84 m. ago Ukraine war live: European leaders tell Putin to agree to unconditional ceasefire by Monday or face ‘massive’ sanctions

European leaders, in coordination with Donald Trump, are proposing a 30-day unconditional ceasefire starting 12 MayIt is the first time the leaders of the four European nations (France, the UK, Germany and Poland) have made a joint visit to Ukraine, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP).“We are clear the bloodshed must end. Russia must stop its illegal invasion,” the leaders said in a joint statement, adding:Alongside the US, we call on Russia to agree a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create the space for talks on a just and lasting peace.We will continue to increase our support for Ukraine. Until Russia agrees to an enduring ceasefire, we will ratchet up pressure on Russia’s war machine. Continue reading...

Politics

2 h. ago Ukraine war live: Zelenskyy and European leaders hold ‘fruitful’ phone call with Trump

Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz and Donald Tusk are in Ukraine for talks with ZelenskyyIt is the first time the leaders of the four European nations (France, the UK, Germany and Poland) have made a joint visit to Ukraine, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP).“We are clear the bloodshed must end. Russia must stop its illegal invasion,” the leaders said in a joint statement, adding:Alongside the US, we call on Russia to agree a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create the space for talks on a just and lasting peace.We will continue to increase our support for Ukraine. Until Russia agrees to an enduring ceasefire, we will ratchet up pressure on Russia’s war machine. Continue reading...

Politics

3 h. ago Ukraine war live: Zelenskyy and European leaders hold ‘fruitful’ phone talk with Trump

Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz and Donald Tusk are in Ukraine for talks with ZelenskyyIt is the first time the leaders of the four European nations (France, the UK, Germany and Poland) have made a joint visit to Ukraine, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP).“We are clear the bloodshed must end. Russia must stop its illegal invasion,” the leaders said in a joint statement, adding:Alongside the US, we call on Russia to agree a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create the space for talks on a just and lasting peace.We will continue to increase our support for Ukraine. Until Russia agrees to an enduring ceasefire, we will ratchet up pressure on Russia’s war machine. Continue reading...

Politics

4 h. ago Ukraine war live: Macron calls for ‘direct talks’ between Russia and Ukraine as European leaders arrive in Kyiv

Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz and Donald Tusk are in Ukraine for talks with ZelenskyyIt is the first time the leaders of the four European nations (France, the UK, Germany and Poland) have made a joint visit to Ukraine, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP).“We are clear the bloodshed must end. Russia must stop its illegal invasion,” the leaders said in a joint statement, adding:Alongside the US, we call on Russia to agree a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create the space for talks on a just and lasting peace.We will continue to increase our support for Ukraine. Until Russia agrees to an enduring ceasefire, we will ratchet up pressure on Russia’s war machine. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Trump’s talk of film tariffs makes no sense, but it’s already doing damage – to Hollywood | Peter Bradshaw

The US president’s bizarre talk of 100% levies on films from ‘foreign lands’ combines trolling with a hazy grasp of factsAnother day, another bizarre, mischievous, headline-hogging pronouncement from the US president.Steve Bannon famously advised him to flood the zone with shit – a Maga-Maoist permanent revolution of provocative, toxic nonsense. Trump is flooding the zone with tariffs, then he pauses, walks back and climbs down on tariffs, and then adds more tariffs. The latest is his bizarre plan to hit movies made in “foreign lands” with 100% tariffs. He has solemnly announced his grave concern that Hollywood was “dying” at the hands of foreigners like the UK, who give tax breaks to multinationals. Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago ‘He loves us and he’s doing it’: Trump fans’ faith undimmed by first 100 days

Despite plunging opinion polls, for those attending a campaign-style rally in Michigan the president is delivering In Trump they trust. While pundits and protesters have called it 100 days of hell, talk to Donald Trump’s most faithful supporters and you will hear them use words such as “amazing”, “fantastic” and “ecstatic” about his presidency.The Trump base, that amorphous group that has long intrigued pollsters, remains rock solid in its support for the 78-year-old and quite ingenious in finding new ways to eulogise his leadership. Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago Trump approves first weapons shipment to Ukraine since becoming president, report says, after minerals deal agreed – Europe live

Trump administration suspended delivery of US military aid to Ukraine in March but is now set to restore exportsUkraine and the US signed a long-awaited minerals deal last night, signaling a major step forward in bilateral relations. But the full text of the agreement, including key details on the contentious small print issues that dragged out negotiations, has yet to be made public.Ukrainian prime minister Denys Shmyhal suggested yesterday that the process of ratifying the agreement could start today, with party consultations. Expect more details to emerge. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago Ukraine’s PM hails ‘good and equal’ minerals deal with US – Europe live

Ukraine to retain ‘full control over resources and infrastructure’ under agreement, says Denys Shmyhal Full report: US and Ukraine sign minerals deal that solidifies investment in Kyiv’s defense against RussiaUkraine and the US signed a long-awaited minerals deal last night, signaling a major step forward in bilateral relations. But the full text of the agreement, including key details on the contentious small print issues that dragged out negotiations, has yet to be made public.Ukrainian prime minister Denys Shmyhal suggested yesterday that the process of ratifying the agreement could start today, with party consultations. Expect more details to emerge. Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago Illinois governor fuels 2028 talk with fiery speech blasting Trump and Musk: ‘It’s time to fight, everywhere, all at once’

‘Republicans cannot know a moment of peace,’ vows JB Pritzker as he urges Democrats to mobilize

Politics

1 week ago Pope Francis' 'final miracle' is hailed as Trump and Zelensky meet in the Vatican and US president turns AGAINST Putin for 'stringing him along' over peace plan

