The Conservative Party faces declining membership amid internal divisions and a recent election defeat, while Reform UK gains support in polls. The trend highlights challenges for the Tories as they try to stabilize ahead of upcoming political contests.

London

The Conservative Party in the United Kingdom is grappling with a sharp decline in both membership and electoral success. Once considered the most successful democratic party globally, the Conservatives now hold only 119 parliamentary seats compared to Labour's 401, and their control of local authorities has dropped from 60% in 2018 to just 16%. Membership numbers have also plummeted from nearly 3 million in the 1950s to around 120,000.

The party's current polling is at historically low levels, with leaders facing pressure from both Reform UK on the right and other parties on the left. Attempts to reinvigorate support, such as emphasizing tax cuts and reduced government spending, have so far failed to reverse the party's fortunes. Analysts suggest the situation is unprecedented in the party's long history.

UK Conservatives struggle to retain members as Reform UK rises

How do you rescue a distressed asset? Having described her party as such earlier this week, Kemi Badenoch closed the Conservative Party conference in Manchester with her leader's pitch to turn their fortunes round. I stand for a government that takes less of your money and doesn't interfere in your life. Where the state does less but does it better. Where those who create wealth are welcomed with open arms, not driven from our shores. Where reward matches effort. Where Britain stands tall in the world. But this year's Conservative conference is likely to be remembered for low turnout earlier in the week at what's always been a hot ticket event, a fitting indicator of the party's current relevance. What has happened to the Conservatives? This is supposedly the most successful democratic party in the world. The natural party of government, as the Tories like to see themselves, has been winning elections here, and more than any other party, for the best part of 200 years and yet they are now in real existential danger. The numbers are grim. After electoral defeats last year, the Conservatives now have just 119 MPs, compared to Labour's 401. Look deeper and it's worse. In 2018, the Conservatives controlled 60% of local authorities in England. Now it's just 16%. Membership of all main parties has fallen, but for the Conservatives it's been off a cliff. In the 1950s there were nearly 3 million party members, now it's 120,000. Professor Tim Bale has been watching the Conservatives for years. They're polling at 16 or 17%. That's the kind of territory they've never been in before. Their leader's pretty unpopular. They face problems both on their right flank from Reform UK and on their left flank from the Liberal Democrats and even the Labour Party. So this is a kind of unprecedented historical situation, I think, for a party that was the most successful party in the world. Could they go under? Parties are pretty resilient organisations. But yeah, I mean, you know, the dinosaurs disappeared and perhaps the Conservative Party is a dinosaur. Successive Conservative leaders seeking to counter the reform threat have moved the party increasingly to the right. In Manchester, Kemi Badenoch indicated something of a return to its tax-slashing, low-spending roots. But it's unclear if there's an electorate still listening. Rory Challans, Al Jazeera, London.

President Trump announced the “first phase” of a deal between Israel and Hamas to end the two-year Gaza war. Under the plan, all hostages are expected to be released soon, and Israel will pull troops back to an agreed line, marking initial steps toward a lasting peace.

Sharm El-Sheikh

What we know about first phase of Israel-Hamas deal

The ongoing U.S. government shutdown has led to major delays and staffing shortages at airports, raising safety concerns. The flight attendants’ union says reduced oversight and overworked crews are putting additional strain on the aviation system.

Washington

Aviation less safe during any government shutdown, union warns

Earlier this week, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said one of the reasons for staffing shortages at airports is that a growing number of air traffic controllers have been calling in sick. Those controllers don't know when they'll get their next paycheck amid the government shutdown.

Los Angeles International Airport

Why the government shutdown is playing into travel delays

President Trump says Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement for Hamas to release all remaining hostages and for Israel to withdraw its forces to an "agreed upon line."

Middle East Conflict

Israel and Hamas reach deal to release all hostages, Trump says

President Trump says he might travel to the Middle East as soon as this weekend as Israel and Hamas continue indirect negotiations to end the war in Gaza. CBS News senior White House and political correspondent Ed O'Keefe has the details.

Cairo

Trump 'may' go to Egypt or Gaza amid Israel-Hamas peace

A 29-year-old Florida man has been arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with the deadly Palisades Fire that scorched parts of Los Angeles earlier this year, officials said Wednesday.

Los Angeles

Man arrested for allegedly starting Palisades Fire in California

Former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty to two counts in federal court on Wednesday (October 8) after being indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice in September.

Alexandria

James Comey pleads not guilty to charges brought by Trump's DOJ

Some air traffic control staffing issues and bad weather are affecting flight delays as the government shutdown enters its eighth day. CBS News senior transportation correspondent Kris Van Cleave has more details.

Government shutdown, staffing issues lead to flight delays

Hamas’ lead negotiator says the group needs guarantees of a lasting peace as indirect talks with Israel to reach an agreement over the implementation of the first phase of Trump’s peace plan for Gaza enter the third day.

Hamas says it is ready to reach Gaza deal but needs 'real' guarantees

Sebastien Lecornu to hold two days of talks to try to shore up cross-party support for his collapsed government.

