Politics

An opinion piece argues that No 10 lacks a coherent foreign policy and criticises Prime Minister Keir Starmer's cautious public responses to recent international events, citing a US operation involving Venezuela and ongoing crises in Ukraine, Gaza and Iran.

BCP Council will extend weekly kerb-side food waste collections to about 100,000 more residents from 6 April, adding roughly 70,000 properties in Poole and 30,000 in Bournemouth.

Senators Susan Collins and Thom Tillis publicly opposed Pentagon secretary Pete Hegseth's move to demote Senator Mark Kelly and reduce his pension after a video; Hegseth has opened an administrative retirement grade determination proceeding.

Cilia Flores and Nicolás Maduro were captured by US special forces and are being held in New York facing US criminal charges; reporting describes Flores as having held significant political influence in Venezuela.

Top Democrats criticised a US military raid in Venezuela and said lawmakers were not informed in advance; they called the action unlawful under the US Constitution. The Senate is set to debate and vote next week on a bipartisan war powers resolution to block further hostilities without Congress's approval.

Public Health Scotland reports a 12.8% drop in patients waiting more than 52 weeks for outpatient appointments between October and November 2025, marking a sixth monthly fall; the Scottish Government says levels are now lower than in April and aims for no patient to wait over 52 weeks by March 2026.

An 81-year-old man was seriously injured after being struck by a white Suzuki Ignis on Queensferry Road near Dean Bridge at about 00:30 on New Year's Day; Police Scotland is appealing for witnesses and for anyone with dash-cam footage.

The US National Security Strategy includes a proposed 'Trump Corollary' to the Monroe Doctrine, and Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro is in US custody after an arraignment with a next court date set for March 17.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch told UK media she believed the US was 'morally right' to remove Venezuela's leader. The Venezuelan president was captured by US forces and has appeared in a New York court.

Megyn Kelly urged caution about U.S. military action after reports that Nicolás Maduro was captured and taken to the United States, and she criticized Fox News' coverage; President Trump said rebuilding Venezuela could cost taxpayers and indicated elections would follow after the country is stabilized.

A YouGov poll found 51% of Britons disapprove of the US operation that led to the capture of Venezuela's president, while 21% approve. The survey also shows about 20% of Britons view Donald Trump favourably and 76% unfavourably, a margin little changed since mid-December.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund reports that on-duty officer fatalities fell from 148 in 2024 to 111 in 2025, a nearly 25% decrease, and that firearm deaths dropped to 44, the lowest in at least a decade.

President Claudia Sheinbaum said she does not see a risk of U.S. military intervention, and analysts say Trump's public threats are being used as a negotiating tactic to extract concessions.

Wes Streeting said the capture of Nicolás Maduro shows the rules-based international system is disintegrating and that the resulting instability threatens UK national security.

President Trump cited the Monroe Doctrine as part of the public rationale after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro; reports say Maduro will face criminal charges in the United States.

A Pathfinder pilot to speed family court cases has started in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, using early investigations and Child Impact Reports before hearings; the government said some pilot areas have cut case lengths and reduced backlogs.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly thanked some news organizations that were told in advance about the U.S. operation in Venezuela and said their decision not to publish details helped protect lives; Semafor reported that The New York Times and The Washington Post delayed coverage after learning of the raid in advance.

On the fifth anniversary of Jan. 6, lawmakers and others are marking the day with separate events instead of a shared memorial; Democrats have reconvened the Jan. 6 committee to hear witness testimony while House Republicans are holding separate gatherings.

President Donald Trump will meet House Republicans at a Kennedy Center policy forum as they seek alignment ahead of a critical midterm year; votes on extending expired health insurance subsidies are expected as soon as this week.

Jorge Rodriguez was sworn in on Jan. 5 as president of the National Assembly and pledged to uphold the constitution; Nicolas Maduro Guerra expressed support for interim president Delcy Rodriguez and called for the return of his parents.

Villagers along the Bangladesh‑Myanmar border have been injured and have lost limbs to landmines, and international monitors report a marked increase in mine casualties in Myanmar during 2024–25.

An external audit of 114 cases handled by former SafeSport investigator Jason Krasley prompted the agency to reopen three cases and identified lapses in professional boundaries; the report included 12 recommendations for policy changes.

A U.S. outdoor brand posted images of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro wearing its Patriot Blue hoodie after his capture; Maduro and his wife pleaded not guilty at a federal court appearance.

A man who posed as a rear admiral addressed a 2019 military parade while wearing medals later identified as unearned; he pleaded guilty and was fined, and his uniform and medals were seized and destroyed.

Police said violent crime in New Orleans fell for a third straight year in 2025, and 350 National Guard troops have begun patrolling parts of the city.

U.S. national security officials were reported to have determined that Ukraine did not target Russian President Vladimir Putin's residence; Russia had accused Ukraine of a drone strike and Ukraine denied the claim.

A new law allows authorities to seize mobile phones and SIM cards from migrants without arrest; the Home Office says seizures will begin at the Manston processing centre to gather intelligence on people‑smuggling networks.

A US military operation removed Nicolás Maduro and he is reported to face drug‑trafficking charges in a New York courtroom. President Trump's remarks about running Venezuela and his focus on oil have prompted concern among regional leaders and opposition figures.

Criminal barristers in Northern Ireland are starting an indefinite withdrawal from legally aided Crown Court cases from Monday, citing urgent concerns about Crown Court fee rates; the Justice Minister has announced a proposed 16% fee increase and the next steps remain undetermined at this time.

North Korea reported that leader Kim Jong Un observed test-flights of hypersonic missiles and said the drills were meant to assess readiness and the country’s war deterrent ahead of a major party congress.