Zelensky and Trump had a short talk ahead of the late Catholic leader's funeral, marking their first encounter since their disastrous White House clash. The outcome has been hailed a 'miracle'

Politics

2 w. ago ‘Vladimir, stop!’: Trump criticises Putin as Starmer and von der Leyen warn over Russian energy ‘blackmail’ – Europe live

US president says he is ‘not happy’ over Kyiv attack as death toll rises to 12 with 90 people injuredWe understand that while the visit will be cut short after Zelenskyy’s meeting with Ramaphosa, their media activities will still proceed, meaning we should hear from the Ukrainian president in the next few hours.Rachel and I will keep an eye on this development to see if Zelenskyy takes part in a scheduled press conference in Pretoria in case he wants to say more about the attacks overnight. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago ‘Vladimir, stop!’ Trump criticises Putin over attack on Kyiv – Europe live

US president says he is ‘not happy’ with Russian attack and criticises the ‘very bad timing’ We understand that while the visit will be cut short after Zelenskyy’s meeting with Ramaphosa, their media activities will still proceed, meaning we should hear from the Ukrainian president in the next few hours.Rachel and I will keep an eye on this development to see if Zelenskyy takes part in a scheduled press conference in Pretoria in case he wants to say more about the attacks overnight. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Zelenskyy calls for more ceasefire pressure on Russia after ‘massive’ Kyiv attack – Europe live

Ukrainian president says his country, unlike Moscow, has agreed to ceasefire demands and calls on US to play a greater role in guaranteeing peaceWe understand that while the visit will be cut short after Zelenskyy’s meeting with Ramaphosa, their media activities will still proceed, meaning we should hear from the Ukrainian president in the next few hours.Rachel and I will keep an eye on this development to see if Zelenskyy takes part in a scheduled press conference in Pretoria in case he wants to say more about the attacks overnight. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Zelenskyy to cut South Africa trip short after ‘massive’ attack on Kyiv – Europe live

Children among nine dead and at least 70 wounded by Russian attack, Ukraine saysWe understand that while the visit will be cut short after Zelenskyy’s meeting with Ramaphosa, their media activities will still proceed, meaning we should hear from the Ukrainian president in the next few hours.Rachel and I will keep an eye on this development to see if Zelenskyy takes part in a scheduled press conference in Pretoria in case he wants to say more about the attacks overnight. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago ‘Massive’ Russian attack on Kyiv kills nine and wounds 70 as Trump criticises Zelenskyy over peace talks – Europe live

Attack on Kyiv comes hours after Donald Trump accused his Ukrainian counterpart of being ‘harder’ to deal with than PutinWe understand that while the visit will be cut short after Zelenskyy’s meeting with Ramaphosa, their media activities will still proceed, meaning we should hear from the Ukrainian president in the next few hours.Rachel and I will keep an eye on this development to see if Zelenskyy takes part in a scheduled press conference in Pretoria in case he wants to say more about the attacks overnight. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Trump blames Zelenskyy for peace talk collapse as Rubio skips London meetings

Trump blames Zelenskyy for peace talk collapse as Rubio skips London meetings  The National Desk

Politics

2 w. ago Trump accuses Zelenskyy of harming peace process with Crimea stance and says Ukraine president has ‘no cards to play’ – live

US president says Ukraine can have peace or it can fight for another three years before losing everythingSuspilne, Ukraine's state broadcaster, citing the Ukrainian air force, reports that overnight Ukraine claimed to have shot down 67 out of 134 drones used in Russian attacks.Additionally the air force reported that 47 drones did not reach their target. Attacks, it said, happened in the Kharkiv, Poltava, Donetsk, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhia regions. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Stock markets rise as Trump backtracks on high China tariffs and firing Fed chair

Weeks of tough talk from the US president, who now says he will be ‘very nice’ to China, had rattled investors Stock markets have risen around the world after Donald Trump said his tariffs on China would come down “substantially” and he had “no intention” of firing the chair of the US central bank, Jay Powell.Weeks of tough talk on trade from White House officials have rattled investors and Trump now appears to be softening his tone. The president told reporters in Washington on Tuesday he planned to be “very nice” to China in trade talks and that tariffs could drop in both countries if they could reach a deal, adding: “It will come down substantially, but it won’t be zero.” Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Russia resumes fighting after ‘ceasefire’ Ukraine says Moscow breached nearly 3,000 times – Russia

Russian military confirms ‘Easter truce’ is over and fighting has begun again as Ukrainian says Moscow launched 96 drones and three missiles overnightThe Russian defence ministry said yesterday that Ukraine had lost more than 75,000 soldiers and more than 400 tanks in total in Russia’s Kursk region.Military officials say they are continuing to repel Ukrainian soldiers in the region. We have not been able to independently verify either claim. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Zelenskyy says Russia has intensified shelling despite ‘Easter truce’ as Moscow also accuses Ukraine of breaching ceasefire – live

‘Easter truce’ ordered by Putin on Saturday but Ukraine president says Russian army continuing efforts to advanceEaster falls on the same day this year for orthodox and western churches, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged Ukrainians not to give up hope that peace will one day return.Here are some of the latest images coming out of the newswires from Ukraine where festivities continue despite Russian attacks:We are documenting every Russian violation of its self-declared commitment to a full ceasefire for the Easter period and are prepared to provide the necessary information to our partners. In practice, either Putin does not have full control over his army, or the situation proves that in Russia, they have no intention of making a genuine move toward ending the war, and are only interested in favorable PR coverage. It’s a good thing, at least, that there were no air raid sirens. Continue reading...

Events