All schools in England with removal grants to be Raac-free by 2029, says Phillipson 28. October 2025 (01:01) Education secretary promises ‘clear timelines’ are in place to permanently remove crumbling concreteAll schools in England that received grant funding to pay for the removal of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) should be free of it by the end of this parliament, the education secretary has pledged.Setting out a new timeline for dealing with the crumbling concrete crisis in schools, Bridget Phillipson said: “We inherited a crumbling education estate, but I won’t let that be our legacy. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Organised crime making millions from illegal waste dumping in UK, says committee 28. October 2025 (01:01) Peers say ‘woeful’ record on prosecutions has led to a ‘low-risk, high-reward’ criminal cultureOrganised crime groups in the UK are making millions every year from illegally dumping and burning rubbish, peers have told ministers, after an inquiry found a lack of enforcement made it a “low-risk, high-reward” criminal enterprise.“Criminality is endemic in the waste sector,” a Lords committee told the government on Tuesday, after it found at least 38m tonnes of waste was illegally managed every year, “leading to serious environmental, economic and social consequences”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Change course now’: humanity has missed 1.5C climate target, says UN head 28. October 2025 (01:01) Exclusive: ‘Devastating consequences’ now inevitable but emissions cuts still vital, says António Guterres in sole interview before Cop30I am the first Indigenous journalist to exclusively interview António Guterres. How many others will listen?Humanity has failed to limit global heating to 1.5C and must change course immediately, the secretary general of the UN has warned.In his only interview before next month’s Cop30 climate summit, António Guterres acknowledged it is now “inevitable” that humanity will overshoot the target in the Paris climate agreement, with “devastating consequences” for the world. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Picture of health: going to art galleries can improve wellbeing, study reveals 28. October 2025 (01:01) Viewing original works of art can relieve stress, cut heart disease risk and boost immune system, first study of its kind findsEnjoying original works of art in a gallery can relieve stress, reduce the risk of heart disease and boost your immune system, according to the first study of its kind.Researchers measured the physiological responses of participants while viewing masterpieces by world-renowned artists including Manet, Van Gogh and Gauguin in a gallery. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Lammy tells Labour to learn from Caerphilly defeat as party seeks reset 28. October 2025 (00:55) Deputy PM tells MPs party must pick clearer fights that show its values after byelection slumpDavid Lammy has urged Labour MPs to see the party’s defeat in the Caerphilly byelection as a moment of reflection, arguing progressive governments around the world have recovered from worse to “win big”.The deputy prime minister pointed to Canada’s Liberals, Norway’s Labour party and Australia’s Labor party as examples of centre-left groups that “roared back” from midterm slumps to secure significant victories. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘China is watching’: Finland warns defeating Russia’s invasion of Ukraine key to stability in Indo-Pacific 28. October 2025 (00:07) Defence minister says Xi Jinping should note resolve to stay the course by global democratic alliance, including AustraliaDefeating Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is critical to restraining China in the Indo-Pacific, Finland’s defence minister has said, warning Europe and democratic partners, including Australia, face a fight of global consequences.Antti Häkkänen praised Donald Trump’s decision to impose sanctions on two Russian oil companies last week, calling the move a major sign of resolve by the US president against Vladimir Putin’s three-year long war. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australia politics live: Nationals senator claims TikTok staff member bullied his office over questions on under-16s social media ban 28. October 2025 (00:02) Follow the latest updates liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Greens say the cost of not acting on climate change will be “far, far greater” than any cost associated with acting on it.On the Today show this morning, Senator Nick McKim says the government needs to stop approving new coal and gas mines (something his party has been saying for years).The costs of not acting on climate change are astronomical and they’re already being felt in our communities through things like floods and bushfires and they’re also being felt in household budgets through things like a massive spike in insurance premiums …If they [Labor] don’t do things like protect forests and if they don’t do things like protect our climate, [the laws are] not going to be worth the paper they’re printed on. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Cobar: two people killed in Endeavour mine explosion in far western NSW 27. October 2025 (23:45) Woman and man confirmed dead and another woman airlifted to hospital after blast at underground Endeavour mine 600km north-west of SydneyFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTwo people have been killed by an explosion at an underground mine in the far west of New South Wales.Police said emergency services were called to the mine on Endeavour Mine Road at Cobar, about 600km north-west of Sydney, at about 3.45am on Wednesday after being told two people had been critically injured in a workplace incident. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK’s Eastern Airways suspends operations with all flights cancelled 27. October 2025 (22:55) Customers urged not to go to domestic airline’s airports as customers and staff offered train travel on suitable routesThe UK domestic airline Eastern Airways has suspended operations and all of its flights have been cancelled.Customers of the airline, which operated regional services from airports across the UK, are urged not to go to the airport as flights will not be operating, the UK Civil Aviation Authority said. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New Yorkers sue state elections board as battle over House maps intensifies 27. October 2025 (22:49) Lawsuit alleges congressional map illegally dilutes voting power of Black and Latino residents of Staten Island A group of New Yorkers has filed a lawsuit against the state’s board of elections alleging that its congressional map unconstitutionally dilutes the voting power of Black and Latino residents of Staten Island.The complaint, filed Monday, is another volley in the battle between Democrats and Republicans to redraw congressional districts in a way that favors their party in advance of the midterm elections. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