Paris

Outgoing French PM launches last bid to quell political crisis

Israel is pressing forward with its attacks across the Gaza Strip. 
Its forces have targeted displaced families in Khan Younis, killing a mother and her children. Several Palestinians have also been killed in a strike on Al Shati refugee camp, in Gaza City.

Jerusalem

Israeli strikes intensify in Gaza despite ceasefire talks

Palestinian solidarity demonstrators have marched through Mexico and Chile’s capitals, demanding their governments sever diplomatic ties with Israel. The protests mark the second anniversary of Israel's war on Gaza.

Mexico City

Palestinian solidarity protests sweep Latin America

National Guard troops are preparing to be deployed to Chicago. Members of the Texas National Guard arrived just outside the city on Tuesday. The move is being criticized as an abuse of presidential authority.

Chicago

National Guard troops preparing to deploy in Chicago

U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to the White House, where he promised to treat Canada fairly in trade talks, but was less committed to a continental trade deal that also includes Mexico.

Global Tariffs

Trump promises trade fairness for Canada during Carney's visit

From Tel Aviv to the Nova Music Festival site, Israelis gathered to remember those who were killed in the October 2023 Hamas attack.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Israelis remember victims two years after Hamas attack

Saudi Arabia's Riyadh Comedy Festival is attracting global stars including Dave Chappelle, Pete Davidson and Kevin Hart, with reports that some are being paid more than $1 million each. The event is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's push to rebrand the conservative kingdom through sports and entertainment.

Riyadh

Riyadh Comedy Festival draws top U.S. comedians amid controversy

Three U.S.-based scientists have won the Nobel Prize in physics for their work on quantum mechanics. The physics award is the second 2025 Nobel Prize to be announced this week.

Stockholm

Three U.S.-based scientists win Nobel Prize in physics

As the war in Gaza reaches its two-year mark, Israel and Hamas continue negotiations in Egypt. Talks are centered on a proposed ceasefire deal, which includes a partial Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a hostage-prisoner exchange.

Israel and Hamas resume Gaza ceasefire talks in Egypt

Israel has deported activist Greta Thunberg along with 170 others who were detained after Israeli forces intercepted a flotilla attempting to deliver aid to Gaza last week. Some of those deported in recent days have reported mistreatment, allegations that Israel has denied.

Israel deports Greta Thunberg after Gaza Flotilla interception

Leaders in the U.S. state of Illinois are taking President Donald Trump to court, looking to stop the deployment of hundreds of National Guard troops to the streets of Chicago. The White House argues that soldiers are needed to prevent so-called lawlessness.

Chicago declares 'ICE Free Zones' amid clashes over raids

French President Emmanuel Macron has given Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu 48 hours to stabilize the government following his sudden resignation. Lecornu stepped down hours after naming his cabinet, amid criticism and growing political instability in a parliament without a clear majority.

Macron gives Lecornu two days to salvage government after resignation

Microchip maker AMD got a huge boost in the race to supply the artificial intelligence revolution. OpenAI, the company behind major AI platform ChatGPT, announced a deal for AMD to provide the AI startup with its high-performance processing chips starting next year.

Santa Clara

Rise of AI

AI chipmaker AMD strikes major deal with OpenAI

It's a race against time to save the remaining 200 or so stranded climbers on Mount Everest after a massive storm dumped at least three feet of snow over the weekend.

Gorakshep

About 200 Mount Everest climbers still stranded

Clashes broke out at ICE facilities in Chicago and Portland after President Trump ordered National Guard troops into both cities. The move has intensified tensions between federal authorities and local officials amid ongoing protests.

Clashes erupt as Trump deploys National Guard

Former NFL quarterback and Fox Sports analyst Mark Sanchez was charged with felony battery involving serious bodily injury, and could face up to six years in jail, according to Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears.

Indianapolis

Mark Sanchez charged with felony, could face up to 6 years in jail

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson announced on Monday a lawsuit against the Trump administration over plans to deploy the National Guard to Chicago.

Illinois, Chicago sue Trump over National Guard deployment

A selloff in French markets gathered pace after French media reports that Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has resigned. French stocks fell sharply, government bond yields were up 8 basis points and the euro was last down 0.65% at $1.1667.

French markets tumble after PM Lecornu resigns

Former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez has been charged with battery, intoxication, and unlawful entry after allegedly attacking a 69-year-old truck driver in Indianapolis. The driver stabbed Sanchez in self-defense, believing his life was in danger. Sanchez is currently hospitalised.

Ex-NFL star Mark Sanchez faces criminal charges in alleged assault

U.S. President Donald Trump's battle with Democratic-led cities is heating up after 200 California National Guard troops have been reassigned to Oregon, despite a judge blocking the deployment to Portland.

Portland

Trump sends National Guard to Oregon despite court block

Israeli planes and tanks pounded areas across the Gaza Strip overnight and on Sunday, destroying several residential buildings, witnesses said, as Palestinians hoped a U.S. plan to end the war would soon ease their suffering.

Breakdown