21 h. ago Ukraine’s Zelenskyy confirms major prisoner swap with Russia – Europe live

The first stage of a major prison swap between Ukraine and Russia has taken place in Turkey, with 390 people released todayFor more coverage of Trump’s tariffs threats – which also include a warning that Apple must pay a 25% tariff unless it manufactures its iPhones in the US – follow our business live blog here:US president Donald Trump has just called the EU “very difficult to deal with,” lamenting the bloc’s “powerful Trade Barriers, Monetary Manipulations, unfair and unjustified lawsuits against American Companies, and more” (original capitalisation!).“Our discussions with them are going nowhere! Therefore, I am recommending a straight 50% Tariff on the European Union, starting on June 1, 2025. Continue reading...

Events

23 h. ago Donald Trump calls for more oil drilling in Scottish waters and an end to 'unsightly' windfarms

The US President argued more oil drilling would reduce energy costs for Scots.

Politics

2 d. ago Donald Trump Jr says the ‘calling is there’ for him to run for president

President’s eldest son remains a popular figure within MAGA movement and an influential voice in his father’s ear despite playing no direct role in administration

Politics

2 d. ago Russia’s new sanctions explained: Ukraine’s allies target Moscow as peace talks stall

Kyiv’s European allies have slapped new sanctions on Moscow, a day after a phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin failed to produce a breakthrough on ending the 3-year-old war in Ukraine

Events

3 d. ago Donald Trump Jr says ‘maybe one day’ when asked if would ever run for president – US politics live

President’s eldest son says ‘that calling is there’ while speaking at the Qatar Economic Forum Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that his administration will move forward with developing the so-called “Golden Dome” missile defense system that he envisions will protect the United States from possible foreign strikes using ground and space-based weapons.Flanked by the US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, in the Oval Office, Trump also said that he wanted the project to be operational before he left office. He added that Republicans had agreed to allocate $25bn in initial funding and Canada had expressed an interest in taking part.The Trump administration said it will permit use of Covid vaccines by adults over 65 and those with certain medical conditions in the fall, raising questions about whether some people who want a vaccine will be able to get one. The FDA framework, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, urges companies to conduct large, lengthy studies before tweaked ...

Politics

3 d. ago Rubio says US will impose new sanctions on Russia if no progress on peace deal

Secretary of state defends Donald Trump’s handling of call with Vladimir Putin

Economics

3 d. ago Rubio says US will impose may sanctions on Russia if no progress on peace deal

Secretary of state defends Donald Trump’s handling of call with Vladimir Putin

Economics

3 d. ago Rubio says US may impose sanctions on Russia if no progress on peace deal

Secretary of state defends Donald Trump’s handling of call with Vladimir Putin

Economics

3 d. ago With little progress after phone calls and talks, Ukraine's allies hit Russia with new sanctions

Kyiv’s European allies have slapped new sanctions on Moscow, a day after a phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin failed to produce a breakthrough on ending the 3-year-old war in Ukraine

Events

4 d. ago UK and Europe target Russia with major sanctions after Putin

Sanctions are aimed at entities supporting Russia’s military machine after call failed to deliver meaningful concessionsWar in Ukraine – live updatesThe UK and Europe have announced major sanctions against Russia as it became clear that Monday’s call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin had failed to deliver any meaningful concessions from Moscow.The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accused Russia of “trying to buy time in order to continue its war and occupation”. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Trump’s calls with Putin are worth nothing – no matter how much the US president enjoys them

Donald Trump claims his two-hour phone call with Vladimir Putin went ‘very well’, but it is the Russian president who calls the shots, writes Sam Kiley, The Independent’s world affairs editor

Politics

4 d. ago Former FBI director James Comey calls controversy over Instagram post "a bit of a distraction"

Former FBI director James Comey says that he’s still a bit bewildered over how a seemingly innocent Instagram shot of shells arranged in the sand led to allegations from Donald Trump among others that he was calling for the president’s assassination and to an interview with the Secret Service."

Events

4 d. ago Trump makes sensational Pope announcement on Ukraine peace talks after 'excellent' two

President Donald Trump gave an upbeat readout of his Monday call with Vladimir Putin about ending the brutal war in Ukraine - even urging Russia and Ukraine to use the Pope as a mediator.

Politics

4 d. ago Trump and Putin hold phone call but Kremlin refuses Ukraine ceasefire

Trump describes call as ‘excellent,’ despite Putin’s lack of support for ceasefire that US said was primary objectiveTrump says Russia-Ukraine ceasefire discussions to start immediately but Kremlin denies timeline for talks – liveVladimir Putin and Donald Trump have held a rare phone call, which the US leader described as “excellent,” but the Kremlin refused to agree to a ceasefire in the war with Ukraine, despite pressure from Washington and European allies.Speaking to reporters in Sochi after the two-hour conversation on Monday, Putin described the call as “very meaningful and frank,” and said he was prepared to work with Ukraine on drafting a memorandum for future peace talks. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Putin addresses Russia Ukraine ceasefire hopes after phone call with Trump

Vladimir Putin has said Russia is ready to work towards ending the fighting in Ukraine, following his two-hour phone call with Donald Trump.

Politics

4 d. ago Russian propagandists say 'Trump only wants a crown' and brag Putin ‘outplayed everyone’

US President Donald Trump is set for a key phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, as he attempts to secure a ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict

Politics

5 d. ago Megyn Kelly puts Trump clash behind her to ride the Maga media wave

The former Fox News host once branded ‘nasty’ by Trump is now a cheerleader for him and her podcast is surging in the rightwing media-sphereIt was the night before a US presidential election that Donald Trump had called the most important in history. Who could close the deal at his campaign rally in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania? The answer was Megyn Kelly. Trump “will keep the boys out of girls’ sports where they don’t belong”, the rightwinger podcaster said to rapturous applause. “And you know what else? He will look out for our boys, too. Our forgotten boys and our forgotten men.”Turning around and pointing at Trump supporters wearing hard hats, Kelly eulogised guys “who’ve got the calluses on their hands, who work for a living, the beards and the tats, maybe have a beer after work, and don’t want to be judged by people like Oprah and Beyoncé, who will never have to face the consequences of her [Kamala Harris’s] disastrous economic policies. These guys will. He gets it. President Trum...

Politics

5 d. ago Donald Trump 'has got to get on the phone' with Putin as Ukraine ceasefire in doubt

Donald Trump is set to hold separate phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday in a bid to secure a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine

Politics

6 d. ago Russia fires 273 drones at Ukraine in largest attack since start of war

One killed in Kyiv region in air offensive that follows first direct peace talks between the two sidesThe largest known Russian drone attack since full-scale war began in 2022 killed a woman in the Kyiv region and wounded at least three people, Ukrainian authorities said early on Sunday.The attack comes two days after Ukraine and Russia held their first direct talks since 2022 and a day ahead of a planned phone call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. Continue reading...

Events

6 d. ago Iran's Supreme leader calls Donald Trump a liar and says 'we do not fear any threat' despite US President's call for airstrikes if nuclear deal is not agreed

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused Donald Trump on Saturday of lying when the US president said during his Gulf tour this week that he wanted peace in the region.

Politics