Michael Gove slackens rules on use of physical force in schools 
01.09.2011, 21:57
Michael Gove: 'The rules of the game have changed'. Photograph: Chris Ison/PA
Laws broke MPs' expenses rules 10.05.2011, 19:42
According to the standards watchdog, David Laws broke the rules but there was no evidence to suggest he did so out of desire to…
Jobsworths misusing rules to ban fun at school, says health and safety chief 02.07.2011, 15:19
Undue concerns over health and safety rules has led to restrictions on traditional playground games in schools, the HSE says. P…
New visa rules for domestic workers 'will turn the clock back 15 years' 01.03.2012, 02:01
Theresa May said changes to visa rules would ensure domestic work was not used as a route to permanent access to Britain. Photo…
Tech giants agree to new privacy rules 23.02.2012, 10:48
The privacy of mobile apps users will be better protected under new rules agreed to by the top consumer tech companies. Photogr…
David Laws suspended for 'serious and substantial' breaches of expenses rules 12.05.2011, 14:37
David Laws, who is to be suspended from the Commons for a week over breaches of expenses rules. Photograph: Clive Gee/PA
Bad jokes spell musical disaster 22.02.2011, 04:21
The cast cut loose during The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at London's Donmar Photograph: Hugo Glendinning
Andy Coulson 'broke' Commons pass rules by failing to declare NI payments 25.08.2011, 03:28
David Cameron and Andy Coulson. Coulson broke Commons rules by failing to declare NI payments. Photograph: David Fisher/Rex Fea…
Martha Kearney: 'I wouldn't think of myself as a Loose Woman' 21.11.2011, 02:05
Martha Kearney, the presenter of BBC Radio 4's World At One Photograph: Sarah Lee for the Guardian
The Moshi Monsters are on the loose 23.02.2011, 02:00
Moshi Monsters…played by half British children under 10. Photograph: Guardian
May rules out protest water cannon 13.12.2010, 20:39
Theresa May in the Commons on 13 December 2010. Photograph: PA
PCC rules tweets are not private 08.02.2011, 14:34
A Twitter page. Photograph: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters
BBC rules out merging local stations and Radio 5 Live 25.07.2011, 18:46
Nicky Campbell Photograph: Sarah Lee for the Guardian
Clinton rules out Syria intervention 27.03.2011, 20:57
People in Cairo demonstrate against the Syrian government after the violence in Latakia. Photograph: AP
AV funding rules flawed – opponents 16.02.2011, 02:01
The No to AV campaign say the referendum will cost £250m, including £120m on the use of electronic counting machines. Photograp…
Bonus curbs bypass overseas staff 12.02.2011, 02:03
Project Merlin rules will hit bankers in the City but not those working abroad. Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA
Bagram jail detainee unlawfully held, court rules 14.12.2011, 17:17
Yunus Rahmatullah was handed over by British forces to US troops in Iraq. Photograph: PA
China issues new rules to limit foreign television shows 14.02.2012, 10:05
The Chinese ban on TV adverts during dramas will begin in the new year. Photograph: Wilson Chu/Reuters
Osborne's claim wildlife rules too costly for business challenged by own review 22.03.2012, 17:40
Male Black Scoter in flight over the ocean Photograph: Cal Vornberger/Alamy
Grieving couple's plea: 'Don't let visa rules split us up' 17.07.2011, 02:07
Jessica Nicholl visits the grave of her daughter, Meadow. Photograph: Andy Hall for the Observer
Pope ousts 'loose living' monks of Rome's Santa Croce monastery 26.05.2011, 02:57
Pope Benedict XVI is evicting 20 or more Cistercian monks, alleged to have amassed large debts at Santa Croce. Photograph: Max …
Tougher tax credit rules and lack of full-time jobs create benefits trap 09.04.2012, 03:08
A job centre in Bristol: Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty Images
Brain-damaged woman should not be allowed to die, court rules 29.09.2011, 02:05
Today a female NHS worker can expect to spend 45% of her adult life in retirement. Photograph: Martin Godwin for the Guardian
More big firms defaulting on loans, Bank of England warns 05.01.2012, 15:13
Lenders say demand is low and that the eurozone crisis may force them to tighten borrowing rules. Photograph: Toby Melville/REU…
Planning reform revisions ease conservationists' fears for countryside 27.03.2012, 20:59
Greg Clark unveils the new planning rules in the Commons. Photograph: PA
Merkel battles over EU bailout rules 28.10.2010, 22:38
Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, at the start of the European summit of heads of states. Photograph: Benoit Doppagne/EPA
UK cannot deport Nigerian man convicted of rape, European court rules 20.09.2011, 14:34
