43 h. ago Marine Le Pen’s future to be decided as embezzlement verdict arrives

Far-right leader could be barred from standing for presidency if she is convicted over alleged fake jobs scamThe future of the far-right leader Marine Le Pen – and France’s political landscape – will be decided on Monday when a court hands down its verdict on charges she and party officials embezzled money from the European parliament.If convicted, the three-time presidential candidate of the National Rally (RN) could be barred from standing against Emmanuel Macron in the 2027 presidential election. Continue reading...

Politics

61 h. ago Britain has been paying a high price for Uncle Sam’s craziness. It’s time to turn to Europe | Simon Tisdall | Simon Tisdall

In his final column, the Observer’s foreign affairs commentator says America under Trump is not the first time it has caused trouble for alliesAmerica spells trouble for Britain. That’s undoubtedly true in the age of Trump – but maybe it’s always been so. The White House’s undisguised contempt for loyal allies in the UK and Europe necessitates a robust reciprocal rethink. How healthy – and desirable – is this partnership? Has it caused more problems than it’s worth?Those, myself included, who throughout their professional lives have taken close transatlantic ties for granted, face some awkward questions. Is the US-UK “special relationship” an embarrassment, even a strategic liability? Today’s America is evidently not a trustworthy, disinterested friend. Was it ever? Continue reading...

Economics

4 d. ago European leaders agree now ‘not the time’ to lift sanctions against Russia

Support for Ukraine continues with divided opinion on Franco-British plan for ‘reassurance force’ to help ceasefireEuropean leaders have affirmed their support for Ukraine at a Paris summit and agreed now was “not the time” to lift sanctions against Russia, but with splits remaining on Franco-British plans for a “reassurance force” to help guarantee an eventual ceasefire.France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, said on Thursday the meeting of more than two dozen heads of state and government had agreed unanimously that sanctions on Moscow should not be eased until “peace has clearly been established” in Ukraine. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Key European leaders say it is ‘not the time’ to start lifting sanctions against Russia – as it happened

UK prime minister Keir Starmer calls out Russia for ‘playing games’ as French president Emmanuel Macron says Europe must prepare for any scenarioThe search continues for four US soldiers that went missing in Lithuania on Tuesday night, as their vehicle has been discovered submerged in water.The operation continues on Thursday with attempts to reach the area. Lithuanian defence minister Dovilė Šakalienė said that the vehicle was located at “more than 5 meters down,” and digging is under way to get to it. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Key European leaders say it is ‘not the time’ to start lifting sanctions against Russia – Europe live

UK prime minister Keir Starmer calls out Russia for ‘playing games’ as French president Emmanuel Macron says Europe must prepare for any scenarioThe search continues for four US soldiers that went missing in Lithuania on Tuesday night, as their vehicle has been discovered submerged in water.The operation continues on Thursday with attempts to reach the area. Lithuanian defence minister Dovilė Šakalienė said that the vehicle was located at “more than 5 meters down,” and digging is under way to get to it. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago NATO scrambles to reassure Trump it can 'step up' after US defence chief berated 'European freeloading' in leaked text scandal

Mark Rutte, the Secretary General, told Donald Trump that 'now is not the time to go alone' and that 'Europe needs to know that Uncle Sam still has our back.'

Politics

5 d. ago Rachel Chinouriri reveals the harsh reality of being a Black pop star in emotional post

UK artist, Rachel Chinouriri took time out of her busy schedule opening for Sabrina Carpenter's European tour to respond to a fan comment about the challenges of being black in the pop music world

Politics

6 d. ago Brits told to 'leave the area' in Foreign Office travel warning for popular European destination

The FCDO suggests you should take extra care if you are travelling to this European destination any time soon, amidst an increase in protests and demonstrations

Events

6 d. ago Tim Henman: ‘I told Andy Murray to take his time the next week he was coaching Djokovic’

New Laver Cup Team Europe vice-captain won’t be moving into coaching even if he does like the look of Jack DraperTim Henman says he has no intention of following Andy Murray’s lead into full-time coaching despite being appointed the new vice-captain of Team Europe at the Laver Cup. From this year, Henman will act as a mentor to some of the best players in the world alongside the team captain, Yannick Noah, the 1983 French Open champion.“I think coaching is a far bigger commitment in terms of time, in terms of travel, and I’ve had those offers, but it just doesn’t appeal to me,” said Henman. “And that may change. I would never shut the door on coaching an individual player. I was involved in the ATP Cup, but that was a very specific event. Continue reading...

