who bully others at school

Male school students who bully others, including through cyberbullying, will face caning as a “last resort” under new guidelines introduced in Singapore. Male students can face up to three strokes of the cane under the new rules, which were discussed in parliament on Tuesday. International groups such as Unicef, the UN’s agency for children, oppose the use of corporal punishment for children, saying it harms their physical and mental health, and increases behavioural problems over time. The education minister, Desmond Lee, told lawmakers that caning would only be applied “if all the other measures are inadequate, given the gravity of the misconduct”. “They follow strict protocols to ensure safety for the student. For instance, caning must be approved by the principal and administered only by authorised teachers,” he said. “Schools will consider factors such as the maturity of the student and if caning will help the student learn from his mistake and understand the gravity of what he has done.” The measures follow a year-long review that focused on bullying, and come after several high-profile school bullying incidents drew public attention last year. Caning will only be used as a punishment for male students in upper primary levels (age 9-12 years) and above, said Lee, who pointed to the country’s criminal procedure code, which prohibits the caning of women. After the caning is imposed, the school would “monitor the student’s wellbeing and progress”, including providing counselling, Lee said. Female students, he said, would receive punishments “such as detention and/or suspension, adjustment of their conduct grade and other school-based consequences”. Judicial caning, first introduced by British colonialists in the 19th century, continues to be used in Singapore for male offenders under 50. This includes crimes such as robbery, scamming or overstaying a visa by 90 days. A report released by the World Health Organization last year said that corporal punishment remained “alarmingly widespread” globally, adding that it caused significant harm to children’s health and development. Globally, an estimated 1.2 billion children aged 0-18 years are subjected to corporal punishment at home each year, according to WHO.

Palestinian ambassador protests to Foreign Office over ’erasure’ by British Museum

The Palestinian ambassador to the UK has called for Foreign Office intervention after the British Museum removed references to Palestine from its exhibits. The UK recognised the state of Palestine in September 2025, but the same year the museum removed the name “Palestine” from a panel listing the present-day countries encompassed by the ancient Levant, and replaced it with Gaza and the West Bank. The ambassador, Husam Zomlot, has demanded its restoration, and called for discussions with the museum over the removal of “Palestine” and “Palestinian” from the explanatory panels of a number of exhibits in the ancient Levant and Egyptian rooms. Zomlot said it was a historical “erasure” at a time when Israel was conducting a campaign of destruction against Palestinians that several human rights organisations and a report by a UN independent commission have deemed is a genocide. Israel has removed archaeological relics from the occupied Palestinian territories, and in September last year bombed the most important storage depot of ancient artefacts in Gaza City, pulverising three decades of archaeological work. Zomlot was invited to meet the museum’s director, Nicholas Cullinan, and some of its curators on 24 March but said he was given no undertaking the changes would be reversed. Instead, he was offered a tour of the museum, which he turned down. “In the absence of corrective action, or a clear commitment to address the issues identified, it would not have been appropriate to engage further in a manner that could be interpreted as an endorsement of the current presentation,” Zomlot wrote to Cullinan on 9 April, in a letter seen by the Guardian and New Lines Magazine. The ambassador added he was ready to continue discussions and would welcome a tour “once the necessary corrections have been made”. The British Museum said in a statement: “We have not removed the term ‘Palestine’ from displays and continue to refer to it across a series of galleries, both contemporary and historic, and on our website.” This appeared to conflict with the photographic proof of changes, and earlier remarks attributed to the museum. The name Palestine does remain on some exhibits, such as maps of the ancient Middle East in the Egypt room. Since the March meeting, Zomlot has appealed to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development office to intervene. The British Museum is publicly funded but run by an independent board of trustees, chaired by the former conservative chancellor, George Osborne. The ambassador hopes, however, that the UK government will persuade the museum to align with its own recognition of Palestine. “I sent a letter to the minister in charge in the Foreign Office, and we are waiting for [a response]” Zomlot said. “For me, this is not only a political issue. This is not only a legal issue. This is not even just a historical issue. This is an existential issue. Because erasing our past is erasing our present.” A British government spokesperson said: “Museums and galleries in the UK operate independently of the government, which means that decisions relating to the management of their collections are a matter for their trustees.” The British Museum has yet to explain the changes, which became widely known only after the Telegraph reported on 14 February that they had been made following concerns by a pressure group, UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI). UKLFI said it had sent a letter to Cullinan arguing that “several maps and descriptions retroactively apply the term ‘Palestine’ to periods in which no such entity existed and risk obscuring the history of Israel and the Jewish people”. The changes to the exhibits however, predated the UKLFI letter. Cullinan reportedly saw the letter only after the Telegraph story was published. The museum has not explained its reasoning. UKLFI quoted the museum as telling the group: “Audience testing has shown that the historic use of the term Palestine … is in some circumstances no longer meaningful.” The word “Palestinian” has been replaced by “Canaanite” in a panel about the Hyksos rulers of Egypt from the 18th to the 16th centuries BC, while mention of Palestine and the Philistines has been removed from a text about the Phoenicians, who the new text says were “locally known as “Canaanites”. Scholars of the ancient world have generally been sceptical about the need for a change. Canaan is mentioned frequently in the Bible but in few other contemporary inscriptions from the late bronze age, and when it is, it is usually used to refer to a variety of people and places along what is now the Levantine coast. Peleset, which is believed to be the root of the name Palestine, appears in inscriptions in Egypt from the 12th century BC referring to a community in the Southern Levant. Before that, the most common names for the region were Djahi and Retenu. There are also later inscriptions mentioning Israel, and the kingdom of Judah is mentioned on a monument dating to the ninth century BC. Both kingdoms survived for several centuries in the iron age, alongside the five city states of “Philistia”, including Gaza, which are frequently mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. Scholars say that Philistia or Palestine was the name which stuck through the centuries that followed and variants were used by the Egyptians, Assyrians, Persians, Greeks and Romans and persisted into the modern age. “The decision to remove Palestine has nothing to do with historical accuracy,” Marchella Ward, a lecturer in classical studies at the Open University, said. “It’s no less accurate than any other term. In fact, given that it’s used so frequently in historical sources rather than in biblical sources, one might say it’s more accurate than other terms.” The picture is confused by the fact that people in ancient times did not think in terms of nationalities, and the terms outsiders used to refer to a certain people or place may have nothing to do with what those people called themselves or their homeland. Josephine Quinn, professor of ancient history at Cambridge University, argued that it was futile and distorting to portray names used thousands of years ago in the Middle East as relevant to what should happen now. Quinn said: “The worrying thing for me is the idea that it matters, that ancient categories have any direct relevance to politics today, or that they can justify or excuse genocide in the contemporary world.”