15 h. ago Ukraine and Russia exchange 800 PoWs in largest prisoner swap of war so far

Russian foreign minister continues to question Zelenskyy’s legitimacy as first phase of ‘1,000 for 1,000’ deal takes placesUkraine and Russia have begun the largest prisoner exchange of the three-year war, with almost 800 captives returned on both sides in a process expected to last several days.Confirming the first phase of the exchange had taken place, the Ukrainian president, Volodmyr Zelenskyy, said Ukraine had returned 390 people to Russia and that the process would continue with further groups on Saturday and Sunday. Continue reading...

Events

18 h. ago David Cameron in talks to join London law firm to advise on geopolitical risks

Consultant position would be five years after Greensill scandal and add to ex-PM’s existing portfolio of rolesDavid Cameron is in talks to join the law firm DLA Piper as a consultant – five years after the Greensill scandal that showed he intensively lobbied officials on behalf of his failing employer.The former prime minister, who also served as foreign secretary last year, is said to be having discussions about taking on an advisory position to help the firm with geopolitical risks. Continue reading...

Politics

26 h. ago David Cameron in talks to join law firm DLA Piper as consultant

Role would be one of several jobs for the former prime minister and foreign secretary since leaving office

Politics

35 h. ago Harvard says Trump administration’s block on international student enrollment ‘unlawful’ – US politics live

In a major escalation between Trump and Harvard, homeland security secretary Kristi Noem says move to halt enrollment should ‘serve as a warning’Trump administration halts Harvard’s ability to enroll international studentsIsrael’s foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, has accused unnamed European officials of “toxic antisemitic incitement” he blamed for a hostile climate in which the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington took place, Reuters reports.Israel has faced a blizzard of criticism from Europe of late as it has intensified its military campaign in Gaza, where humanitarian groups have warned that an 11-week Israeli blockade on aid supplies has left the Palestinian territory on the brink of famine. Continue reading...

Society

36 h. ago Trump administration halts Harvard’s ability to enroll international students – live

In a major escalation between Trump and Harvard, homeland security secretary Kristi Noem says move should ‘serve as a warning’Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, has accused unnamed European officials of “toxic antisemitic incitement” he blamed for a hostile climate in which the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington took place, Reuters reports.Israel has faced a blizzard of criticism from Europe of late as it has intensified its military campaign in Gaza, where humanitarian groups have warned that an 11-week Israeli blockade on aid supplies has left the Palestinian territory on the brink of famine. Continue reading...

Society

40 h. ago More than 9,000 children treated for malnutrition in Gaza, says Unicef – Middle East crisis live

Figures come as Palestinian health minister says there have been 29 ‘starvation-related’ deaths in the last few daysIsraeli foreign minister Gideon Saar accused unnamed European officials on Thursday of “toxic antisemitic incitement” he blamed for a hostile climate in which the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staff members in Washington DC took place.Israel has faced criticism from Europe as it has intensified its military campaign in Gaza, where humanitarian groups have warned that an 11-week Israeli blockade on aid supplies has left the Palestinian territory on the brink of famine.There is a direct line connecting antisemitic and anti-Israel incitement to this murder.This incitement is also done by leaders and officials of many countries and organisations, especially from Europe.These libels about genocide, crimes against humanity and murdering babies pave the way exactly for such murders. Continue reading...

Society

43 h. ago Israeli army issues evacuation warning for 14 areas in northern Gaza – Middle East crisis live

AFP says army released statement in Arabic claiming it was ‘operating with intense force’ in a number of areasIsraeli foreign minister Gideon Saar accused unnamed European officials on Thursday of “toxic antisemitic incitement” he blamed for a hostile climate in which the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staff members in Washington DC took place.Israel has faced criticism from Europe as it has intensified its military campaign in Gaza, where humanitarian groups have warned that an 11-week Israeli blockade on aid supplies has left the Palestinian territory on the brink of famine.There is a direct line connecting antisemitic and anti-Israel incitement to this murder.This incitement is also done by leaders and officials of many countries and organisations, especially from Europe.These libels about genocide, crimes against humanity and murdering babies pave the way exactly for such murders. Continue reading...

Events

63 h. ago The UK has spoken out against the ‘monstrous’ human catastrophe in Gaza. Why won’t Australia do more? | Donald Rothwell

Foreign minister Penny Wong has called the risk to babies ‘horrifying’ but there is more Australia could do to make its position on Gaza clearGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached a breaking point, with 2.1 million Palestinians trying to survive human catastrophe on the strip.While there is a very faint flicker of hope that Israel is considering a change of direction with its rigid Gaza blockade, any relaxation of the blockade will take many weeks to be undone, given the starvation and malnutrition Palestinians have endured.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news emailDonald Rothwell is professor of international law at the Australian National University Continue reading...

Politics

67 h. ago China ‘seriously concerned’ over Trump’s Golden Dome defense system – live

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Trump’s project carries ‘strong offensive implications’ and heightens risks of space militarization and arms raceA small southern California school district must immediately pause its ban on critical race theory (CRT), a California appeals court ruled on Thursday morning.The 4th district court of appeals ruling put a halt to the Temecula Valley unified school district ban until its litigation is settled in the California legal system. The decision is the latest in a long-running legal battle over the CRT ban, which was first adopted as a resolution by the Temecula Valley Board of Education in December 2022 as they attempted to purge elementary school textbooks that reference gay rights icon Harvey Milk. Continue reading...

