US and EU critical minerals project could displace thousands in DR Congo – report 04. December 2025 (10:00) Global Witness says plan to upgrade railway line from DRC to Angola puts up to 1,200 buildings at risk of demolitionUp to 6,500 people are at risk of being displaced in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure project funded by the EU and the US, amid a global race to secure supplies of copper, cobalt and other “critical minerals”, according to a report by campaign group Global Witness.The project, labelled the Lobito Corridor, aims to upgrade the colonial-era Benguela railway from the DRC to Lobito on Angola’s coast and improve port infrastructure, as well as building a railway line to Zambia and supporting agriculture and solar power installations along the route. Angola has said it needs $4.5bn (£3.4bn) for its stretch of the line. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Hardline migration policies are fuelling people smuggling, report finds 04. December 2025 (10:00) As leaders try to break smugglers’ business model, research suggests strategy so far has had opposite effectHardline migration policies adopted by governments across the globe have been a boon for people smugglers, fuelling demand and allowing them to raise their prices, according to a report.The findings, released on Thursday by the Mixed Migration Centre of the Danish Refugee Council, and based on interviews with thousands of migrants and hundreds of smugglers, come as officials prepare to gather next week in Brussels to discuss how best to combat smuggling. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Most NDIS participants will lose external avenue to appeal funding amounts under new system, Senate estimates told 04. December 2025 (08:56) Administrative review tribunal no longer authorised to alter a person’s plan or reinstate funding, agency confirmedGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastParticipants in the National Disability Insurance Scheme will in most cases no longer be able to appeal their total amount of funding support to any external review body, executives have confirmed, after revelations about automation to be introduced to the organisation.The minister for disability and the NDIS, Jenny McAllister, and National Disability Insurance Agency bosses were peppered with questions at Senate estimates on Thursday about changes to the way NDIS support plans will be generated under a new planning model coming into effect from mid-2026. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Putin and Modi to meet amid politically treacherous times for Russia and India 04. December 2025 (08:31) The Russian president’s Delhi visit gives him a chance to reduce Moscow’s isolation but both countries need each other to negotiate Trump’s America and a powerful ChinaWhen Vladimir Putin last set foot in India almost exactly four years ago, the world order looked materially different. That visit – lasting just five hours due to the covid pandemic – saw Putin and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi discuss economic and military cooperation and reaffirm their special relationship.Three months later, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine would turn him into a global pariah, isolating Russia from the world and restricting Putin’s international travel. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Uganda stops granting refugee status for Eritreans, Somalis and Ethiopians 04. December 2025 (08:00) Government once seen as progressive on migration says aid cuts to blame for excluding countries ‘not experiencing war’The Ugandan government has stopped granting asylum and refugee status to people from Eritrea, Somalia and Ethiopia, citing severe funding shortfalls for the significant policy shift.Hillary Onek, Uganda’s minister for refugees, announced that the government would no longer grant the status to new arrivals from countries “not experiencing war”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘People had forgotten about it’: onboard the 7am Manchester-London train service saved from axe 04. December 2025 (08:00) Passengers welcome climbdown and say plan to turn Avanti West Coast service into ‘ghost train’ made no sense“I don’t think I’ve seen it this busy in years,” said Liam, a customer service specialist struggling to deal with a growing line of tired customers onboard the 7am Avanti West Coast service from Manchester to London.They were made more agitated by the news that the microwave was broken and bacon sandwiches were off the menu. “I don’t think there’s been this many people on the 7am since before Covid,” said the beleaguered staff member. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Giant Esky’: Australia’s first indoor snow resort planned for western Sydney gets Chinese backing 04. December 2025 (07:58) Resort to be located on the banks of Penrith’s Nepean River, 15km from Western Sydney airport, with plans for a 300-metre Olympic-class ski runFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA $700m project to build Australia’s first indoor ski resort has secured the backing of a leading Chinese operator.Winter Sports World’s managing director, Peter Magnisalis, signed a memorandum of understanding in the Chinese city of Guangzhou on Thursday with BonSki Group, the world’s biggest indoor ski operator. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
England earthquake of 3.3 magnitude rattles Lancashire and Lake District 04. December 2025 (07:50) Residents report homes shaking from 3.3-magnitude quake that British Geological Survey says was centred just off the coast of Silverdale, LancashireA 3.3-magnitude earthquake shook homes in north-west England late on Wednesday, the British Geological Survey (BGS) reported.The quake struck shortly after 11.23pm and was felt across Lancashire and the southern Lake District, including the towns of Kendal and Ulverston, within 12 miles of the epicentre. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sydney drivers stuck in busy tunnel for up to four hours amid fears of ‘shockcrete’ roof collapse 04. December 2025 (07:34) After an earlier closure on Thursday the M4 tunnel reopened one westbound lane between Haberfield and North Strathfield on ThursdayFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastDrivers have been left stranded for up to four hours in Sydney’s M4 motorway tunnel within the WestConnex, after fears of a concrete roof collapse which saw the closure of all westbound lanes.About 6am on Thursday morning, Transport for NSW advised the tunnel was closed westbound between Haberfield and North Strathfield due to “emergency roadworks”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Man pleads not guilty over allegedly projecting pro-Palestine messages on Sydney Opera House forecourt 04. December 2025 (07:16) Lawyers for Fouad Masri say the case will have important ramifications for freedom of speech in AustraliaFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA man has pleaded not guilty after being charged over allegedly projecting pro-Palestine messages on to the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House, in a case his lawyers say has significant ramifications for freedom of speech.Fouad Masri, 50, allegedly used a projector to display a number of messages on to the stairs at the southern end of the forecourt on 11 October, including “reparation for Genocide”, “reparation for Holocaust”, “Minns stop supporting genocide”, “end the occupation”, “Palestine the right to defend itself”, and “occupation is terrorism”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
