Business secretary backs shift to electric arc furnaces at British Steel plant 16. November 2025 (11:00) Move would secure future of steel production at Scunthorpe but raise questions over future of blast furnacesThe business secretary, Peter Kyle, has backed a shift to cleaner electric arc technology at the state-controlled British Steel plant, raising questions about the future of the UK’s last remaining blast furnaces.Kyle said the government was “keen to see that transition happen”, as he works on a new steel strategy, which is expected to be published in December. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
When reality bites: the rapid rise and chaotic fall of Reform UK in Cornwall 16. November 2025 (11:00) Resignations, suspensions and infighting lead to party losing crown of highest number of seats in the county“I know whenever I come back here next,” Nigel Farage told a jubilant crowd of hundreds in a leisure centre in Redruth, “Reform UK will become a dominant force, not just in Cornwall politics, but in British politics.”That was in February and when the local elections arrived three months later it appeared Farage’s prophecy was in part coming true – Reform took 28 seats on Cornwall council, the highest number of any party. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK weather: Storm Claudia clean-up continues with cold snap on the way 16. November 2025 (10:38) Flood warnings still in place in England and Wales, as plunging temperatures forecast with possible snow and iceEmergency services are continuing to deal with severe flooding caused by Storm Claudia.A major incident was declared in Monmouth, south-east Wales, where people were rescued or evacuated from homes that were flooded during torrential rain on Friday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Caribbean reparations leaders in ‘historic’ first UK visit to press for justice 16. November 2025 (10:00) CRC mission will seek to deepen public understanding of Britain’s colonial legacy and its lasting impactA delegation from the body leading the Caribbean’s slavery reparations movement will be in the UK next week for a “historic” first official visit to advocate for former British colonies.The Caricom Reparations Commission (CRC) will be meeting with UK parliamentarians, Caribbean diplomats, academics and civil society groups from 17 to 20 November. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Former MP from Katter’s Australian party claims victory in Townsville mayoral race after swing against former leader 16. November 2025 (08:27) Nick Dametto says he is proud to ‘build the capital of northern Australia’ after byelection triggered by resignation of controversial former mayorGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTownsville has voted decisively against its former controversial mayor and instead looks likely to elect a bodybuilding, bull-riding former state MP from the populist right in what has been described as one of the biggest swings in Australian electoral history.Nick Dametto, 42, who was the deputy leader of Katter’s Australian Party’s and a Queensland parliamentarian before resigning and handing in his membership last month to run as an independent in Saturday’s byelection, had received more than 61% of the vote as of Sunday, with just over 30% counted. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
China sends coast guard to Senkaku islands amid row with Japan 16. November 2025 (08:02) Activity around Japanese-held islands, also claimed by China, comes after PM Sanae Takaichi said Japan might respond militarily to an invasion of TaiwanChina has sent its coast guard through the waters of the Senkaku islands and military drones past outlying Japanese territory as Beijing ramps up tensions over the Japanese prime minister’s remarks on Taiwan.On Sunday the Chinese coast guard said its ships made a “rights enforcement patrol” through the waters of the Senkaku, which are administered by Japan but also claimed by China as the Diaoyu islands. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Britain’s biggest housebuilder urges government to support first-time buyers 16. November 2025 (08:00) Taylor Wimpey chief Jennie Daly calls for revival of help-to-buy equity loan scheme to revive property marketThe boss of one of Britain’s biggest housebuilders has urged the government to announce more support for first-time buyers to revive a property market that has cooled in the “very long shadow” of the looming budget.Jennie Daly, the chief executive of Taylor Wimpey, also warned against an “accumulation of regulation”, arguing that a “perverse outcome” of green measures could be that it becomes unviable to build new homes in poorer areas of the country. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Domestic abuse victims who flee with children overseas to be criminalised under new law 16. November 2025 (08:00) Change to crime and policing bill backed by fathers’ rights groups seeking support in cross-border abduction casesMothers fleeing domestic violence who keep their children overseas without permission would be criminalised for the first time under a new law.The change is introduced in a proposed amendment to the crime and policing bill, backed by fathers’ rights groups and the Reunite International charity. The amendment has not been debated in parliament, and is now before the House of Lords. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘There is a gap where Alex should be’: the young woman who lost her life in a neglectful prison system 16. November 2025 (07:00) An inquest has found a Cheshire prison guilty of neglect after Alex Davies, 25, was found dead inside a segregation cell after a lifetime of mental health struggles“There is a gap or a space where Alex should be,” Stacie Davies said. “Wherever I am, she’s not there.”At just 25 years old, her daughter, Alex Davies, was found dead in her segregation cell at Styal prison in Cheshire on Christmas Eve last year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Michael Jackson is moonwalking back, but after the Springsteen flop is the pop biopic still relevant? 16. November 2025 (07:00) Jackson’s songs are back on charts and biopic trailer racked up 116m views in 24 hours, yet there is a certain hesitation Michael Jackson’s voodoo classic Thriller was high on Billboard’s Hot 100 in the week of 15 November, handing the 16-years-gone King of Pop a record for having a Top 10 hit across six different decades. Simultaneously, Jackson also broke records for receiving 116m views in 24 hours for the trailer of a new biopic, Michael, set for release in April.Millions of fans may be excited and primed for a Jackson biopic. For comparison, the trailer beat out Taylor Swift’s Eras tour preview and it will join a procession of recent music biopics about Bruce Springsteen, Amy Winehouse, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley and Elton John. The most successful of all – the Freddie Mercury and Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody – took in nearly a billion dollars at the box office. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
