4 h. ago Stakes rise as Trump deploys world’s largest aircraft carrier to the Caribbean

Washington’s former ambassador in Caracas says a US attack once seen as unlikely now looks imminentWhen Donald Trump started sending warships, marines and reaper drones to the Caribbean in August to torment Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s president, the US’s former ambassador in Caracas, James Story, suspected the deployment was largely for show: a spectacular flexing of military muscle supposed to force the authoritarian leader from power.But in recent days, as the world’s largest aircraft carrier and its strike group powered towards the region and the US president continued to order deadly airstrikes on alleged narco-boats, the diplomat’s thinking has shifted. Continue reading...

Politics

35 h. ago Bel Trew answers your questions: From aid shortages in Gaza to morale in the Israeli military

Chief international correspondent Bel Trew answers your questions on Gaza’s aid crisis, the fragile ceasefire, regional power dynamics, and morale in the Israeli military

Events

5 d. ago Outside powers' reported backing for Sudan's warring sides helps fuel fighting as atrocities mount

For more than two years, Sudan’s military and a powerful paramilitary force have torn the country apart in a war for power, both digging in against peace efforts even as atrocities mount and starvation spreads

Sport

8 d. ago There is a thriving shadow economy in Britain – but migrants are not to blame | Emily Kenway

While Labour is desperately trying to mimic Reform’s line on the cash economy, the blame lies solidly with ordinary people feeling the pinchAccording to politicians across all parties, something called the “hidden economy” – the shadowy nethers of the labour market, in which work goes unregulated and undeclared to the authorities – is a “menace”, full of migrants whose illegal working “undercuts British workers”, and even a threat to our national security. MPs have been so worried about asylum seekers delivering their Friday night pizza that they’ve spent parliamentary time discussing Deliveroo et al’s business models. In response, the government has repeatedly reassured us, in the somewhat Mills & Boon-style phrasing of Yvette Cooper, when she was home secretary, that it’s “surging enforcement” to tackle the problem.Solutions suggested include Keir Starmer’s digital ID cards, requirements for increased “right to work” checks, and new data-sharing agreements in which the Home Of...

Events

2 w. ago NATO forces shoot down drone over US barracks 30 miles from Russia border

Two drones were spotted hovering near the Camp Reedo US Army base in Estonia, just 30 miles from the border with Russia as fears grow in the region over Putin's aggression

Events

2 w. ago Netanyahu orders 'powerful strikes in Gaza' and 'kills nine' after accusing Hamas of violating ceasefire terms following 'faked' return of hostage remains

At least nine have reportedly been killed after Benjamin Netanyahu sanctioned his military to carry out 'powerful strikes' in Gaza yesterday after accusing Hamas of violating the ceasefire.

Events

2 w. ago Israel strikes Gaza after Netanyahu accuses Hamas of breaching ceasefire

Prime minister accuses Hamas of ‘clear violation’ of truce as far-right ministers clamour to resume warIsraeli warplanes struck Gaza on Tuesday night, shortly after Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, ordered the military to carry out “powerful strikes” in Gaza, in the most serious test of the increasingly shaky US-brokered ceasefire.Witnesses reported seeing Israeli planes launch strikes on Gaza City, as well as explosions across the strip shortly after Netanyahu’s announcement. At least seven people were killed in separate strikes in Gaza City and Khan Younis, including two children, medical sources said. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago New sanctions and weapons will not stop Russia. It’s time for Ukraine’s allies to change their flawed strategy | Christopher S Chivvis

A negotiated settlement would be unfair and frustrating. But after nearly four years of fighting, it may be the best optionOn Wednesday, President Trump imposed substantial new sanctions on Russia’s giant oil and gas companies, and lifted restrictions on the use of certain long-range missiles by Ukraine, which will now be able to strike more freely into Russia itself. These moves come on the heels of Trump’s conversations last week with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, after which the US president expressed his frustration at both side’s intransigence. Trump had hoped to end this war long ago. Will this be enough?When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the US and its allies chose a strategy that aimed to use Washington’s awesome political, economic and military power to impose such high costs on Russia that the Kremlin would sue for peace on Ukraine’s terms. This “cost-imposition” strategy makes sense in theory. The problem is that, in practi...

Events

2 w. ago Chinese Communist Party ousts 11 key officials in biggest purge since 2017

Zhang Shengmin replaces He Weidong as second-ranked vice chair of powerful Central Military Commission

Politics

2 w. ago Chinese Communist Party replaces 11 key officials in biggest purge since 2017

Zhang Shengmin replaces He Weidong as second-ranked vice chair of powerful Central Military Commission

Politics

3 w. ago British troops to shoot down drones over military bases to thwart Kremlin incursions in UK airspace

British troops to shoot down drones over bases amid fears of Russian invasions of UK airspace. New powers will be drafted following Kremlin incursions into Polish and Estonian airspace.

Events

3 w. ago British troops given powers to shoot down drones near bases to counter Russia threat

The British government will consider extending the powers to other important sites, like airports

Events

3 w. ago Military to get new powers to shoot down drones menacing British bases

Defence Secretary John Healey will set out the planned changes to the law in a speech in London on Monday night.

Events

3 w. ago British troops ‘given powers to shoot down drones near bases’

The British government will consider extending the powers to other important sites, like airports

Events

3 w. ago ‘Gen Z gave us the victory’: how young protesters toppled Madagascar’s leader

There is jubilation in Place du 13 Mai in the capital but concern about army’s intentions after military takeoverAs the sun set on Place du 13 Mai in Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo, thousands of people danced, waved and cheered to pulsating rap and reggae beats and rousing speeches.When young people started protesting on 25 September, first against water and power cuts, then demanding a complete overhaul of the political system, military police stopped them from reaching the square. The site has been a symbol of democracy and the focal point of anti-government protests on the Indian Ocean island since 40 student demonstrators were killed there by security forces in May 1972. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Madagascar's coup leader is set to be sworn in as president after military takeover

An army colonel who seized power in a military coup is set to be sworn in as Madagascar’s new leader in a lightning-fast power grab that ousted the president and sent him fleeing from the country into hiding

Politics

3 w. ago America's nuclear bombers spotted on mission over Venezuela as conflict escalates

Flight trackers spotted three B-52H Stratofortress bombers leaving the US and hovering near Venezuelan airspace in what some analysts are calling a bold display of military power.

Events

3 w. ago Journalists turn in access badges, exit Pentagon rather than agree to new reporting rules

Journalists at the Pentagon turned in access badges and cleaned out their workspaces on Wednesday, the price for refusing to agree to new restrictions on their jobs being removal from being at the seat of U.S. military power

Politics

4 w. ago Nato is in talks about new rules 'that will make it easier to shoot down Russian drones'

According to a source briefed on the close-door discussions, the 'weaponry and trajectory' of an aircraft would determine whether it poses a threat.

Events

4 w. ago Nato is in talks about new rules 'that will make it easier to shoot down Russian drones' 

According to a source briefed on the close-door discussions, the 'weaponry and trajectory' of an aircraft would determine whether it poses a threat.

Events