National guard shooting suspect spent ‘weeks on end’ in isolation, emails show 01. December 2025 (22:26) Mental health of Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who is charged with murder, had reportedly been unravelling for yearsThe suspect in the shooting of two West Virginia national guard soldiers in Washington DC on the eve of Thanksgiving had been struggling with his mental health, sometimes spending “weeks on end” in isolation, as he struggled to assimilate in the years since arriving in the United States, it has emerged.According to emails obtained by the Associated Press, Rahmanullah Lakanwal’s mental health had been unravelling for years, leaving him unable to hold a job and flipping between long, dark stretches of isolation and taking sudden weeks-long cross-country drives. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Republican whose child has Down syndrome opposes redistricting after Trump’s ableist slur 01. December 2025 (21:38) Michael Bohacek, an Indiana state senator, says US president’s ‘choices of words have consequences’An Indiana Republican lawmaker whose child has Down syndrome has promised to oppose efforts to redraw the state’s congressional map to favor his party after Donald Trump aimed a slur for people with intellectual disabilities at a political opponent.Michael Bohacek, a member of Indiana’s state senate, wrote Friday on Facebook that he has been “an unapologetic advocate for people with intellectual disabilities” since one of his daughters was born with Down. Referring to how the president used an ableist slur to insult Tim Walz, the Democratic Minnesota governor, a day earlier, Bohacek’s post added, “His choices of words have consequences.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Scathing ‘jobs for mates’ review finds appointments to government boards routinely abused 01. December 2025 (21:00) A report by Lynelle Briggs says placements ‘look like nepotism’ and are undermining confidence in governmentFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe major parties have abused appointments to government boards so routinely that the public fears being lumped with “overpaid political hacks” who cannot do important jobs properly, a scathing report to the Albanese government has found.But Labor is set to eschew a series of recommendations from former public service commissioner Lynelle Briggs’ long-anticipated jobs for mates review – finally set to be released on Tuesday, 18 months after it was completed. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Iran sentences award-winning director Jafar Panahi to year in prison for ‘propaganda activities’ 01. December 2025 (20:59) Iranian film-maker won Cannes film festival’s Palme D’Or prize earlier this year for It Was Just an AccidentIran has sentenced the Palme d’Or-winning film-maker Jafar Panahi in absentia to one year in prison and a travel ban over “propaganda activities” against the country.The sentence includes a two-year ban on leaving Iran and prohibition of Panahi from membership of any political or social groups, his lawyer Mostafa Nili told AFP, adding that they would file an appeal. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australia news live: Canavan warns of One Nation threat to Liberals; ANU reverses humanities cuts 01. December 2025 (20:57) The Nationals MP says outer suburban seats are vulnerable to populist challenge. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastBoM blames APS caps, Covid for website costsThe Bureau of Meteorology has blamed Covid-era inflation and a Coalition government cap on public service headcount for cost blowouts in the IT project and the use of contractors such as Accenture in its controversial overhaul of the agency’s website.We needed to make sure it is secure and stable and can draw in the huge amounts of data gathered from our observing network and weather models as we handle millions of visits each day. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Several protesters arrested after ICE raid thwarted in New York City 01. December 2025 (20:41) Demonstrators blocked the exit of ICE vehicles from a parking lot using garbage bags and metal barriersA raid by federal immigration authorities on Saturday in New York City was thwarted by about 200 protesters, several of whom were arrested after scuffles with police officers.The episode was the latest in which citizen activists have stood up to agents enforcing Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration agenda through targeted raids in various cities across the country after his second presidency began in January. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK aims to secure agreement to rejoin Erasmus student exchange scheme 01. December 2025 (20:37) Britain quit EU programme after Brexit, when Boris Johnson claimed it did not offer good value for moneyThe UK is hoping to secure an agreement within weeks to rejoin the EU’s flagship student mobility programme, as part of a drive to pursue closer relations with Brussels after a setback on defence.Negotiators are aiming to finalise a deal by January that would allow the UK to participate in Erasmus from 2027 onwards, according to two UK and EU officials. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Attorney general urges Nigel Farage to apologise over alleged racism and antisemitism 01. December 2025 (20:07) Exclusive: Richard Hermer, a senior Jewish minister, says Reform leader ‘clearly deeply hurt’ many people with his alleged behaviourThe UK’s top law officer, one of the most senior Jewish government ministers, has urged Nigel Farage to apologise to school contemporaries who claim the Reform UK leader racially abused them while at school.The attorney general, Richard Hermer, said Farage had “clearly deeply hurt” many people judging by their descriptions of his behaviour, and that his “constantly changing” denials had been unconvincing. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Resident doctors in England to go on strike in run-up to Christmas 01. December 2025 (20:07) Five days of strike action over jobs and pay to take place from 17 to 22 December Thousands of doctors in England are to go on strike again this month, in a dispute over pay and job security.The British Medical Association has announced that resident doctors – formerly known as junior doctors – will begin a five-day strike action that will run from 7am on 17 December until 7am on 22 December. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
India orders phone makers to preload devices with state-owned cyber safety app 01. December 2025 (19:41) Critics voice concern as government says its Sanchar Saathi app combats cybersecurity threats for 1.2bn telecom usersIndia’s telecoms ministry has privately asked smartphone makers to preload all new devices with a state-owned cybersecurity app that cannot be deleted, a government order showed, a move likely to antagonise Apple and privacy advocates.In tackling a recent surge of cybercrime and hacking, India is joining authorities worldwide, most recently in Russia, to frame rules blocking the use of stolen phones for fraud or promoting state-backed government service apps. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
