7 h. ago UK should consider political donations cryptocurrency ban, says minister

Pat McFadden reacts over concerns foreign powers could use untraceable money to affect British democracyElection officials should consider banning political donations made in cryptocurrency, a minister has said, amid concerns that foreign powers are using untraceable money to influence British politics.Pat McFadden, the Cabinet Office minister and close ally of the prime minister, Keir Starmer, told MPs on Monday he thought there was a case for preventing crypto donations given how hard it is to trace their source. Continue reading...

Politics

7 h. ago UK should consider banning cryptocurrency political donations, minister says

Pat McFadden reacts over concerns foreign powers could use untraceable money to affect British democracyElection officials should consider banning political donations made in cryptocurrency, a minister has said, amid concerns that foreign powers are using untraceable money to influence British politics.Pat McFadden, the Cabinet Office minister and close ally of the prime minister, Keir Starmer, told MPs on Monday he thought there was a case for preventing crypto donations given how hard it was to trace their source. Continue reading...

Politics

7 h. ago Slovakia blocks EU move to impose new sanctions package on Russia – Europe live

EU foreign policy chief says ‘ball is in Slovakia’s court’ after leader Robert Fico blocked ‘imbecile’ proposal to ban Russian gas imports from 2028 French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot told reporters that he hoped the new language from the US and more sanctions from the EU will force Russian president Vladimir Putin “to face the facts: he has gone too far and he is now at an impasse.”He said he was hoping for more alignment between the US and the EU on sanctions, as he met with American senators last week in Rome to discuss their proposed bipartisan bill on Russia.“So we have some progress. We have some positive developments. It’s true that we have trucks that are able to enter, but we don’t know exactly how many. And what is clear is that the agreement is not fully implemented. Continue reading...

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12 h. ago US tariff of 30% on EU could ‘stop trade as we know it’ – Irish foreign minister

Simon Harris said such a tariff would be ‘extraordinary’ and urged businesses to prepare for all scenarios.

Politics

13 h. ago Trump ‘disappointed, but not done’ with Putin as he backs Nato on Ukraine – Europe live

Comments come after Oval Office meeting with Nato’s Mark Rutte signalled a shift in tone on conflictFrench foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot told reporters that he hoped the new language from the US and more sanctions from the EU will force Russian president Vladimir Putin “to face the facts: he has gone too far and he is now at an impasse.”He said he was hoping for more alignment between the US and the EU on sanctions, as he met with American senators last week in Rome to discuss their proposed bipartisan bill on Russia.“So we have some progress. We have some positive developments. It’s true that we have trucks that are able to enter, but we don’t know exactly how many. And what is clear is that the agreement is not fully implemented. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Rubio in bind as he seeks to reassure Asia, even as region faces punishing Trump tariffs

Questions over US commitment to the region coupled with Trump’s tariff polices could be a boon to ChinaEven as they face among the most punitive tariffs globally, US secretary of state Marco Rubio has sought to reassure southeast Asian nations of Washington’s commitment to the region, saying countries there may get “better” trade deals than the rest of the world.In his first official visit to Asia, Rubio met foreign ministers of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in Malaysia on Thursday, telling his counterparts the US has “no intention of abandoning” the region. His visit came days after president Donald Trump renewed his threat to impose severe tariffs across many southeast Asian countries if they did not strike deals by 1 August. Continue reading...

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5 d. ago US disappointed and frustrated by lack of progress on Ukraine, Rubio tells Russia’s Lavrov in ‘frank’ exchange – Europe live

US secretary of state has ‘substantive and frank’ conversation with Russian foreign minister over situation in UkraineZelenskyy also repeatedly thanks partners for their help so far, saying it is thanks to their help it was able to start building a modern air force.“We’ve done it in record time. No other country has switched from Soviet aircraft to F-16 and Mirages this quickly,” he says.I urge all our partners: increase your investments when Russia increases its attacks. Continue reading...

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5 d. ago Russian attack on Kyiv leaves two dead a day after largest assault of war

Another huge wave of Russian missiles and drones hit Ukraine’s capital as Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov due to meet with Marco RubioA huge wave of Russian strikes on Ukraine’s capital killed two people and left more wounded, Kyiv’s military administration said early on Thursday, with reports of loud blasts echoing over the city throughout the night.The administration warned of a threat from drones and ballistic weapons and told all residents to “immediately head to the nearest shelters”. Dozens of residents of the capital took shelter in a central metro station during the attack, an Agence France-Presse reporter said, sleeping on mats, calming pets or waiting out the attack on camping furniture. Continue reading...

Events

6 d. ago Chile foreign minister says US would not be able to ‘replace’ Chilean copper

Alberto van Klaveren’s comments follow Trump’s announcement that he would impose 50 per cent tariffs on copper imports.

