17 h. ago Trump calls Epstein case a hoax and lashes out at Maga critics – live updates

President tries to downplay issue amid growing outrage from conservativesTrump says people interested in Epstein inquiry are ‘bad people’As Democrats reckon with a deep inter-party divide that threatens their ability to repair the party’s image and win back voters, Ken Martin said he was not focused on “internal bullshit” because “most people could care less about the internal drama and soap opera of the Democratic party”.Martin, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, told the Guardian that he knows Democrats have to earn back trust from communities across the country before the midterms. Continue reading...

Politics

18 h. ago Ukraine ready for peace talks anytime, foreign minister says, as Trump backtracks from idea to ‘target Moscow’ – Europe live

Ukraine urges EU to adopt further sanctions against Russia and says Kremlin is waging campaign of terror from the airSeparately, the European Commission has just confirmed that EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič will travel to Washington DC today for talks with US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick and US trade representative Jamieson Greer.The meetings come as part of the EU’s push to get an agreement with the US on tariffs before 1 August. Continue reading...

Politics

23 h. ago Trump backtracks from suggestion Ukraine should ‘target Moscow’ but again tells Putin to reach peace deal soon – Europe live

US president says first deliveries of Patriot missile systems via Germany are ‘already being shipped’A joint Czech, Slovak and Ukrainian police operation arrested a Ukrainian man who was allegedly sending bomb threats against “hundreds” of Czech and Slovak schools, the forces confirmed.The arrest took place in the Dnipro region of Ukraine as a result of the forces’ joint investigation into multiple emailed bomb threats that started in September last year. Continue reading...

Politics

61 h. ago Supreme court clears way for Trump to gut education department – live updates

Conservative justices lift federal judge’s order that had reinstated nearly 1,400 workers affected by mass layoffsWith Trump’s headache not showing any signs of going away, Politico learned that “an ally supportive of the Trump DOJ’s handling of the Epstein case, has pitched senior White House officials on the idea of Bondi and deputy attorney general Todd Blanche doing an all-questions-addressed news conference in an attempt to exhaust the press and put the story to bed.”Maga influencer and far-right activist Laura Loomer also told Politico on Sunday that “there should be a special counsel appointed to do an independent investigation of the handling of the Epstein files so that people can feel like this issue is being investigated, and perhaps take it out of [Pam Bondi’s] hands, because I don’t think that she has been transparent or done a good job handling this issue”. Continue reading...

Politics

62 h. ago Trump continues attacks on Federal Reserve chair as he demands lower interest rates – live updates

Trump attacks Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell, calling him a ‘stupid guy’ and a ‘knucklehead’ as he demands lower interest ratesWith Trump’s headache not showing any signs of going away, Politico learned that “an ally supportive of the Trump DOJ’s handling of the Epstein case, has pitched senior White House officials on the idea of Bondi and deputy attorney general Todd Blanche doing an all-questions-addressed news conference in an attempt to exhaust the press and put the story to bed.”Maga influencer and far-right activist Laura Loomer also told Politico on Sunday that “there should be a special counsel appointed to do an independent investigation of the handling of the Epstein files so that people can feel like this issue is being investigated, and perhaps take it out of [Pam Bondi’s] hands, because I don’t think that she has been transparent or done a good job handling this issue”. Continue reading...

Politics

64 h. ago Trump confirms new weapons deal for Ukraine and threatens ‘severe’ tariffs on Russia if war doesn’t end in 50 days – Europe live

President says US will make weapons, including Patriots, but Europe will fund them for Ukraine during meeting with Nato chief, Mark RutteUkrainian intelligence agents killed members of a Russian secret service cell wanted on suspicion of having shot dead a colonel last week, the SBU said.The SBU intelligence agency said in a statement that the operation had sought the arrest of the agents of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), who it believes were behind the killing of Col Ivan Voronych – also a member of the SBU security service – in Kyiv on Thursday. Continue reading...

Economics

65 h. ago Trump confirms deal for ‘greatest military equipment’ for Ukraine and threatens ‘severe’ tariffs on Russia if war doesn’t end – Europe live

President says US will make weapons but Europe will fund them for Ukraine during meeting with Nato chief, Mark RutteUkrainian intelligence agents killed members of a Russian secret service cell wanted on suspicion of having shot dead a colonel last week, the SBU said.The SBU intelligence agency said in a statement that the operation had sought the arrest of the agents of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), who it believes were behind the killing of Col Ivan Voronych – also a member of the SBU security service – in Kyiv on Thursday. Continue reading...

