51 m. ago Ukraine war live: Macron calls for ‘direct talks’ between Russia and Ukraine as European leaders arrive in Kyiv

Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz and Donald Tusk are in Ukraine for talks with ZelenskyyIt is the first time the leaders of the four European nations (France, the UK, Germany and Poland) have made a joint visit to Ukraine, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP).“We are clear the bloodshed must end. Russia must stop its illegal invasion,” the leaders said in a joint statement, adding:Alongside the US, we call on Russia to agree a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create the space for talks on a just and lasting peace.We will continue to increase our support for Ukraine. Until Russia agrees to an enduring ceasefire, we will ratchet up pressure on Russia’s war machine. Continue reading...

Politics

1 hour ago Watch: Keir Starmer arrives in Kyiv for historic joint visit with global leaders

Watch the moment the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Kyiv alongside the leaders of France, Germany, and Poland—the first time leaders from all four nations have travelled to Ukraine together. Their historic visit marks a unified call for peace as the war continues.

Politics

4 h. ago Leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Poland arrive in Kyiv to push for 30

Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz and Donald Tusk arrive in Ukraine in show of support amid US intelligence warning of possible air attackThe leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Poland have arrived in Kyiv for a symbolic visit to Ukraine, one day after Vladimir Putin hosted a set-piece military parade on Red Square. The visit comes as the US warned of intelligence about a big impending air attack on Ukraine.Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on the same train on Saturday morning, while Donald Tusk travelled on a separate train. The four leaders met in the Polish city of Rzeszow on Friday night before departing. On Saturday, they will meet Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a show of support for Ukraine, Downing Street said in a statement issued late on Friday. Continue reading...

Politics

10 h. ago Former MP George Galloway appears in Moscow for Putin's Victory Day celebrations days after collecting award names after Hamas fighter in Tehran

The leader of the hard-left Workers Party of Britain made an appearance in Moscow as Russia's Vladimir Putin celebrated Victory Day with a huge military parade. 

Politics

10 h. ago The slow train to peace! Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and Freidrich Merz pose on a train to Ukraine as they continue to pressure Putin into agreeing to a 30

The leaders of the UK, France, and Germany are heading to Kyiv in what will be the first time the world leaders have convened in the Ukrainian capital since Russia launched its invasion in February 2022.

Politics

13 h. ago Leaders of UK, France, Germany and Poland to visit Ukraine in joint show of support

Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz and Donald Tusk to make symbolic visit day after Putin paradeThe leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Poland are due in Kyiv on Saturday for a symbolic visit to Ukraine, a day after Vladimir Putin hosted a set-piece military parade on Red Square. The visit comes as the US warned of intelligence about a big impending air attack on Ukraine.Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz and Donald Tusk are expected to arrive in Kyiv early on Saturday and will meet the president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a show of support for Ukraine, Downing Street said in a statement issued late on Friday. Continue reading...

Politics

55 h. ago Europe marks 80 years since VE day as continent faces new security realities

Events to take place against backdrop of Ukraine conflict, rises in defence spending and US foreign policy shiftSolemn ceremonies will be held at war memorials in towns and villages across France on Thursday as the country honours its dead and marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, a public holiday this year, as it is every year.In Paris, the president, Emmanuel Macron, will lay a wreath at the foot of Charles de Gaulle’s statue, walk up the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe, rekindle the eternal flame at the tomb of the Unknown Warrior, and inspect the troops. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago AP PHOTOS: How bitter wartime enemies France and Germany built a friendship that underpins the EU

They were bitter enemies, seemingly destined to be perpetually at odds after fighting two devastating world wars less than 30 years apart.

Events

5 d. ago UK wins £500m in science grants from EU Horizon scheme after Brexit lockout

Exclusive: British scientists ‘over the moon’ with re-entry to funding scheme after losing out for three yearsBritish scientists are “over the moon” to be back in the EU’s flagship science research programme Horizon after a three-year Brexit lockout, with new data revealing they have been awarded about £500m in grants since re-entry.As the EU secretly draws up strategies for the next seven-year funding cycle in 2027, the UK is hoping its success in the first 12 months since returning to Horizon will leave it in pole position with Germany and France to dominate European science, despite Brexit. Continue reading...

Economics

6 d. ago ‘It’s been traumatic’: the inside story of Tell Mama’s break with Labour government

The not-for-profit, which has been recording anti-Muslim hate crime for 13 years, now faces an uncertain futureFor 13 years, Tell Mama has been the government-funded not-for-profit tasked with recording anti-Muslim hate crime and helping victims get justice.For its pains, staff faced death threats from the far right, a risk so serious it necessitated an office change at the height of the hate. There have been critics too within Britain’s Muslim community, who, according to the Tell Mama leadership, were intolerant of the organisation’s tolerance. Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago Shell profits fall as big oil faces slump in prices; UK cuts NatWest stake below 2% – business live

Live, rolling coverage of business, economics and financial markets as FTSE 100 oil company profits drop 28% to $5.5bnStock markets have gained across Europe, as investors welcomed signs of a possible thaw in the trade war between the US and China.Germany’s Dax gained 1.2% in the early trades, while France’s Cac 40 was up 1.4% – after both were closed over the May Day bank holiday. The Stoxx 600 index, which tracks big companies across Europe, rose by 0.9%. The FTSE 100 was up 0.9%.“The US has recently taken the initiative on many occasions to convey information to China through relevant parties, saying it hopes to talk with China,” the statement said, adding that Beijing was “evaluating this”.“Attempting to use talks as a pretext to engage in coercion and extortion would not work,” it said.This optimism has continued overnight after China’s Ministry of Commerce said that it’s evaluating trade talks with the US. The ministry said this comes as “the US has recently sent messages to C...

