17 h. ago Art and politics are not the same thing – but the Anna Netrebko case shows what happens when they collide | Martin Kettle

The arts and politics are bound to mix, but they are not the same thing. In the cold war, Soviet artists performed in the west. Should the Russian soprano, who has condemned the Ukraine invasion, be blocked from singing in London?It is one of my very earliest concert memories. In October 1965, my father drove us to Manchester to hear Mstislav Rostropovich play in the Free Trade Hall. Rostropovich played Dvořák’s cello concerto with the Moscow Philharmonic, who began the concert with a symphony by Tikhon Khrennikov and ended it with one by Brahms. I was smitten by Rostropovich’s noble playing. I had never heard a musician like him before.This was, though, a concert taking place slap-bang in the middle of the cold war. The Cuban missile crisis had taken place less than three years earlier. The Berlin Wall was still fairly new. The Vietnam war was deepening. That summer I had read The Spy Who Came in from the Cold. The movie version of Le Carré’s novel, with Richard Burton, was due out...

Politics

8 d. ago Ukraine’s general in London: Is Valerii Zaluzhnyi’s waiting to replace Zelensky as Ukraine's future president?

Ukraine’s general in London: Is Valerii Zaluzhnyi’s waiting to replace Zelensky as Ukraine's future president?  WION

Politics

8 d. ago General, envoy future Ukraine president? Valerii Zaluzhnyi’s London waiting game

Refusal to take calls from JD Vance after Zelenskyy-Trump showdown reflects political tightrope ‘war hero’ has walked since being fired as army chiefOne afternoon in early March, three days after the disastrous showdown between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House, there was a flurry of telephone activity at the Ukrainian embassy in London.JD Vance’s team was on the line and wanted to set up a call with Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK and formerly the commander in chief of the army. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago Ukrainians in London celebrate Independence Day at city's first Ukrainian festival

Ukrainians in London celebrate Independence Day at city's first Ukrainian festival  CBC

Culture

1 week ago Ukraine's 'Iron General' forced to deny he's 'quietly preparing to run for president'

General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, who is known as the Iron General, has been forced to deny claims that he is 'quietly preparing to run for president' from his London HQ

Politics

1 week ago JD Vance's threat for Zelensky to 'behave' revealed as VP urges Elon Musk to join future of MAGA

The vice president had a lengthy discussion with Laura Ingraham about some of the recent happenings around the DC, including a rumor Elon Musk was preparing to back him in 2028.

Events

1 week ago Ukraine's 'Iron General' refutes rumours he is 'quietly preparing to run for president' to replace Zelensky

General Valerii Zaluzhnyi's team were forced to play down the claims stating that 'there is no talk of any campaign headquarters'.

Politics

1 week ago Is Ukraine’s popular general Zaluzhnyi already running against Zelenskyy? The London rumors, explained

Is Ukraine’s popular general Zaluzhnyi already running against Zelenskyy? The London rumors, explained  Euromaidan Press

Politics

2 w. ago London stocks rise but defence shares retreat after Ukraine talks

London stocks rise but defence shares retreat after Ukraine talks  Reuters

Politics

2 w. ago FTSE posts new closing high as falls in defence stocks are offset by retail gains

In London, defence stocks fell sharply amid hopes of peace in Ukraine with Babcock International, BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce all down.

Politics

2 w. ago Zelensky must be at future peace talks, Starmer says after Trump

Sir Keir Starmer spoke with Nato allies after US President Donald Trump’s summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

Politics

2 w. ago Ukraine summit: Zelensky must be at future peace talks, Starmer says after Trump

Sir Keir spent Saturday morning speaking to western allies

Politics

2 w. ago The Week in 90 Seconds: Fidelis, Ukraine aviation, London wholesalers

The Week in 90 Seconds: Fidelis, Ukraine aviation, London wholesalers  Insurance Insider

Politics

2 w. ago Zelenskyy to meet with UK's Starmer as Europe braces for Trump

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in London

Politics

2 w. ago Starmer sees viable chance of Ukraine ceasefire as Zelensky visits London

Starmer sees viable chance of Ukraine ceasefire as Zelensky visits London  BBC

Events

3 w. ago Strictly star taken to hospital after 'nasty' fall in London rehearsals

The Ukrainian dancer, 35, was training in north London on Tuesday lunchtime when she injured herself

Politics

3 w. ago Manchester United can take something from £18.6m transfers as 'Carlos Baleba talks held'

Brighton are holding firm in their stance over Carlos Baleba, and the Seagulls have two potential replacements waiting if they were to sell the player to Manchester United

Economics