16 h. ago UK lifts more sanctions in Syria to support efforts to rebuild country

The Foreign Office announced restrictions on sectors of the Syrian economy would be eased to facilitate investment in the country.

Politics

1 week ago Iranian minister arrives for mediated talks with US on nuclear programme

Abbas Araghchi says ‘initial understanding’ could be reached in Oman and lead to ‘path of negotiations’Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has arrived in Oman for mediated talks with the US special envoy Steve Witkoff, saying there is a chance the two sides can reach an initial understanding that leads to a timetable for negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme.The aim is to agree a format and parameters for talks that in months could lead to some US economic sanctions on Tehran being lifted and a recasting of Iran’s civil nuclear programme. Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago European leaders agree now ‘not the time’ to lift sanctions against Russia

Support for Ukraine continues with divided opinion on Franco-British plan for ‘reassurance force’ to help ceasefireEuropean leaders have affirmed their support for Ukraine at a Paris summit and agreed now was “not the time” to lift sanctions against Russia, but with splits remaining on Franco-British plans for a “reassurance force” to help guarantee an eventual ceasefire.France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, said on Thursday the meeting of more than two dozen heads of state and government had agreed unanimously that sanctions on Moscow should not be eased until “peace has clearly been established” in Ukraine. Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago Key European leaders say it is ‘not the time’ to start lifting sanctions against Russia – as it happened

UK prime minister Keir Starmer calls out Russia for ‘playing games’ as French president Emmanuel Macron says Europe must prepare for any scenarioThe search continues for four US soldiers that went missing in Lithuania on Tuesday night, as their vehicle has been discovered submerged in water.The operation continues on Thursday with attempts to reach the area. Lithuanian defence minister Dovilė Šakalienė said that the vehicle was located at “more than 5 meters down,” and digging is under way to get to it. Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago Key European leaders say it is ‘not the time’ to start lifting sanctions against Russia – Europe live

UK prime minister Keir Starmer calls out Russia for ‘playing games’ as French president Emmanuel Macron says Europe must prepare for any scenarioThe search continues for four US soldiers that went missing in Lithuania on Tuesday night, as their vehicle has been discovered submerged in water.The operation continues on Thursday with attempts to reach the area. Lithuanian defence minister Dovilė Šakalienė said that the vehicle was located at “more than 5 meters down,” and digging is under way to get to it. Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago Keir Starmer warns Donald Trump that 'now is not the time' for lifting sanctions on Russia

The PM joined the latest talks of the so-called 'coalition of the willing' in the French capital as allies continued to draw up plans for a possible peacekeeping force.

Events

4 w. ago Putin is 'playing games' on Ukraine peace, says Keir Starmer as PM urges Trump not to lift sanctions

Emmanuel Macron says a Franco-British team will travel to Ukraine to help Kyiv bolster its military

Politics

4 w. ago Macron dismisses Russian demands as ‘coalition of the willing’ gathers in Paris for Ukraine talks – Europe live

French president rules out any lifting of sanctions and says European forces could be deployed to mark ‘clear support’Among the European leaders expected in Paris, we are going to see the British prime minister, Keir Starmer, who said in a statement released overnight that “unlike President Zelenskyy, Putin has shown he’s not a serious player in these peace talks.”He said:“Playing games with the agreed naval ceasefire in the Black Sea despite good faith participation from all sides – all while continuing to inflict devastating attacks on the Ukrainian people. His promises are hollow.The US is playing a leading role by convening the ceasefire talks, President Zelenskyy has demonstrated his commitment repeatedly, and Europe is stepping up to play its part to defend Ukraine’s future. Now Putin needs to show he’s willing to play ball.” Continue reading...

Politics