Shein to cooperate with French investigation into sale of childlike sex dolls 04. November 2025 (08:38) Spokesperson says company prepared to share names of those who bought dolls before they were removed from saleThe Asian e-commerce company Shein has pledged to cooperate with French prosecutors who have opened an investigation into the sale of childlike sex dolls on its platform.“We will cooperate fully with the judicial authorities,” Shein’s spokesperson in France, Quentin Ruffat, told RMC radio, adding that the company was prepared to share names of those who had bought such dolls. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Third of British farmers made no profit in past year, report finds 04. November 2025 (08:00) Only 14% of farmers surveyed for Farmdex report had 10% or more profit margin amid drop in subsidies since BrexitA third of British farmers are making a loss or breaking even as they struggle with the loss of subsidies and looming inheritance tax changes, a report on post-Brexit farming has found.Only 14% of farmers surveyed for McCain Foods’ inaugural Farmdex report said they made 10% or more profit in the past year. In fact, many are making no profit at all, with 35% of the farmers reporting making a loss or breaking even. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Beating, torturing, killing’: freed Palestinian author on life in Israeli jails 04. November 2025 (08:00) Nasser Abu Srour says prisons became like ‘another front’ in Gaza war and tells of struggle to adjust to life outsideA celebrated Palestinian author who was freed last month after more than 32 years in Israeli prisons has said the use of torture increased dramatically during his last two years of captivity as Israel came to treat its jails as another front in the Gaza war.Nasser Abu Srour, whose prison memoir has been translated into seven languages and is tipped to win a major international literary prize this month, was among more than 150 Palestinians serving life sentences who were freed as part of the US-brokered Gaza ceasefire and then immediately exile to Egypt, where most remain in limbo. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Not over’: Liberal MPs fearing calamity in city electorates launch rearguard action to salvage net zero policy 04. November 2025 (07:19) Emissions policy brawl has become major threat to Sussan Ley’s leadership ahead of key meeting at end of NovemberFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLiberal MPs have launched a rearguard action to salvage a commitment to net zero emissions, with one warning the party “will pay dearly in city electorates” and undermine Australia’s international reputation if the Coalition abandons the target.The South Australian senator Andrew McLachlan said the internal campaign to preserve a net zero emissions policy was “not over” despite a growing expectation that the Liberals will follow the Nationals in dumping the climate goal. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Backlash after New Zealand government scraps rules on incorporating Māori culture in classrooms 04. November 2025 (06:08) Minister says obligations for school boards to ‘give effect’ to the treaty are unfair while critics argue the move will sideline Indigenous educationNew Zealand’s Treaty of Waitangi – explained in 30 secondsA plan by New Zealand’s government to scrap a legal requirement on schools to incorporate local Māori culture in classrooms has been condemned by teachers, principals and school boards.Since 2020, school boards have been obligated to “give effect” to the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand’s founding document signed in 1840 between Māori tribes and the British Crown and instrumental in upholding Māori rights. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Ofwat letting water firms charge twice to tackle sewage, court to hear 04. November 2025 (06:01) River Action bringing legal action against water regulator over who should foot bill for firms’ past failures to investOfwat is unlawfully allowing water companies to charge customers twice to fund more than £100bn of investment to reduce sewage pollution, campaigners will allege in court on Tuesday.Lawyers for River Action say the bill increases being allowed by Ofwat – which amount to an average of £123 a year per household – mean customers will be paying again for improvements to achieve environmental compliance that should have been funded from their previous bills. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Phillipson calls for ‘less public debate’ from EHRC on gender recognition rules 04. November 2025 (06:00) Minister responds to calls from watchdog’s chair to approve new guidance on transgender rights ‘as soon as possible’Bridget Phillipson has urged the equalities watchdog to focus more on helping ministers do their jobs and less on having public debates as a row continues about how long it will take to implement new rules on gender recognition.The comments by Phillipson, who is the equalities minister as well as the education secretary, come after the Equality and Human Rights Commission took the unusual step of urging the government to “act with speed” in approving its statutory guidance on responding to a landmark supreme court ruling on transgender rights. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Albanese government deports two more men to Nauru in secret, infuriating human rights advocates 04. November 2025 (05:38) Exclusive: Sources say a Sudanese national and another man chartered to former regional processing centre last week, joining one other personFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAnother two men from the NZYQ-affected cohort have been deported to Nauru in a process human rights advocates say is shrouded in secrecy.Sources told Guardian Australia a Sudanese national, who was detained in the Yongah Hill centre just outside of Perth, and another man held within a different centre were chartered to Nauru last week. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
RBA holds official interest rate at 3.6% while warning of rising house prices and rents 04. November 2025 (05:12) Reserve Bank’s decision to leave cash rate on hold was widely expected and major banks predict no interest rates cut until 2026Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Reserve Bank has left the official interest rate on hold, as it warned house prices and rents will rise in 2026 after a surprise rebound in inflation.The RBA’s monetary policy board on Tuesday kept the cash rate at 3.6%, where it has sat since August. Economists and banks overwhelmingly expected no change. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Almost 120 flying foxes hospitalised after giant hail smashes Queensland colony 04. November 2025 (05:12) Rescued bats taken to RSPCA wildlife hospital in Brisbane’s south-west with injuries including ‘faces that were smashed and broken wings’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWhen a severe hailstorm hit the tiny Queensland township of Esk on the weekend, it wasn’t just people ducking for cover.Almost 120 flying foxes were injured, some critically, before being rescued by volunteers and admitted to the RSPCA wildlife hospital in Wacol, in Brisbane’s south-west. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
