1 hour ago Ukraine war briefing: Trump sanctions threat on Russian oil buyers could hit China, India

Trump threatens Putin over ceasefire; Russia claims it has taken control of a Donetsk village. What we know on day 1,132China and India could be affected if Donald Trump introduces tariffs of 25-50% against countries buying Russian oil, analysts and officials have suggested. Dan Sabbagh reports that the US president told NBC he would impose such measures within a month “if a deal isn’t made, and if I think it was Russia’s fault”, as he vented frustration at Vladimir Putin’s delaying tactics and attempts to discredit Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian president.Some countries, including China and India, are not participating in anti-war sanctions against Russian oil. Secondary sanctions or tariffs imposed directly on them by the US could further limit Putin’s access to oil revenue to fund the war. While not joining the international sanctions against Russia, China has been wary about breaching them in case it attracts secondary penalties. Some Chinese banks, for example, have curtail...

Events

10 h. ago Trump says he’s ‘p*****’ off with Putin over lack of ceasefire deal and threatens more tariffs on Russian oil

Trump has shifted the blame for the protracted nature of the ceasefire negotiations on Putin

Politics

3 d. ago European leaders agree now ‘not the time’ to lift sanctions against Russia

Support for Ukraine continues with divided opinion on Franco-British plan for ‘reassurance force’ to help ceasefireEuropean leaders have affirmed their support for Ukraine at a Paris summit and agreed now was “not the time” to lift sanctions against Russia, but with splits remaining on Franco-British plans for a “reassurance force” to help guarantee an eventual ceasefire.France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, said on Thursday the meeting of more than two dozen heads of state and government had agreed unanimously that sanctions on Moscow should not be eased until “peace has clearly been established” in Ukraine. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Key European leaders say it is ‘not the time’ to start lifting sanctions against Russia – as it happened

UK prime minister Keir Starmer calls out Russia for ‘playing games’ as French president Emmanuel Macron says Europe must prepare for any scenarioThe search continues for four US soldiers that went missing in Lithuania on Tuesday night, as their vehicle has been discovered submerged in water.The operation continues on Thursday with attempts to reach the area. Lithuanian defence minister Dovilė Šakalienė said that the vehicle was located at “more than 5 meters down,” and digging is under way to get to it. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Key European leaders say it is ‘not the time’ to start lifting sanctions against Russia – Europe live

UK prime minister Keir Starmer calls out Russia for ‘playing games’ as French president Emmanuel Macron says Europe must prepare for any scenarioThe search continues for four US soldiers that went missing in Lithuania on Tuesday night, as their vehicle has been discovered submerged in water.The operation continues on Thursday with attempts to reach the area. Lithuanian defence minister Dovilė Šakalienė said that the vehicle was located at “more than 5 meters down,” and digging is under way to get to it. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Keir Starmer warns Donald Trump that 'now is not the time' for lifting sanctions on Russia

The PM joined the latest talks of the so-called 'coalition of the willing' in the French capital as allies continued to draw up plans for a possible peacekeeping force.

Events

3 d. ago ‘Coalition of the willing’ says Russia sanctions must not be eased – Starmer

The US appeared to signal its intention to help ease some sanctions on Russia following ceasefire talks earlier in the week.

Politics

3 d. ago Keir Starmer hints at push for more sanctions on Russia after ‘coalition of the willing’ talks on Ukraine – Europe live

UK prime minister said leaders agreed there needed to be more support for Ukraine and discussed ‘increasing sanctions to support US initiative’The search continues for four US soldiers that went missing in Lithuania on Tuesday night, as their vehicle has been discovered submerged in water.The operation continues on Thursday with attempts to reach the area. Lithuanian defence minister Dovilė Šakalienė said that the vehicle was located at “more than 5 meters down,” and digging is under way to get to it. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Starmer accuses Putin of 'hollow promises' on ceasefire as 'coalition of willing' allies hold talks with Zelensky in Paris amid fears Trump will drop sanctions on Russia

Keir Starmer is co-hosting the gathering in Paris with Emmanuel Macron, and Volodymyr Zelensky is attending.

Politics

4 d. ago Don’t just blame Trump – Democrats paved the way for this campus crackdown | Musa al

Both parties are responsible for the mess facing Columbia and other institutions. It’s time for their leaders to take a standDonald Trump trying to cow higher education institutions into submission using the power of the purse. The administration has withheld $400m in federal funds from Columbia University and has vowed to remove even more if its demands are not met.Columbia has an endowment of $14.8bn and an annual operating budget of $6.6bn. The cuts amount to roughly 6% of its annual budget – a non-trivial share. In order to keep it, Columbia was instructed to adopt a number of illiberal measures: it must put its Middle East, South Asia and Africa Studies department into academic receivership; change its admissions policies to reduce admits of people from those regions and admit more Jewish students;and grant campus police more power to surveil, detain and remove people from campus without following the usual due process. It must accept permanently heightened restrictions on camp...

Politics

4 d. ago Donald Trump furious and 'on the rampage' after leaked war plan texts fiasco

The US president is understood to be fuming at the blunder which led to the leak of messages detailing the level of the contempt some of his key cabinet members feel for their "free-loading" European allies.

Politics

5 d. ago TNA icon Gail Kim sacked by company as decision branded 'most baffling' in wrestling

Gail Kim was among a number of leadership team departures announced on Tuesday by TNA Wrestling, including 7-time Knockouts Champion and long-time wrestling producer Gail Kim

Politics

5 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

5 d. ago Downing Street ‘hopeful’ after Russia and Ukraine agree to Black Sea truce

It is unclear whether the UK would follow any easing of sanctions against Russia signalled by the US.

Politics

5 d. ago US hints Russia sanctions could ease after Moscow and Kyiv agree Black Sea pause

Both nations have committed to ensuring safe navigation and eliminating the use of force in the sea.

Politics

6 d. ago Donald Trump gifted portrait of HIMSELF by Russian friend and dictator Vladimir Putin

US President Donald Trump has warmed up to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin after he entered the White House for a second time earlier this year sparking concern among Western leaders

Politics

6 d. ago What is Dominic Cummings doing now, as he breaks silence following dinner with Nigel Farage?

The former adviser speaks out for the first time since having secret dinner with Reform Party leader Nigel Farage

Politics

6 d. ago Chelsea maintain unbeaten WSL status as Arsenal claim Liverpool revenge

Erin Cuthbert's stoppage time winner sealed all three points for the league leaders as they maintained their unbeaten record and inched closer to the Women's Super League title

Sport

1 week ago EU ready to impose more sanctions on Russia after summit talks

Show of unity marred by Viktor Orbán refusing to back declaration of support for UkraineEU leaders – apart from Hungary’s Viktor Orbán – say they are ready to increase pressure on Russia through further sanctions, as summit talks exposed a geographical divide on rearming Europe.Meeting in Brussels, the bloc agreed it was ready to levy further sanctions on Russia and strengthen existing measures after talks with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who joined by video link. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago City law firm Herbert Smith Freehills fined over Russia sanctions breaches

The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation fined the company £465,000 over payments to Russian banks.

Politics