55 h. ago Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy replaces head of general staff of the armed forces

Defence minister says Ukraine ‘systematically transforming’ its military; Macron says allied security force does need Russia’s blessing. What we know on day 1,118The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has appointed Andriy Gnatov as chief of the general staff of the armed forces, replacing Anatoliy Bargylevych, who has been moved to chief inspector of the defence ministry. “He [Gnatov] is a combat guy,” Zelenskyy said. “His task is to bring more combat experience Everything that our brigades have learned from the war should be implemented 100% at the planning level.” Ukraine’s defence minister, Rustem Umerov, posted: “We are systematically transforming the armed forces of Ukraine to enhance their combat effectiveness. This involves restructuring the command system and implementing clear standards.”Russia launched a drone attack on Kyiv, its mayor, Vitali Klitschko, said early on Monday, adding that Ukrainian air defence units were responding. Reuters said its witnesses heard b...

Events

62 h. ago Zelenskyy names new chief of general staff to enhance Ukraine's combat effectiveness

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Andrii Hnatov as the new Chief of the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, replacing Anatoliy Barhylevych

Politics

5 d. ago QUENTIN LETTS on Keir Starmer's quango reform speech: As the blinky old sausage deserted his Centrist

Downing Street chief of staff Morgan McSweeney arranged for the Prime Minister to deliver his speech at a Hull firm that makes disinfectant and condoms.

Politics

6 d. ago Business execs are calling up Susie Wiles in panic over Trump’s mixed messages on tariffs

White House chief of staff said to be fielding calls from chief executives and lobbyists seeking clarity on the president’s policies

Politics

7 d. ago With US leadership and European support we Ukrainians may at last have peace. But don’t let Russia off the hook | Andriy Yermak

Today’s Jeddah summit will be crucial. But so too is the need for European unity to counter Russian aggression now, and deter it in the futureAndriy Yermak is head of the Ukrainian presidential officeZelenskyy’s chief of staff urges Europe to keep financial pressure on RussiaAs I arrive in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, a ceasefire in the three-year war the Russian Federation has waged on my country has never seemed closer. Recent talks between Ukraine and its partners have given rise to great hope that the Ukrainian people will very soon return to the peaceful lives that they enjoyed before the war began in 2014 or the extreme escalation since 2022.I believe that together with strong American leadership we can reach this goal. The prospect of peace – long hoped for – forces every Ukrainian to reflect on our shared gratitude, concern and determination. Gratitude for the support and confidence that we have received in recent years, concern for the future of Europe and determination to reaffir...

Politics

8 d. ago ‘No military solution’ to Ukraine war, Rubio says ahead of Saudi meetings

First official meeting of two governments since disastrous Trump-Zelenskyy encounter comes as Russia intensifies attacksThere is “no military solution” to the conflict in Ukraine, US secretary of state Marco Rubio has said ahead of high-stakes meetings on Tuesday in Saudi Arabia aimed at repairing a severely damaged relationship that has left embattled Kyiv without Washington’s support.Ukraine’s delegation, led by Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, will meet Rubio, and other senior White House officials on what is seen as neutral ground in the Saudi city of Jeddah. Continue reading...

Events

8 d. ago College chief 'asked staff for preferential treatment for relative', tribunal finds

An Employment Tribunal has ruled the staff were unfairly dismissed

Politics

1 week ago Maga adviser shares bizarre AI montage of Donald Trump’s life

Donald Trump's deputy chief of staff, Dan Scavino Jr, has posted a bizarre AI-generated montage of the US president throughout his life, from his days at New York Military Academy to his time on The Apprentice.

