European Union to reveal ratings for candidate countries – Europe live 04. November 2025 (11:06) Kaja Kallas to issue update this afternoon on progress countries are making towards becoming union memberMeanwhile over in the Netherlands, the coalition forming process is about to start this afternoon as leaders of the main parties meet to discuss next steps and appoint a “scout” to see what’s possible.The meeting is scheduled for 4pm local time today, and will be hosted by the parliament speaker, Martin Bosma. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
The trouble with US veterans benefits isn’t ‘rampant’ fraud – it’s bureaucratic roadblocks, advocates say 04. November 2025 (11:00) Veterans groups say recent Washington Post stories on VA disability payments paint a misleading picture. The paper stands by its reportingIn October, the Washington Post reported that it had uncovered “rampant exaggeration and fraud” in the US Department of Veterans Affairs’ disability benefits system.“Military veterans are swamping the US government with dubious disability claims … exploiting the country’s sacred commitment to compensate those harmed in the line of duty,” the newspaper reported. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Democrats fight to rebuild in key state races on election day 04. November 2025 (11:00) With polls showing signs of recovery after a popularity slump, Tuesday’s results will test whether the party can rebuildOne year after Donald Trump won his way back into the White House, voters are going back to the ballot box in a test of the president’s popularity and whether Democrats are able to rebound from their catastrophic losses of 2024.With governor’s mansions, mayoral offices, statehouses and mid-cycle redistricting on the line in closely watched contests from Trenton, New Jersey and Richmond, Virginia to New York City and beyond, the party is pinning its hopes on locally rooted campaigns aiming to blunt a national conservative message that has surged in recent years. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Elon Musk’s $1tn Tesla pay deal to be rejected by huge Norway wealth fund 04. November 2025 (10:42) Carmaker’s seventh biggest single investor will vote against package at annual shareholder meetingBusiness live – latest updatesNorway’s sovereign wealth fund has said it will vote against a $1tn (£765bn) pay package for the Tesla chief executive, Elon Musk.The fund, which is the biggest national wealth fund in the world, said that while it appreciated the “the significant value created under Mr Musk’s visionary role” it would vote against his performance award. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Three countries are ‘willing and capable’ of assassinating political dissidents on Australian soil, Asio head warns 04. November 2025 (10:40) Spy chief Mike Burgess says it’s possible the unnamed regimes ‘would try to hide their involvement’ in any killingsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastForeign agents from at least three countries are “willing and capable” of assassinating perceived political dissidents on Australian soil, Australia’s spy chief Mike Burgess has claimed.While not naming the three countries on Tuesday evening, Burgess, the director general of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, warned of the risk of a politically motivated assassination in Australia and said: “This threat is real.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
As criticism grows, is UAE ready to walk away from Sudan’s RSF militia? 04. November 2025 (10:37) After mass killings in El Fasher and four years on from a coup, UAE now admits its Sudan policy has gone wrongThe United Arab Emirates’ diplomatic machine is for the first time admitting to mistakes in its Sudan policy after suffering reputational damage over its support for the Rapid Support Forces, the Sudanese paramilitary group that has carried out mass killings in El Fasher since it captured the city late last month.Speaking in Bahrain on Sunday, Anwar Gargash, the UAE’s senior diplomatic envoy, said the UAE and others had been wrong not to impose sanctions on the instigators of the 2021 coup – jointly led by the RSF and the army – that overthrew Sudan’s transitional civilian government. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK lawyers warn of ‘race to the bottom’ after Tory MP issues deportation threat 04. November 2025 (10:30) Top lawyers call for change in rhetoric that has left minority ethnic Britons fearful as politicians target migrantsUK politics live – latest updatesLeading British lawyers have warned of a political “race to the bottom”, after a Conservative MP tipped as future party leader said large numbers of legally settled families must be deported.Katie Lam, a shadow Home Office minister and a Tory whip, said people with legal status in the UK should have their right to stay revoked, to ensure the UK is mostly “culturally coherent”. The Tory leader, Kemi Badenoch, rowed back on Lam’s statement last Thursday, weeks later. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Family speaks out after death of man deported by ICE in vegetative state 04. November 2025 (10:00) Randall Alberto Gamboa Esquivel’s family alleges negligence and inhumane treatmentThe recent death of a Costa Rican man who was jailed by US immigration authorities in February before being deported in a vegetative state in September has prompted his family and supporters to speak out with allegations of negligence and inhumane treatment.Nonetheless, a spokesperson for Donald Trump’s administration – which has aimed to deport as many people as possible from the US since his second presidency started in January – maintained in a statement that the medical treatment Randall Alberto Gamboa Esquivel received before his death is better than many immigrants “have received in their entire lives”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
First stores allegedly selling illegal tobacco shut down in Sydney as officials wield new powers 04. November 2025 (09:49) Health minister Ryan Park promises the two closures are ‘just the beginning’ as NSW tries to stem sharp rise in illicit cigarettes and vapesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTwo stores allegedly selling illicit tobacco in Sydney have been shut down, the first premises to be closed under new state laws cracking down on black market cigarettes and vapes.The stores on the city’s north shore have been shut down immediately for 90 days and the Minns government can now seek further court orders to close the outlets for 12 months. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Primark owner ABF could split fashion business from food division 04. November 2025 (09:07) Parent company announces drop in sales and profits as its sugar and agriculture arms face higher costsBusiness live – latest updatesThe owner of Primark is considering splitting the fashion retailer from its food division, which contains Twinings and Kingsmill, amid a “challenging external backdrop”.Associated British Foods (ABF) said it was considering splitting off Primark from its food arm, which includes sugar production and grocery brands, “with a view to maximising long-term value”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
