Princess of Wales calls for end to ‘stigma’ around addiction 24. November 2025 (07:01) Forward Trust patron says ‘compassion and love’ are needed to end fear and shame felt by those affectedThe Princess of Wales has called for an end to the “stigma” surrounding addictions, saying the experiences of those dependent on drugs, alcohol or gambling are “shaped by fear, shame and judgment”.Catherine, who is a patron of the charity Forward Trust supporting recovering addicts, said more open conversations were needed to bring the issue “out of the shadows” and for society to show “compassion and love” to those affected. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Civil liberties groups call for inquiry into UK data protection watchdog 24. November 2025 (07:00) Campaigners including Good Law Project describe ICO ‘collapse in enforcement activity’ after Afghan data breach Dozens of civil liberties campaigners and legal professionals are calling for an inquiry into the UK’s data protection watchdog, after what they describe as “a collapse in enforcement activity” after the scandal of the Afghan data breach.A total of 73 academics, senior lawyers, data protection experts and organisations including Statewatch and the Good Law Project, have written to Chi Onwurah, the chair of the cross-party Commons science, innovation and technology committee, calling for an inquiry to be held into the office of the information commissioner, John Edwards. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australian federal MPs warned to turn off phones when Chinese delegation visits Parliament House 24. November 2025 (06:54) Liberal party senator calls Department of Parliamentary Services email ‘incredibly concerning’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPoliticians and staff in parts of Parliament House have been urged to turn off their phones, laptops and internet during a visit by Chinese officials, with parliament administrators warning building occupants about interruptions to wifi service.The shadow cybersecurity minister, Claire Chandler, called the warning “incredibly concerning”, saying the parliament advisory raised worries about threats to sensitive data. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Udo Kier, German actor who starred in 200 films spanning Lars von Trier to Ace Ventura, dies aged 81 24. November 2025 (06:06) Actor who appeared in My Own Private Idaho, Blade, Armageddon and Dogville, as well as Madonna music videos and video games, died on SundayUdo Kier, the German actor who appeared in 275 roles across Hollywood and European cinema, including multiple films by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Gus Van Sant and Lars von Trier, has died aged 81.Kier died on Sunday morning, his partner Delbert McBride told Variety. The actor died in hospital in Palm Springs, California, his friend the photographer Michael Childers announced on social media. No cause of death was given. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘An inner duty’: the 35-year quest to bring Bach’s lost organ works to light 24. November 2025 (06:00) Musicologist Peter Wollny chanced upon the manuscripts in 1992 and authenticating them took half of his lifetimeThe best fictional detectives are famed for their intuition, an ability to spot some seemingly ineffable discrepancy. Peter Wollny, the musicologist behind last week’s “world sensational” revelation of two previously unknown works by Johann Sebastian Bach, had a funny feeling when he chanced upon two intriguing sheets of music in a dusty library in 1992.His equivalent of the Columbo turn, from mere hunch to unravelling a secret, would take up half his life. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Beautiful to look at and wonderful to live in’: new pattern designs could be next art deco or red brick classics 24. November 2025 (04:07) Competition-winning apartment building plans should be approved twice as quickly by NSW councils, and will be three to six storeys highFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAiry Scandinavian interiors, shaded balconies, light-filled courtyards – could these be Sydney’s next art deco apartment blocks or red brick walk-ups?The New South Wales government has launched nine new mid-rise apartment building pattern book designs, which it hopes will support the construction of 112,000 homes in the “missing middle” over the next five years, through its controversial low and mid-rise (LMR) reforms. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Culture cringe’: experts dismiss Coalition claims Chris Bowen cannot remain minister while leading Cop31 negotiations 24. November 2025 (03:53) Opposition claims key diplomatic role at next year’s conference in Turkey would make Bowen a ‘part-time minister’ while Australians face inflated energy pricesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesSign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter hereExperts have dismissed claims Chris Bowen cannot remain a senior minister while playing a leading role in international climate negotiations, with one describing the argument as evidence of an Australian “culture cringe”.Australia failed in its long-running bid to co-host the Cop31 climate summit with Pacific nations next year after Turkey refused to withdraw from the consensus process despite limited support.Sign up to get climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s Clear Air column as a free newsletter Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Penny Wong says Ukraine’s territorial integrity must be upheld amid global backlash to Trump plan 24. November 2025 (03:40) Australian foreign minister echoes European call for sovereignty to be respected and for end to ‘Russia’s illegal and immoral war’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastForeign minister Penny Wong has warned any peace plan for Ukraine must not hand new territory to Vladimir Putin, amid furious international backlash to Donald Trump’s proposal.The US president’s plan prompted a furious response from Ukrainians at the weekend, before the country’s European allies released an alternative plan during talks in Geneva. That plan omits some of the pro-Russia provisions included in the original, US-backed document and calls for Kyiv’s sovereignty to be respected. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
More then 2,000 trafficked children and lone child asylum seekers missing from UK councils’ care 24. November 2025 (01:05) Charities say vulnerable young people are being failed by local authorities, the police and central governmentMore than 2,000 children who have been trafficked or who arrived in the UK alone to claim asylum disappeared from social services’ care last year, according to freedom of information data shared with the Guardian.The authors of a report, Until Harm Ends, submitted FoI requests to children’s services departments in councils across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland asking for information about trafficked children and those who arrived alone in the UK and claimed asylum, who then went missing after being taken into care. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Simpler regulations spearhead UK taskforce plan to get new nuclear reactors built 24. November 2025 (01:01) Panel’s final report outlines planning and environmental changes to get plants built faster and cheaperA government taskforce has finalised its plans to speed up and lower the cost of rolling out a new generation of nuclear reactors by streamlining UK regulation.The nuclear regulatory taskforce was set up by the prime minister, Keir Starmer, in February after the government promised to rip up “archaic rules” and slash regulations to “get Britain building”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
