39 m. ago Ukraine’s rare earth minerals: Where are they and why does Trump want them as agreement looms?

More than 50 per cent of Ukraine’s critical rare earth mineral resources are in regions illegally annexed by Vladimir Putin and partially occupied by his forces

Politics

69 m. ago Holidays in hell: summer camp with Russia’s forgotten children

At the rural orphanage where I volunteered, the place resembled a Dickensian workhouse. The staff’s main tools were antipsychotics and violence. The experience gave me a window into Putin’s Russia In the summer of 2007, I joined a group of 30 Russian and English students to work on a month-long summer camp at a state orphanage for mentally and physically disabled children in the Pskov region, south of St Petersburg. We lived in a house nearby, or in tents pitched in the garden. Every day, we walked up to the orphanage to put on developmental activities, sporting events, solve puzzles, play games, stage shows and go on camping trips.I volunteered at the orphanage, in the village of Belskoye Ustye, for almost a decade, but it was the first visit that made the biggest impression. I had seen nothing like it. My closest reference point was probably workhouses or orphanages from a Charles Dickens novel. I vividly remember the smells – cooked food, unwashed bodies, chlorine and urine – and...

Politics

85 m. ago Macron the ‘Trump whisperer’ works his magic but US and Europe remain an ocean apart

Mixing flattery and firmness, the French president sought to heal the transatlantic schism over Ukraine, giving Keir Starmer a tough act to followIt was a delicate balancing act for the man once considered Europe’s “Trump whisperer”.Emmanuel Macron, the French president, was seated in the Oval Office gently trying to factcheck Donald Trump in real time as the US president pushed a narrative that Ukraine had taken advantage of US support during its defense against Russia’s full-scale invasion. Now, said Trump, it is time to get paid back. Continue reading...

Politics

1 hour ago GOP congressman claims ‘God has a plan’ for fired federal workers at yet another hostile town hall

Missouri representative Mark Alford was the latest Republican to provoke shouts and heckles while attempting to defend Donald Trump and Elon Musk

Events

2 h. ago Insanely beautiful European seaside town with £1.50 pints rivalling Spain

It’s a great destination for those wishing to relax, but also do some sightseeing. Located in Bulgaria, Varna is an alternative from other European retreats - and it’s much cheaper

Economics

2 h. ago MARK PALMER: Luis Rubiales' kiss was a crass error of judgement, but finding him guilty of sexual assault gives in to the #MeToo mob mentality that all jubilant males are predators

Luis Rubiales was found guilty of sexual assault for landing a 'spontaneous' kiss on the lips of Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso after her team won the 2023 Women's World Cup in Sydney.

Events

3 h. ago Can the ‘special relationship’ survive Donald Trump? – podcast

Keir Starmer is travelling to the White House for a high-stakes meeting. But will he have any influence over the US president? Patrick Wintour reportsIt’s the most important international relationship the UK has, and for decades has been referred to as “special”. Since the second world war, the UK and the US have considered themselves the closest allies, working together for shared values, with any resentments, differences of opinion or cross words kept to private channels.But now Donald Trump is back and he seems keen to throw the usual world order of alliances and enmities into chaos. Keir Starmer’s first meeting with the US president comes at a crucial juncture for Europe, with the future of Ukraine in the balance. “The stakes at the moment could not be higher,” says the Guardian’s diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour. Continue reading...

Politics

4 h. ago Boris Johnson urges Keir Starmer to boost UK defence spending to 3% of GDP

Speaking from Kyiv on the third anniversary of the start of the conflict, he demanded a rise to at least three per cent of GDP to help guarantee European security against Russian aggression.

Politics

4 h. ago Landmarks across Europe coloured yellow and blue to mark three years since Russia's full

To show their continued and unwavering support for the eastern European country, last night nations such as France, Germany, Poland and Denmark illuminated some of their most famous landmarks.

Politics

5 h. ago Trump suggests it will be Europe that guarantees peace in Ukraine

The role of the US in any future deal is likely to be among the topics up for discussion later this week when Sir Keir Starmer heads to Washington.

Politics

6 h. ago Brighton & Hove Albion vs Bournemouth prediction, odds and betting offer

Both sides are in strong positions for a place in Europe as we approach the business end of the Premier League season

Politics

6 h. ago US joins North Korea, Russia and Belarus at UN in refusing to blame Putin for Ukraine war

US president Donald Trump also refused to call Russian president Vladimir Putin a dictator

Politics

6 h. ago US drives Ukraine war measure through UN with Russian backing

Security Council resolution calling for ‘swift end’ to conflict deals further blow to western unity

Events

6 h. ago Trump and Macron 'both aim to dominate' in US talks before 'death grip' handshake

Trump and Macron greeted one another with a 'death grip handshake' as they appeared to clash during a meeting on the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale military invasion of Ukraine

Politics

7 h. ago Watch: Trump hosts Macron at White House for Ukraine talks on third anniversary of Russia’s invasion

Watch as Donald Trump hosts Emmanuel Macron at the White House on Monday, 24 February, to discuss ending Russia’s war on Ukraine and the future of U.S. relations with Europe.

Politics

7 h. ago Watch: David Lammy announces new Russia sanctions on third anniversary of Ukraine invasion

Watch live as foreign secretary David Lammy announces new sanctions against Russia on the third anniversary of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine on Monday, 24 February.

Events

7 h. ago National Park Service withdraws Black community in Louisiana from historic landmark consideration

A Louisiana landscape where centuries-old sugar cane plantations and Afro-Creole culture remain preserved along the Mississippi River will no longer be eligible for consideration for federal recognition following a request from state officials

Politics

7 h. ago Aberdeen urged to emulate Celtic success with Jimmy Thelin determined to come out on top in European race

The Dons will be looking to cause a big upset at Parkhead on Tuesday night

Politics

7 h. ago Lauren Sanchez buries rumor of rift with Mark Zuckerberg's wife Priscilla Chan after inauguration exchange

Sanchez attended the inauguration with her billionaire fiancé Jeff Bezos but eagled eyed viewers couldn't help but notice that she failed to interact with Zuckerberg's wife.

Politics

7 h. ago Donald Trump's handshake with Macron proves subtle tactic in peace talks with dictator Putin

Emmanuel Macron became the first EU leader to meet US president Donald Trump since his return to power as the pair discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine with Russia in the White House

Politics