Events

66 h. ago Trump defends attorney general as Maga base furious over justice department’s handling of Epstein files – live

Trump signals backing for Pam Bondi amid calls from Maga world for her dismissalWith Trump’s headache not showing any signs of going away, Politico learned that “an ally supportive of the Trump DOJ’s handling of the Epstein case, has pitched senior White House officials on the idea of Bondi and deputy attorney general Todd Blanche doing an all-questions-addressed news conference in an attempt to exhaust the press and put the story to bed.”Maga influencer and far-right activist Laura Loomer also told Politico on Sunday that “there should be a special counsel appointed to do an independent investigation of the handling of the Epstein files so that people can feel like this issue is being investigated, and perhaps take it out of [Pam Bondi’s] hands, because I don’t think that she has been transparent or done a good job handling this issue”. Continue reading...

Society

67 h. ago Ceasefire prospects, joint drone production and strengthening air defences on table in US talks, Ukraine says – Europe live

Ukraine president says he had ‘productive’ meeting with US envoy with Trump announcement on Russia due to come later todayUkrainian intelligence agents killed members of a Russian secret service cell wanted on suspicion of having shot dead a colonel last week, the SBU said.The SBU intelligence agency said in a statement that the operation had sought the arrest of the agents of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), who it believes were behind the killing of Col Ivan Voronych – also a member of the SBU security service – in Kyiv on Thursday. Continue reading...

Events

68 h. ago Strengthening air defences, sanctions against Russia and procurement of weapons all on table in US talks, Zelenskyy says – Europe live

Ukraine president says he had ‘productive’ meeting with US envoy with Trump announcement on Russia due to come later todayUkrainian intelligence agents killed members of a Russian secret service cell wanted on suspicion of having shot dead a colonel last week, the SBU said.The SBU intelligence agency said in a statement that the operation had sought the arrest of the agents of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), who it believes were behind the killing of Col Ivan Voronych – also a member of the SBU security service – in Kyiv on Thursday. Continue reading...

Society

2 d. ago Trump says he spoke to Dan Bongino after reports deputy FBI director could leave post over Epstein files fallout – US politics live

US president says Bongino ‘sounded terrific’ when he spoke to him about uproar over how Justice Department handled inquiry into Epstein deathPresident Donald Trump said on Sunday that it would be a great thing if Fed chairman Jerome Powell stepped down.“I hope he quits,” Trump told reporters on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago EU scrambles to respond to US tariff threat as Trump promises ‘major statement’ on Russia – Europe live

EU ministers meet for urgent talks after US president threatens 30% tariffs on blocA show of unity is expected publicly with German chancellor Friedrich Merz saying he will work “intensively” with Emmanuel Macron, Ursula von der Leyen and Trump to try and rescue the agreement in principle that was put on Trump’s desk last week involving tariffs of 10%. Over the past three months Germany has urged a quick UK style deal while Macron has favoured a tougher stance to face down Trump, given average tariffs before his presidency were 2.5% and they breach WTO rules.The EU’s continued and future reliance on the US for security and defence is influencing the position with member states accepting a trade off between business and arms and military intelligence Trump provides.If stock markets fall that puts at risk the pensions and the savings of the Americans. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago X rated Cole Palmer triggers live TV apology as flabbergasted reaction to Donald Trump goes global

The Chelsea star grabbed the headlines during and after his side's stunning 3-0 win over PSG in the Club World Cup Final.

Politics

5 d. ago Trump defends response to deadly Texas flooding after touring disaster area – live updates

President and Texas governor praise handling of flooding that has killed at least 120 people; Trump calls reporter ‘evil’ for asking about lack of warningsThe US state department is firing more than 1,300 employees in line with the Trump administration’s reorganization plan initiated earlier this year. The department is sending layoff notices to 1,107 civil servants and 246 foreign service officers with domestic assignments in the US, a senior state department official told the Associated Press. Foreign service officers affected will be placed immediately on administrative leave for 120 days, after which they will formally lose their jobs, according to an internal notice obtained by the AP. For most affected civil servants, the separation period is 60 days, it said. “In connection with the departmental reorganization the department is streamlining domestic operations to focus on diplomatic priorities,” the notice says. “Headcount reductions have been carefully tailored to affect non...

