2 h. ago Senate Democrats condemn Russia over Ukraine war and dare Republicans to object – live

Democrats introduce resolutions on Senate floor, as Trump veterans affairs chief defends plans to cut 80,000 staffDonald Trump and Justin Trudeau will speak today, Reuters reports, citing a source with knowledge of the matter.The Canadian prime minister condemned Trump’s imposition of levies on his country yesterday, saying he was looking to make its economy collapse as part of a plan to incorporate it into the United States. Trump responded with insults, and a warning that he may tighten levies further next month. Continue reading...

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4 h. ago Mayors of ‘sanctuary cities’ face Congressional grilling in wild hearing that includes ‘criminal’ referrals

Mayors of New York, Denver, Chicago and Boston faced a contentious hearing about policies that Republicans believe thwart Trump’s mass deportation plan

Events

6 h. ago Trump’s veterans affairs chief defends ‘extraordinarily difficult’ plans to cut 80,000 staff – US politics live

Doug Collins says cuts are personally difficult for him as move could undo expansion in agency’s healthcare services implemented by Joe BidenDonald Trump and Justin Trudeau will speak today, Reuters reports, citing a source with knowledge of the matter.The Canadian prime minister condemned Trump’s imposition of levies on his country yesterday, saying he was looking to make its economy collapse as part of a plan to incorporate it into the United States. Trump responded with insults, and a warning that he may tighten levies further next month. Continue reading...

Politics

7 h. ago Team Trump rethinking costly Guantánamo Bay immigration plan as power issues plague makeshift detention site: report

The ACLU, joined by other nonprofit organizations, has filed two lawsuits against the Trump administration for its Guantánamo plan

Politics

11 h. ago Advice to Keir Starmer: stop the fawning over Trump. Then help plan for a better world without him | John McDonnell

We need a ‘coalition of the willing’ capable of bringing together those in Europe and the global south. Britain should facilitate thatThere are only so many times Donald Trump can be offered a state and royal visit to temper his political tantrums. With his latest attacks on Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the halting of aid to Ukraine, it’s already clear that not even the offer of a bed for the night at Balmoral has worked.The silver lining of the Trump experience over the past fortnight is hopefully that it leads to a more realistic appraisal not just of the implications of the re-election of this narcissistic, bullying, corporate thug, but an understanding of the role the US has played over generations. Trump and his gang members JD Vance and Elon Musk are just the ugliest of faces of the US global policy pursued for a century at least.John McDonnell is MP for Hayes and Harlington. He was Labour’s shadow chancellor from 2015 to 2020 Continue reading...

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13 h. ago US supreme court upholds order requiring USAid to pay foreign aid groups – live

The decision saw the three liberal justices join with conservatives John Roberts and Amy Coney Barrett in the majorityDonald Trump and Justin Trudeau will speak today, Reuters reports, citing a source with knowledge of the matter.The Canadian prime minister condemned Trump’s imposition of levies on his country yesterday, saying he was looking to make its economy collapse as part of a plan to incorporate it into the United States. Trump responded with insults, and a warning that he may tighten levies further next month. Continue reading...

Events

14 h. ago Rep. Lauren Boebert endorses plan to put Trump’s face on $100 bill

‘Add me as a co-sponsor!’ the staunch Trump loyalist weighed in on Monday

Politics

16 h. ago Netanyahu tells new military chief Israel ‘determined’ to achieve victory – Middle East crisis live

Lt Gen Eyal Zamir says that mission to defeat Hamas is ‘not accomplished’ amid deadlock over ceasefire negotiationsAn Israeli rights group says Israel demolished a record number of Palestinian homes in annexed East Jerusalem last year, reports the Associated Press (AP).Ir Amim, which closely tracks settlement activity and demolitions in the city, said on Wednesday that 181 homes were destroyed last year, in addition to dozens of other structures. It said that more recently, Israel appears to have dropped a longstanding policy against demolishing homes during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began last weekend. It said a residential building and three apartments have been destroyed over the past week, according to the AP. Rights groups say discriminatory policies make it nearly impossible for Palestinians to expand or redevelop their neighbourhoods in East Jerusalem, forcing many to build without permits. Israel also demolishes the family homes of Palestinians who carry out at...

Events

17 h. ago Arab leaders endorse Gaza rebuild scheme as alternative to Trump’s plan to ‘take over’ region – Middle East crisis live

Egyptian-devised $53bn proposal follows outrage at US president’s suggestion to force Palestinians to relocate from territoryAmnesty International said on Wednesday that Israel’s attacks on ambulances, paramedics and health facilities during its recent war with Hezbollah should be investigated as war crimes, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP).A 27 November truce agreement largely halted more than a year of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, including two months of full-blown war in which Israel sent in ground troops. During the conflict, the Israeli military accused the group of using ambulances belonging to the Hezbollah-affiliated Islamic Health Committee for transporting fighters and weapons, accusations the group denied.Many of us have repeatedly raised objections over the continued sale of F-35 components. We have repeatedly asked for the truth regarding the role of British military bases. And we have repeatedly requested the publication of legal advice behind the govern...

Politics

28 h. ago Trump considers 'relinquishing leadership of NATO' and insist UK and France take more responsibility as Starmer plans return to DC WITH Zelensky to present 'united front' on peace plan

EXCLUSIVE: In line with the US's insistence that European allies take more responsibility for the security of the continent, it also expects a British or French general to take up this position.

