6 h. ago Europe’s powerful tool against Russia? Seizing its frozen assets

If European leaders want to truly support Ukraine they must seize the moment by seizing $220bn in assetsIt is now clear that Donald Trump’s administration will betray Ukraine in its fight to resist Russian aggression. Trump himself is either a victim of disinformation or he is a willing participant in an effort to deceive Americans about the causes and consequences of the war.Trump’s lies include claiming that Ukraine is equally to blame for the war; that Volodymyr Zelenskyy doesn’t “have the cards” to end the conflict on favourable terms; and that Ukraine could not have defended itself without US help. Yet the whole world knows that Russia launched an unprovoked invasion, and we all remember the initial weeks, when Ukrainians valiantly defended an 1,800-mile frontline against a supposedly superior army, long before deliveries of western artillery, armoured vehicles and air defence systems arrived. Continue reading...

Politics

12 h. ago Cinematic, triumphant, unbeatable: Alisson seizes his moment for Liverpool | Barney Ronay

Liverpool took a huge step towards the season’s end, thanks to one of the deep spirit animals of this teamLiverpool are fluid. Liverpool are polyvalent. Liverpool press and sit, then strike like jet fighters. Maybe they really are, as Luis Enrique enthused before this game, “a perfect team”. But sometimes, well, sometimes you just need a really good goalkeeper too.Alisson wasn’t just good here in the conventional sense, bullocking around his area like a giant, yolk-coloured blur making game-saving blocks and dives. He was, as Liverpool defended desperately at times, triumphantly good. This was goalkeeping as an act of performance, goalkeeping as counter-aggression. You really believe you’re going to win this? How much, would you say? Continue reading...

Politics

14 h. ago Elliott stuns PSG as Liverpool weather storm to snatch remarkable victory

Liverpool are alive and well in the Champions League when they should have been buried in Paris. Arne Slot’s team did not simply secure a precious first-leg lead against Paris Saint-Germain, they committed grand larceny on a night that belonged to Alisson.Harvey Elliott grabbed a late winner entirely against the run of play and within a minute of replacing Mohamed Salah. Fittingly, Liverpool’s goal was constructed by their goalkeeper. Alisson was unbeatable all night, driving PSG to despair with a string of superb saves, although Luis Enrique’s side also squandered plenty of chances of their own accord. A goalless draw would have been a fine outcome for Liverpool in the circumstances but they emerged victorious when Alisson launched a clearance in the 87th minute. Continue reading...

Society

8 d. ago Germany can turbocharge Europe’s renewal – if it will only seize this moment | Timothy Garton Ash

Three times in the postwar era Germany made strategic choices that benefited Europe – with the US at its side. Now it must do it in opposition to TrumpThree times in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany, its chancellors have made strategic choices that opened the door to a better future for Europe. Today there’s not just an opportunity but an urgent need for a fourth such historic moment. If the country’s new coalition government under Friedrich Merz manages to seize the chance of this crisis, both Germany and Europe will go forward. If it fails, then by the end of the 2020s both may have fallen backwards farther and faster than most of us could have imagined in our worst nightmares.The big difference with those three earlier pivotal moments is this: in 1949, 1969 and 1989 the Federal Republic’s policy was fundamentally aligned with that of the United States. This time, Germany has to build up a stronger, free, democratic and Ukraine-supporting Europe against the current p...

Politics

1 week ago Liam Livingstone must finally seize moment for England on global stage | Ali Martin

All-rounder has yet to deliver in five major tournaments and missed out again in Champions Trophy defeat by AustraliaThe England players who hit the golf course on Sunday morning probably did the right thing, really. Back at the team hotel they were replaying the defeat against Australia the previous night on a jumbo‑sized screen, with the gentle flute muzak in the lobby barely softening the sight of Josh Inglis going gangbusters.Plenty went back to their own struggle to tee off with the bat. At the 30-over mark, England were 200 with just two down, only to finish 351 for eight. It was their highest score at a global event, the highest by any side at a Champions Trophy. But it was still only par and swiftly bumped down to No 2 as regards the second of those two records. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Six Nations: England must seize the moment after France upset with Scotland revenge in Calcutta Cup

Last-gasp heroics need to be springboard for Steve Borthwick’s Twickenham reign rather than proving a mere false dawn

Politics

1 week ago Maro Itoje urges England to ‘seize the moment’ in clash with Scotland

England seeking a first win since 2020 over their Calcutta Cup rivals

Politics