Boris Johnson approved China’s London super-embassy proposal in 2018 29. October 2025 (06:00) Exclusive: Former PM gave consent while foreign secretary for Royal Mint Court complex, a project still in limbo seven years laterBoris Johnson approved the China’s super-embassy proposal in 2018 and welcomed the fact it would represent “China’s largest overseas diplomatic investment” anywhere in the world, the Guardian can disclose.In a letter to Wang Yi, China’s top diplomat, Johnson gave his consent for Royal Mint Court to house a sprawling diplomatic complex in May 2018. The Chinese government bought the 20,000 sq metres site for £255m that same month. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump and Xi talks could end months of global economic chaos 29. October 2025 (06:00) High on agenda for the leaders of the US and China will be rare earths and tariffs, with a chance of a relationship resetAhead of Thursday’s long-awaited first meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping since the US president’s return to office, officials from both sides have been hammering out the contours of what a trade deal between Washington and Beijing might look like, an agreement that could bring an end to months of global economic chaos caused by the US-China trade war.The two leaders have not met in person since 2019. Since then, the war in Ukraine and increasing concern in Washington about China’s technological advances, as well as longstanding issues about the imbalanced US-China trade relationship, have strained the bonds between the two superpowers. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Allegations of violence, abuse and neglect in Victorian childcares jumped in 2024-25 29. October 2025 (05:17) Children’s commission report reveals mandatory reporting in sector up 32% while total across all sectors increased by 18% compared with 2023-2024 Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastReports of physical violence and neglect in Victorian childcare centres have surged, with mandatory reports up 32% in the last financial year.The Victorian Commission for Children and Young People’s annual report, tabled in state parliament on Wednesday, reveals that there were 705 notifications of reportable allegations in the childcare sector in the 2024-25 financial year, each of which can include multiple alleged acts, an increase of 32% on the previous year’s 534. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
All operational US liquefied natural gas terminals have violated pollution limits, says report 29. October 2025 (05:05) Analysis of public records comes as Trump administration aims to fast-track approval of new LNG export terminalsEvery fully operational liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in the US has violated federal pollution limits in recent years, a new report has found.The analysis of public records comes as the Trump administration is aiming to fast-track the approval of new export terminals in an attempt to sell more domestic LNG to Europe and Asia. Joe Biden had previously placed a pause on LNG exports, which Donald Trump lifted on the first day of his return to office. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Too bad I can’t run, but we’ll see what happens, says Trump on unconstitutional third term 29. October 2025 (04:58) Trump says he has read about constitutional two-term limit preventing him from running for president in 2028 and it was ‘pretty clear’, but that he ‘would love to do it’Donald Trump said “it’s too bad” he is not allowed to run for a third term, conceding the constitutional reality even as he expressed interest in continuing to serve.“If you read it, it’s pretty clear,” Trump told reporters on board Air Force One from Japan to South Korea on Wednesday. “I’m not allowed to run. It’s too bad.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Juvenile humpback whale dies off NSW coast while entangled in shark net 29. October 2025 (04:36) It is the first whale to have died out of 15 entangled in shark nets on Australia’s east coast so far this yearFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA juvenile humpback whale has been found dead after becoming entangled in a shark net off the New South Wales coast.The 8-metre whale, estimated to be two years old, was found wrapped in netting north of Wollongong on Tuesday, in waters between Coledale and Wombarra. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Tanzanian president poised to retain power as rivals barred from election 29. October 2025 (04:00) Government critics abducted, killed or arrested in run-up to vote as Samia Suluhu Hassan faces first electoral testTanzania’s president looks on course to strengthen her grip on the country as it holds a general election on Wednesday against the backdrop of rapidly intensifying repression and the exclusion of opposition candidates.Samia Suluhu Hassan, a former vice-president who took office after the death of her predecessor, John Magufuli, in 2021, has left nothing to chance for her first presidential and parliamentary electoral test. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Court to reconsider ruling that allowed Trump to send troops to Portland 29. October 2025 (02:48) President remains barred from deploying national guard as appeals court agrees to ‘en banc’ rehearing of caseThe Trump administration remains barred from deploying the national guard in Portland, Oregon, following a federal appeals court ruling.The ninth circuit court of appeals agreed on Tuesday that it would rehear a case over the president’s authority with a broader court of 11 judges. The appeals court also vacated a ruling from a three-judge panel last week that sided with the Trump administration. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump heads to South Korea amid deadlocked trade talks over $350bn deal on tariffs 29. October 2025 (02:39) US president will meet his South Korean counterpart, Lee Jae Myung, but expectations of a breakthrough on tariffs are lowDonald Trump heads to South Korea on Wednesday to meet President Lee Jae Myung, with deadlocked talks over a $350bn trade deal between the two countries threatening to cast a shadow over the event.After arriving on a flight from Tokyo, where he signed a rare earths deal with Japan’s new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, the US president is due to address a summit of CEOs and meet Lee in the town of Gyeongju, a historical city playing host to the annual Apec summit. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Border patrol leader told to go to court every weekday to report on Chicago enforcement 29. October 2025 (02:26) Federal judge gives orders to Gregory Bovino in exceptional bid to impose oversight over Trump officials’ raids in cityA federal judge has ordered Gregory Bovino, a senior border patrol official leading the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in Chicago, to appear in federal court each weekday to report on the day’s incidents in an exceptional bid to impose oversight over the government’s militarized raids in the city.The order came following a terse hearing on Tuesday morning. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