Sport

8 d. ago ‘The only thing still working’: Russia and UK agreement to tend war graves transcends bitter international relations

Private understanding ensures tending of British military graves in Russia and Crimea, and Soviet graves in UKIn graves at Murmansk, Arkhangelsk and Vladivostok, in Russia, lie the bodies of 663 British military personnel. Most of the dead lost their lives in the period just after the first world war, when allied troops were sent to support rightwing White forces in the Russian civil war against the Bolsheviks, while 41 are casualties from the second world war Arctic convoys.Their resting places have been tended over decades by the Russian military and by private contractors, paid by the UK’s Commonwealth War Graves Commission. But after Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, economic sanctions meant Britain could no longer pay for the graves to be maintained. Continue reading...

Events

9 d. ago Donald Trump’s imperial presidency is a throwback to a greedier, pernicious age | Simon Tisdall

His attempts to bully and exploit the weak hark back to an era when the US emulated the worst aspects of the British empireDonald Trump’s imperial presidency is a tawdry, threadbare affair. The emperor has no clothes to cloak his counterfeit rule. Lacking crown and robes, he resorts to vulgar ties and baseball caps. His throne is but a bully pulpit, his palace a pokey, whitewashed house, his courtiers mere common hacks. His royal edicts – executive orders – are judicially contested. And while he rages like Lear, his critics are publicly crucified or thrown to the lions at Fox News.Yet for all his crudely plebeian ordinariness, a parvenu imperialism is Trump’s global offer, his trademark deal and most heinous crime. He peddles it against the tide of history and all human experience, as if invasion, genocide, racial inequality, economic exploitation and cultural conquest had never been tried before. If it wasn’t clear already, it is now. He wants to rule the world. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Britain 'must pay BILLIONS of pounds into EU defence fund' for UK firms to get contracts

Miguel Berger said the UK must pay its 'share' if it wants to be part of the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative.

Economics

1 week ago STEPHEN GLOVER: If the despicable sight of Trump and Putin carving up Ukraine doesn't wake Starmer up to the urgent need to rearm, nothing will

The last time the big powers carved up Eastern Europe was at Yalta in February 1945.

Politics

1 week ago The best times to book flights — including how you could save nearly £1.5K on a trip to the Maldives

New data reveals how far in advance to book your flights, as well as the best days and times to secure the biggest savings

Economics

1 week ago Prince William pays tribute to last surviving Battle of Britain pilot John Hemingway

Prince William said Britons 'owe so much' to the last surviving Battle of Britain airman John 'Paddy' Hemingway after he died aged 105, with the PM also paying his respects

Politics

1 week ago Netanyahu will never accept peace. Where will his perpetual war lead next? | Simon Tisdall

Israel, backed by a capricious Donald Trump, never intended to honour the ceasefire. These airstrikes mark a dire new phase in the conflictThe first and last rule of Benjamin Netanyahu’s doctrine of perpetual warfare is brutally to the point: peace cannot and must not be allowed to last. As indiscriminate, deadly fire once again descends upon the defenceless people of Gaza, unleashed on the orders of Israel’s bellicose prime minister, an anguished cry is heard. Is the precious two-month-long ceasefire with Hamas definitively over? To which comes the dismaying answer: it barely matters. This truce, now shattering into a million pieces, was but a brief, deceptive pause in a war that never stops.It doesn’t stop because Netanyahu is sustained in office by the unceasing state of national emergency that he and his supporters have nurtured and prolonged since the 7 October 2023 terrorist attacks. The war doesn’t stop because Netanyahu’s overarching aim – the destruction of Palestinian hope...

Events

1 week ago ITV Good Morning Britain's Susanna Reid pays tribute to 'absolute hero' after tragic death

Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid took a moment to pay tribute to the 'last of the few' during Tuesday's show, as she announced the death of war hero John 'Paddy' Hemingway.

Events

1 week ago William pays tribute to last surviving Battle of Britain pilot Paddy Hemingway

Mr Hemingway, originally from Dublin, has died aged 105.

Events

1 week ago GMB's Susanna Reid pauses to announce tragic death of 'hero' in touching tribute

Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid took a moment to pay tribute to 'an absolutely remarkable hero' who has died as the last surviving Battle of Britain pilot passed away

Events

1 week ago Good Morning Britain's Susanna Reid announces tragic death as she pays tribute to 'hero'

Good Morning Britain presenters Richard Madeley and Susanna Reid detailed the latest headlines to ITV viewers on Tuesday's show.

Events