54 h. ago Hamas says it is ready to enter ceasefire negotiations in ‘positive spirit’

Group said to want stronger guarantees of permanent end to war as Netanyahu prepares to meet Trump in USHamas said it had responded on Friday in “a positive spirit” to a US-brokered Gaza ceasefire proposal and was prepared to enter into talks on implementing the deal which envisages a release of hostages and negotiations on ending the conflict.US President Donald Trump earlier announced a “final proposal” for a 60-day ceasefire in the nearly 21-month-old war between Israel and Hamas, stating he anticipated a reply from the parties in coming hours. Continue reading...

Events

56 h. ago Trump threatens 17% tariffs on food and farm produce exports from Europe

EU says it ‘favours a negotiated solution’ but is prepared for potential trade war with retaliatory dutiesDonald Trump threatened to impose 17% tariffs on food and farm produce exports from Europe during talks in Washington this week, it has emerged.Such tariffs would hit everything from Belgian chocolate to Kerrygold butter from Ireland and olive oil from Italy, Spain and France, all big sellers in the US. Continue reading...

Politics

59 h. ago Hamas close to accepting proposed Gaza ceasefire deal, say sources

Group said to want stronger guarantees of permanent end to war as Netanyahu prepares to meet Trump in USHamas leaders are close to accepting a proposed deal for a ceasefire in Gaza but want stronger guarantees that any pause in hostilities would lead to a permanent end to the 20-month war, sources close to the group have said.Hamas officials on Friday issued a statement confirming they were talking to other “Palestinian factions” before formally announcing a response to discuss new ceasefire proposals already accepted by Israel. Continue reading...

Economics

67 h. ago Hamas officials meet to discuss proposed Gaza ceasefire deal

Militant group said to want stronger guarantees of permanent end to war as Netanyahu prepares to meet Trump in USMiddle East crisis – live updatesHamas leaders are close to accepting a proposed deal for a ceasefire in Gaza but want stronger guarantees that any pause in hostilities would lead to a permanent end to the 20-month war, sources close to the group have said.Hamas officials met on Thursday in Istanbul to discuss the ceasefire proposals and later issued a statement confirming they were talking to other “Palestinian factions” before formally announcing a response. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago White House says Canadian PM ‘caved’ to Trump demand to scrap tech tax

Trump officials hail U-turn as Mark Carney says decision to rescind digital services tax means revival of trade talksThe United States has said that Canada’s prime minister Mark Carney “caved” to demands from the White House after his government abruptly scrapped their digital services tax on US technology companies, which was set to go into effect on Monday.“It’s very simple. Prime minister Carney and Canada caved to president [Donald] Trump and the United States of America,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a daily briefing. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago US to resume trade talks after Canada ditches tax on tech giants

With digital services tax rescinded, Donald Trump and Mark Carney agree to resume negotiations with a view to agreeing a deal by 21 JulyThe United States has said it will resume trade negotiations with Canada immediately, hours after prime minister Mark Carney’s government abruptly scrapped their digital services tax on US technology companies.On Monday, White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett told Fox News Canada’s decision “absolutely” meant both rides would resume talks. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Senate kicks off final debate on Trump’s ‘one big beautiful bill’; US to restart Canada trade talks immediately – live

Senators will vote on potentially long list of amendments; White House confirms negotiations will restart after tech tax scrappedThom Tillis says he will not seek re-election after Trump clashNearly 300 current and recently terminated employees of the US Environmental Protection Agency published a declaration of dissent today, outlining five major concerns about how the Trump administration’s politicization of science and severe job cuts were undermining the agency’s mission.The declaration to administrator Lee Zeldin was sent as another expected round of staff reductions looms and as the agency undergoes a major reorganization, including the dissolution of its office of research and cancelling of billions of dollars in grants.Your decisions and actions will reverberate for generations to come. EPA under your leadership will not protect communities from hazardous chemicals and unsafe drinking water, but instead will increase risks to public health and safety. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Canada ditches its tech tax after Trump walks away from negotiating table

The move comes after President Donald Trump said he would suspend trade talks with Canada over the tax

Politics

8 d. ago MIKEY SMITH: 7 unhinged Donald Trump moments as he admits 'this could end my political career'

Donald Trump pulled out of trade talks with Canada, had an angry response for the Ayatollah and keeps making thirsty comments about women in public. Here's everything you need to know

Politics

8 d. ago Starmer urged to act after Trump threatens Commonwealth ally Canada

Exclusive: Labour prime minister facing calls to act ahead of US President’s state visit to the UK, where he will meet King Charles