Politics

32 h. ago Trudeau addresses Trump directly as he rips into his ‘dumb’ tariffs

Mexico, Canada, and China all plan to hit U.S. with retaliatory tariffs in response to Trump’s policies

Politics

33 h. ago Arab leaders endorse $53bn plan to rebuild Gaza as alternative to Trump idea

Proposal focuses on emergency relief and long-term economic development under Palestinian Authority administrationArab leaders have endorsed a $53bn (£42bn) plan to rebuild Gaza under the future administration of the Palestinian Authority (PA), in a rushed attempt to present an alternative to Donald Trump’s idea for a property development-style plan, which involved a relocation of the Palestinian population that has been widely criticised as effectively endorsing ethnic cleansing.The prospect of the PA governing Gaza remains far from certain, however, with Israel having ruled out any future role for the body, and Trump having closed the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) liaison office in Washington during his first term while stepping up support for Israel. Continue reading...

Politics

33 h. ago Zelenskyy says he will work under Trump’s leadership as he proposes Ukraine peace plan

Ukrainian president signals willingness to sign US minerals deal as he attempts to rebuild ties after Oval Office clashEurope live – latest updatesVolodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed a possible peace plan to end the war in Ukraine, saying he is willing to work “constructively” under Donald Trump’s “strong leadership” and to sign a deal giving the US access to his country’s mineral wealth.In an attempt to mend fences with Washington after Trump abruptly suspended supplies of military aid, Zelenskyy said on Tuesday he was “ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible”. Continue reading...

Politics

36 h. ago Why this is no time for Zelenskyy to grovel to Trump | Paul Taylor

Washington wants the Ukraine president’s scalp – so Kyiv has no choice but to ignore Keir Starmer’s bad adviceFor Volodymyr Zelenskyy, this is no time to grovel.After last Friday’s ambush in the Oval Office – where the Ukrainian president, who has led his country in resistance to three years of brutal Russian aggression, was beaten up in public by Donald Trump and JD Vance – some European leaders, including Keir Starmer and the Nato secretary general, Mark Rutte, rushed to urge him to mend fences with Washington. It was bad advice – and Zelenskyy should ignore it. In any case he doesn’t have much choice.Paul Taylor is a senior visiting fellow at the European Policy Centre Continue reading...

Politics

37 h. ago Ursula von der Leyen proposes €800bn ‘rearm Europe’ defence fund plan to step up Ukraine support after Donald Trump’s US suspension

Ursula von der Leyen has proposed an €800bn ($841 billion) plan to boost defences of EU nations to counter possible US disengagement following Donald Trump's decision to suspend all military aid to Ukraine.

Politics

38 h. ago JD Vance claims he was not referring to Britain or France in jibe about European troops – UK politics live

US vice president says he ‘didn’t even mention’ UK or France in jab about ‘20,000 troops from random country’ protecting UkraineMichelle O’Neill, Northern Ireland’s first minister, has described a decision to build thousands of lightweight missiles for Ukraine in a Belfast factory as “incredulous”.The Sinn Féin leader in Northern Ireland, who is also boycotting the St Patrick’s Day celebrations in the White House, said the money should be invested in infrastructure and peace.I find it really incredulous that at a time when public services are being cut left, right and centre.At a time when we have endured 14 years of austerity ... I think at a time like that, rather than buying weapons of war, I would rather see the money invested in public services. Continue reading...

Politics

38 h. ago Tories accuse Vance of being ‘deeply disrespectful’ to Britain and France with jibe about European troops – UK politics live

James Cartlidge, shadow defence secretary, says US vice president has ‘ignored service and sacrifice’ after Britain and France sent troops to AfghanistanMichelle O’Neill, Northern Ireland’s first minister, has described a decision to build thousands of lightweight missiles for Ukraine in a Belfast factory as “incredulous”.The Sinn Féin leader in Northern Ireland, who is also boycotting the St Patrick’s Day celebrations in the White House, said the money should be invested in infrastructure and peace.I find it really incredulous that at a time when public services are being cut left, right and centre.At a time when we have endured 14 years of austerity ... I think at a time like that, rather than buying weapons of war, I would rather see the money invested in public services. Continue reading...

Politics

40 h. ago Arab leaders meet to discuss alternative to Donald Trump’s plan to redevelop Gaza – Middle East crisis live

Arab League summit to discuss alternatives to US president’s proposal to assume control of Gaza and displace Palestinian populationHamas leader Sami Abu Zuhri told AFP Tuesday that disarming is a red line for his movement and other Palestinian militant groups in negotiations to extend the fragile Gaza ceasefire.“Any talk about the resistance’s weapons is nonsense. The resistance’s weapons are a red line for Hamas and all resistance factions,” Abu Zuhri said shortly after Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar demanded the “full demilitarisation” of Gaza to proceed to the second stage of the January truce. Continue reading...

Politics

41 h. ago Starmer won’t be derailed from Ukraine plan, Rayner says, amid claims Trump’s aid decision ‘humiliated’ PM – UK politics live

Few hours after Starmer’s statement to Commons on Monday, White House suspended all military aid to UkraineCabinet is meeting this morning. Here are pictures of some of the ministers arriving.Angela Rayner was also asked on Good Morning Britain about her relationship with JD Vance, the US vice-president. Given that she is deputy PM, Vance is her opposite number in the Trump administration, and after the election she spoke to him and later posted on social media about working together.The one thing that me and JD Vance have in common is we want to see the working class of our great nations to have more money in their pockets. The cost of living crisis has really hit people hard in the UK and in the US. Continue reading...

Politics

42 h. ago Arab leaders meet to discuss Donald Trump’s plan to redevelop Gaza – Middle East crisis live

Arab League summit to discuss US president’s proposal to assume control of Gaza and displace Palestinian populationIsrael’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who supports the annexation of the occupied West Bank, said on Tuesday that he was travelling to the United States for a brief visit.“The goal of this visit is to strengthen economic cooperation between Israel and the United States... and deepen the strategic alliance between our two countries,” Smotrich wrote on social media platform X. Continue reading...

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