politics
Everything we've covered on politics — reports and explainers.
Stories
Developing
France to close up to 500 schools on Monday after student protests
The planned closures follow days of unrest over state education standards, with ministers promising a phased return to lessons.
Breaking
Green Party members vote to define Zionism as racism
Green Party members have voted to define Zionism as a form of racism, prompting sharp condemnation from Israel, Labour, and the Conservative
UK
EU rejects diesel export ban following Trump threats as UK pump prices reach £2 a litre
Brussels dismisses proposed fuel export restrictions despite pressure from Washington as G7 ministers hold emergency talks on record pump pr
UK
Andy Burnham backtracks after defending Manchester City over rule breaches
Downing Street has moved to clarify remarks made by Prime Minister Andy Burnham after he expressed concern about Manchester City's owners po
World
US dispatches third carrier strike group as Trump weighs new Iran assault
The deployment of the USS Theodore Roosevelt and 10,000 troops could create the largest American military presence in the Middle East since
Developing
DWP gets powers to ban benefit fraudsters from driving
The Department for Work and Pensions has been granted new powers to suspend driving licences and deduct money directly from bank accounts to
Developing
More than 80 Palestine Action protesters arrested outside Labour Conference
Merseyside Police have dealt with 161 demonstrators and arrested 82 people during protests in Liverpool as the Labour Party Annual Conferenc
Breaking
Burnham sets out plans for pensions, social care and water reform in keynote Labour address
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has outlined major domestic policy shifts in his first Labour conference speech as leader, proposing changes to
UK
Chancellor John Healey promises 'new age of industrialisation'
John Healey is set to announce domestic shipbuilding contracts and workplace training funds in his first Labour conference speech as chancel
UK
Andy Burnham declines to back Heathrow third runway amid four-year delay
The Prime Minister has described the airport expansion as 'contested' and a matter for London MPs, as new figures put the cost of the delaye
UK
Government plans new powers for councils to seize empty homes alongside 2.5% deposit scheme
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner announces measures to help councils take over vacant properties, following the prime minister's equity loan
World
Trump renames Strait of Hormuz after rejecting Iranian proposal to reopen waterway
The US president has rebranded the critical trade corridor the 'Trump Strait' while dismissing Tehran's seven-day plan, though markets antic
Breaking
Drumcree parade dispute reignites after march cleared in Portadown
Hundreds of protesters have blocked the Drumcree parade route after the Orange Order was granted clearance to walk the Garvaghy Road for the
World
Man shot in Donald Trump assassination attempt dies aged 76
James Copenhaver has died in hospital from complications linked to bullet wounds sustained during the 2024 assassination attempt on Donald T
UK
Glasgow City Council pauses plan to fire and rehire 23,000 staff
Dismissal notices have been put on hold after the Scottish government intervened to bring council leaders and trade unions back into pay tal
Breaking
Andy Burnham rules out calling early general election
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has dismissed speculation of a snap general election, confirming he plans to wait until 2029 despite Labour's le
Developing
Protesters demand Benjamin Netanyahu’s arrest outside UN as more than 100 detained in New York
Demonstrators in New York have called for the immediate arrest of the Israeli prime minister as he addressed the UN General Assembly followi
World
Trump and Xi toast 'new chapter' at White House dinner amid outside protests and press access row
The lavish state dinner celebrated US-China ties and drew top business leaders, despite demonstrations outside the gates and ongoing restric
World
Donald Trump welcomes China's Xi Jinping to White House
US President Donald Trump has hosted Chinese premier Xi Jinping in Washington for his first American visit in a decade, amid trade disputes
Breaking
UK rejects Argentine President's Falkland Islands threats at UN
Britain has condemned remarks by Argentinian President Javier Milei after he told the United Nations his country could take matters into its
UK
Vocational GCSEs to be introduced in England from 2029
Ministers are overhauling secondary education with new practical qualifications for 14-year-olds and a target of 200,000 work experience pla
UK
Tories propose benefit card banning alcohol and cigarette purchases
The Conservatives have proposed cutting benefits by 30% for long-term unemployed claimants and placing payments onto a card that bans spendi
UK
Government to review football alcohol ban despite police backlash
Ministers plan to review the 1985 restrictions on drinking in view of the pitch with a view to lifting them, prompting strong opposition fro
World
Trump says he can 'do business' with Burnham after first face-to-face talks
The US president gave a warm assessment of the new prime minister in New York, but renewed his attack on the paused Chagos Islands deal.
