98 m. ago Poland presidential debate puts Ukraine and Europe centre stage

Rafał Trzaskowski, from the governing pro-EU coalition, faces Eurosceptic populist rightwing historian Karol Nawrocki ahead of run-offPolish presidential candidates offered different visions of Poland and its relations with Ukraine in a televised debate ahead of next week’s run-off, which remains on a knife-edge.During a head-to-head debate lasting two hours, the centrist Warsaw mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, from prime minister Donald Tusk’s governing pro-European coalition, faced the Eurosceptic historian Karol Nawrocki, backed by the populist rightwing Law and Justice party (PiS). Continue reading...

Politics

30 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

31 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

35 h. ago Germany boosts Nato’s eastern flank with new Baltic brigade amid threat from Russia – Europe live

Friedrich Merz visits Lithuania to mark the official formation of Germany’s first permanent overseas military unit since the second world warPortugal wants European energy regulators’ agency ACER to lead an independent investigation into the causes of the huge power outage that brought most of Spain and Portugal to a standstill last month, its acting energy minister told Reuters.Maria da Graça Carvalho said prime minister Luís Montenegro wants an independent investigation led by the European Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators to complement the technical report being prepared by the European network of transmission system operators ENTSO-E. Continue reading...

Events

35 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

38 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

61 h. ago Former Ukrainian presidential aide shot dead in Madrid – Europe live

Former politician Andriy Portnov advised the pro-Russian Viktor Yanukovych and had fled Ukraine in 2014For more background on Portnov, here is his profile as drafted by the US Treasury in 2021, when he was sanctioned on the International Anti-Corruption Day, no less.Andriy Portnov (Portnov), the former Deputy Head of the Ukrainian Presidential Administration under former President Yanukovych, has cultivated extensive connections to Ukraine’s judicial and law enforcement apparatus through bribery. Widely known as a court fixer, Portnov was credibly accused of using his influence to buy access and decisions in Ukraine’s courts and undermining reform efforts. Continue reading...

Politics

63 h. ago Former Ukrainian presidential aide reportedly shot dead in Madrid – Europe live

Andriy Portnov, an ex-politician in Ukraine, was shot outside a school in a wealthy suburb, according to sources close to the policeSpanish newspaper El País is reporting that the police believe there were “two or three” attackers, with “at least three” gunshot wounds discovered on the body of the dead man.The newspaper quotes sources close to the investigation claiming that the man was driving a car at the time of the attack. Continue reading...

Politics

65 h. ago German finance minister calls for swift resolution to Trump tariff wars as G7 finance ministers meet in Canada – Europe live

Finance ministers are meeting in Banff, Alberta to discuss Ukraine and Trump’s trade policy Finance ministers of the world’s seven largest economies – G7 – are meeting in Banff, Alberta in Canada to discuss their ideas on Ukraine and concerns about disruptions resulting from Donald Trump’s unorthodox trade policy.Before the meeting, German finance minister Lars Klingbeil warned that trade disputes with the US should be resolved as soon as possible, as he stressed they were a burden on the economy and job security. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Ukraine war briefing: Pope opens Vatican door to peace talks, says Meloni

Zelenskyy says Putin ‘trying to buy time’ after phone call with Trump; EU lays on further sanctions and more coming up. What we know on day 1,183Pope Leo confirmed to Giorgia Meloni his willingness to host in the Vatican the next round of negotiations to try to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, the Italian prime minister said on Tuesday. “Finding in the Holy Father confirmation of the readiness to host the next talks between the parties in the Vatican, the prime minister expressed deep gratitude to Pope Leo XIV for his unceasing commitment to peace,” said a statement from Meloni. Leo, elected two weeks ago, said on 14 May that the Vatican could act as a mediator in global conflicts, without specifically mentioning Russia’s war against Ukraine.Separately the Italian prime minister said she had talks with other European leaders and the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, over next steps. “It was agreed to maintain close coordination between the partners with a view to a ne...

Events

3 d. ago Prime Minister apologises for ‘overly rude’ comment that MP ‘talks rubbish’

The Prime Minister apologised to Liz Saville Roberts at the despatch box on Tuesday, as he took questions about the UK agreement with the EU.

Politics

4 d. ago UK Government has ‘surrendered’ on fishing in EU deal, says Swinney

The Scottish First Minister said the agreement showed Scotland is an ‘afterthought’ for the UK Government.

Politics

4 d. ago Brexit is dead. Now a senior minister reveals truth to me about Starmer's Surrender Summit

To his credit, Keir Starmer managed to refrain from the saying what he privately wanted to say. 'Brexit is dead.'

Politics

7 d. ago Starmer in 11th hour Brexit reset talks with Macron and Ursula von der Leyen to secure crucial deal

The prime minister will meet the European Commission and French presidents on the fringes of the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Albania with the Brexit reset talks heating up

Politics

7 d. ago Starmer in11th hour Brexit reset talks with Macron and Ursula von der Leyen to secure crucial deal

The prime minister will meet the European Commission and French presidents on the fringes of the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Albania with the Brexit reset talks heating up

Politics

7 d. ago PM speaks to Trump and European allies to ‘closely align’ response to Russia

The Prime Minister, Volodymyr Zelensky, Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz and Donald Tusk held a phone call with the US president.

Politics

7 d. ago Starmer set for 11th hour Brexit reset talks with Macron and Ursula von der Leyen to secure crucial deal

The prime minister will meet the European Commission and French presidents on the fringes of the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Albania with the Brexit reset talks heating up

Politics

9 d. ago Royal Navy commander removed from role over allegations of sexual behaviour

Lieutenant Commander Martyn Mayger took charge of the warship HMS Tyne in February.

Politics

9 d. ago Donald Trump meets Syrian president in Saudi Arabia before Gulf tour resumes – US politics live

Donald Trump meets Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia after agreeing to lift sanctions on SyriaDonald Trump has said he wants to make a deal with Iran, but it can only go ahead if the regime stops “supporting terror” and abandons its nuclear plans.In related news, Iran’s deputy foreign minister will meet with European diplomats for nuclear talks in Istanbul on Friday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Wednesday. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Albanian preliminary polls results show a clear win for the ruling Socialists

Preliminary results in Albania’s parliamentary elections give a clear victory to the ruling Socialist Party which attracted voters supporting the country’s uphill effort to join the European Union and Prime Minister Edi Rama’s bid for a fourth term

Politics