Is Farage right to claim that racism allegations are response to a dislike of his politics? 26. November 2025 (21:11) Reform UK leader has again denied allegations about his behaviour as a schoolboy but what are the facts?Nigel Farage has again denied allegations of racism as a schoolboy and repeated his claim that some had been concocted because people disliked his politics.During a press conference, he snapped at one reporter who asked about the issue, saying: “I think we’ve gone quite a long way towards answering all this, don’t you?” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Two US national guard soldiers shot near White House in Washington DC 26. November 2025 (20:57) Conditions of two soldiers isn’t immediately known after incident, and emergency vehicles were seen responding in the areaUS politics live – latest updatesTwo US national guard soldiers were shot on Wednesday near the White House and their conditions aren’t immediately known, according to a law enforcement official not authorized to discuss the matter publicly, who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.The incident happened near the Farragut metro station and comes amid a controversial deployment of troops to the US capital city ordered by the Trump administration. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
OBR warns Reeves’s budget still leaves public finances in ‘vulnerable’ position 26. November 2025 (20:30) Damaging events could knock finances off course, says Treasury’s independent forecaster as it downgrades growth outlookReeves says budget will cut living costs after shock OBR leakBudget 2025: key points at a glanceThe Treasury’s independent forecaster has warned that Rachel Reeves’s tax-raising budget will still leave the public finances in a “vulnerable” position despite her more than doubling the UK’s financial buffer.The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) said the potential for damaging events – such as a global stock market crash or future pandemic – to knock the government’s finances off course remained high, even while the chancellor increased her headroom from £9.9bn to £22bn. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
How Rachel Reeves’s budget was leaked 40 minutes early 26. November 2025 (20:29) By the time the chancellor reached the dispatch box, the OBR had accidentally published its verdict in full onlineAt a glance: the key points from the budgetShortly before midday on Wednesday, a series of headlines about Rachel Reeves’s budget began appearing on the Reuters newswire, sending instant ripples though financial markets.The details were jaw-dropping: they appeared to spell out the key policies of the chancellor’s budget more than 40 minutes before she was due to deliver them to a crowded Commons chamber. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Relief for retailers as business rate changes in budget not as bad as feared 26. November 2025 (20:28) Sainsbury’s chief executive says ‘industry concerns have been heard’, although others outside retail industry are left frustrated by changesRetailers have breathed a sigh of relief after changes to their business rates bills in the budget were not as bad as feared, after the industry had warned for months that more punitive measures could lead to shop closures and jobs losses.The chancellor, Rachel Reeves, on Wednesday revealed plans to permanently reduce business rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties – although the discounts are not as generous as those that have been in place since the pandemic. About 750,000 properties in those sectors will see their bills set below the current standard level, with deeper discounts for smaller operators, according to the government. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump officials halt protected status for Haitians in US 26. November 2025 (20:21) Homeland security secretary Kristi Noem says allowing Haitians to remain is ‘contrary to US national interest’The Trump administration has once again moved to halt humanitarian protections for Haitians living in the US, this time announcing that their temporary protected status (TPS) will expire on 3 February.According to a new Department of Homeland Security notice issued on Wednesday, TPS for approximately 340,000 Haitian migrants will be terminated next year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Pam Hogg, fashion designer with a rock’n’roll spirit, dies at 66 26. November 2025 (20:15) ‘100% party girl’ and key part of 1980s London club scene designed for Rihanna, Björk, Kylie Minogue and Debbie HarryPam Hogg, the fashion designer who brought together fashion and music on the catwalk in the 1980s, has died aged 66, her family have said.Hogg, whose bold, futuristic designs were worn by stars including Rihanna, Kate Moss and Blondie’s Debbie Harry, died “surrounded by the loving care of cherished friends and family”, her family posted on Instagram. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Bamboo scaffolding may be to blame for spread of Hong Kong tower block fire 26. November 2025 (20:12) Hong Kong is one of the last places in the world where bamboo is widely used by construction workersDeath toll in Hong Kong tower block fire rises to 36 with 279 reported missingA deadly fire in an apartment complex in Hong Kong appears to have spread in part because the buildings were sheathed in bamboo scaffolding, a traditional building material that the authorities have been phasing out for safety reasons.Dozens of people died on Wednesday in Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades. The blaze tore through the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Tai Po, in the northern New Territories. The complex is made up of eight 31-storey towers containing about 2,000 flats that house about 4,800 people. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘A win for nature and people’: Elizabeth line soil used to create Essex bird haven 26. November 2025 (20:00) A record 39,000 birds are overwintering on Wallasea island wetlands thanks to soil transported from London tunnelsAlmost 40,000 birds have made their home on a nature reserve created using soil from tunnel excavations for the Elizabeth line.Three million tonnes of earth were transported from London to Wallasea island in Essex and used to lift the ground level and make wetlands. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Living an American nightmare’: LA hearing details lasting trauma of ICE raids 26. November 2025 (19:39) Southern California residents shared disastrous effects of Trump’s immigration crackdown at a congressional hearingThe Trump administration’s ICE raids across southern California have had disastrous effects on the region’s immigrants and swept up US citizens in the process, community leaders and residents said at a congressional hearing in Los Angeles on Monday.Andrea Velez, an American arrested by US immigration officials over the summer, described how she was accosted by masked agents while on her way to work. She said she was charged with assaulting an officer and held for two days in a federal detention center, where detainees had to pay for a cup in order to have water. The charges against her were ultimately dismissed due to what her attorney described as a lack of evidence. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