The Home office deported about 5,000 "foreign national criminals" from the UK at the end of their sentences last year. Photogra…
Merkel battles over EU bailout rules 29.10.2010, 03:02
German chancellor Angela Merkel found little support for a revision of EU law regarding bailouts. Photograph: Yves Herman/Reute…
AV vote rules flawed, says no camp 15.02.2011, 17:02
A referendum on 5 May will decide whether to change the system for electing MPs to the House of Commons to the alternative vote…
Abu Hamza can be extradited to US, human rights court rules 11.04.2012, 02:06
The US alleges Abu Hamza aided the taking of 16 western tourists as hostages in Yemen. Photograph: John Stillwell/PA
Chaytor 'knew he was breaking rules' 07.01.2011, 14:52
David Chaytor, who faces jail today when he is sentenced for making false expenses claims. Photograph: Sean Dempsey/PA
Sharon Shoesmith turns on Ed Balls after court rules her dismissal unfair 28.05.2011, 03:12
Baby P, Peter Connolly, was on Haringey’s child protection register when he was killed by his mother and two male friends. Phot…
Solar subsidy cuts legally flawed, high court rules 21.12.2011, 18:58
Chance to shine ... the return for installing solar panels is higher than ever. Photograph: Realimage/Alamy
Spontaneous combustion killed Irish pensioner, inquest rules 24.09.2011, 02:07
Gardai told the inquest they could not explain how Michael Faherty, 76, had been burned to death. Photograph: Murdo Macleod
Police breaking law by keeping DNA of the innocent, supreme court rules 18.05.2011, 14:37
Police agreed to delete Damian Green's DNA profile, but many other requests have been refused. Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA
Abortion rules shakeup could set system back 25 years, says GPs' chief 30.08.2011, 03:02
Dr Clare Gerada claims there is no pressure at present to encourage women to have an abortion. Photograph: Frank Baron for the …
TVShack's student founder can be extradited to US, court rules 13.01.2012, 19:29
Richard O'Dwyer with his mother Julia after appearing at Westminster magistrates court in London. Photograph: Luke Macgregor/Re…
Hamas rules out military support for Iran in any war with Israel 06.03.2012, 16:44
Hamas members display mock rocket launchers during a rally in the a Gazan refugee camp in 2001. Photograph: Mohammed Saber/EPA
Clegg to go on charm offensive amid fury over charity tax cap 15.04.2012, 02:14
New tax rules will affect the funding of institutions like The Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avo…
HSBC doubles salaries to cut bonuses 17.11.2010, 02:18
HSBC in Hong Kong, where the bank complained it was unable to hire 15 staff because of Financial Services Authority rules. Phot…
EU oil spill rules come under attack 20.04.2011, 11:15
European measures aimed at preventing a spill in EU waters are under attack. Photograph: Gerald Herbert/AP
Charlotte Church article in People could be defamatory, judge rules 28.03.2012, 14:47
Charlotte Church Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Yunus Rahmatullah cannot be freed by habeas corpus, appeal court rules 23.02.2012, 19:48
Yunus Rahmatullah has been detained by the US since 2004. Photograph: Reprieve/PA
Tory document warns of chaos if health reforms are dropped 25.02.2012, 02:56
Lib Dem president Tim Farron has called for the removal of new competition rules from the planned health and social care bill. …
Sexualised advertising to children faces new rules in Cameron crackdown 24.12.2011, 03:08
David Cameron will hold meetings in the new year with retailers ands advertisers to highlight their conduct. Photograph: Toby M…
Attorney general rules out new David Kelly inquest 09.06.2011, 16:57
David Kelly, the former government weapons inspector who died in 2003. Photograph: Ian Waldie/Getty Images
Overseas spouses must speak English before arriving in UK, court rules 16.12.2011, 17:51
Rashida Chapti, whose husband of 40 years cannot join her in Britain because he does not speak English. Photograph: Rui Vieira/…
PCC rules Guardian's Mark Duggan headline was misleading 24.02.2012, 02:50
Mark Duggan Photograph: Rex Features
Judge rules plan to cut solar power subsidies 'legally flawed' 22.12.2011, 02:06
The government had wanted to cut the feed-in tarriff - paid to households with solar panels installed - with only weeks' notice…
Whitehall reconsiders tougher benefits rules 05.09.2011, 11:36
David and S amanatha Cameron join the Queen and Prince Philip to watch the Braemar Games in Scotland on Saturday. The PM wants …
Bradley Manning's treatment was cruel and inhuman, UN torture chief rules 12.03.2012, 15:41
Bradley Manning at Fort Meade, Maryland. Photograph: Mark Wilson/Getty Images
David Cameron backs new car insurance rules to cut cost of premiums 14.02.2012, 02:44
