The UK is expected to recognise a Palestinian state today, a move Keir Starmer pledged to make unless Israel agreed to certain conditions, including reaching a ceasefire deal in Gaza.

Since pledge was made in July, Israel has launched a new operation in Gaza City and a UN-backed food security body has declared a famine is unfolding in parts of the Strip.

The UK is now due to recognise the state alongside France, Australia, Canada and other countries. The US disagrees with the plans, arguing it risks "rewarding Hamas".

At a joint press conference during the US president's recent state visit, Trump and Starmer acknowledged the area was "one of [their] few disagreements".

More than 140 countries already recognise the state of Palestine - we've got more on what such recognition means in our explainer.

Ed Davey loves clowning around, but is it time the Lib Dems get serious?published at 08:55 BST

08:55 BST

Laura Kuenssberg
Presenter, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg

Image source, EPA

Being ignored is a nightmare for any politician.

You don't win votes if no-one knows who you are. You don't get a tick in the box if the name on the ballot paper means nothing to the voter clutching their stubby pencil in the voting booth.

In the last couple of years the Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Ed Davey, has bungee-jumped, jet-skied, and even ridden a hobby horse into the public's imagination in a way that helped his party to success in the general election, surpassing their own hopes.

He proved there is wisdom in playing the clown in politics - if it gets you attention. But too much clowning around might not look so smart.

And while the government is unpopular, and the Conservatives seem miles from any kind of recovery, the Lib Dems have not been the main beneficiaries from their mutual misery.

As the Lib Dems gather in Bournemouth this weekend for their annual get together, there will be a certain amount of understandable jollity.

That's not just because of the Lib Dems' traditional glee club, or the fact that political activists enjoy their conferences the way that many of us might enjoy a minibreak with mates. It's a different kind, with warm, not cold, wine, and earnest discussions in stifling rooms, rather than a walk on the beach or a lie-in, although the budget hotels and deep fear of rail replacement services to get there are the same.

But the Lib Dems are broadly in a good place after the general election, and they had more gains in council elections in May. They have dozens of new MPs, and a rebooted team on their front bench.

The question hanging over their conference in Bournemouth this weekend is expressed by one of their MPs: "Where do we go now, to make sure it's not a false start?"

In other words – what next, where, and how? No doubt, there is opportunity for the Lib Dems.

Ready Laura Kuenssberg's full analysis here

Image source, PA Media

We are well and truly in the swing of party conference season - the Liberal Democrats are up next this weekend, heading for the south coast in Bournemouth.

At the general election last summer, the Liberal Democrats bolstered their numbers in Westminster. The party secured 72 MPs, making it the third biggest party in the House of Commons.

Earlier this week, leader Ed Davey took part in a series of quickfire interviews on BBC local radio stations. He spoke about his belief that people have lost trust in Labour and the Tories - adding that the Lib Dems and Reform are the only parties of change.

Davey also said local government finance would be a key focal point for the Lib Dem's party conference season.

Image source, EPA/Shutterstock

Monday 15 September

Starmer faced mounting pressure from within the Labour party over his handling of the sacking of the US ambassador Peter Mandelson.

Tuesday 16 September

President Trump arrived in the UK for his second state visit.

Wednesday 17 September:

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey was grilled by local radio stations. He said voters want an alternative to Labour and the Tories - and says the choice is between the Lib Dems and Reform UK.

Thursday 18 September:

Starmer and Trump held a joint news conference where they spoke about Palestine, illegal migration and Ukraine - read the key takeaways here.

Ex-Labour MP Zarah Sultana accused Jeremy Corbyn of overseeing a "sexist boys' club" locking women out of the founding of their new left-wing party.

Friday 19 September:

UK government borrowing in August hit the highest level for the month in five years, new figures revealed.

Image source, Reuters

David Lammy will be taking the hot seat on today's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg for the first time since his appointment as deputy prime minister.

Also facing a grilling this morning are shadow chancellor Mel Stride, leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey and Head of the Palestinian Mission to the UK Husam Zomlot.

We'll be following all the action right here. You can also stream the show live at the top of this page by clicking watch live at 09:00 BST.