58 h. ago Elon Musk escalates war of words with Trump after president threatens to terminate government contracts – live

In flurry of X posts, former adviser hits out at Trump - including threat to decommission Dragon spacecraft - as allies-turned-enemies spar on social mediaMusk calls for Trump to be impeached as extraordinary feud escalatesTrump and Musk trade barbs as rift over tax and spend bill erupts into openPresident Vladimir Putin told US president Donald Trump that he was ready to use Russia’s close partnership with Iran to help with negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme, the Kremlin said on Thursday.Trump said after a phone call with Putin on Wednesday that time was running out for Iran to make a decision on its nuclear programme and that he believed Putin agreed that the Islamic Republic should not have nuclear weapons. Continue reading...

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8 d. ago Hegseth says Chinese military action against Taiwan ‘could be imminent’

US defence secretary warns in Singapore that Beijing’s actions in Asia are ‘wake-up call’ for America’s allies

Events

9 d. ago Russia and Ukraine in spat over proposed June peace talks after Trump pushes deadline on Putin

The Kremlin said Kyiv’s calls for Russia to release its ceasefire memorandum before talks in June were ‘non-constructive’

Politics

1 week ago Putin accuses Trump of suffering an 'emotional overload' after president called Russian dictator 'crazy' for Ukraine attack amid ceasefire talks

When asked about Trump's explosive remarks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov hit back but also thanked the President for helping to enable ceasefire talks.

Politics

1 week ago Donald Trump's envoy Keith Kellogg calls for ‘ceasefire now’ after Russia's ‘shameful’ bombardment on Kyiv

Russia launched its largest aerial bombardment on Ukraine this week. Ukrainian forces shot down six missiles and neutralized 245 drones — 128 drones were shot down and 117 were thwarted

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2 w. ago Netanyahu lashes out at western allies over Gaza ceasefire calls

Israeli PM accuses British, French and Canadian leaders of siding with Hamas after they called for end to Gaza offensive

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2 w. ago German troops start first permanent foreign deployment since second world war

Heavy combat unit of 4,800 soldiers and 200 civilian staff inaugurated in Lithuania on Nato’s eastern flankThe German chancellor has visited Lithuania to mark Berlin’s first permanent foreign troop deployment since the second world war, as he called on allies to dramatically expand their efforts to bolster European defences against a hostile Russia.As a crowd waved Lithuanian, German and Ukrainian flags, Friedrich Merz and his defence minister, Boris Pistorius, attended a ceremony launching the official formation of an armoured brigade aimed at protecting Nato’s eastern flank. Continue reading...

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2 w. ago Trump 'told Zelensky that Ukraine and Russia will need to reach a peace deal themselves' after his bombshell phone call with Putin in clearest sign yet he is ready to walk away from ceasefire talks

US president Donald Trump has reportedly told Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders they would have to find a solution to the invasion of Ukraine themselves. 

Politics

2 w. ago With little progress after phone calls and talks, Ukraine's allies hit Russia with new sanctions

Kyiv’s European allies have slapped new sanctions on Moscow, a day after a phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin failed to produce a breakthrough on ending the 3-year-old war in Ukraine

Events

2 w. ago Zelenskyy says Russia ‘trying to buy time to continue war’ – Ukraine war live

Ukrainian president posts on social media after Putin refuses to agree to a ceasefire in phone call with TrumpTrump and Putin hold phone call but Kremlin refuses ceasefireHere’s more of what Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram today.“It is obvious that Russia is trying to buy time to continue the war and occupation,” he said.We have no doubt that the war must end at the negotiating table. There must be clear and realistic proposals on the table. Ukraine is ready for any effective negotiation formats. And if Russia continues to put forward unrealistic conditions and undermine possible results, there must be tough consequences. Continue reading...