UK
Reform MSPs walk out of Holyrood over independence debate
Reform UK politicians staged a walkout at the Scottish Parliament after calling a debate on Scottish independence an insult and a waste of t
World
Judge orders White House to restore access for barred news organisations
A federal court has issued a temporary restraining order against Donald Trump's media ban, granting CNN, Politico and MS NOW immediate 14-da
UK
RAF Voyager to fly defensive Saudi refuelling sorties from Cyprus in coming days
A single British tanker aircraft based at RAF Akrotiri will assist Saudi jets intercepting Houthi attacks following approval from Andy Burnh
Developing
Imran Khan's sister Aleema Khanum arrested in Lahore
Aleema Khanum, sister of Pakistan's imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan, has been detained by police in Lahore ahead of planned nati
UK
Russians seek exits as Moscow vows to step up strikes following massive drone assault
Russian officials pledge to intensify attacks on Kyiv after an unprecedented drone barrage on the capital region, prompting an increase in r
World
Houthi missile attack on Riyadh sends smoke rising over airport
Saudi Arabia has confirmed an attempted ballistic missile strike on the capital as Houthi rebels launch a wider wave of drone and missile at
UK
New Scottish Labour leader Michael Marra backs Rosebank and Jackdaw North Sea fields
In one of his first acts after winning the leadership ballot, Michael Marra has called for a "more rational" energy policy and urg
UK
Journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico turned away from White House as Trump enforces ban
Reporters from three major US news organisations have had their passes deactivated and confiscated at the gates following Donald Trump's ord
Breaking
Greenland security deal met with Danish scepticism as Burnham welcomes pact
Danish commentators and politicians question Donald Trump's claims of an unprecedented Arctic agreement as Greater Manchester's mayor welcom
Breaking
Russian election concludes under wave of drone strikes as ruling party tightens grip
United Russia has secured a commanding lead in the first parliamentary vote since the invasion of Ukraine, as voting ended amid a massive Uk
UK
Badenoch instructs lawyers over Wandsworth 94% council tax hike
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is exploring legal action against the government after funding cuts prompted a planned 94% council tax ris
UK
Poland warns Vladimir Putin plotting 'hybrid' strikes on Ukraine's allies
Donald Tusk tells parliament intelligence assessments show Moscow preparing 'accidental' drone and missile strikes to test NATO's collective
UK
Reform UK majority at risk as three Durham councillors quit
Three councillors have resigned from Reform UK's flagship administration on Durham Council, reducing the party's majority to 51 seats.
UK
US interest rates raised to 4% in three-year first
The US Federal Reserve has raised interest rates for the first time in more than three years, defying demands from President Donald Trump to
Developing
Reform UK’s Welsh leader Dan Thomas denies wrongdoing as he stands down following arrest
Dan Thomas has insisted he did nothing wrong and said he stepped down to avoid being a distraction after being arrested on suspicion of assa
UK
US Supreme Court rejects Donald Trump's mail-in ballot plea
The US Supreme Court has turned down an eleventh-hour request from Donald Trump to enforce restrictions on postal voting just weeks before t
World
Three killed in Philippines shooting ahead of regional parliamentary election
Three people have died and at least 15 others have been injured in a shootout outside a school in Cotabato City on the eve of historic regio
UK
Russian drone strikes train two kilometres from Polish border near Western delegation
An evacuation order was issued 15 minutes before a Russian jet-propelled drone hit a locomotive at Yahodyn as Western dignitaries, including
World
Irish whiskey sector and ministers welcome Trump tariff abolition as unity row deepens
The Irish Whiskey Association and Tánaiste Simon Harris have welcomed Donald Trump's decision to drop US tariffs on Irish whiskey, as the US
UK
Former Met detective selected as Reform UK by-election candidate
Former counter-terrorism commander Pete Newman will contest the Holborn and St Pancras seat vacated by Sir Keir Starmer. The by-election tak
UK
Nigel Farage insists £72m Reform UK donations are legal as government plans retrospective overseas donor caps
The Reform UK leader says billionaire donors Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne are registered British voters, as Downing Street confirms pro
Breaking
MPs vote against fresh attempt to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales
The House of Commons has rejected the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill by 286 votes to 270, halting the latest effort to change the
Local
Details emerge of Russian drone incursions during Volodymyr Zelenskyy departure from Moldova
Fresh reports reveal two Russian drones breached Moldovan airspace, shutting Chisinau airport and sparking a fire as Volodymyr Zelenskyy dep
Breaking
Police launch criminal investigation into Reform UK donations
The Metropolitan Police has opened a criminal investigation into allegations that Reform UK breached foreign funding laws following an under