3 d. ago Netanyahu is turning Israel into a global pariah – the world has finally run out of patience

The joint statement by the UK, France and Canada – combined with UK sanctions and suspension of trade talks – shows the international community has finally run out of patience with Israel, writes chief international correspondent Bel Trew

Politics

3 d. ago Talks to settle £120m legal claim against Vodafone end without success

Sixty-two operators claim drastic cuts to commission rates caused franchise owners to run up huge personal debts Talks to settle a £120m legal claim between Vodafone and more than 60 of the mobile phone group’s franchise operators have ended without resolution – leaving the case potentially heading for the high court.The case was filed in December with the claimants accusing Vodafone of “unjustly enriching” itself by implementing a series of cost-cutting tactics as the UK emerged from initial Covid-19 restrictions in 2020. Continue reading...

Economics

3 d. ago The controversial addition to Tour de France which has the cycling world talking

Organisers want to capitalise on the massive crowds at Paris 2024

Politics

5 d. ago ‘For indulgence, brioche is king’ – the sweet, buttery bread stealing sourdough’s crown

Once an indicator of wealth, but for years stuck in burger-bun purgatory, the enriched dough is being embraced by a new generation of chefs and bakers for its versatility and delicious complexity‘You shouldn’t have to fight your sandwich,” says Sacha Yonan, his voice rising to compete with the noise of London’s Soho on a Tuesday morning. Within half an hour, queues for the sandwiches at Crunch, the cafe he co-founded earlier this year, will be snaking out of its doors. Its secret? Fresh brioche, which comes toasted and filled with ingredients that give the place its name, including southern-fried chicken, baby pickles and lettuce. “We love a sourdough,” says Joni Francisco, his Crunch co-founder. “But if you’re talking about sandwiches, then you need something with an easier mouthfeel.”Could brioche be the new sourdough? Insofar as anything can be, sourdough being to bread what black is to fashion. In 2023, the humble white sliced loaf was hailed as a better sandwich bread than sour...

Events

1 week ago Ukraine war live: Zelenskyy welcomes Putin calls for talks but says Russia must agree to ‘full, lasting, reliable’ ceasefire

In late-night address in Moscow, Russian president dismissed calls by European leaders for 30-day ceasefire to start on MondayVladimir Putin’s proposal for “direct talks” with Kyiv came hours after leaders from the UK, France, Germany and Poland travelled to Kyiv to meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy.As my colleague Shaun Walker notes in this story, the European leaders told the Russian president to sign up to an unconditional ceasefire by Monday or face increased sanctions and weapons transfers to Ukraine.It is a positive sign that the Russians have finally begun to consider ending the war.The entire world has been waiting for this for a very long time. And the very first step in truly ending any war is a ceasefire. There is no point in continuing the killing even for a single day. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Keir Starmer 'calls Putin out' as he and world leaders demand 30

The leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Poland arrived in Kyiv on Saturday for talks with Ukrainian President Zelensky in a show of unity of the 'coalition of the willing'.

Politics

2 w. ago Senior Tory MPs and peers break ranks to call for recognition of Palestine

Exclusive: Conservatives ask Keir Starmer to stand ‘against indefinite occupation’ and ‘reinforce international law’More than a dozen senior Conservative MPs and peers have written to the prime minister calling for the UK to immediately recognise Palestine as a state, breaking ranks with their own party to do so.Seven MPs and six members of the House of Lords have signed the letter to Keir Starmer urging him to defy the Israeli government and give formal recognition to Palestine in advance of key UN talks next month. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago US and Ukraine finally sign minerals deal as Donald Trump makes key concession

The deal appears to contain some important concessions by Washington and comes days after Trump and Zelensky held talks at Pope Francis’s funeral

Politics

3 w. ago UK in talks with France and Saudi Arabia over recognising a Palestinian state

European and Arab powers push for resolution to crisis caused by Hamas-Israel war as UN conference nears

Politics

3 w. ago Lammy confirms UK and France in talks over Palestine recognition

Two permanent members of UN security council could make move at conference in June on two-state solutionThe UK is in discussion with France and Saudi Arabia over the recognition of a Palestinian state at a June conference convened by the two countries on keeping alive the political path to a two-state solution in the Middle East, the UK foreign secretary has said.David Lammy’s comments mark the first time the UK has acknowledged that a discussion with France about a recognition process around the conference is under way. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Minister rejects MPs’ calls for UK to push ahead with Palestinian recognition

French president Emmanuel Macron has suggested France could move towards formal recognition of a Palestinian state in the coming months.

Politics

3 w. ago Leeds chairman flying to UK for talks with Daniel Farke over manager’s future

Paraag Marathe travelling from San Francisco on MondayDoubts among owners over Farke despite promotionThe Leeds chairman, Paraag Marathe, is flying in from San Francisco on Monday for talks with Daniel Farke over the manager’s future.The American will attend Monday’s Championship game against Bristol City at Elland Road, with Leeds needing to win to move back to the top above Burnley on goal difference with one game remaining, before meeting Farke later in the week. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Inside the diplomatic blitz at Pope Francis's funeral as Trump and Zelensky hold talks

Pope Francis's funeral was also one of the largest meetings of leaders and heads of state since the Queen's funeral in London in 2022 - providing a chance for some impromptu diplomacy

Politics

3 w. ago Zelensky and Trump hold 'secret' talks before Pope Francis’s funeral in Rome

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky held brief talks with US President Donald Trump on Saturday as the two leaders attended Pope Francis’s funeral in Rome, according to reports.

Politics