Herald section
The latest politics reporting from The Belfast Herald.
Stormont has approved the UK government's Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will prohibit tobacco sales to those born on or after 1 January 2009. The law aims to create a smoke-free generation by preventing young people from starting to smoke.
The Stormont Assembly has approved a Legislative Consent Motion to extend the Pet Abduction Bill to Northern Ireland, making the theft of cats and dogs a specific criminal offence.
Thousands protested in Malmö, Sweden, against Israel's inclusion in the Eurovision Song Contest, with Greta Thunberg among attendees. Demonstrators cited the Israel-Hamas war and called for a ceasefire.
John Swinney has been elected First Minister of Scotland following a parliamentary vote, securing 64 votes in favour and seven abstentions from the Scottish Greens.
The SDLP will amend its constitution to regularise appointments to civil leadership roles following internal dissent over Lilian Seenoi-Barr's selection as mayor of Derry City and Strabane.
Sadiq Khan secured a historic third term as mayor of London, winning 1,088,225 votes and becoming the first mayor to achieve this, defeating Conservative rival Susan Hall by over 276,000 votes.
SDLP councillor Lilian Seenoi-Barr has been selected as the next mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, making her the first Black person to hold the position in Northern Ireland.
Hawai'i has become the first U.S. state to formally call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, following legislative approval of a resolution urging U.S. federal action.
