5 d. ago Nato to force UK to lift defence spending to 3.5% of GDP to appease Trump, say sources

Starmer bound to accept Mark Rutte’s higher target after announcing ‘Nato-first’ defence strategy, insiders sayDefence sources believe that Britain will be forced to sign up to a target of lifting defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035 at this month’s Nato summit after a campaign by the alliance’s secretary general to keep Donald Trump onboard.One senior insider said Britain would “without a doubt” sign up to a proposal from the Nato chief, Mark Rutte, to lift allies’ defence spending, which would represent a real-terms increase of about £30bn from the Labour government’s plan. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Countries given Wednesday deadline for their ‘best offers’ to avoid tariffs: report

The reported letter may be a sign of Donald Trump’s eagerness — or, perhaps, desperation — to secure trade deals before his 90-day tariff pause expires on July 9

Events

1 week ago Russia bends to Trump after 'crazy' Putin comments in latest sign peace is on the horizon

Russia's foreign minister Sergey Lavrov described Trump as a 'man who wants results' as he announced the breakthrough at an event in Turkey on Tuesday.

Politics

2 w. ago The Guardian view on Russia sanctions: a brittle economy is Putin’s weakness | Editorial

Ukraine’s allies must dial up sanctions to expose the fragility of the Kremlin’s strategy for perpetual warDonald Trump’s pledge to end the war in Ukraine on the first day of his second term as US president was a sign of his unsuitability as a peace broker. A clearer sign was his apparent sympathy with Vladimir Putin. Mr Trump’s tone regarding the Russian president has cooled somewhat on the discovery that the conflict cannot be frozen by White House diktat. There are hints of recognition that the peace process is failing because the Kremlin is cynically playing for time. Sadly, any such insight hasn’t evolved into outrage at the criminal aggression that started the war in the first place.Accounts of a telephone call between the two leaders earlier this week indicate no increase in American pressure on Russia. Mr Trump’s impatience with the whole issue seems likelier to result in him walking away. Mr Putin relishes that prospect.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this ar...

Politics

2 w. ago Melania joins Trump to sign law to ban ‘deepfake’ porn: ‘The wellbeing of our children is central to our future’

The bipartisan legislation criminalizes so-called ‘revenge porn’ at the federal level

Politics

2 w. ago Melania joins Trump to sign law to ban ‘deep fake’ porn: ‘The wellbeing of our children is central to our future’

The bipartisan legislation criminalizes so-called ‘revenge porn’ at the federal level

Politics

3 w. ago Week of geopolitical poker over Ukraine ends with no endgame in sight

Path to peace looks as unclear as it was before European leaders’ meeting with Zelenskyy in KyivRussia and Ukraine agree prisoner swap but peace talks fail to make progressThis week began with four European leaders, standing defiantly in Kyiv alongside Volodymyr Zelenskyy, issuing an ultimatum to Vladimir Putin: sign a ceasefire now, or together with Donald Trump we will force you to do so, with sanctions and other tough measures.Over the subsequent days, there followed a series of offers, counter-offers, ultimatums and deflections, in a dizzying week of high-stakes diplomacy that often seemed to resemble a geopolitical poker game. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Expert issues warning over deadly risk of three popular spices

Three popular household spices used in everything from cakes to curries may reduce the effectiveness of life-saving drugs, a pharmaceutical expert has warned.

Events

3 w. ago US and Qatar sign defense and aviation deal as Trump says of emir: ‘we just like each other’ – live

US president says $200bn Boeing order is ‘largest order of jets’ in its history and is full of praise for Qatar’s leader and country’s marble palacesThe meeting between Donald Trump and Syria’s president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, in Saudi Arabia was the culmination of months of diplomacy by the Syrians, as well as their Turkish and Saudi allies, who believed face time with Trump would help end Syria’s international isolation, writes William Christou.Damascus had prepared a pitch to Trump that included access to Syrian oil, reassurances of Israel’s security and a proposal to build a Trump tower in Damascus. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago US and Qatar sign defense and aviation deal as Trump say of emir: ‘we just like each other’ – live

US president says $200bn Boeing order is ‘largest order of jets’ in its history and is full of praise for Qatar’s leader and country’s marble palacesThe meeting between Donald Trump and Syria’s president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, in Saudi Arabia was the culmination of months of diplomacy by the Syrians, as well as their Turkish and Saudi allies, who believed face time with Trump would help end Syria’s international isolation, writes William Christou.Damascus had prepared a pitch to Trump that included access to Syrian oil, reassurances of Israel’s security and a proposal to build a Trump tower in Damascus. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago US and Saudi Arabia sign $142bn arms deal as Trump to meet Syrian leader

White House touts deal made on first stop of US president’s four-day diplomatic tour to Gulf statesUS politics live – latest updatesThe United States and Saudi Arabia have signed a $142bn arms deal touted by the White House as the “largest defence sales agreement in history” in the first stop of Donald Trump’s four-day diplomatic tour to the Gulf states aimed at securing big deals and spotlighting the benefits of Trump’s transactional foreign policy.During the trip, the White House also confirmed that Trump would meet with Syria’s new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, the former rebel commander whose forces helped overthrow Bashar al-Assad in 2024. The informal meeting will be the first face-to-face meeting between a US president and a Syrian leader since 2000, when Bill Clinton met with the late leader Hafez al-Assad in Geneva. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Trump gives speech after US and Saudi Arabia sign $142bn defense sales agreement – live

Donald Trump and Mohammed bin Salman also sign strategic economic agreement in Riyadh covering energy, mining and defenseTrump, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Elon Musk were seen chatting briefly during the reception in Riyadh, Reuters reports.Footage shows Trump speaking with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the ceremonial blue room, where he is meeting and greeting officials. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Trump makes historic move to slash prescription drug prices including for weight loss 'fat shots'

Donald Trump took a major action on Monday to significantly reduce the cost Americans pay for pharmaceuticals and prescription drugs.

Politics

3 w. ago Pharmaceutical stocks slide as Trump vows to cut US prescription drug prices ‘by 30

President plans to use executive powers, saying US should pay ‘same price as nation that pays the lowest price’Donald Trump has promised to use his executive powers to cut the price of prescription drugs in the US in an attempt to bring them more in line with other countries.The US president has said he will sign an order on Monday that will reduce prescription drug and pharmaceutical prices “almost immediately” by “30% to 80%”. Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago Trump to accept $400 million 'flying palace' from Qatar royal family to use as Air Force One and will KEEP it after leaving office

In an extraordinary sign of the friendship between Trump and Qatar's royals, the plane will reportedly be transferred to the ownership of Trump's presidential library foundation.

Society

4 w. ago Trump to sign executive order to reduce cost of prescription drugs and pharmaceuticals up to 80%

President Donald Trump has made an announcement he describes as one of the most conesequential in American history - and it will have global impacts.

Politics

4 w. ago When Dad developed a worrying habit at 58, doctors put it down to stress. In fact it was the first sign of an unfathomably cruel disease

George Hardy was known to be an intelligent and articulate man who, as a top pharmaceutical research scientist, had dedicated his life to finding new drugs to beat viruses.

Politics