18 h. ago Trump has abandoned the idea of diplomacy in the Middle East | Jo

The administration has proposed no realistic settlement, leaving a void for Netanyahu. This is foolishness gone wildWhen I wrote an opinion piece for the Guardian a few months ago, anticipating Donald Trump’s foreign policy regarding the Middle East, I made a big mistake.I thought that there would be diplomacy involved, even if it was ill-conceived. Instead, the complete lack of diplomatic rendering in this administration’s foreign policy is already pointing in dangerous directions, especially regarding Israel, the Palestinians, Jordan and Egypt. Saudi Arabia, the sleeping giant that’s in a key position to provide a roadmap to a fair resolution for both Israelis and Palestinians, seems to be sitting on the sidelines now. Continue reading...

Politics

63 h. ago Liverpool braced for fresh contract drama with Mo Salah 'still open to Saudi transfer'

Liverpool are said to remain confident that they will retain the services of Mohamed Salah beyond this season but there is still interest in the Egyptian from Saudi Arabia

Sport

4 d. ago Eid in the Park 2025: Thousands turn out as Muslim community sees out Ramadan in 'successful' Eid celebrations

The Muslim community commemorated the end of Ramadan at Platt Fields Park

Politics

5 d. ago Eid in the Park 2025 details CONFIRMED for major Greater Manchester festival after moonsighting in Saudi Arabia

Eid in the Park 2025 marks end of Ramadan

Politics

8 d. ago Andre Onana Man United transfer exit hint emerges as Ruben Amorim faces huge call

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana faces an uncertain long-term future at Old Trafford with transfer speculation linking him with a move to Saudi Arabia.

Politics

8 d. ago Zelenskyy says Ukraine ready to observe ceasefire against energy targets following US

Ukraine's president says his country will proceed with a ceasefire prohibiting attacks on energy infrastructure following a deal brokered by the U.S. during negotiations in Saudi Arabia

Events

8 d. ago Why the double standards on ‘leadership’ when it comes to Black players? | Jonathan Liew

Jordan Henderson is a great English leader. But he has been encouraged and applauded for the very same acts for which minority ethnic players are castigated and stigmatisedHow shall I lead thee? Let me count the ways. I lead thee by stepping up and being vocal, around the dressing room, setting standards in training. I lead thee quietly by example, you know, the not-much-of-a-shouter‑and-a-screamer-but-when-he-speaks-people-listen kind. I lead thee by having been there, done that, won everything in the game. I lead thee by never backing down from a challenge. I lead thee by sheer gravitas.By any of these measures, Jordan Henderson is a leader. He was a leader for Liverpool, raising standards and setting the tone for 12 golden years. He was a leader for the NHS and the LGBTQ+ community off the field. He was still a leader when he left Liverpool and moved to Saudi Arabia in an attempt to create – in his words – “positive change” in the country for his beloved LGBTQ+ constituents....

Politics

9 d. ago Socceroos prove hard to beat as quest to reach 2026 World Cup goes down to the wire | Joey Lynch

Australia’s fate remains in their own hands and will be decided in June’s international window against runaway leaders Japan and Saudi ArabiaNothing lasts forever, especially in the capricious world of football. And after having results go their way so often during World Cup qualification, it felt inevitable that the whims of the footballing gods would at some point turn away from Australia.While Tony Popovic’s side did pretty much everything they could over the last week, smashing Indonesia 5-1 in Sydney before dispatching China 2-0 in Hangzhou, Japan did everything but score against Saudi Arabia in Saitama on Tuesday. That result ensures the Socceroos’ hopes of automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup will go down to the wire in June. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago Ukraine ceasefire deal looks like a Russian wishlist tied with a US bow

A moratorium on attacks on ships in the Black Sea seems to be contingent on sanctions relief – a key Kremlin demandThe Kremlin is pressing its advantage with a White House that is impatient to show that Donald Trump is the only leader who can deliver peace in the Kremlin’s war against Ukraine.At first blush, the deal agreed by US negotiators in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday offers concession on concession to the Kremlin, leaving observers to question whether Russia had given anything to secure its first offer of sanctions relief since the beginning of the war. Continue reading...

