37 m. ago France has survived revolutions and wars: its crisis now is deep, but not terminal | David A Bell

From the raid on the Louvre to the spectacle of Sarkozy in jail, it is tempting to think France is on a downward spiral. But history tells the tale of its resilienceIn the classic dinner-party scene in the film Notting Hill, Tim McInnerney’s character promises a brownie to “the saddest act here”. In response, the guests (including the glamorous movie star played by Julia Roberts) try to outdo each other with tales of their painful suffering and pathetic failures.In our gloomy autumn of 2025, western democracies could play quite a convincing version of this game. There is the depressed United Kingdom, where Keir Starmer’s approval ratings have fallen to record lows and Reform leads in the polls. There is the deeply broken United States, where a supine opposition seems incapable of preventing Donald Trump from chopping away one guardrail after another of our constitutional order. There is Spain, where this summer a Socialist party scandal threatened to topple the fragile minority gove...

Events

68 m. ago Scottish Labour figures believe Keir Starmer will quit if SNP wins Holyrood election

EXCLUSIVE: Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has been urged to be bolder while another insider urged party MPs north of the border to "shut the f**k up".

Politics

5 h. ago Manhunt continues for asylum seeker released from prison by mistake

Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu had been jailed for the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl.

Events

7 h. ago Grooming gang survivor threatens to sue minister in row over inquiry’s focus

Solicitors for Fiona Goddard wrote to minister Jess Phillips on Friday demanding an apology.

Events

7 h. ago 'A level of incompetence that beggars belief': Kemi rips into PM as manhunt continues after Epping asylum hotel sex attacker is freed by mistake

A police manhunt was sparked for sex offender Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu after he was accidentally released back into the community rather than to an immigration centre.

Events

8 h. ago Starmer urges allies to ‘finish the job’ on Russian assets as coalition of willing meet in London

The Prime Minister condemned Vladimir Putin’s ‘ludicrous demands’ for Ukrainian land as ‘a non-starter’

Politics

9 h. ago Asylum seeker freed in error from prison seen taking train to London

Ethiopian national Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu had been jailed for the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl.

Events

10 h. ago Starmer vows Ukraine allies will take Russian oil and gas off market after Trump sanctions

Sir Keir Starmer said the coalition of the willing has agreed on a ‘clear plan for the rest of the year’ in supporting Kyiv

Politics

10 h. ago Ukraine's allies turn screws as Putin 'running out of money, troops and ideas'

Keir Starmer said Ukraine allies would 'go further than ever' to pile pressure on Russia by turning the screws on its economy and bolstering Kyiv's arsenal with long-range missiles

Politics

10 h. ago Britain leads allies' bid to 'choke off funding' for Russia's war machine

Sir Keir Starmer vowed to 'choke funding for Russia's war machine' - but Ukraine is to miss out on much needed long-range missiles. The UK, US and EU are combining to block Kremlin oil and gas.

Events

10 h. ago Keir Starmer urges allies to 'finish the job' on using frozen Russian assets to strengthen Ukraine's defences

The Prime Minister also labelled Vladimir Putin's 'ludicrous demands' for Ukrainian land as 'a non-starter' as he led a meeting of the so-called 'Coalition of the Willing' in London today.

Politics

12 h. ago ‘Ukraine’s future is our future’, says Starmer, as he vows coalition will take Russian oil and gas off market to choke funding – Europe live

Zelenskyy, Starmer and members of ‘coalition of willing’ give press conferenceA forthcoming trip by German foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, to China has been cancelled amid growing fears that Beijing’s restriction on semiconductor and rare earth exports could paralyse the country’s car industry.“We are postponing the journey to a later time,” the spokesperson told a regular press briefing on Friday. “The Chinese side was ultimately able to confirm only the appointment with the Chinese foreign minister, and could not confirm any other additional appointments,” a foreign ministry spokesperson said. Continue reading...

Society

13 h. ago Zelensky warns Putin is creating a 'humanitarian disaster' in Ukraine as he meets Starmer and other leaders in London to discuss supplying long

Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the Ukrainian president to Downing Street on Friday ahead of talks on how to increase pressure on Moscow and boost Ukraine's defences.

Events

14 h. ago Zelenskyy says Putin pushing Ukraine towards ‘humanitarian disaster’ as he meets Starmer and European leaders – Europe live

Volodymyr Zelenskyy warns of human cost of attacks on energy infrastructureA forthcoming trip by German foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, to China has been cancelled amid growing fears that Beijing’s restriction on semiconductor and rare earth exports could paralyse the country’s car industry.“We are postponing the journey to a later time,” the spokesperson told a regular press briefing on Friday. “The Chinese side was ultimately able to confirm only the appointment with the Chinese foreign minister, and could not confirm any other additional appointments,” a foreign ministry spokesperson said. Continue reading...

Politics

14 h. ago Two men charged with arson over attack on mosque remanded in custody

Ricky Ryder, 38, and Jack Slowey, 34, are accused of arson with intent to endanger life over the incident in East Sussex earlier this month.

Events

14 h. ago Zelensky meets Starmer ahead of talks with allies to boost Ukraine’s defences

The Ukrainian president joined the Prime Minister at Number 10 on Friday.

Politics

15 h. ago Key witness removed word ‘enemy’ from evidence over China spy case as spotlight turns on Rishi Sunak

Rishi Sunak was the only politician to be sent the final draft of Collins’ statement, according to letter from national security adviser

Politics

16 h. ago Zelenskyy at Downing Street for talks with Starmer and ‘coalition of willing’ after meeting King Charles – Europe live

Volodymyr Zelenskyy set to press case for using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s defencesA forthcoming trip by German foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, to China has been cancelled amid growing fears that Beijing’s restriction on semiconductor and rare earth exports could paralyse the country’s car industry.“We are postponing the journey to a later time,” the spokesperson told a regular press briefing on Friday. “The Chinese side was ultimately able to confirm only the appointment with the Chinese foreign minister, and could not confirm any other additional appointments,” a foreign ministry spokesperson said. Continue reading...

Politics

17 h. ago Sir Keir Starmer issues update on new digital ID cards after backlash

Protests against the proposed scheme took place in London last weekend

Politics

17 h. ago Zelenskyy meets King Charles before discussion with Starmer and ‘coalition of the willing’ over military support – Europe live

King Charles hosts Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Windsor Castle before meeting to consider using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s defencesA forthcoming trip by German foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, to China has been cancelled amid growing fears that Beijing’s restriction on semiconductor and rare earth exports could paralyse the country’s car industry.“We are postponing the journey to a later time,” the spokesperson told a regular press briefing on Friday. “The Chinese side was ultimately able to confirm only the appointment with the Chinese foreign minister, and could not confirm any other additional appointments,” a foreign ministry spokesperson said. Continue reading...

Events