Events

5 d. ago Trump to tour Texas flood damage as scope of disaster tests vow to shutter Fema

Since the disaster that has killed at least 120 people, Trump he remained quiet about promises to do away with agency in charge of reliefUS politics live – latest updatesAs Donald Trump heads to Texas on Friday for a firsthand look at the devastation caused by catastrophic flooding, he has remained conspicuously quiet about his previous promises to do away with the federal agency in charge of disaster relief.The Washington Post reported on Friday that the Trump administration has backed away from plans to abolish the federal emergency management agency, but administration officials continue to dodge questions about the agency’s future and many are still calling for serious reforms, potentially sending much of its work to the states. Continue reading...

Events

5 d. ago Trump to tour Texas flood damage as disaster tests vow to shutter Fema

Since disaster that has killed at least 120 people, Trump has remained quiet about promises to axe relief agencyUS politics live – latest updatesAs Donald Trump heads to Texas on Friday for a firsthand look at the devastation caused by catastrophic flooding, he has remained conspicuously quiet about his previous promises to do away with the federal agency in charge of disaster relief.The Washington Post reported on Friday that the Trump administration has backed away from plans to abolish the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but administration officials continue to dodge questions about the agency’s future and many are still calling for serious reforms, potentially sending much of its work to the states. Continue reading...

Events

5 d. ago Trump to visit Texas to survey damage from deadly flooding – live updates

While the Trump administration isn’t backing away from its pledges to shutter Fema, it has lessened its focus on the topic since the July 4 disasterThe US state department is firing more than 1,300 employees in line with the Trump administration’s reorganization plan initiated earlier this year. The department is sending layoff notices to 1,107 civil servants and 246 foreign service officers with domestic assignments in the US, a senior State Department official told the Associated Press. Foreign service officers affected will be placed immediately on administrative leave for 120 days, after which they will formally lose their jobs, according to an internal notice obtained by the AP. For most affected civil servants, the separation period is 60 days, it said. “In connection with the departmental reorganization the department is streamlining domestic operations to focus on diplomatic priorities,” the notice says. “Headcount reductions have been carefully tailored to affect non-core f...

Events

5 d. ago Trump heads to Texas a week after devastating floods – US politics live

President reportedly backing away from abolishing FEMA but is still describing tragedy as a ‘once-in-every-200-year deal’ as at least 120 have diedAt least eight core members of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have left their positions in the last six months, Politico reported on Friday, citing internal records and sources familiar with the matter.A senior White House official explained the departures by pointing to the fact that many DOGE staffers were special government employees, a designation that has a required end date, the report said. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Judge blocks Trump on birthright citizenship despite supreme court ruling – US politics live

US judge backs immigrant rights advocates seeking class-action status for a lawsuit to protect babies whose citizenship could be threatened by Trump’s directiveYou can read the trove of documents Erez Reuveni turned over to the senate judiciary committee here.Erez Reuveni, a fired justice department attorney, has provided text messages to the Senate judiciary committee supporting his whistleblower complaint involving Emil Bove, a top department official who is currently being considered for a seat on the federal bench. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Judge to weigh blocking Trump on birthright citizenship despite supreme court ruling – US politics live

US district judge to grant class action status to a lawsuit seeking to represent any babies whose citizenship status would be threatened The Trump administration this week pressed five African presidents to take in migrants from other countries when they are deported by the US, two officials familiar with the discussions told Reuters on Thursday.The plan was presented to the presidents of Liberia, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania and Gabon during their visit to the White House on Wednesday, according to a US and a Liberian official who both asked not to be named.Donald Trump released an intemperate letter to Brazil’s president imposing a 50% tariff and complaining about the prosecution of his friend, former president Jair Bolsonaro, for the crime of simply trying to stay in office despite losing an election and then inciting a riot by his supporters to derail the transfer of power.Brazil’s current president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, rejected Trump’s demand that the charges again...

Politics