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2 w. ago Zelenskyy urges more pressure on Russia after no ceasefire agreed in Trump

Ukrainian president says ‘pressure on Russia will push it toward real peace’Trump and Putin hold phone call but Kremlin refuses ceasefireEU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Tuesday called for the United States to take “strong action” against Russia if Moscow does not agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine.“America said that if Russia doesn’t agree on an unconditional ceasefire, then there are going to be consequences. So we want to see those consequences, also from the US side,” Kallas said at a meeting of EU ministers in Brussels.Putin is clearly playing for time, unfortunately we have to say Putin is not really interested in peace. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Trump’s calls with Putin are worth nothing – no matter how much the US president enjoys them

Donald Trump claims his two-hour phone call with Vladimir Putin went ‘very well’, but it is the Russian president who calls the shots, writes Sam Kiley, The Independent’s world affairs editor

Politics

2 w. ago Trump makes sensational Pope announcement on Ukraine peace talks after 'excellent' two

President Donald Trump gave an upbeat readout of his Monday call with Vladimir Putin about ending the brutal war in Ukraine - even urging Russia and Ukraine to use the Pope as a mediator.

Politics

2 w. ago Trump and Putin hold phone call but Kremlin refuses Ukraine ceasefire

Trump describes call as ‘excellent,’ despite Putin’s lack of support for ceasefire that US said was primary objectiveTrump says Russia-Ukraine ceasefire discussions to start immediately but Kremlin denies timeline for talks – liveVladimir Putin and Donald Trump have held a rare phone call, which the US leader described as “excellent,” but the Kremlin refused to agree to a ceasefire in the war with Ukraine, despite pressure from Washington and European allies.Speaking to reporters in Sochi after the two-hour conversation on Monday, Putin described the call as “very meaningful and frank,” and said he was prepared to work with Ukraine on drafting a memorandum for future peace talks. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Netanyahu vows to ‘take control’ of Gaza as UK, France and Canada threaten action against Israel

Key allies call escalation ‘egregious’ and promise ‘concrete’ response if Israel does not end renewed offensive and allow aid into stripBenjamin Netanyahu has vowed that Israel will “take control” of all Gaza, as three key allies attacked his “egregious” escalation of the military campaign and blockade on humanitarian aid.Britain, France and Canada attacked Israel’s expansion of its war as disproportionate, described conditions in Gaza as “intolerable” and threatened a “concrete” response if Israel’s campaign continues. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Putin addresses Russia Ukraine ceasefire hopes after phone call with Trump

Vladimir Putin has said Russia is ready to work towards ending the fighting in Ukraine, following his two-hour phone call with Donald Trump.

Politics

2 w. ago Ukraine war latest: Russia launches ‘biggest drone attack since invasion’ ahead of Trump ceasefire call

Trump says ‘hopefully it will be a productive day, a ceasefire will take place, and this very violent war ... will end'

Events

3 w. ago Donald Trump confirms time he'll speak to Vladimir Putin for Ukraine ceasefire talks

The US President announced on Truth Social that he has a time set for a call with the Russian hardman - saying "hopefully" a ceasefire will follow

Politics

3 w. ago Ukraine war latest: Trump insists ceasefire will take place after calls with Putin and Zelensky on Monday

Trump says ‘hopefully it will be a productive day, a ceasefire will take place, and this very violent war ... will end'

Politics

3 w. ago UN chief ‘alarmed’ as Israel launches major ground offensive in Gaza – Middle East crisis live

United Nations secretary general António Guterres called on Saturday for a permanent and immediate ceasefire Israel launches major offensive in GazaAn Iraqi political official, speaking to the Associated Press (AP) on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment, said that Iran’s al-Quds force commander Esmail Ghaani had paid a visit to Baghdad prior to the Arab League summit and “conveyed messages of support for the Iranian-American negotiations” for a nuclear deal and a demand for the lifting of crippling sanctions on Iran.The Arab League is meeting in Baghdad on Saturday to discuss Gaza and other regional crises, but some leaders are expected to miss the talks that come straight after US president Donald Trump’s Gulf tour. Continue reading...

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