7 d. ago Campaigners hail plan to ban bottom trawling in half of England’s protected seas

Environmental groups welcome government proposals to clamp down on destructive fishing practiceEnvironmental groups have welcomed government proposals to ban the destructive fishing practice known as bottom trawling in half of England’s protected seas.The plan, to be announced on Monday by the environment secretary, Steve Reed, came before a UN summit in Nice to tackle the ocean’s failing health. It follows pressure from conservationists and the release of a David Attenborough film featuring rare underwater footage of the devastation to the seabed caused by bottom trawling in British waters. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago Rubio imposes sanctions on four ICC judges for ‘targeting’ US and Israel

US secretary of state cites ‘illegitimate actions’ of court that issued arrest warrants against Israeli officialsThe United States is placing sanctions on four judges from the international criminal court (ICC) for what it has called its “illegitimate actions” targeting the United States and Israel.The secretary of state, Marco Rubio, announced the sanctions in a statement on Thursday. They target Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza of Peru, Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini-Gansou of Benin and Beti Hohler of Slovenia. Continue reading...

Events

9 d. ago Rubio sanctions international criminal court judges for ‘targeting’ US and Israel

US secretary of state cites ‘illegitimate actions’ of court that issued arrest warrants against Israeli officialsThe United States is sanctioning four judges from the international criminal court (ICC) for what it has called its “illegitimate actions” targeting the United States and Israel.The secretary of state, Marco Rubio, announced the sanctions in a statement on Thursday. They target Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza of Peru, Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou of Benin and Beti Hohler of Slovenia. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Handing free school meals to all children from households that claim Universal Credit WON'T drag 100,000 out of poverty next year, says IFS

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has announced that every pupil whose household is on Universal Credit will soon have an entitlement to free school meals.

Society

1 week ago Kristi Noem says DHS investigating if Boulder suspect’s family knew attack plan amid moves to deport his wife and kids

The DHS Secretary announced on Tuesday that the wife and five children of Mohamed Sabry Soliman had been taken into custody by ICE agents

Events

1 week ago Defence Secretary announces £5 billion investment for military drones and lasers

The funding, announced by Defence Secretary John Healey, includes £4 billion for drones and autonomous systems, and an extra £1 billion for lasers to protect British ships and soldiers

Economics

1 week ago UK to become 'battle ready' with £5 billion investment for military drones and lasers

The funding, announced by Defence Secretary John Healey, includes £4 billion for drones and autonomous systems, and an extra £1 billion for lasers to protect British ships and soldiers

Events

2 w. ago Scottish Government abandons plans to create national park in Galloway

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon made the announcement at the Scottish Parliament this afternoon.

Politics

2 w. ago Marco Rubio announces US will ‘aggressively revoke’ Chinese students’s visas

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced late Wednesday that the U.S. will “aggressively revoke” visas of Chinese students.

Politics

2 w. ago Chinese students call measure 'Chinese Exclusion Act' after Rubio vows to revoke visas

Chinese students in the U.S. are scrambling to figure out their futures after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Wednesday some students would have their visas revoked

Politics

2 w. ago Trump to revoke visas for nearly 300k Chinese students as Rubio announces 'aggressive' crackdown

The Trump administration will start revoking visas for some Chinese students, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Wednesday.

Politics

2 w. ago Marco Rubio announces US will begin yanking visas of Chinese students

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced late Wednesday that the U.S. will “aggressively revoke” visas of Chinese students.

Politics

2 w. ago Marco Rubio announces visa restrictions for foreigners ‘complicit in censoring Americans’ – US politics live

US secretary of state makes announcement that appears to take aim at other countries’ enforcement of social media regulationsMusk says Trump tax bill weakens Doge cost-cutting measuresThe vice-president, JD Vance, is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the Bitcoin 2025 Conference in Vegas, which will set out the Trump administration’s turbocharged approach to the US crypto industry.If you cast your minds back, it’s the same conference Trump spoke at last year in Nashville calling for America to become a “bitcoin superpower” and the “crypto capital of the planet” under his leadership.At 4:30pm ET, Trump’s sons Eric and Donald Trump Jr will speak at the very same conference in Vegas. It’s presumably an industry they feel invested in, given they back a major Bitcoin venture themselves, per Reuters. And it comes just a day after a separate family-linked business, the Trump Media & Technology Group, announced its intention to raise $2.5bn to invest in bitcoin, as the Wall Str...

Politics

2 w. ago Labour turns fire on Farage ahead of Reform UK leader’s speech – UK politics live

Chair Ellie Reeves says Farage driven by personal ambition as he is expected to label Starmer ‘unpatriotic’ in speechEducation secretary Bridget Phillipson has announced new foundation apprenticeships, which she claimed “will make a really big difference to the lives of young people.”Speaking on BBC Breakfast, she told viewers:I’m announcing today a big step change that is really good news for young people across our country. 120,000 new opportunities to get on into trades like construction. So announcing foundation apprenticeships that are an earlier step in the career for young people.But we know we’ve got to go further, because I hear from apprentices how amazing that opportunity is, how optimistic they are about their future. I met with some bricklaying apprentices recently, really optimistic, wanting to start their own business, get on in construction.I back parents to make decisions about what’s right for them. For some parents that will involve sending their child to a privat...

Politics

3 w. ago QUENTIN LETTS: Castration! The Secretary of State was desperate to depict herself as a toughie, so she aimed below the belt

QUENTIN LETTS: Shabana Mahmood was eager to discuss castration. The Justice Secretary had just announced an unprecedented dilution of criminal sentences.

Politics

3 w. ago Chemical castration of sex offenders in regional pilot had ‘some success’ – POA

The Government has accepted a proposal in the independent sentencing review to explore further use of medication.

Politics

3 w. ago Chemical castration for paedophiles and other sex offenders will be piloted in 20 prisons and could be made mandatory, Justice Secretary announces

Shabana Mahmood announced the move in the Commons after a sentencing review found the measure was 'worthwhile' as a way to reduce reoffending.

Events

3 w. ago Chemical castration of sex offenders to be piloted in 20 prisons, says Mahmood

The Government is exploring whether to enforce the chemical castration on offenders as mandatory, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood told MPs.

Events

3 w. ago Exactly how chemical castration works and who would be forced to do it

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood is exploring plans to make chemical castration mandatory for paedophiles and rapists under plans to curb sex offenders' vile urges

Politics

3 w. ago Mandatory chemical castration 'considered' for paedophiles and rapists in UK

A voluntary scheme will see sex offenders chemically castrated in two regions in England, covering 20 prisons, as a first step to rolling out a potential mandatory programme nationwide

Politics