Politics

1 week ago House Speaker Johnson's top aide is arrested on charge of driving under the influence, police say

The chief of staff to House Speaker Mike Johnson was arrested Tuesday night on suspicion of driving under the influence after crashing into a police vehicle following President Donald Trump’s address to Congress

Events

1 week ago Speaker Mike Johnson’s chief of staff arrested on DUI charge after Trump’s speech

Spokesperson says Johnson ‘has full faith and confidence in Hayden’s ability to lead the Speaker’s office’

Politics

1 week ago Trump’s veterans affairs chief defends ‘extraordinarily difficult’ plans to cut 80,000 staff – US politics live

Doug Collins says cuts are personally difficult for him as move could undo expansion in agency’s healthcare services implemented by Joe BidenDonald Trump and Justin Trudeau will speak today, Reuters reports, citing a source with knowledge of the matter.The Canadian prime minister condemned Trump’s imposition of levies on his country yesterday, saying he was looking to make its economy collapse as part of a plan to incorporate it into the United States. Trump responded with insults, and a warning that he may tighten levies further next month. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago US and Kyiv officials to meet, Zelenskyy’s chief of staff says, after intelligence sharing with Ukraine curbed – Europe live

Andriy Yermak says he has discussed next steps with US national security adviser Mike Waltz after CIA move to force sides to negotiation tableRussia takes a positive view of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s statement last night that he is willing to negotiate over the war, the Kremlin said on Wednesday.Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, however, that it was not clear how this would work because Ukraine had a legal ban on negotiating with Russia, Reuters noted. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Blake Lively hires former CIA deputy chief of staff in stunning twist amid Justin Baldoni legal battle

Blake Lively has hired Nick Shapiro, the CIA's former deputy chief of staff, to serve as her PR crisis manager amid her escalating legal battle with Justin Baldoni.

Events

2 w. ago Zelenskyy heads for Trump White House meeting as Russia names new US ambassador – Europe live

Appointment of Alexander Darchiev is latest sign of thaw in US-Russian relationsin AthensThe peaceful scenes in central Athens have now been eclipsed by the eruption of full scale clashes between rock-throwing youths and riot police. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Budapest Pride should be held in closed venue for ‘child protection’, says government official

Viktor Orbán’s chief of staff says event this year should be taken off streetsHungary’s Budapest Pride should be held in a “closed venue” this year rather than on a city centre avenue as in previous years, the prime minister Viktor Orbán’s chief of staff has said, citing child protection.The plan, announced on Wednesday, appeared to be part of Orbán’s restrictions on the activities of the LGBTQ+ community as the nationalist leader prepares for elections in 2026 in which his right-wing Fidesz party faces an unprecedented challenge from a new opponent. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Budapest Pride should be held in closed venue for ‘child protection’, says Orbán official

Prime minister’s chief of staff says event this year should be taken off streetsHungary’s Budapest Pride should be held in a “closed venue” this year rather than on a city centre avenue as in previous years, the prime minister, Viktor Orbán’s, chief of staff has said, citing child protection.The plan, announced on Wednesday, appeared to be part of Orbán’s restrictions on the activities of the LGBTQ+ community as the nationalist leader prepares for elections in 2026 in which his rightwing Fidesz party faces an unprecedented challenge from a new opponent. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Budapest Pride should be held indoors for ‘child protection’, says Orbán official

Prime minister’s chief of staff says event this year should be taken off streetsHungary’s Budapest Pride should be held in a “closed venue” this year rather than on a city centre avenue as in previous years, the prime minister, Viktor Orbán’s, chief of staff has said, citing child protection.The plan, announced on Wednesday, appeared to be part of Orbán’s restrictions on the activities of the LGBTQ+ community as the nationalist leader prepares for elections in 2026 in which his rightwing Fidesz party faces an unprecedented challenge from a new opponent. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Wes Streeting to axe thousands of jobs at NHS England after ousting of chief executive

NHS staff fear power grab by health department as health secretary looks to shrink body due to ‘duplication’ of rolesWes Streeting will axe thousands of jobs at NHS England after his ousting of its chair and chief executive in what health service staff fear is a power grab.The health secretary’s plan follows Amanda Pritchard’s shock announcement on Monday that she was stepping down as the organisation’s chief executive next month. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Man Utd appoint new transfer chief despite Sir Jim Ratcliffe's plans to axe 200 staff

Manchester United have been making huge changes to its football structure after announcing 200 job cuts as Sir Jim Ratcliffe bids to improve the club's financial position and bring success to the team

Politics

3 w. ago Manchester United's reason behind 200 MORE job cuts club says it 'deeply regrets'

Chief executive Omar Berrada has told Manchester United staff that job losses are an unfortunate part of club's wider plan to make it profitable after five consecutive years of financial losses

Society