Politics

9 d. ago Oh, Canada! Trump cuts off all trade talks with US’s northern neighbor citing ‘blatant attack on our country’

President’s fit of pique comes after Canada’s finance department exempted a digital services levy from a Group of Seven agreement on international taxes

Politics

9 d. ago Trump says US will terminate trade talks with Canada over tax on technology companies – live

President accuses Canada of ‘direct and blatant attack’ over plans to tax US technology companiesThe Trump administration is readying a package of executive actions aimed at boosting energy supply to power the US expansion of artificial intelligence, according to four sources familiar with the planning, Reuters reports.US and China are locked in a technological arms race and with it secure an economic and military edge. The huge amount of data processing behind AI requires a rapid increase in power supplies that are straining utilities and grids in many states.The Israeli-US food distribution scheme in Gaza, Palestine, launched one month ago, is degrading Palestinians by design, forcing them to choose between starvation or risking their lives for minimal supplies.With over 500 people killed and nearly 4,000 wounded while seeking food, this scheme is slaughter masquerading as humanitarian aid and must be immediately dismantled Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago US stocks shed gains after Trump calls off trade negotiations with Canada

Wall Street’s S&P 500 had struck a new record high earlier in the session

Politics

1 week ago Keir Starmer rebukes Wes Streeting over assisted dying NHS warning

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said assisted dying must be made workable after Health Secretary Wes Streeting voiced concerns about whether the NHS could afford to run it

Events

1 week ago Trump hails ‘big win’ as Nato states agree to raise defence spending to 5% of GDP

US president appears relaxed and reaffirms commitment to military alliance – though Spain criticisedA relaxed Donald Trump said Nato’s decision to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP was a “big win” for western civilisation in a digressive press conference at a summit in The Hague where he reaffirmed the US’s commitment to the military alliance.There was every sign that the careful setup of the summit – in which most allies in Europe and Canada committed billions more on defence – had worked to keep Trump bound in to the alliance, with the US president praising Mark Rutte, its secretary general, and a night where he “slept beautiful” in the Dutch king’s palace. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Starmer and Trump to address nation after saying 'prepare for war'

The Prime Minister is meeting with NATO allies

Politics

1 week ago Trump praises Nato states as summit prepares to lift defence spending target

‘Nato’s going to become very strong with us,’ says US president, as secretary general calls him ‘daddy’Europe live – latest updatesDonald Trump praised Nato countries for being willing to lift defence spending to 5% in his first public remarks at the military alliance’s annual summit, and said that he expected the US to be fully in support.The president was speaking at a preliminary press conference in The Hague that was dominated by his rejection of overnight reports that Iran’s nuclear sites were not destroyed in US bombing, and where he was also praised by the Nato chief, Mark Rutte, for being the “daddy”. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Why dreams of regime change in Iran will end in a rude awakening | Rajan Menon

It would be naive to believe that the US could take a wrecking ball to the Iranian state and walk away unaffectedDuring his three presidential campaigns, Donald Trump lambasted “forever wars” and “regime change” interventions. More than any candidate, he sensed the war-weariness of Americans after the fiascos in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya, and especially the dismay of military veterans, 60% of whom voted for him over Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Trump’s maverick, anti-interventionist “America First” narrative also resonated strongly with those in the Maga movement who have never served in the military, particularly blue-collar workers.Now, Trump, once an unsparing critic of military misadventures, has bombed the nuclear enrichment installations of Iran, a country that hadn’t attacked the US, wasn’t preparing to and didn’t even threaten war. Since the bombing, Trump has gone further: he has ruminated about regime change in Iran. His transformation has startled many ...

Politics

1 week ago Justice Department official suggested ignoring court orders on deportations, whistleblower claims

A top Justice Department official suggested the Trump administration might have to ignore court orders as it prepared to deport Venezuelan migrants it accused of being gang members, a fired department lawyer alleged in a whistleblower complaint made public Tuesday

Politics

1 week ago Armed by America: how Europe’s militaries depend on the US – a visual analysis

The EU wants independence on defence but it is buying thousands of weapons from the US each yearEuropean leaders will meet with Donald Trump at a Nato summit on Tuesday, as the alliance prepares to approve a significant boost to defence spending. A new target for every member to spend 5% of GDP – more than double Nato’s current benchmark – marks a major win for the US president, who has long railed against America footing the bill for Europe’s security.That concern is now increasingly mutual. European governments are pursuing an unprecedented push for military independence, amid fears the US is no longer a reliable ally. Continue reading...

Events