David Cameron will say he is prepared to protect companies being sued for trivial or excessive claims. Photograph: Sang Tan/AP
Egypt set for mass protest as army rules out force 01.02.2011, 00:13
A protester raises his fist in front of an army armoured personnel carrier (APC) in Cairo's Tahrir Square January 31, 2011 Phot…
Public sector bonuses: government launches review 13.02.2012, 12:49
Danny Alexander says the review is designed to ensure public confidence in the bonus rules. Photograph: David Levene for the Gu…
MMR row: high court rules doctor should not have been struck off 07.03.2012, 18:41
Professor John Walker-Smith, who has won his high court claim that he was the victim of 'unfair and unjust' treatment. Photogra…
Iran clamps down on internet use 06.01.2012, 02:08
Iran has given internet cafe owners two weeks to adopt new rules requiring them to check customers' identity cards before permi…
Rendition evidence cannot be shown to MPs, US judge rules 11.04.2012, 14:51
Andrew Tyrie, head of the parliamentary group on rendition that requested evidence of British involvement in CIA rendition. Pho…
Council's social care cuts are unlawful, high court rules 11.11.2011, 14:24
Lawyers for the disabled claimants said the high court judgment sent a 'clear message' to councils across England and Wales. Ph…
Supreme court rules on property rights for unmarried couples 10.11.2011, 02:07
Leonard Kernott and Patricia Jones outside the supreme court in London. The fate of the former couple's bungalow has been eager…
RIBA condemns 'shameful shoe box homes' now built in Britain 14.09.2011, 13:15
New homes, constructed in 2009 in Croydon, London. A RIBA report on housing needs will help inform the government's new plannin…
Obama changes contraception rules in face of religious backlash 11.02.2012, 00:52
President Barack Obama joined by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius while making a statement on contraceptio…
Political party funding rules face overhaul as talks continue 11.04.2012, 15:02
The party funding talks were called by Nick Clegg. Photograph: Lewis Whyld/PA
International airlines will be charged for carbon emissions, EU court rules 21.12.2011, 13:52
The European court of justice has ruled that all airlines flying to and from the EU will buy carbon permits. Photograph: Corbis
Adult social care laws face reform 11.05.2011, 10:49
The Law Commission is calling for a single set of legislation and rules on adult social care. Photograph: John Stillwell/PA
Rupert Murdoch's empire must be dismantled – Ed Miliband 17.07.2011, 02:47
Ed Miliband has called for cross-party agreement on new media rules to curtail Rupert Murdoch's power. Photograph: Getty Images
Electoral Commission rules out inquiry into NI payments to Andy Coulson 30.08.2011, 20:39
Andy Coulson is believed to have received thousands of pounds in severance pay from News International after he joined the Cons…
New smoking rules help those wanting to stop, says Andrew Lansley 07.04.2012, 02:35
Andrew Lansley, the health secretary, said the ban on smoking in public places had helped change attitudes. Photograph: David S…
Lib Dems want huge fines against media chiefs who break conduct codes 13.09.2011, 20:56
Lib Dems are proposing a radical overhaul of rules about newspaper conduct, media ownership and fit and proper owners. Photogra…
Shrien Dewani can be extradited to South Africa, home secretary rules 28.09.2011, 18:08
Shrien Dewani with his wife Anni, who was murdered in South Africa during their honeymoon. Photograph: Bristol Evening Post/PA
Shrien Dewani can be extradited to South Africa, judge rules 11.08.2011, 02:06
Shrien Dewani's lawyers had claimed he was too unwell to stand trial in South Africa. Photograph: Matt Dunham/AP
Drug-driving law could be toughened 04.01.2012, 14:20
Cannabis is among substances police might attenpt to detect in drivers, under new drug-driving rules. Photograph: Daniel Karman…
Bank of England governor rules out rate rise as inflation hits new peak 18.05.2011, 03:37
Petrol prices and energy bills are likely to rise even further, according to the Bank of England governor, Mervyn King. Photogr…
Prescott backs plans to weaken unions' power in Labour conference votes 08.08.2011, 02:09
Lord Prescott is in favour of changing current Labour rules that give unions 50% of the vote at conference. Photograph: Rex Fea…
The fashion briefing: Paris fashion week 06.03.2011, 23:30
Look of the week Dries Van Noten’s show is always a masterclass in styling – and his latest collection was no exception. Just …
Vince Cable rules out 'coalition divorce' 19.09.2011, 12:39
Vince Cable, who has said he and his Lib Dem colleagues are 'most definitely not talking about coalition divorce'. Photograph: …
