‘Beyond ironic’: Reform-led council says flags must come down so Christmas lights can go up 03. November 2025 (20:12) Kent county council says union flags and flags of St George must come off street lights because of safety concerns A Reform-led council has ruled that union and St George’s flags must come down in order for a village’s traditional Christmas lights to go ahead, in a decision described as “beyond ironic”.Kent county council – whose leader once vowed not to remove flags put up “unilaterally by the people of Kent” – told Harrietsham parish council that flags must come down from street lights before festive lights could go up because of safety concerns. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Headteachers’ union considers strikes after judge rejects case against Ofsted 03. November 2025 (20:08) Union had sought permission to apply for judicial review over watchdog’s new inspection frameworkA headteachers’ union is to consult members about possible industrial action after a high court judge dismissed its attempt to challenge Ofsted’s new inspection regime for schools in England.The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) sought permission to apply for a judicial review, claiming the schools’ watchdog failed to adequately consult on the new framework or give proper consideration to the serious negative impact on teachers’ wellbeing. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
French taxi driver cleared of stealing from David Lammy after fare dispute 03. November 2025 (19:49) Nassim Mimun, who left with Lammy’s and his wife’s bags after ‘tone escalated’, acquitted owing to lack of evidenceA French taxi driver accused of stealing money and luggage from David Lammy has been acquitted due to lack of evidence, a prosecutor said.Nassim Mimun, 40, drove the deputy prime minister and his wife, Nicola Green, more than 600km (370 miles) from Forli, near Bologna in northern Italy, to the ski resort of Flaine in the French Alps on 11 April. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New York mayoral candidates campaign across city in final push before election 03. November 2025 (19:45) Zohran Mamdani walked across Brooklyn Bridge while Andrew Cuomo headed to the BronxThe candidates for New York City mayor spent a frantic final day campaigning across the city, as voters prepare to head to the polls on Tuesday in one of the most closely watched races in the city’s history.Zohran Mamdani, the race’s frontrunner, whose campaign has been centered on affordability, has maintained a commanding lead, with most polls showing him leading by double digits. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UN resolution on international stabilisation force for Gaza could be ready within two weeks 03. November 2025 (19:22) Resolution may be delayed without agreement over the force’s mandate and a timetable for Israeli withdrawal A UN security council resolution mandating the introduction of an international stabilisation force into Gaza is likely to be ready within two weeks, but may be delayed if disputes cannot be resolved over the force’s mandate, including the question of US military leadership, its relationship with the Palestinian civil police force and a timetable for Israeli military withdrawal.At a meeting in Istanbul of Muslim countries considering offering troops on Monday, the Turkish foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, said: “The countries will shape their decisions based on the mission and authority of the International Stabilization Force. I believe that if the mission conflicts with the principles and policies of the countries that will send troops, it will be difficult for these countries to send troops.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Canada’s Liberal party says budget of ‘sacrifice’ needed to avoid recession 03. November 2025 (19:16) Country set to unveil PM Mark Carney’s spending plan as it battles trade war with US and protracted cost of living crisisCanada’s ruling Liberal party has said a budget of “sacrifice” is required to confront both a trade war with the US and a protracted cost of living crisis that threatens to push the country into a recession. But with opposition parties signalling they won’t support the fiscal plans of the prime minister, Mark Carney, a failed parliamentary vote on the budget could plunge the country into another federal election in the coming weeks.The country’s finance minister, François-Philippe Champagne, will on Tuesday unveil a spending plan his government has signalled will include both steep deficits and spending cuts. Few details have leaked ahead of the announcement, which will mark the first substantive look at how Carney plans to avoid a recession while locked in a trade war with the US, Canada’s biggest economic partner. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump administration will provide half of usual funds to Snap recipients in November 03. November 2025 (18:58) Contingency funds will keep benefits going for nearly 42 million people in the food assistance program, Trump saysUS politics live – latest updatesThe Trump administration said it would provide partial relief to recipients of food stamps on Monday as the federal government shutdown approached a record-breaking length.Amid mounting uncertainty among the nearly 42 million people on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Snap), the Department of Agriculture said it would use contingency funds to keep benefits going, albeit just 50% of the usual funds recipients receive on their cards. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Stephen Colbert on cancellation of the Late Show: ‘So surprising and so shocking’ 03. November 2025 (18:57) In a new interview, the late-night host opened up about the end of his late-night series calling it ‘the first number one show to ever get cancelled’Stephen Colbert has opened up about the shock cancellation of The Late Show in a new interview, calling it: “The first number one show to ever get cancelled.”In a GQ interview, the 61-year-old host and comedian said the decision came as a surprise to him and one that didn’t have any preamble. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Outrage in Paris as Shein prepares to open its first permanent store 03. November 2025 (18:39) Fast-fashion retailer faces political anger, fury from workers and warnings it will damage city’s progressive imageThe online fast-fashion retailer Shein will open its first permanent bricks-and-mortar store in the world in Paris this week amid political outrage, fury from workers and warnings from city hall that it will damage the French capital’s progressive image.The Singapore-based clothing company, which was founded in China, has built a massive online business despite criticism over its factory working conditions and the environmental impact of low-cost, throwaway fashion. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Rome: worker trapped and one injured after part of medieval tower collapses 03. November 2025 (17:42) Three others rescued at the Torre dei Conti, which was undergoing restoration worksEurope live – latest updatesRescue workers are trying to pull a man from the rubble of a medieval tower in central Rome that partly collapsed twice during renovations, trapping him on an upper floor and injuring another man.The Torre dei Conti, located close to the Roman Forum ruins, suffered an initial collapse just after 11.30am (1030 GMT) on Monday, with falling debris reportedly hitting a 64-year-old worker. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