Economics

9 d. ago US GDP report to show if economy expanded in last quarter, after eurozone growth accelerates – business live

First estimate of US GDP for Q1 2025 will show whether tariffs hurt growthUK house prices fall but market ‘likely to pick up’ during summerChina manufacturing activity plummets amid Trump tariff warFrance’s economy is likely to “flirt with stagnation” throughout the year, despite the small rebound in GDP in the last quarter, predicts Dutch bank ING.Charlotte de Montpellier, ING’s senior economist for France and Switzerland, explains:The additional customs duties in the US and their direct and indirect impact will delay the French economy’s rebound. We estimate that the direct effect of a permanent 10% import duty in the US on French GDP (via a reduction in exports) will be around -0.1%.Adding to this are the effects of uncertainty, the global economic slowdown and more restrictive fiscal policy, all of which will weigh on French economic activity throughout the year. The cooling in the labour market is likely to limit the recovery in household consumption, and the savings rate is se...

Economics

1 week ago France and Germany avoid recession as eurozone growth accelerates; Taiwan’s GDP boosted by pre

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, including growth figures from across EuropeUK house prices fall but market ‘likely to pick up’ during summerChina manufacturing activity plummets amid Trump tariff warFrance’s economy is likely to “flirt with stagnation” throughout the year, despite the small rebound in GDP in the last quarter, predicts Dutch bank ING.Charlotte de Montpellier, ING’s senior economist for France and Switzerland, explains:The additional customs duties in the US and their direct and indirect impact will delay the French economy’s rebound. We estimate that the direct effect of a permanent 10% import duty in the US on French GDP (via a reduction in exports) will be around -0.1%.Adding to this are the effects of uncertainty, the global economic slowdown and more restrictive fiscal policy, all of which will weigh on French economic activity throughout the year. The cooling in the labour market is likely to limit the recovery in household consumptio...

Politics

1 week ago France and Germany avoid recession as economies return to growth; UK house prices drop – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, including growth figures from across EuropeUK house prices fall but market ‘likely to pick up’ during summerChina manufacturing activity plummets amid Trump tariff warFrance’s economy is likely to “flirt with stagnation” throughout the year, despite the small rebound in GDP in the last quarter, predicts Dutch bank ING.Charlotte de Montpellier, ING’s senior economist for France and Switzerland, explains:The additional customs duties in the US and their direct and indirect impact will delay the French economy’s rebound. We estimate that the direct effect of a permanent 10% import duty in the US on French GDP (via a reduction in exports) will be around -0.1%.Adding to this are the effects of uncertainty, the global economic slowdown and more restrictive fiscal policy, all of which will weigh on French economic activity throughout the year. The cooling in the labour market is likely to limit the recovery in household consumptio...

Economics

1 week ago France avoids recession as economy returns to growth; UK house prices drop – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsChina manufacturing activity plummets amid Trump tariff warAverage UK house prices fell this month, lender Nationwide reports, after the rush to avoid an increase in stamp duty faded.According to Nationwide, house prices fell by 0.6% in April, with the average price dropping to £270,752 from £271,316 in March.Early indications suggest there was a significant jump in transactions in March, with buyers bringing forward their purchases to avoid additional tax obligations.“The market is likely to remain a little soft in the coming months, following the pattern typically observed following the end of stamp duty holidays. Nevertheless, activity is likely to pick up steadily as summer progresses, despite wider economic uncertainties in the global economy, since underlying conditions for potential home buyers in the UK remain supportive. Continue reading...

Economics

2 w. ago Ukraine peace talks in London downgraded after US, France, Germany cancel attendance: What it means for Kyiv?

Ukraine peace talks in London downgraded after US, France, Germany cancel attendance: What it means for Kyiv?  The Indian Express

Politics

2 w. ago Top diplomats from UK, France, Germany, Ukraine postpone London meeting

Top diplomats from UK, France, Germany, Ukraine postpone London meeting - UPDATED  Latest news from Azerbaijan

Politics

2 w. ago Jesuits in Britain ‘grateful for gift’ of Pope Francis’s leadership

Francis, who died aged 88, was the first Jesuit pope, having entered the Jesuit novitiate in 1958.

Politics

2 w. ago RAF fighter jets intercept Russian aircraft near Nato airspace

It comes weeks after the aircraft arrived in eastern Poland

Politics

3 w. ago Ukraine war briefing: Nato chief visits Odesa, declares ‘unwavering’ support for Kyiv

Nato’s Mark Rutte makes his pledge after Donald Trump blames Volodymyr Zelenskyy for starting the war. What we know on day 1,148See all our Ukraine-Russia war coverageNato secretary general Mark Rutte has visited the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and declared “unwavering” support for Ukraine in the aftermath of a Russian attack on the northern city of Sumy that killed 35 people. Rutte said the military alliance was still strongly behind Kyiv, even as it also supported the ceasefire push by US president Donald Trump, who has issued fresh criticism of Zelenskyy, accusing him of starting the war. “Nato stands with Ukraine,” Rutte said at a press conference with Zelenskyy on Tuesday. “You and I know that this has been true all along. I also know that some have called Nato’s support into question in the last couple of months. But let there be no doubt: our support is unwavering.” Rutte also said: “Russia is the aggressor, Russia started this war. The...

Events