7 h. ago The delicate diplomacy of the seating plan for the Pope’s funeral

The seating plan has been described as a ‘master plan’ in stage-managing the ‘big egos’ of world leaders.

Politics

10 h. ago Trump envoy meets Putin hours after Moscow killing of Russian general

Russian official calls talks with Steve Witkoff ‘quite useful’ as investigation launched into suspected Ukrainian bombingDonald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff has met Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin for high-stakes peace talks, hours after a senior Russian military official was killed in a car explosion near Moscow.Trump has played up Witkoff’s visit – his fourth to Russia in recent months – claiming a deal on ending the war in Ukraine was within reach. “The next few days are going to be very important. Meetings are taking place right now,” Trump told reporters on Thursday. “I think we’re going to make a deal I think we’re getting very close.” Continue reading...

Politics

11 h. ago Ukraine has exposed Trump’s true identity: as a vandal, an autocrat, a gangster and a fool | Jonathan Freedland

This presidency places authoritarian ambition above all – and now the people of Ukraine are paying the priceTo see the true face of Donald Trump, look no further than Ukraine. Laid bare in his handling of that issue are not only his myriad weaknesses, but also the danger he poses to his own country and the wider world – to say nothing of the battered people of Ukraine itself.Don’t be fooled by the mild, vaguely theatrical rebuke Trump issued to Vladimir Putin on Thursday after Moscow unleashed a deadly wave of drone strikes on Kyiv, killing 12 and injuring dozens: “Vladimir, STOP!” Pay attention instead to the fact that, in the nearly 100 days since Trump took office, the US has essentially switched sides in the battle between Putin’s Russia and democratic Ukraine, backing the invaders against the invaded.Jonathan Freedland is a Guardian columnist and the host of the Politics Weekly America podcast100 days of Trump’s presidency, with Jonathan Freedland and guests. On 30 April, join ...

Politics

12 h. ago In Kyiv, we don’t believe in the fantasy of Trump's ‘peace deal’. Our reality is more dead civilians | Nataliya Gumenyuk

At the scene of the deadliest attack on our capital this year, I see the war on Ukraine is still very real – and Putin shows no signs of ending itWar teaches you to believe only in what happens, rather than what is merely said or promised. A day after the “peace talks” in London, which the US secretary of state Marco Rubio didn’t even turn up for, Ukrainians were not anxiously waiting for the results of a possible deal, which looked unfeasible anyway. Instead, they were counting their dead.According to Ukraine’s air force, in the early hours of Thursday morning Russia launched 11 Iskander ballistic missiles, 37 KH-101 cruise missiles, six Iskander-K cruise missiles, 12 Kalibr cruise missiles, 4 KH-59/KH-69 missiles and 145 drones. For Kyiv and Kharkiv residents that night, this was not just a case of reading numbers on a news feed, but hearing and feeling explosions rock their cities. It turned out to be the deadliest night for the Ukrainian capital this year.Nataliya Gumenyuk is a ...

Politics

14 h. ago Putin and Witkoff meet in Kremlin after car bomb kills Russian general near Moscow – Europe live

US envoy and Russian leader hold planned meeting following the death of Lt Gen Yaroslav Moskalik in BalashikhaPjotr Sauer is a Russian affairs reporter for the GuardianA senior Russian military official was killed in a car explosion near Moscow on Friday, just hours before a Kremlin meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff. Continue reading...

Events

15 h. ago A Russian general was killed by a car bomb just outside Moscow

Russia’s top criminal investigation agency said that a senior Russian military officer was killed by a car bomb on Friday

Events

16 h. ago Russian general killed in Moscow car blast on day of Trump envoy visit

Lt Gen Yaroslav Moskalik named as victim of explosion that appears similar to previous attacks claimed by UkraineEurope live – latest updatesA senior Russian military official was killed in a car explosion near Moscow on Friday, just hours before a Kremlin meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff.The Russian authorities named the officer as Lt Gen Yaroslav Moskalik, the deputy head of the main operations directorate of the general staff of the Russian armed forces. Continue reading...

Events

17 h. ago Vladimir Putin rejects Donald Trump's plea to stop Ukraine attacks as new drone strikes kill five

The US president’s envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow on Friday where he is expected to meet the Russian leader

Events

19 h. ago Steve Witkoff arrives in Moscow for further talks with Russia about Ukraine peace plan – Europe live

US peace envoy to meet Vladimir Putin to discuss Donald Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine ahead of US president’s 100 days in office next weekAnd the Interfax news agency has now reported that Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow, where he is expected to meet Vladimir Putin.Reuters noted that Witkoff has emerged as Washington’s key interlocutor with Putin as Trump pushes for a deal to end the war in Ukraine, and has already held three long meetings with the Kremlin leader. Continue reading...

