Consultation continues on tighter Northern Ireland particulate limits
DAERA is consulting until 31 August on draft regulations that would introduce tighter annual-average PM10 and PM2.5 limits, targets and objectives from 1 January 2028.
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Politics
The latest politics reporting from The Belfast Herald.
Trump signs bill ending record Homeland Security shutdown
The U.S. president signed legislation funding most of the Department of Homeland Security, ending the longest agency shutdown in history, after a deadlock over immigration enforcement funding.
Hilary Benn joins O'Neill and Little-Pengelly for £129m growth deal signing
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn, First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly signed a £129m growth deal for the Causeway Coast and Glens area on 29 April 2026.
Bennett and Lapid merge parties ahead of Knesset elections
Former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid have merged their parties into a new unified party named Together, with space left for Gadi Eisenkot. The move aims to form a government for all of Israel and challenge Benjamin Netanyahu in upcoming elections.
DUP councillor suspended for linking LGBTQ community to Hamas support
Colin Kennedy, a DUP councillor on Ards and North Down Borough Council, was suspended for three months by the Northern Ireland Local Government Standards Commissioner over remarks made in 2023 that associated the LGBTQ community with support for Hamas.
UK bans cigarette purchases for those born after 31 December 2008
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill passes in British parliament, banning anyone born after 31 December 2008 from purchasing tobacco products in England. The law will take effect on 1 January 2027.
Irish government survives no confidence vote over fuel protests
The government of the 34th Dáil won a no confidence motion tabled by Sinn Féin, with 92 votes in favour and 78 against, following protests that disrupted fuel supplies and transport.