Economics

9 d. ago Russia and Ukraine agree to ‘eliminate the use of force’ in Black Sea

Kremlin stipulates maritime ceasefire will start only if it gets sanctions relief on agricultural exportsRussia-Ukraine war: latest news updatesRussia and Ukraine have agreed to “eliminate the use of force” in the Black Sea after parallel talks with US negotiators in Saudi Arabia, though the Kremlin said a maritime ceasefire would start only if it received sanctions relief on agricultural exports.The two sides also agreed to implement a previously announced 30-day halt on attacks against energy networks and expand its scope to more locations, but resolving fundamental issues, including any division of territory, remains far off. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago Russia and Ukraine agree to avoid strikes on energy infrastructure or vessels in the Black Sea, following successful US talks

Both sides agreed separately to avoid military strikes on vessels, the primary objective of the latest round of talks in Saudi Arabia.

Events

9 d. ago Ukraine and Russia agree Black Sea ceasefire deal after talks in Saudi Arabia

Talks have been taking place this week

Economics

9 d. ago Jackson Irvine stars as Socceroos clinch key World Cup qualifying win over China

China 0-2 Australia with Nishan Velupillay also on target againVictory in Hangzhou sets up showdown in Saudi Arabia in JuneJackson Irvine further established himself as the face of the Socceroos, Nishan Velupillay netted his third goal in just his fourth senior international, and Australia weathered a second-half storm to take another step towards securing automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 win over China.Given that the worst part of it may have come 1,900km away in Saitama, where Saudi Arabia held Japan to a 0-0 draw to stay within touching distance in their qualification group, it was a good evening for still undefeated national team boss Tony Popovic and his side at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago Jackson Irvine stars again as Australia clinch key World Cup win over China

Nishan Velupillay adds to opener to secure 2-0 win in HangzhouVictory sets up showdown in Saudi in June Jackson Irvine further established himself as the face of the Socceroos, Nishan Velupillay netted his third goal in just his fourth senior international, and Australia weathered a second-half storm to take another step towards securing automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 win over China.Given that the worst part of it may have come 1,900km away in Saitama, where Saudi Arabia held Japan to a 0-0 draw to stay within touching distance in their qualification group, it was a decent evening for still undefeated national team boss Tony Popovic and his side at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Ukraine war briefing: Strike into Belgorod ‘destroys four Russian helicopters’

Russian missile attack injures 88 in Sumy, officials report; Saudi Arabia ceasefire talks to continue with nothing yet agreed. What we know on day 1,126Ukraine’s special forces said on Monday they destroyed four military helicopters in Russia’s Belgorod region with Himars rocket systems. The special operations command published drone footage and announced: “Special operations forces in cooperation with the GUR of the ministry of defence, missile forces and artillery destroyed two enemy Ka-52 and two Mi-8 helicopters in the Belgorod region of the Russian Federation.” The strikes occurred at a concealed “jumping-off point” for Russian aircraft used in surprise attacks on Ukrainian forces, the group said. Ukrainian forces have since 18 March been striking across the border into areas of Belgorod oblast including the village of Demidovka, according to Russian and Ukrainian war watchers. Some claimed Ukrainian troops had managed to seize a small amount of territory in Belgorod. Their rep...

Events

1 week ago British and French military chiefs meet ahead of Ukraine peacekeeping talks

The heads of the British and French armed forces met to discuss deeper military ties between the two countries

Events

1 week ago Putin blitzes Ukrainian civilians with missiles as his envoys discuss 'peace' with Trump's representatives in Saudi Arabia

It was Russia 's turn to meet with U.S. representatives in Saudi Arabia today as missiles continued to pound northeastern Ukraine, injuring children

Politics

1 week ago Russian missile hits hospital in Ukraine as US holds ceasefire talks with Kremlin officials in Saudi Arabia

Discussions in Riyadh over a 30-day truce came hours after a round of ‘productive’ negotiations between Ukrainian and US officials

Events

1 week ago Ukraine ceasefire talks: What will be discussed in Saudi Arabia as Trump pushes for truce by Easter?

Kremlin appears to temper hopes of swift truce, despite Trump’s special envoy praising ‘gracious’ Putin

Politics

1 week ago Gulf in US and Russian expectations marks start of latest ceasefire talks

As Washington signals hope for ‘real progress’, Moscow warns ‘difficult negotiations’ lie aheadUS and Ukrainian officials were meeting on Sunday for further talks aimed at hammering out a ceasefire in Russia’s war in Ukraine, with Washington signalling its hope for “real progress” even as Moscow warned that “difficult negotiations” lie ahead.The gulf in expectations marked the start of the latest round of negotiations in Saudi Arabia, which was set to follow with a meeting between American officials and Russia on Monday. The US is pushing for a broad ceasefire in Russia’s war in Ukraine by 20 April, according to Bloomberg, though sources said the timeline may slip given the wide gap that exists between Kyiv and Moscow’s positions. Continue reading...

Events