Europe scrambles to join Ukraine talks as EU nations attempt to bolster militaries – Europe live 27. November 2025 (11:20) Macron due to unveil proposals for a new voluntary military service to boost the country’s defences without having to return to regular conscriptionMeanwhile, a court in Russia convicted eight people on terrorism charges over an attack on a bridge linking Russia to Moscow-annexed Crimea that is a key supply route for Kremlin forces in the war with Ukraine, AP reported.The court sentenced all of the defendants to life in prison. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
NHS doctor suspended over alleged antisemitic social media posts 27. November 2025 (11:05) Rahmeh Aladwan barred from practising for 15 months pending inquiry amid claims she ‘celebrated terrorist acts’An NHS doctor accused of antisemitism has been suspended for 15 months pending an investigation, the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) in the UK has ruled.The General Medical Council (GMC) is investigating Dr Rahmeh Aladwan over posts and comments made across various social media platforms after several complaints, including from the Jewish Medical Association UK and the Campaign Against Antisemitism. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Income tax threshold freeze will hit poorer households harder, experts say 27. November 2025 (11:03) Move will have greater impact on living standards of taxpayers in bottom half of income scale, thinktanks sayUK politics live – latest updatesBusiness live – latest updatesRachel Reeves will punish poorer households more than the better off through the freezing of income tax thresholds announced in Wednesday’s budget, two major thinktanks have said.The Resolution Foundation said the freeze on income tax thresholds for a further three years to 2031 would harm the living standards of taxpayers in the bottom half of the income scale. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
South Africa hits back at ‘punitive’ Trump move to bar it from G20 meeting in Florida 27. November 2025 (10:50) Diplomatic row worsens after US president says member state will not be invited to 2026 summitDonald Trump has said that South Africa will not be invited to G20 events in the United States when it presides over the forum next year, a measure the African nation described as “punitive”.The US president repeated widely discredited claims that South Africa is “killing white people”, extending a diplomatic row between the countries after the US boycotted the summit in Johannesburg last weekend. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US banks announce UK expansion projects hours after budget 27. November 2025 (10:42) JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs reveal plans for London and Birmingham, with sector spared tax risesTwo of Wall Street’s biggest banks have announced major expansion plans in the UK, hours after they were spared increased taxes in Rachel Reeves’s autumn budget.JP Morgan on Thursday revealed plans to build a 3m sq ft tower in London’s Canary Wharf, which will serve as its new UK headquarters and house more than half of its 23,000 UK staff. It is understood the project will cost £3bn. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Hong Kong fire: police blame construction firm’s ‘gross negligence’ as death toll rises to 55 27. November 2025 (08:24) Three construction industry employees arrested after police allege unsafe scaffolding materials may have been behind fire’s rapid spreadHong Kong fire – latest updatesHow the fire unfolded – visual guideHong Kong police have alleged unsafe scaffolding and foam materials used during maintenance work may have been behind the rapid spread of a devastating fire at a group of residential tower blocks that has killed at least 55 people and left almost 300 missing.Firefighters were still battling to reach residents who may be trapped on the upper floors of the Wang Fuk Court housing complex on Thursday due to the intense heat and thick smoke generated by the fire. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
West is ‘missing obscure sanctions that could set back Russia’s war machine’ 27. November 2025 (08:00) US group Dekleptocracy identifies chemicals used for military vehicles’ lubricants and tyres as potential vulnerabilitiesA US group has identified several obscure but potentially key sanctions it says could seriously disrupt Russia’s war effort in Ukraine after last month’s targeting of the Kremlin’s biggest oil firms.Previous rounds of sanctions have been applied to Russian energy companies, banks, military suppliers and the “shadow fleet” of ships carrying Russian oil. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ministers to crack down on ‘for-profit’ litter enforcers in England 27. November 2025 (08:00) Councils will end contracts allowing private enforcers to receive 50% to 100% of each fine servedMinisters have signalled an imminent crackdown on so-called “for-profit” litter enforcement arrangements in England, where private firms are paid for each fixed penalty notice issued.Under long-awaited statutory guidance, councils would have to end contracts that allow private enforcers to receive between 50% to 100% of each fine they serve. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Leaders hope budget funding will boost Labour in next year’s Scotland and Wales elections 27. November 2025 (07:00) Scottish Labour’s Anas Sarwar and the Welsh first minister, Eluned Morgan, both face humiliating defeat in next year’s elections, according to pollingLabour leaders in Edinburgh and Cardiff sought credit for the most progressive measures in Rachel Reeves’ budget on Wednesday, pinning their hopes for next year’s critical elections on a package that increases funding for Scotland and Wales by nearly £2bn.That funding boost and the abolition of the two-child limit for universal credit recipients were seen as a relief in both capitals. Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, said: “I demanded a Labour budget rooted in Labour values and that is what the chancellor has delivered. This budget means child poverty down, energy bills down, wages up and austerity rejected.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Rachel Reeves hands farmers inheritance tax break 27. November 2025 (07:00) Treasury says concession could be worth £30m next year and then £70m annually until 2030Rachel Reeves has eased inheritance tax on agricultural property after pressure from farmers.As the chancellor made her budget speech on Wednesday, the Treasury announced changes it said could save farmers and business owners £30m next year when passing on property and £70m a year in the following four years. Farmers, who had driven tractors up to the doors of parliament, were protesting outside at the same time. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