Politics

26 h. ago Trump news at a glance: president berates Putin; judge blocks changes to voting rights

US renews push to end Ukraine war, reportedly on terms favourable to Russia – key US politics stories from 24 AprilDuring his election campaign Donald Trump had promised to end the war in 24 hours. But almost 100 days into his second term the US president has appealed directly to Russian president Vladimir Putin, telling him on social media: “Vladimir, STOP!”Trump’s remarks referred to the deadliest attack on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv this year, which killed 12 people and injured at least 90 on Thursday. The attack comes as Trump has made a renewed push to end the Ukraine war, reportedly on terms favourable to Russia. Continue reading...

Politics

33 h. ago ‘Vladimir, stop!’ Trump in rare rebuke to Putin as Kyiv attack toll rises to 12

Intervention comes as US president makes renewed push to end war, reportedly on terms favourable to MoscowEurope live: latest updatesDonald Trump has issued a rare rebuke to Moscow for an air attack that killed 12 people in Kyiv, telling the Russian president in a social media post: “Vladimir, STOP!”The US president’s remarks come as he makes a renewed push to end the Ukraine war, reportedly on terms favourable to Russia that include recognition of Moscow’s 2014 annexation of Crimea, something the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has said he cannot accept. Continue reading...

Politics

33 h. ago 'Vladimir, STOP!' Trump issues plea to Putin as Russia launches biggest attack on Kyiv since July

Rescue workers hunt for bodies under rubble as Putin’s forces launch deadly attack on Ukraine’s capital

Politics

35 h. ago ‘Vladimir, stop!’ Trump issues rare rebuke to Putin as Kyiv attack toll rises to 12

Ninety people also wounded after one of the most devastating air attacks against Ukraine for monthsEurope live: latest updatesAt least 12 people have been killed and more than 90 injured in Kyiv after Russia carried out one of the most devastating air attacks against Ukraine for months, with Kharkiv and other cities also targeted.The attack drew a rare rebuke of Russia from Donald Trump, who posted on social media: “Vladimir, STOP!” Continue reading...

Politics

36 h. ago ‘Vladimir, stop!’: Trump criticises Putin as Starmer and von der Leyen warn over Russian energy ‘blackmail’ – Europe live

US president says he is ‘not happy’ over Kyiv attack as death toll rises to 12 with 90 people injuredWe understand that while the visit will be cut short after Zelenskyy’s meeting with Ramaphosa, their media activities will still proceed, meaning we should hear from the Ukrainian president in the next few hours.Rachel and I will keep an eye on this development to see if Zelenskyy takes part in a scheduled press conference in Pretoria in case he wants to say more about the attacks overnight. Continue reading...

Events

37 h. ago Grant Shapps says he’s barred from sharing theories on Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin ‘in cahoots’

Grant Shapps says he is barred from sharing his theories on why Donald Trump is "in cahoots" with Vladimir Putin.

Politics

37 h. ago Trump says he is 'not happy' with Russia's overnight missile attack on Kyiv and urges: 'Vladimir, STOP! Let's get the peace deal done!'

Donald Trump says he is 'not happy' that Vladimir Putin launched an overnight missile strike on Kyiv after Ukraine and Russia failed to reach a peace deal yesterday.

Events

37 h. ago Trump slams ‘not necessary’ Russian airstrike on Kyiv: ‘Vladimir, STOP!’

Trump’s criticism of Moscow comes less than a day after he attacked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

Politics

38 h. ago UK restricts export of video game controllers to Russia amid use to pilot drones

Some 150 new trade sanctions against Russia have been introduced by the UK, aimed at choking off the Kremlin’s war effort.

Events

38 h. ago Donald Trump sends incredible direct message to Putin – 'Vladimir, STOP'

The US President took to Truth Social and pleaded with the Russian despot to stop attacking Kyiv following a horror attack, adding: 'Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!'

Politics

38 h. ago ‘Vladimir, stop!’ Trump criticises Putin over attack on Kyiv – Europe live

US president says he is ‘not happy’ with Russian attack and criticises the ‘very bad timing’ We understand that while the visit will be cut short after Zelenskyy’s meeting with Ramaphosa, their media activities will still proceed, meaning we should hear from the Ukrainian president in the next few hours.Rachel and I will keep an eye on this development to see if Zelenskyy takes part in a scheduled press conference in Pretoria in case he wants to say more about the attacks overnight. Continue reading...

Politics