Bullfighting saved from the sword as Spain rules it is an artistic discipline 31.07.2011, 20:30
Spanish bullfighter Victor Puerto performs during a bullfight at the Las Ventas Bullring in Madrid. The Spanish government has …
Overseas artists boycott Britain in protest at visa clampdown 10.07.2011, 15:37
Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami and French actress Juliette Binoche during the 63rd Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2010. Kia…
Raoul Moat death was suicide, inquest jury rules 28.09.2011, 02:05
Raoul Moat inquest: a jury found the bouncer took his own life after police fired an untested Taser at him. Photograph: Northum…
Indian ministers accused of watching porn in Karnataka assembly quit 08.02.2012, 12:56
The three ministers from the Bharatiya Janata party, which rules Karnataka, deny watching porn in the state's assembly but said…
British soldiers were unlawfully killed by Afghan police officer, coroner rules 20.05.2011, 16:44
The British soldier Steven Boote – one of the five unlawfully killed by a rogue Afghan police officer. Photograph: PA
Julian Assange can appeal against extradition, supreme court rules 16.12.2011, 15:58
Julian Assange's appeal against his extradition will be heard by the supreme court on 1 February. Photograph: Lefteris Pitaraki…
Irish police investigate wallaby death 20.10.2010, 19:11
Claims marsupial was let loose among partygoers at Dublin hotel prompt complaints from animal welfare campaigners Irish police …
Amazon outage 'was hardware failure' 13.12.2010, 08:41
Statement from company says UK, French, German and Spanish sites were hit by physical systems failure, not hackers Amazon says …
Country diary: Wenlock Edge 16.02.2011, 02:44
The first wave came stealthily. By the time the wild westerly had torn through, bringing change but very little rain, the water…
Rules of undercover activism 09.02.2011, 11:00
Covert operations can help to increase public awareness and influence politicians – but they must follow strict guidelines The …
Abortion forms being 'pre-signed' 23.03.2012, 09:33
Spot checks found evidence of blank forms being signed in anticipation of patients seeking a termination Some doctors are break…
Child abuse website investigation brings multiple arrests 03.08.2011, 23:41
Dreamboard bulletin trading in thousands of images to promote paedophilia causes 43 US arrests with 72 charged worldwide Sevent…
Blaming a moral decline for the riots makes good headlines but bad policy | Tony Blair 21.08.2011, 02:10
Talk of a general malaise is misguided. The country's problems stem from too many dysfunctional households Both David Cameron a…
US bills try to block action on climate 07.01.2011, 13:57
After first day in Congress, Republicans have outlined three bills aimed at limiting power of the Environmental Protection Agen…
Mother sobs at sterilisation hearing 15.02.2011, 22:43
Judge rules court has not enough evidence to decide on operation for 21-year-old who is about to give birth The mother of a you…
500 years of church intolerance 15.02.2011, 09:30
The church resists use of the Bible in gay marriage for the same reason it burned a 1526 translation The Church of England does…
Benetton tears down pope-kissing ads after Vatican legal threat 18.11.2011, 02:08
Clothing company says sorry and hastily withdraws Unhate poster featuring Pope Benedict XVI kissing Egyptian imam The Vatican i…
Sarah Palin returns to centre stage in HBO's Game Change 10.03.2012, 00:44
Two-hour exploration of 2008 campaign depicts Palin's rapid rise and fall – and those who shoved her into the spotlight There's…
Senior judge cautions colleagues over courting publicity 16.03.2012, 15:47
Lord Neuberger says judges must be vigilant when talking about public matters or risk compromising judicial authority Judges ar…
'I feel like I've saved a life': the women clearing Lebanon of cluster bombs 13.08.2011, 02:08
An all-female team is doing the hazardous and painstaking work of removing unexploded Israeli ordnance from the 2006 war Only u…
The Northerner: Forests furore 02.02.2011, 13:25
Welcome to the Northerner, guardian.co.uk's weekly digest of the best of the northern press Government proposals to sell off pu…
Nobel ceremony honours Liu Xiaobo 11.12.2010, 02:00
Few nations heed Beijing's boycott as committee calls for winner to be freed and tells China: citizens have right to criticise …
Iceland volcanic ash cloud forces airlines to change schedules 24.05.2011, 02:14
Densest parts of Grimsvötn volcano's thick ash clouds expected to exceed a new air travel safety threshold The last time an Ice…
European debt crisis: leaders ponder fiscal union 15.09.2011, 17:33
Talk of federalism is back, as European leaders search for answer to loss of nerve over financial crises In a damp Brussels gar…
