Production of French-German fighter jet threatened by rivalries, chief executive says 02. December 2025 (19:31) Relations between French company Dassault and the German unit of Airbus are reportedly ‘very strained’The leaders of France and Germany have a “strong willingness” to build a new fighter jet together despite bitter internal rivalries, according to the chief executive of engine manufacturer Safran.A row over who should lead between French aerospace company Dassault and the German unit of Airbus has threatened to break apart the countries’ efforts to make a next-generation fighter jet. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK government delays decision on China’s super-embassy until January 02. December 2025 (19:24) New date to approve site near Tower Bridge in London aligns with Keir Starmer’s planned visit to BeijingThe government has delayed its decision on whether to approve China’s super-embassy in London until January, when Keir Starmer is expected to visit Beijing.Ministers are expected to greenlight the controversial plans after formal submissions by the Home Office and Foreign Office raised no objections on security grounds. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
British women stranded by landslides in Sri Lankan mountains running out of food and water, daughter says 02. December 2025 (19:04) Friends Melanie Watters and Janine Reid have been trapped in Pussellawa since ThursdayTwo British women stranded by landslides in Sri Lanka’s tea mountains are running out of food and water, the daughter of one of them has said, as officials reported that the death toll of Cyclone Ditwah has reached 465.Melanie Watters, 54, and her friend Janine Reid, 55, both from London, were being driven through the mountains from Kandy in central Sri Lanka on Thursday when the road in front of them was swamped, sending a bus nearby over a cliff-edge. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Why is Labour scrapping jury trials for some cases? – The Latest 02. December 2025 (19:01) Criminal cases in England and Wales where a prison sentence is likely to be less than three years will be heard by a judge, not a jury, under plans from justice secretary David Lammy. Would it help reduce the backlog in courts? Or could it be purely to save money? Alexandra Topping joins Lucy Hough Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sister of Palestine Action-linked prison hunger striker says she fears for his life 02. December 2025 (18:00) Shahmina Amal urges ministers to engage with demands after Kamran Ahmed, who is awaiting trial, taken to hospitalThe sister of one of six Palestine Action-affiliated hunger strikers has said she fears every conversation with him will be her last and that ministers are waiting for them all to be hospitalised or “even worse” before engaging with them.Two of those refusing food were taken to hospital last week, and with the rolling hunger strike entering its second month on Tuesday there is mounting concern for their safety. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
MPs to investigate crown estate after questions over Andrew mansion lease 02. December 2025 (17:47) Committee will examine value for money to taxpayers of leases of properties to members of royal familyThe public accounts committee is to launch an inquiry into the crown estate and its leases on properties to members of the royal family after questions over the lease of Royal Lodge to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.Publishing responses from the crown estate and the Treasury to detailed questions over the lease arrangements, the committee’s chair, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, said: “Having reflected on what we have received, the information provided clearly forms the basis for an inquiry.” He said this would take place in the new year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump frees ex-Honduran president from prison as country awaits knife-edge election result 02. December 2025 (17:45) Release of convicted cocaine trafficker Juan Orlando Hernández is latest US interference in election and comes despite Trump’s apparent ‘war on drugs’Analysis: Trump’s pardon of Honduras’s ex-president shows counter-drug effort is ‘based on lies and hypocrisy’A former president of Honduras who was convicted of drug trafficking has walked free from a US prison after receiving a pardon from Donald Trump, as the country’s presidential election remained on a knife edge with the US-backed candidate leading by 515 votes.Juan Orlando Hernández, who was sentenced to 45 years in prison for allegedly creating “a cocaine superhighway to the United States”, was released from a West Virginia prison after Trump’s intervention, Hernández’s wife confirmed on Tuesday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
San Francisco to sue food giants over ultra-processed products 02. December 2025 (17:43) City argues corporations profit while communities bear the cost of diseases linked to ultra-processed foodsSan Francisco will file the nation’s first government lawsuit against food manufacturers over ultra-processed foods (UPFs) on Tuesday, arguing that local governments have been shouldering the costs of treating diseases that stem from public consumption of the companies’ products.The city’s attorney, David Chiu, told the New York Times they will sue 10 corporations that create some of the country’s most popular food and drinks, from chicken nuggets and frozen pizzas to potato chips and sugary breakfast cereals – but also foods like breads and granola bars that are marketed as “healthy”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Publisher condemns ‘violent’ use of Franklin the Turtle after Hegseth’s boat strike post 02. December 2025 (17:42) US defense secretary posted meme depicting beloved children’s character aiming rocket launcher at set of boatsPete Hegseth told US soldiers in Iraq to ignore legal advice on rules of engagementA post on social media by US defense secretary Pete Hegseth, depicting a beloved children’s character aiming a rocket launcher at a cluster of boats, has elicited condemnation from the book’s Canadian publisher.Hegseth’s post of the mocked cover of a Franklin the Turtle book titled Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists prompted disbelief and outrage. The image shows a smiling anthropomorphic turtle in military helmet and vest, with a US flag on his arm and a drug-laden boat exploding in the background. “For your Christmas wish list,” Hegseth wrote as the caption. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trans girls banned from joining Girlguiding 02. December 2025 (17:34) Girls’ adventure charity says it made decision after seeking legal advice following supreme court ruling on genderTrans girls will no longer be able to join Girlguiding, the organisation has announced, saying it has made the decision after seeking legal advice as a result of the supreme court ruling on gender earlier this year.Girlguiding on Tuesday said: “Trans girls and young women, and others not recorded female at birth, will no longer be able to join Girlguiding as new young members”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
