Laura O'Callaghan
Laura O'Callaghan
Political Correspondent


Zaineh Abed Alhameed, an Emirati student at King's College London, is helping her fellow Arab students build connections with each other through a club. Amy McConaghy / The National
Emirati sets up club for 'Arabs helping Arabs' at world's top universities

About 100 Arab students scattered across the US and Europe joined the club in the first year

October 23, 2023, 10:39 AM
Ukrainian troops fire a howitzer towards Russian forces at a position in the Donetsk region. Reuters
Zelenskyy appeals to Nato for more arms as Ukraine braces for winter

Plea comes amid fears Israel-Hamas war could divert western attention away from Ukraine

October 11, 2023, 11:02 AM
An Israeli army self-propelled howitzer fires rounds near the border with Gaza in southern Israel on Wednesday. AFP
Scotland's Yousaf urges UK to press Israel for ceasefire with Hamas

Scotland's First Minister says innocent civilians including children should not pay the price for Gaza conflict

October 11, 2023, 10:12 AM
Supporters of Israel and Palestine have been holding rallies around the globe amid the Israel-Gaza war. AFP
Israel-Gaza war hits home for Labour's loyal supporters

Britain's largest left-wing party still recovering from anti-Semitism scandal under previous leadership

October 10, 2023, 8:09 PM
Sir Keir Starmer delivered his speech to the Labour Party conference on Tuesday, setting out his vision to lead Britain. Bloomberg
Labour's Keir Starmer vows to heal UK in decade of power

He suggested he wants to serve as PM for at least two terms, laying out his plan for 10 years of growth

October 10, 2023, 1:14 PM
Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves received plaudits for her Labour Party conference speech, while party leader Keir Starmer is set to outline a vision for prosperity. AFP
Labour promises bright future for British economy

Opposition party vows to make Britain the best-performing economy in the G7

October 10, 2023, 12:25 PM
Israeli soldiers gather at an area at the border with Gaza, the scene of heavy fighting. EPA
Labour hopes Abraham Accords can inspire peace in Gaza and Israel

Opposition believes UK should work with regional partners to help Israel establish relations with Arab nations

October 10, 2023, 4:00 AM
Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy addresses delegates on the second day of the annual Labour Party conference in Liverpool. AFP
Israel-Gaza war causes Labour divisions to resurface

Party leadership says Israel has a right to defend itself but voices elsewhere in the ranks disagree

October 09, 2023, 12:01 PM
Labour leader Keir Starmer laid out 'five missions for a better Britain'. PA
What are Labour leader Keir Starmer's top priorities?

The opposition leader is increasingly looking overseas to boost his image as a prime minister-in-waiting

October 08, 2023, 5:00 AM
Activists from Just Stop Oil take part in a slow march in Westminster earlier this year. Getty Images
Major donor pulls funding from Just Stop Oil

Eco magnate Dale Vince took part in Just Stop Oil's slow marches through London this summer

October 06, 2023, 6:05 PM
UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed meets UK shadow foreign secretary David Lammy to discuss the UAE-UK’s Partnership for the Future. Photo: @UAEEmbassyUK/ X
UAE Foreign Minister hosts UK's David Lammy for green talks

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed's meeting with Labour Party spokesman included discussions on the UK-UAE Partnership for the Future

October 06, 2023, 10:53 AM
UN special envoy Mark Carney said businesses must urgently step up the fight against global warming. Bloomberg
Mark Carney backs Pope Francis's climate warning

Former Bank of England chief backs the Pope's plea for urgent action ahead of Cop28

October 05, 2023, 4:22 PM
Police have caught smugglers who used lorries to transport cocaine, cannabis and other drugs into Finland. Reuters
Finland seizes 100kg of drugs in bust of ring linked to Swedish gangs

Police in Helsinki are questioning 17 people arrested after raids

October 04, 2023, 11:36 AM
A presenter prepares to go on air at Iran International's new studio in north London. Victoria Pertusa / The National
Defiance as Iranian TV channel reopens in London under tight security

TV station was forced to shut down in the UK for seven months due to threats from Tehran

October 04, 2023, 9:50 AM
A boat carrying about 50 migrants illegally crosses the English Channel en route to Britain. Getty
Conservative MPs urge Rishi Sunak to halve visas for foreign workers

The New Conservatives want to see work rights for foreign students and migrants curbed

October 02, 2023, 9:01 AM