1 hour ago EDF investment hailed as ‘vote of confidence in UK’, despite reduced stake

French state-owned electricity company EDF said it had agreed in principle to invest £1.1 billion in the power plant on the Suffolk coastline.

Politics

7 h. ago UK government backs French police immobilising small boats, minister says

Heidi Alexander says new tactics are ‘welcome’ and would prevent people leaving French shores to cross ChannelUK politics live – latest updatesFrench police slashing the boats of people smugglers was not “pleasant” but the right tactics, a UK cabinet minister has said, saying the government welcomed the new tactics from the authorities.It comes as Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron are expected to announce new plans for French police to do more to block small boats crossing the Channel when the French president arrives for his state visit in London this week. Continue reading...

Politics

16 h. ago Macron to arrive in UK with Starmer set to press for help on small boats

Mr Macron’s trip is the first state visit by a French president since 2008.

Politics

4 d. ago Channel crossing migrants should face prosecution if child dies – Home Secretary

Yvette Cooper appeared to suggest that getting on an overcrowded boat could result in prosecution.

Events

6 d. ago Ministers ‘have to work harder’ to bring down small boat numbers – McFadden

The tally for 2025 is approaching 20,000.

Politics

6 d. ago The Guardian view on Europe’s heatwave: leaders should remind the public why ambitious targets matter | Editorial

With net zero targets under attack from the populist right, dangerously high temperatures should refocus mindsAt times like now, with dangerously high temperatures in several European countries, the urgent need for adaptation to an increasingly unstable climate is clearer than ever. From the French government’s decision to close schools to the bans in most of Italy on outdoor work at the hottest time of day, the immediate priority is to protect people from extreme heat – and to recognise that a heatwave can take a higher toll than a violent storm.People who are already vulnerable, due to age or illness or poor housing, face the greatest risks from heatwaves. As well as changes to rules and routines, public health warnings are vital, especially where records are being broken and people are unfamiliar with the conditions. In the scorching European summer of 2022, an estimated 68,000 people died due to heat. Health, welfare and emergency systems must respond to those nee...

Politics

7 d. ago Children crossing Channel from France exposed to teargas, report says

NGO says rise in interventions has only increased danger as new data shows at least 15 children died in transit last yearChildren and babies coming to the UK on small boats from northern France have been teargassed and subjected to tactics such as the discharge of rubber bullets and the slashing of dinghies with knives, according to a new report.The publication on Tuesday of We Want to Be Safe, by the French non-governmental organisation Project Play, came as the latest figures on daily crossings released by the UK government reached an all-time high of 19,982 for the first six months of the year, a 40% increase compared with the same period last year. Continue reading...

Society

7 d. ago Temperature records shatter as heatwave grips Europe and UK records hottest day of year

Public health warnings as heatwave raises concerns about impact of climate changeWhat you need to know about heatwavesThe French prime minister François Bayrou, who attended a government crisis meeting over the heatwave, was asked about the great difficulty of French schools to handle the heatwave.More than 1,350 schools across France were fully or partially closed on Tuesday as classrooms proved dangerously hot for children and teachers, amid anger from teaching unions. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Paris on red alert as Europe faces extreme heat with weather warnings across the continent

Public health warnings as heatwave raises concerns about impact of climate changeWhat you need to know about heatwavesThe French prime minister François Bayrou, who attended a government crisis meeting over the heatwave, was asked about the great difficulty of French schools to handle the heatwave.More than 1,350 schools across France were fully or partially closed on Tuesday as classrooms proved dangerously hot for children and teachers, amid anger from teaching unions. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago UK and France to agree migrant return deal to tackle Channel crossings – reports

The deal could see migrants who arrive in the UK by crossing the English Channel in small boats returned to France.

Economics

1 week ago Ministers accused of seeking 'gimmicks' with 'one in, one out' migrant deal with France to solve small boats crisis

No10 refused to comment on reports that an agreement could be reached within days to drastically alter the way the Channel migrant influx can be dealt with.

Politics

2 w. ago French Socialists threaten to topple Bayrou government over pensions

Failure of talks between unions and employers about retirement age could trigger censure vote

Politics

2 w. ago An implosion, a collapse or a transition: what would regime change in Iran look like?

Some western leaders have welcomed the idea of the toppling of Iran’s supreme leader, but no planning has been made for the aftermath if it happensAt the G7 in Canada, differences within Europe about the wisdom of regime change in Iran could not have been more stark.The French president, Emmanuel Macron, warned against toppling a government “when you have no idea what comes next”. Insisting that he had no time for the Iranian government, Macron argued that it was for the people of Iran to choose their rulers. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Starmer to cut visas for countries who fail to sign return agreements for illegal migrants

After talks at the G7 over the ‘deteriorating situation’ with the small boats on the Channel, the prime minister has vowed to take tougher action

Events

3 w. ago Israeli stands at Paris airshow shut down ‘by order of French government’

Four booths hidden from view, prompting fury from Israel’s defence ministry and visiting US RepublicansBusiness live – latest updatesThe four main Israeli company stands at the Paris airshow have been shut down after exhibitors reportedly refused to remove some weapons from display.The stands at the aerospace industry event were hidden from view after pressure on the organisers from the French government, a source told the Guardian. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Keir Starmer forced to beg Emmanuel Macron to do more to stop the boats as 1,500 migrants cross the Channel in just four days 

The Prime Minister will discuss the growing small boats crisis (pictured) with Emmanuel Macron at the G7 gathering of world leaders in Canada this week.

Politics

3 w. ago Starmer resists recognising Palestinian state as unions’ demand deepens Labour split

Exclusive: The Independent has seen a communique between the TUC and the French and Canadian union umbrella bodies demanding their governments recognise Palestine as a state immediately, with Labour on the brink of a civil war over the issue

Politics

3 w. ago Starmer resists recognising unilateral Palestinian state as unions demand deepens Labour split

Exclusive: The Independent has seen a communique between the TUC and the French and Canadian union umbrella bodies demanding their governments recognise Palestine as a state immediately with Labour on the brink of a civil war over the issue

Politics

3 w. ago Starmer resists recognising unilateral Palestinian state as Labour split deepens

Exclusive: The Independent has seen a communique between the TUC and the French and Canadian union umbrella bodies demanding their governments recognise Palestine as a state immediately with Labour on the brink of a civil war over the issue

Politics

3 w. ago More migrants arrive in UK after blundering Labour minister claimed majority on small boats were women and children

More people have been spotted arriving in the UK via small boats after making the dangerous crossing of the English Channel from France after a Labour Minister had to issue the clarification.

Politics