Politics

2 d. ago China warns Donald Trump's Golden Dome missile shield risks triggering arms race

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has issued a new warning to Donald Trump after he unveiled proposals for a new £400bn 'Golden Dome' missile defence system that would 'defend' the US from space

Events

3 d. ago Pacific must not become a ‘military zone’ amid rise of China, New Zealand’s deputy PM warns

In an interview with the Guardian, Winston Peters says the world faces the ‘most uncertain time’ in 80 years ahead of talks with Australia's foreign ministerThe Pacific must be protected from becoming a military zone amid China’s growing push for influence in the region, New Zealand’s top diplomat Winston Peters has warned ahead of a meeting with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong.Peters, who is New Zealand’s deputy prime minister and foreign affairs minister, told the Guardian that his country has a good relationship with China. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago EU to lift economic sanctions on Syria to aid recovery of war

Move comes one week after Trump announced all US sanctions on Syria would be liftedThe EU has agreed to lift economic sanctions on Syria in an effort to help the war-torn country recover after the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime.After the decision by EU foreign ministers on Tuesday, the EU’s chief diplomat, Kaja Kallas, wrote on X: “We want to help the Syrian people rebuild a new, inclusive and peaceful Syria.” Continue reading...

Economics

3 d. ago A moment of judgment has come at last: not just for Netanyahu but for his enablers | Owen Jones

Israel’s renewed assault on Gaza has prompted international condemnation, but many of those critics will face their own reckoning Suddenly, something is shifting. Last week, a stunning parliamentary intervention was delivered by the Tory backbencher Kit Malthouse. In a question to Hamish Falconer, Labour’s Middle East minister, he noted that “it’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with the slaughter in Gaza”, adding that “crimes come daily”. Given Britain was signatory to various conventions imposing a “positive obligation to act to prevent genocide” and other crimes, Malthouse asked what advice the government had taken as to the liability of the prime minister, the foreign secretary, Falconer himself and previous ministers “when the reckoning comes”.The idea of a “reckoning” is clearly playing on the minds of western politicians. Perhaps it is even keeping them up at night. This week, Britain joined France and Canada in denouncing the suffering in Gaza as “intolerable”, th...

Politics

3 d. ago Israel says ‘external pressure will not divert’ it after UK pauses trade talks – Israel

Israel foreign ministry spokesperson accuses Britain of ‘anti-Israel obsession’ after UK pauses trade talks over blockade of GazaPhilippe Lazzarini, the commissioner-general of Unrwa, the UN agency that supports Palestinian refugees, has been speaking to Euronews.He said US President Donald Trump has the unique power to force Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “change the situation” in Gaza.I do believe that President Donald Trump has the necessary influence to change the situation in Gaza and make sure that the siege be lifted and that the population get access to the assistance it deserves.It’s an outrage that we are confronted by a situation of starvation when it comes to Gaza. It’s a completely fabricated one. We are in a situation where hunger and food are being weaponised for political and military purposes What is needed in Gaza is a massive, unhindered, uninterrupted assistance of supply to make sure that we are reversing the trend of the spreading hunger. Continue...

Politics

4 d. ago Revealed: The Royal Navy drone submarine designed to stop Russia blacking out Britain in battle beneath the waves

A prototype of the unmanned 19-tonne vessel, named Excalibur, was launched at Devonport naval base last week and will pave the way for production of an entire squadron.

Events

5 d. ago EU foreign ministers call for coordinated action on Russian ‘shadow fleet’ in Baltic Sea

Fleet of tankers sailing under flags of convenience estimated to carry up to 85% of Russia’s oil exportsCalls to step up and coordinate the interdiction of the unflagged Russian “shadow fleet” of oil tankers in the Baltic Sea were made this weekend ahead of the EU foreign ministers meeting on Monday that is set to impose sanctions on 180 ships, taking the total number of ships sanctioned by the EU to 350.The efforts to stop the fleet, estimated to be carrying as much as 85% of Russia’s oil exports and so funding roughly a third of Russia’s budget, is seen as a critical proof of the EU’s determination to keep the economic pressure on Russia. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago EU ministers call for coordinated action on Russian ‘shadow fleet’ in Baltic Sea

Fleet of tankers sailing under flags of convenience estimated to carry up to 85% of Russia’s oil exportsCalls to step up and coordinate the interdiction of the unflagged Russian “shadow fleet” of oil tankers in the Baltic Sea were made this weekend before the EU foreign ministers’ meeting on Monday, which is expected to impose sanctions on 180 ships, taking the total number of ships sanctioned by the EU to 350.The efforts to stop the fleet, estimated to be carrying as much as 85% of Russia’s oil exports and so funding roughly a third of Russia’s budget, is seen as a critical proof of the EU’s determination to keep the economic pressure on Russia. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Pope Leo XIV gives first major address at inauguration attended by thousands

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and the Duke of Edinburgh, who was representing the King, were among attendees.

Culture

8 d. ago NATO weighs a US demand to massively hike defense spending as some struggle to meet the current goal

NATO foreign ministers are debating a U.S. demand to massively ramp up defense investment to 5% of gross domestic product over the next 7 years

Events

9 d. ago Putin's 'slap in the face' as Russian leader stays away from Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul

Estonia’s foreign minister says Putin sending a low-level delegation to Turkey for talks on Ukraine war is ‘like a slap in the face’

Politics