Voting under way in Netherlands parliamentary election – Europe live 29. October 2025 (14:55) Polls suggest Geert Wilders’ far-right Freedom party (PVV) could finish first in vote triggered when he pulled out of rightwing coalition in JuneEarly turnout estimates by Ipsos-I&O are so far marginally lower than in previous years, suggesting 27% of the electorate voted by 1.45pm local time.It was 28% in 2023, and 33% in 2017. 2021 was a slightly different story, as the polls were open for three days, during the Covid pandemic. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Boeing takes near $5bn hit due to delays in delivering first 777X jets 29. October 2025 (14:50) 777X was central to long-term strategy, but certification and production delays have pushed back deliveries by yearsBusiness live – latest updatesBoeing pushed the first delivery of its long-delayed 777X jet program out to 2027 and took a nearly $5bn charge due to the delays, in another series of setbacks for the aerospace giant.The 777X was central to Boeing’s long-term widebody strategy, previously dominated by its iconic 747 and 777 jets. But repeated certification and production delays have pushed back deliveries by years, piling up charges of over $15bn and straining its finances, while giving an opening to rival Airbus’s competing A350 as international travel continues to surge. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Tightening Pip benefit eligibility could save £9bn a year, say Reform 29. October 2025 (14:46) Lee Anderson says ‘gaming the system’ is too common and jokes about symptoms of anxiety and depressionUK politics live –latest updatesReform UK have set out plans for changes to personal independence payments (Pip) that the party says could save up to £9bn a year, with Lee Anderson, one of its MPs, saying he used to “game the system” to help people become eligible for the benefit.In Reform’s third consecutive Westminster press conference of the week, Anderson and the head of policy, Zia Yusuf, said the party would bar people with less serious psychological conditions such as anxiety from claiming Pip and would ensure anyone getting the payments would first receive a face-to-face assessment. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘No Trump’ protests in South Korea as US president finalises trade deal with Lee Jae Myung - US politics live 29. October 2025 (14:46) Progressive groups and opposition politicians hold anti-US protest as Donald Trump sounds optimistic note about China summitBack in the United States (since it is well into the night in South Korea), yet another Trump-appointed federal prosecutor has been found to be holding the office illegally. Here’s more, from the Associated Press:A federal judge disqualified acting US attorney Bill Essayli in Southern California from several cases after concluding Tuesday that the Trump appointee has stayed in the temporary job longer than allowed by law. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump fires federal arts board in charge of reviewing White House ballroom and ‘Arc de Trump’ 29. October 2025 (14:29) White House says it will appoint new Commission of Fine Arts members ‘more aligned with … America First Policies’Donald Trump has fired all six members of an independent federal agency responsible for reviewing his controversial White House ballroom and planned ‘Arc de Trump’ in Washington DC.The Washington Post first reported that all members of the Commission of Fine Arts were dismissed on Tuesday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Starmer refuses to rule out tax rises in budget after questioning by Badenoch 29. October 2025 (14:25) Prime minister fails to answer Tory leader’s questions about manifesto pledge not to raise income taxUK politics live –latest updatesKeir Starmer has refused to rule out tax rises in next month’s budget, which would breach Labour’s manifesto promises, boosting speculation that Rachel Reeves is considering raising income tax to reduce a shortfall.The prime minister pointedly ignored questions posed to him by Kemi Badenoch in the Commons about the manifesto pledge, something the Conservative leader said he had not done when asked before. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Defence lawyers would have used Tories’ statements to dismiss China spy case, attorney general says 29. October 2025 (14:24) Richard Hermer says failure by Kemi Badenoch and James Cleverly to describe China as a threat would have been seized on in trialDefence lawyers would have used Kemi Badenoch and James Cleverly’s statements about China to dismiss a case against two men charged with spying for Beijing, the attorney general has argued.Richard Hermer told parliament “there would have been plenty of reference” by lawyers defending Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry’s to Conservative ministers’ policy positions had the trial gone ahead. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Record-breaking Hurricane Melissa hits Jamaica and heads for Cuba | First Thing 29. October 2025 (13:47) Parish of St Elizabeth ‘under water’ after Jamaica’s ‘storm of the century’. Plus, Trump and Xi to meet for first time since 2019Don’t already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up hereGood morning.Hurricane Melissa is heading towards Cuba after the “storm of the century” made landfall as a category 5 storm in Jamaica, battering the country with severe winds, flooding and landslides.Is this the worst hurricane ever to hit Jamaica? It is the most intense one since records began in 1851.Have casualties been recorded? When asked, McKenzie declined to confirm whether there were any deaths.Follow our liveblog to stay up to date.What happened before the strikes? The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, ordered the strikes on Tuesday evening after a firefight between Palestinian militants and Israeli troops. The strikes also followed anger over Hamas handing over body parts of a hostage whose remains Israeli troops had recovered two years before. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Over 400 items from Gene Hackman’s estate up for auction 29. October 2025 (13:23) Lots include artworks by Matisse, Rodin, Kandinsky and the late actor’s own paintings – as well as his watch, dartboard and Golden GlobesBusts by Rodin and works by Kandinksy and Matisse are among some 400 items belonging to the late actor going up for auction next month.Three Golden Globe statues, a variety of film memorabilia and annotated scripts, posters and an easel are also up for sale in the three-stage auction run by Bonhams. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Offender mistakenly freed from prison was given £500 as he was deported 29. October 2025 (13:14) Hadush Kebatu received discretionary payment as he threatened to disrupt his deportation to EthiopiaUK politics live –latest updatesA sex offender mistakenly released from prison was given £500 as he was deported back to Ethiopia.Hadush Kebatu was flown back to his home country on Tuesday night and arrived on Wednesday morning with no right to return to Britain. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
