Politics
Elections, government, and policy—from multiple perspectives. Ordered by original publication date from each source.
In pictures: US president gets red carpet welcome upon arrival for talks with China's Xi in Beijing
US President Donald Trump on Thursday told China’s Xi Jinping their countries would have “a fantastic future together”, as they began a superpower summit in Beijing on thorny issues including Iran, trade and Taiwan. Heaping praise on his host, Trump told Xi it was “an honour to be your friend”, as t...
In pictures: US president gets red carpet welcome upon arrival for talks with China's Xi
US President Donald Trump on Thursday told China’s Xi Jinping their countries would have “a fantastic future together”, as they began a superpower summit in Beijing on thorny issues including Iran, trade and Taiwan. Heaping praise on his host, Trump told Xi it was “an honour to be your friend”, as t...
Xi calls for China, US to be 'partners not rivals' as high-stakes talks with Trump kick off in Beijing
China’s Xi Jinping called for Washington and Beijing to be “partners not rivals” as two days of talks with US President Donald Trump kicked off on Thursday. The day began with Xi welcoming US President Trump with a handshake at the opulent Great Hall of the People. Accompanied by Trump, Xi sh...
Xi calls for China, US to be 'partners not rivals' as high-stakes talks with Trump begin in Beijing
China’s Xi Jinping called for Washington and Beijing to be “partners not rivals” as two days of talks with US President Donald Trump kicked off on Thursday. The day began with Xi welcoming US President Trump with a handshake at the opulent Great Hall of the People. Accompanied by Trump, Xi sh...
You’ve heard the king’s speech – but I think a better one might run like this | David Blunkett
If I were in government I’d propose a very different response to the challenges we face – starting with protecting people from the cost of livingDavid Blunkett was Labour home secretary from 2001 to 2004While I welcome many measures in the king’s speech, an alternative might look something like this...
As the right moves in on antisemitism, where does that leave the Jewish left?
After Reform politicians were cheered and progressive rabbis booed at rally against antisemitism, some fear longstanding alliances are fracturingRabbi Charley Baginsky, the co-leader of Progressive Judaism, admitted she felt apprehensive before speaking at last weekend’s central London rally against...
UAE 'denies reports' of secret Netanyahu visit
The United Arab Emirates said Thursday it “denies reports” that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly visited the country, after Netanyahu’s office said he had met with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) president during the war with Iran. Netanyahu’s office said on Wednesday he had “paid a...
Trump’s upbeat China message collides with deepening Beijing rivalry
President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping strike a warm tone in Beijing, emphasizing cooperation as trade and investment talks get underway.
China rolls out red carpet for Trump as Xi meeting tests trade, Taiwan tensions
President Donald Trump was greeted with an elaborate welcome ceremony outside Beijing’s Great Hall of the People before beginning high-stakes bilateral meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Safe return of seamen held by Somali pirates demanded
KARACHI: Ambreen Fatima protested in Karachi with her children on Wednesday for the release of her husband, one of 10 Pakistani crew aboard an oil tanker seized by Somali pirates 23 days ago, and who is now drinking uncleaned tank water to survive, she said. The MT Honour 25, a Palau-flagged product...
Towards middle power status
THE period between May 2025 and May 2026 has been unusually consequential for Pakistan. In May 2025, the country surprised observers by demonstrating a high degree of capability and professionalism in an aerial war with a much larger power. More recently, a nation often portrayed as peripheral to gl...
Faltering tax effort
OVER the past 10 years the state’s tax effort has burdened compliant taxpayers more and more even as it has largely abandoned any attempt to broaden the tax base or bring in more taxpayers. The results are revealing when you look at the revenue numbers over the preceding decade. From 2015 till 2025,...
IMF funds arrive as govt opens pre-budget talks
• Aurangzeb, mission discusses revenue targets, tax measures, reforms, fiscal strategy• Lender stresses need for fiscal discipline• Minister heads to China for Panda bond launch ISLAMABAD / KARACHI: Pakistan has received fresh inflows of $1.3 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), ...
Trump in Beijing
DONALD Trump’s arrival in Beijing marks the first China visit by a sitting US president in almost a decade. That alone makes the summit significant. But the timing has given it even greater weight. Originally planned for April but delayed because of the US-Israeli war on Iran, the talks now unfold u...
Liaqat posthumously awarded for foiling suicide attack
(LEFT to right) President Asif Ali Zardari confers the Sitara-i-Shuja’at upon the mother of Liaqat Ali, a former railway employee who thwarted a suicide attack in Attock; the Hilal-i-Imtiaz upon playwright Asghar Nadeem Syed, and cricketer Shahid Afridi at an investiture ceremony held at Aiwan-i-Sad...
Trump and Xi meet for high-stakes talks in Beijing
Chinese leader Xi Jinping welcomed US President Donald Trump with a handshake on Thursday in Beijing for a superpower summit on thorny issues including Iran, trade and Taiwan. Xi greeted Trump at the opulent Great Hall of the People at just past 10:00am (0200 GMT), a grand reception that belies the ...
Trump, Xi meet in Beijing for high-stakes summit
US President Donald Trump met Chinese leader Xi Jinping at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People for a high-stakes summit. The two leaders shook hands after Trump arrived in a motorcade to the steps, where a US delegation, including US State Secretary Marco Rubio, War Secretary Pete Hegseth and busines...
It never ends: GOP moves to fund border; Democrats blast Trump spending
Congressional Republicans moved to fund border security while Democrats objected to added Trump security funds to extend DHS funding in Congress.
It never ends: GOP moves to fund border, Democrats blast Trump spending
Republicans move to fund border security while Democrats object to added Trump security funds, prolonging DHS funding in Congress.
Vance turns up heat on states with federal cash threat over Medicaid fraud crackdown
Vice President JD Vance threatens to cut anti-fraud funding to states that don't prosecute Medicaid fraud, singling out California, New York and Hawaii.
Starmer warns of 'chaos' amid speculation about challenge
Health Secretary Wes Streeting is thought to be plotting a Labour leadership challenge as early as Thursday.
Starmer warns against leadership contest in pleas to ministers and MPs
Sir Keir battles to save his job, as Health Secretary Wes Streeting is thought to be plotting a leadership challenge potentially as early as Thursday.
Keir Starmer sets out changes to education, health and courts in king’s speech
King Charles unveils government agenda for the next year as PM faces leadership threat from within LabourKeir Starmer attempted to reassert his authority over his restive party on Wednesday, announcing his plans for the next parliamentary session even as speculation grew that he would be challenged ...
'Chaos' to come, warns PM if Streeting triggers leadership race today
The prime minister has warned there will be "chaos" if the Labour Party is plunged into a leadership contest, as he faces a seemingly imminent challenge from Wes Streeting.