Politics

6 d. ago Zelenskyy to replace Ukraine’s envoy to US in diplomatic shuffle

Oksana Markarova will be recalled from Washington in move designed to strengthen ties with Trump teamVolodymyr Zelenskyy is replacing Ukraine’s ambassador to the US, who has been heavily criticised by leading Republicans, as part a diplomatic reshuffle designed to strengthen ties with the Trump administration.Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, confirmed on Wednesday that Oksana Markarova will be recalled from Washington after four years in the job. He described her as “extremely effective, charismatic and one of our most successful ambassadors”. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Russian foreign minister to visit North Korea this week in latest sign of expanding ties

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will travel to North Korea in the latest sign of the countries’ deepening ties during Russia’s war in Ukraine

Politics

6 d. ago Indian nurse convicted of killing business partner to be executed in Yemen on 16 July, says negotiator

Indian foreign ministry exploring diplomatic and legal avenues as clock ticks down to execution

Events

7 d. ago AI scammer posing as Marco Rubio targets officials in growing threat

Fake voice and text messages on Signal tricked senior leaders, as AI impersonation rises in global politicsAn unknown fraudster has used artificial intelligence to impersonate the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, contacting at least five senior officials.According to a state department cable first seen by the Washington Post and confirmed by the Guardian, the impostor sent fake voice messages and texts that mimicked Rubio’s voice and writing style to those targets including three foreign ministers, a US governor and a member of Congress. Continue reading...

Events

7 d. ago Fake AI voice impersonating Secretary of State Marco Rubio contacts foreign ministers and US officials

The impostor used the Signal messaging app, according to a diplomatic cable

Politics

7 d. ago Marco Rubio impostor reportedly using AI to contact multiple senior officials – US politics live

According to a state department cable seen by the Washington Post, the Rubio impostor sent fake messages to three foreign ministers, a US governor and a member of CongressDavid Axelrod, who served as senior adviser to Barack Obama, said the AI scam using Rubio was “only a matter of time” and urged urgent action to defend against such attacks.“A Marco Rubio impostor is using AI voice to call high-level officials,” Axelrod wrote on X. “This is the new world in which we live and we’d better figure out how to defend against it because of its implications for our democracy and the world.” Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Chinese warship targets German plane with a laser over Red Sea

Beijing 's military 'endangered personnel' participating in an EU-led mission, the German foreign ministry said. It added that Beijing's ambassador to Berlin had been summoned.

Events

7 d. ago Chinese military 'targets German plane with a laser over Red Sea'

Beijing 's military 'endangered personnel' participating in an EU-led mission, the German foreign ministry said. It added that Beijing's ambassador to Berlin had been summoned.

Events

7 d. ago Berlin summons Chinese ambassador over military use of laser targeting German aircraft – Europe live

‘The endangerment of German personnel and disruption of the operation are completely unacceptable,’ foreign ministry saidDanish prime minister Mette Frederiksen is now giving a major speech in the European parliament, outlining Denmark’s priorities for the EU as it takes the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union.Opening, she warns that “Europe is facing the greatest challenges since the 1940s,” as she lists a growing lists of urgent issues, with Russia’s aggression on Ukraine, migration, the Middle East, trade, and terrorism.“The threats may be many, and they are indeed serious, but I have trust in Europe.Trust that we can move our continent forward, build a more secure Europe, a greener and more competitive Europe, a new Europe of tomorrow with possibilities and welfare for our citizens, but only if we remember what we are capable of, what our societies are built upon, and who we really are as Europeans.” Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Europe is scrambling to form a united front and regain relevance in the Iran crisis

Tehran now places little faith in the European countries who played a key role in brokering the Iranian nuclear dealExposed as divided and marginalised during the Iran crisis, European nations are scrambling to retrieve a place at the Middle East negotiating table, fearing an impulsive Donald Trump has diminishing interest in stabilising Iran or the wider region now he believes he has achieved his key objective of wiping out Tehran’s nuclear programme.On Tuesday the EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, was the latest senior European figure to phone the Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, offering to be a facilitator and urging Tehran not to leave the crisis in a dangerous limbo by keeping UN weapons inspectors out of Iran. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Russia launches hundreds of drones at Ukraine just hours after Putin

All-night attack on Kyiv injured at least 23 people, damaging railway infrastructure and setting buildings and cars on fire throughout the cityPolish foreign minister Radosław Sikorski told US president Donald Trump in a social media post that Russia’s Vladimir Putin was “mocking your peace efforts” as he urged him to “restore supplies of anti-aircraft ammunition to Ukraine and impose tough new sanctions on the aggressor.”Sikorski added that the massive Russian attack last night has caused “fires and much damage, including to the Polish consulate in Kyiv.” Continue reading...

Politics