Today
As Trump sides with Putin, Europe’s urgent race to rearm
If the US military ships out, the Europeans will need speed, cohesion and piles of money – not exactly attributes they’re famous for.
Tate brothers land in the US after Romania lifts travel ban
The brothers are under investigation in Romania on accusations of forming an organised criminal group, human trafficking and trafficking of minors.
Yesterday
European football club takeovers halve in a year
Just 23 clubs in Europe changed hands in 2024, according to figures from governing body UEFA, a steep drop from the 44 that were sold in 2023, and 48 in 2022.
The ex-Goldman banker who became Vladimir Putin’s dealmaker
A US-educated former Goldman Sachs banker, Kirill Dmitriev has cut an unexpected figure at recent talks between the US and Russia in Riyadh.
Don’t like Trump’s $8m ‘gold card’ visa? Try Europe for $413,000
The president wants to charge almost $8 million for a visa. Yet for as little as $413,000, you can buy a flat in a Mediterranean country and get permanent residency too.
Zelensky to meet Trump on ‘very big’ minerals deal
Ukraine’s president said he needed to speak with Donald Trump about the details, while Donald Trump said the US would not give Ukraine guarantees “beyond very much”.
Was this the day the UN died?
When the US backed Russia’s and China’s take on the Ukraine war this week, it could have been a tactical move. Or the start of America’s break with the UN.
This Month
Ukraine agrees to minerals deal after US drops toughest demands
Kyiv is now ready to sign the pact on jointly developing its resources after Washington abandoned its wish for a right to $US500 billion in potential revenue.
Trump’s threats push Starmer into a more global, military agenda
The UK’s new defence spending plan comes at a crunch moment for the British prime minister before he meets Donald Trump in the White House.
Theft of $8m golden loo from palace was done ‘in just 5 minutes’
The fully functioning loo, installed as an artwork at England’s Blenheim Palace, has never been recovered and is believed to have been split up and disposed of.
Trump, Macron bromance: ‘We’re gonna get this’ Ukraine deal done
The French president wants to heal the trans-Atlantic relationship. Meanwhile, Trump says a deal on Ukraine’s minerals is imminent.
Europe, Australia must fight to keep the world safe from Trump
Europe and its allies will have to defend liberal democracy without American support.
Germany eyes $330b emergency defence fund to counter Russia
New chancellor Friedrich Merz is looking to free up resources to beef up Germany’s dilapidated military to counter Russian aggression.
German election winner Merz vows ‘independence from US’
In blunt remarks after his victory, the chancellor-in-waiting criticised the “ultimately outrageous” comments flowing from Washington during the campaign.
‘Next time we’ll come first’: German far-right celebrates breakthrough
The AfD has little chance of joining the government, but leader Alice Weidel thinks it’s only a matter of time before that changes.
Zelensky offers to step down as president in exchange for peace
His offer to step aside follows reports last week that Ukraine may be forced to hold elections before any final deal is signed with Russia.
Germany’s new leader may face Trump with one hand tied behind his back
Friedrich Merz faces urgent economic and geopolitical crises. But to form a coalition he needs to turn foes into friends – and that will make it hard to govern.
US, Ukraine ramp talks on minerals deal
Ukrainian and American negotiators are seeking to move past the breakdown in transatlantic relations this week to finalise a deal on critical minerals.
Scholz promised stability, but Germany got chaos instead
The deeper rot in German governance will require more fundamental reforms than any coalition is likely to deliver.
‘Disgusting graft machine’: Musk backs Trump’s attacks on Zelensky
The rant came as Trump’s team swings behind his strategy of courting Russia, while Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer prepare to visit Washington.
Trump has smashed the Western alliance. Here’s what could happen next
With his broadsides against Ukraine, Trump has turned the world order on its head, leaving Europe reeling. Why is he doing it, and how can US allies respond?
Trump warns Zelensky time is running out for Ukraine
The US president said his Ukrainian counterpart must move quickly to secure peace, and suggested he was prolonging the war to “ride the gravy train”.
Russian wealth fund sees US companies returning in 2025
Some in Russia think economic ties will soon be resumed following the most senior US-Russia meeting this week on the Ukraine war since it began.
Trump demands Zelensky hold elections if he wants peace deal
The US and Russia agreed to lay the groundwork for ending the conflict, something unthinkable a month ago. The Ukrainian president was excluded from the talks.
What Trump has in common with the Caesars
Roman emperor Augustus understood, just as Donald Trump does, that to stand at the head of a superpower is to stand as an actor upon the great stage of the world.