Impasse over EHRC single-sex spaces guidance ‘distracting from other issues’ 29. November 2025 (14:00) Staff at human rights body said to be ‘desperate for regime change’ over inertia after court’s legal definition of a womanThe ongoing impasse over guidance from the UK’s human rights watchdog on access to single-sex spaces is distracting from other pressing issues, including the rise of the far right, insiders have told the Guardian.Some members of staff at the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) are described as “desperate for regime change” ahead of the new chair, Mary-Ann Stephenson, taking up her post in December. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Rage rooms: can smashing stuff up really help to relieve anger and stress? 29. November 2025 (13:00) Venues promoting destruction as stress relief are appearing around the UK but experts – and our correspondent – are unsureIf you find it hard to count to 10 when anger bubbles up, a new trend offers a more hands-on approach. Rage rooms are cropping up across the UK, allowing punters to smash seven bells out of old TVs, plates and furniture.Such pay-to-destroy ventures are thought to have originated in Japan in 2008, but have since gone global. In the UK alone venues can be found in locations from Birmingham to Brighton, with many promoting destruction as a stress-relieving experience. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
They tried to overturn the 2020 US election. Now, they hold power in Trump’s Washington 29. November 2025 (13:00) Those who tried to overturn the 2020 election now occupy key federal roles, shaping rules and sowing doubt for 2026The people who tried to overturn the 2020 election have more power than ever – and they plan to use it.Bolstered by the president, they have prominent roles in key parts of the federal government. Harmeet Dhillon, a lawyer who helped advance Donald Trump’s claims of a stolen election in 2020, now leads the civil rights division of the justice department. An election denier, Heather Honey, now serves as the deputy assistant secretary for election integrity in the department of homeland security. Kurt Olsen, an attorney involved in the “stop the steal” movement, is now a special government employee investigating the 2020 election. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK asylum seekers to be banned from taking taxis to medical appointments 29. November 2025 (12:09) Move, which is part of crackdown on costs, comes after it emerged Home Office spends £15.8m a year on serviceAsylum seekers will be banned from taking taxis to medical appointments after it was revealed the Home Office spends about £15.8m a year on the service.From February they will have to use alternative transport such as buses, no matter how urgent their medical needs. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Convincing evidence Israel backed aid convoy looters in Gaza, historian says 29. November 2025 (11:00) Account of visit to Gaza by French professor describes Israeli military attacks on security personnel protecting convoysA historian who spent more than a month in Gaza at the turn of the year says he saw “utterly convincing” evidence that Israel supported looters who attacked aid convoys during the conflict.Jean-Pierre Filiu, a professor of Middle East studies at France’s prestigious Sciences Po university, entered Gaza in December where he was hosted by an international humanitarian organisation in the southern coastal zone of al-Mawasi. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK immigration plans may betray Hong Kong refugees, says exiled politician 29. November 2025 (11:00) Nathan Law says ‘moral obligation’ to Hongkongers should extend to anyone fleeing from political persecution An exiled leader of the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong has said the UK government risks reneging on a commitment to people from its former colony in its shake-up of legal immigration routes.Nathan Law, a former Hong Kong politician who arrived in the UK in 2020 and has a bounty on his head, said that the government should reflect on its moral obligations when enacting its increase of the standard qualifying period for permanent residence to a decade. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US small businesses sound alarm over Trump’s tariffs amid crucial holiday season 29. November 2025 (11:00) Some small business owners doubt that even strong holiday sales will ease impact of tough year plagued by uncertaintyDonald Trump’s tariffs have increased prices on an array of popular holiday goods and driven a “massive” number of small firms out of business, industry leaders have warned.On Small Business Saturday, firms have their fingers crossed that strong holiday sales will ease the impact of a tough year. But many aren’t holding their breath. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Cuts to insulation scheme will leave homes cold over winter, experts say 29. November 2025 (11:00) E3G thinktank warns retrofit sector could shed 10,000 skilled jobs as small firms struggle to surviveCuts to a scheme for insulation and heatpumps for low-income households will leave homes damp, draughty and unsafe over winter, experts have said.Housing have asked for a one-year extension to the scheme to ensure continuity and prevent small retrofit firms going bust. Companies say funding for solar panels and insulation is already being withdrawn, leaving homes cold and draughty as winter sets in. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Wrexham AFC receives £18m from government despite Hollywood backing 29. November 2025 (10:26) Welsh government grants used to fund football club even though it is owned by wealthy movie stars Wrexham AFC has risen meteorically through the English football leagues thanks to the deep pockets of Hollywood movie star owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Yet the club has also had £18m in help from other, unwitting backers: Welsh taxpayers.The club has received almost £18m in nonrepayable grants from the Welsh government via the local council, according to UK government state aid disclosures – far in excess of the direct aid listed for any other football club in Britain. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Indonesia and Thailand flooding death toll tops 350 as rescuers struggle to reach worst-hit areas 29. November 2025 (09:01) More than 100 still missing on Sumatra island, where authorities to start cloud seeding to reduce rain, as Thailand sees one of worst floods in a decadeThe death toll from devastating floods and landslides in south-east Asia climbed past 350 on Saturday as clean-up and search and rescue operations got under way in Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia.Heavy monsoon rain overwhelmed swathes of the three countries this week, killing hundreds and leaving thousands stranded, many on rooftops awaiting rescue. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
