US supreme court extends Trump pause on $4bn in food aid benefits 12. November 2025 (02:17) More uncertainty after justices allow temporary block on full payments for Snap, relied upon by 42 million AmericansMillions of Americans grappling with food insecurity will face more uncertainty this week after the US supreme court enabled the Trump administration to continue withholding funds for food stamps.In an administrative stay issued on Tuesday, the highest court upheld the administration’s request to extend a pause on a federal judge’s ruling that would have required $4bn in funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, the food aid relied on by 42 million people, to be distributed. The funding freeze has been given two additional days, and will now remain in place until midnight on Thursday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
China sharpens its language on Taiwan as part of ‘longer-term’ strategy 12. November 2025 (01:59) A series of statements, articles, photos and even a new national holiday indicate a shift in Beijing’s stance over the island, analysts sayIn recent weeks China has released a series of statements, articles and photos, that analysts say signal an escalation in the ruling Chinese Communist Party’s approach to Taiwan.Beijing claims Taiwan as a province and has vowed to annex it under what it terms “reunification”. China’s military is not believed to be capable of a full invasion yet, but senior officials have recently started using sharper language. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Russia’s high court bid over Canberra embassy fails but Australian government to pay costs 12. November 2025 (01:14) Court rules 2023 cancellation of $2.75m 99-year lease was legal but Russia must be compensatedFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastRussia has failed in a high court bid to build a new embassy in Canberra, but the federal government will have to pay compensation for cancelling its lease, and cover the costs of the case.The high court ruled in a majority decision that it was legal for the lease to be cancelled in 2023. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Up in smoke’: Liberal MPs flying to Canberra for net zero meeting forced back to Adelaide 12. November 2025 (01:04) Leah Blyth, Andrew McLachlan and Tony Pasin were onboard a QantasLink flight from Adelaide when crew detected smoke in cabinFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA group of Liberal politicians headed to Canberra for a party room meeting on net zero emissions policy has been forced to return to Adelaide after smoke was detected on their Qantas flight.Senators Leah Blyth and Andrew McLachlan, as well as lower house MP Tony Pasin, were onboard QantasLink flight 1972 from Adelaide when the crew saw smoke in the cabin, prompting the plane to fly back to Adelaide. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Tech companies and UK child safety agencies to test AI tools’ ability to create abuse images 12. November 2025 (01:01) New law will allow technology to be examined and ensure tools have safeguards to stop creation of materialTech companies and child protection agencies will be given the power to test whether artificial intelligence tools can produce child abuse images under a new UK law.The announcement was made as a safety watchdog revealed that reports of AI-generated child sexual abuse material [CSAM] have more than doubled in the past year from 199 in 2024 to 426 in 2025. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
