State-sanctioned fuel smuggling cost Libya $20bn over three years – report 13. November 2025 (15:02) Policy body calls for western-backed investigation into oil officials known to be at heart of illegal enterpriseA surge in state-sanctioned fuel smuggling between 2022 and 2024 cost the Libyan people about $20bn (£15bn) in lost revenue – an alarming sum that demands decisive international sanctions against those responsible, according to the most comprehensive report published on how Libya’s primary revenue source has been systematically pillaged.The report by the investigative and policy body the Sentry states that “politicians and security leaders who claim to serve the public and fight organised crime have, in fact, acted as the chief architects of Libya’s fuel-smuggling industry, often with backing from foreign states”. Some of the imported fuel has also been smuggled into Sudan, where it has prolonged that country’s civil war. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Will Victoria’s new youth crime laws be tough on crime or just a coward punch? 13. November 2025 (15:00) Jacinta Allan’s Labor government takes a leaf out of the playbook of conservative oppositions: focus on crime and hope voters see them as knights in shining armourGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTo put it in language those in the Victorian government who are enamoured of tabloid newspapers and talkback radio will understand: are these new laws tough on crime, or merely a coward punch?A decision by the Victorian government to introduce adult crime, adult time laws has been widely condemned as an easy way out, getting in first with a cheap shot rather than having to duke it out on youth crime with a rabble of a Coalition at next year’s state election. It may work politically, but will it work as policy? Continue reading...(The Guardian)
At least 30,000 graduates lose qualifications in Australia’s vocational education crackdown 13. November 2025 (15:00) Since late 2024, registrations of 11 VET organisations have been cancelled, voiding diplomas, certificates and statements of attainmentGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAt least 30,000 people have lost their qualifications in the past year as the regulator cracks down on Australia’s shonky vocational education and training providers.Since late 2024, the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) has cancelled the registrations of 11 training organisations and voided diplomas, certificates and statements of attainment that providers had issued. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
The Coalition believes pursuing net zero will increase power bills – but the IEA tells us the opposite is true 13. November 2025 (15:00) The International Energy Agency, once known for an anti-renewables bias, now says a more ambitious transition will lower pricesSign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter hereJust as the Liberal party walked away from a firm net zero emissions target, the International Energy Agency report told the world that a more ambitious clean energy transition means lower household power bills.The timing is exquisite. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
SA attorney general refers anti-abortion activist Joanna Howe’s fundraiser ‘game’ for investigation 13. November 2025 (15:00) Bingo card-style game, where supporters encouraged to ‘buy’ words and phrases linked to contentious abortion bill, condemned by crossbench MLCs as a ‘grift’ that trivialised debateFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA “fun little game” launched by the anti-abortion activist Joanna Howe to raise funds during an emotional debate over late-pregnancy abortion in South Australia has been referred for investigation.Howe, who has worked with conservative politicians to introduce various state and federal bills to water down abortion rights, said the bingo card-style game was a fundraiser for an anti-abortion war chest. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Liberty Steel being investigated in Romania for embezzlement 13. November 2025 (14:39) Metals firm denies allegations as more problems emerge for founder Sanjeev Gupta after loss of key UK operationSanjeev Gupta’s Liberty Steel is under investigation in Romania for embezzlement and tax evasion, adding to the metals tycoon’s difficulties after the loss of his key British operation.Romania’s prosecutor’s office said in a statement last week that they raided seven homes and the registered office of an unnamed company. The office published a video – blurred to make identification more difficult – which appeared to show officers in helmets and body armour entering a property at night. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Trumpist’ Czech PM-elect refuses to sell business empire amid conflict of interest row 13. November 2025 (14:27) Billionaire populist Andrej Babiš insisting he will meet legal obligations before taking officeAndrej Babiš, the self-proclaimed “Trumpist” billionaire who won last month’s Czech election, has refused to sell his huge business empire, but insisted he will resolve a conflict of interest that threatens to bar him from becoming prime minister.Babiš, whose ANO party finished a comfortable first in the October vote but failed to secure a majority in parliament, said in a social media post on Thursday he would not sell his Agrofert farming, food processing and chemicals conglomerate. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Alan Rickman’s personal scripts and mementoes up for auction 13. November 2025 (14:21) Lots include the annotated shooting script for Die Hard and a hand-drawn Halloween card from his Harry Potter co-star Rupert GrintAlan Rickman’s obsessive attention to detail is revealed in the copious annotations he made on all his scripts, as a number of film-related items from the late actor’s personal collections are put up for auction including screenplays from Die Hard and Harry Potter.Propstore, the Los Angeles and London-based auction firm that specialises in entertainment industry memorabilia and recently sold a Star Wars lightsaber for £2.7m, is staging a three-day sale in which a number of lots originating from the Alan Rickman archive will be available. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
EU investigates Google over ‘demotion’ of commercial content from news media 13. November 2025 (14:16) Some content created with advertisers is no longer visible, which could mean loss of revenue, officials sayThe EU has opened an investigation into Google Search over concerns the US tech company has been “demoting” commercial content from news media sites.The bloc’s executive arm announced the move after monitoring found that certain content created with advertisers and sponsors was being given such a low priority by Google that it was in effect no longer visible in search results. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labour faces questions over Starmer aide who holds shares in lobbying firm 13. November 2025 (14:11) Communications chief Tim Allan left Strand Partners in September but still holds a minority stakeUK politics live – latest updatesNo 10 is facing calls for an investigation into whether Keir Starmer’s communications chief should be allowed to hold shares in a lobbying firm and discuss politics with one of its consultants.Tim Allan, who is one of Starmer’s most senior aides, has a minority stake in Strand Partners, which critics claim could give rise to a perception of a conflict of interest. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
