BBC ‘100% fake news’, says Donald Trump’s press secretary 08. November 2025 (13:19) Comments by Karoline Leavitt follow allegations that Panorama documentary misled viewers with its editing of a Trump speechDonald Trump’s press secretary has described the BBC as “100% fake news” and a “propaganda machine” in an outspoken interview that comes after allegations of bias at the broadcaster.Karoline Leavitt, a senior White House official in the Trump administration, said watching BBC bulletins while on trips to the UK “ruins” her day, saying taxpayers were being “forced to foot the bill for a leftist propaganda machine”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Elon Musk makes himself far-right fixture after White House departure 08. November 2025 (13:00) The Tesla CEO once hinted he was done with politics – but he’s been leaning further into the international far rightWhen the far-right activist Tommy Robinson emerged from a London courtroom this week after a judge cleared him of a terrorism charge, he gave thanks to the man he said had bankrolled his defense.“Elon Musk, I’m forever grateful. If you didn’t step in and fund my legal fight I’d probably be in jail,” Robinson said. “Thank you, Elon.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
A year after devastating Trump loss, have the Democrats begun to find their way back? 08. November 2025 (13:00) Party was shell-shocked after 2024 defeat but Tuesday night’s coast-to-coast romp signals brighter times aheadIt has been a year of soul-searching, hand-wringing, and self-flagellation for Democrats after a ballot-box rejection so thorough that some had come to believe that the party had lost not only the White House and Congress but the culture itself.Shell-shocked, Democrats entered Donald Trump’s second term in a political stupor – unsure of who they were or what they stood for. Their base had lost faith in its aging leadership class, and their brand, in Democrats’ own words, had become “toxic”: a party increasingly confined to coastal states, big cities and college towns. And even there, warning signs were flashing. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Death of Iranian activist who burned picture of supreme leader causes outcry 08. November 2025 (13:00) Iran’s police say Omid Sarlak, 22, shot himself, but fellow activists suspect he may have been killed for his viewsThe death of a young Iranian man who had filmed himself burning a photograph of the country’s supreme leader has sparked a war of words between state media and activists over how he died.Government-sanctioned news websites reported that Omid Sarlak, who was in his 20s, had been found in his car on Saturday in western Iran with a gunshot wound to his head and traces of gunpowder on his hands. Iranian police said Sarlak had “died by suicide”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
ShutdownTok: federal workers detail life without pay amid government’s closure 08. November 2025 (13:00) Federal employees on social media share practical tips and document lives amid longest US shutdown in historyAs the US government shutdown stretches on after becoming the longest in history, influencers and content creators have stepped into improvised public-service roles by chronicling life without paychecks.Across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, federal workers have been publishing “shutdown vlogs” that mix dark humor with practical tips. The federal shutdown has created its own internet sub-genre of resource directories, budget-stretching advice threads and mental health check-ins. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Tanzania officials seek arrest of opposition leaders after fatal election protests 08. November 2025 (12:49) Incumbent president won with 98% of vote but opposition was barred from running and say result was fraudulentTanzania is seeking the arrest of 10 people, including senior opposition figures, it has blamed for the deadly protests during elections last week.More than 1,000 people were killed by security forces during the demonstrations, according to the main opposition party, Chadema, and human rights bodies. The Tanzanian government has said these figures were exaggerated but did not give its own figures. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Plant importers say border delays in Kent could drive up prices and stop deliveries from EU 08. November 2025 (12:00) Traders report long waits at Sevington inspection post and claim trees and shrubs are repeatedly being damagedImporters of plants say long delays and damage to shipments at a Kent border control post risk driving up prices and could lead to transport companies stopping deliveries across the Channel.Traders have reported long waits in recent weeks at the government’s Sevington facility off the M20 near Ashford, which was built to check goods of plant and animal origin arriving from the EU. One importer said delays were adding £200 of costs to each load. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Carney survives two confidence votes on budget, quashing fears of winter election 08. November 2025 (12:00) Minority government benefitted from opposition members voting across the aisle, paving way for billions in spendingCanada’s prime minister Mark Carney’s minority government has survived two confidence votes on its budget, quashing fears – for now – of a winter federal election.The Liberals managed to pass the second of three votes on the plan on Friday, paving the way for tens of billions in new spending. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US to demand countries share data on ‘pathogens with epidemic potential’ in return for health aid 08. November 2025 (12:00) Draft template seen by the Guardian has no reference to countries receiving benefits for sharing information, such as guaranteed access to medicines developed as a resultThe US wants countries to agree to hand over information on bugs that could cause large-scale disease outbreaks in return for restoring aid to tackle health problems such as HIV and malaria, according to government documents.The Trump administration is seeking new bilateral aid agreements with dozens of countries, after an abrupt withdrawal from existing arrangements at the start of this year. The agreements form part of a new America First Global Health Strategy announced in September. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Woman stabbed in neck in ‘unprovoked attack’ in Birmingham city centre 08. November 2025 (11:49) Police arrest man in his 20s near to scene as woman remains in hospital in critical conditionA woman is in critical condition after she was stabbed in the neck in what police believe was “an unprovoked attack”.West Midlands police were called to Smallbrook Queensway in Birmingham city centre shortly before 9pm on Friday after reports of a stabbing. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
