Neanderthals and early humans ‘likely to have kissed’, say scientists 19. November 2025 (01:01) Study from University of Oxford looks into evolutionary origins of kissing and its role in relations between speciesFrom Galápagos albatrosses to polar bears, chimpanzees to orangutans, certain species appear to kiss. Now researchers suggest Neanderthals did it too – and might even have locked lips with modern humans.It is not the first time scientists have suggested Neanderthals and early modern humans were intimately acquainted. Among previous studies, researchers have found humans and their thick-browed cousins shared the same mouth microbe for hundreds of thousands of years after the two species split, suggesting they swapped saliva. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Many of US education agency’s powers reassigned to other federal departments 19. November 2025 (00:54) Move marks further dismantling of the department and Democrats criticized administration for ‘slashing resources’Donald Trump’s administration has taken new steps toward dismantling the US Department of Education by reassigning many of its responsibilities to other federal agencies.The move prompted a fresh wave of criticism, as prominent Democrats accused the administration of “slashing resources” for schools and students across the US. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australia has some of highest consumption rates of ultra-processed foods, researchers say 19. November 2025 (00:30) New series in Lancet medical journal finds UPFs, which make up nearly half the average Australian diet, driving ‘escalating’ burden of many chronic diseasesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastUltra-processed foods now make up nearly half of the average Australian’s diet because the country has “fallen behind international best practice” on nutrition, a co-author of a major new global report says.A series published in leading medical journal the Lancet on Wednesday found ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are increasingly replacing healthy, whole-foods in diets and are a “key driver of the escalating global burden of multiple diet-related chronic diseases”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
British woman among four tourists killed in blizzard at nature reserve in Chile 18. November 2025 (23:53) Four people also rescued alive at popular Torres del Paine reserve in Patagonia amid heavy snowfall and strong winds A British woman and four other foreign tourists have been killed in a blizzard at a nature reserve in southern Chile.Nine people went missing on Monday in the Torres del Paine reserve in Patagonia, a popular tourist destination, amid heavy snowfall and winds reaching up to 120mph. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump officials wrongly deport trans woman in violation of court order 18. November 2025 (23:51) Officials admit ‘inadvertent removal’ after court ruled Britania Uriostegui Rios should not be sent to MexicoThe Trump administration is working to return another individual to the United States who was wrongfully deported to their home country in violation of a court order.Officials acknowledged in a court filing last week that Britania Uriostegui Rios, a transgender woman, was “inadvertently” deported to Mexico in violation of a March court order which ruled that she was likely to face torture if she returned there. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New York Times cuts ties with Larry Summers over Epstein emails 18. November 2025 (23:37) Publication said it will not renew former treasury secretary’s contract in latest fallout after release of emailsThe New York Times is cutting ties with Larry Summers following the publication of a series of email exchanges the Harvard professor and economist had with Jeffrey Epstein.The former US treasury secretary said on Monday he would step back from public commitments after House Republicans released thousands of files relating to the late paedophile who in a 2018 email described himself as Summers’ “wing man”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Stranded whale euthanized after failed rescue attempt off Oregon coast 18. November 2025 (23:19) Young humpback whale was found washed ashore and individuals had rallied together to try to help A humpback whale stranded off the coast of Oregon was euthanized on Monday following a failed rescue attempt from several organizations and agencies.On Saturday, the young whale was found washed ashore near San Marine state park, KOMO News reported. Over the weekend, individuals rallied together to try to help the mammal, who appeared to be caught in a fishing net, but were unsuccessful. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump shrugs off Khashoggi murder during Saudi prince’s White House visit 18. November 2025 (22:40) US president also claims Mohammed bin Salman ‘knew nothing’ about murder of journalistDonald Trump has shrugged off the Saudi regime’s 2018 murder of the Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, saying the journalist was “extremely controversial” and unpopular, dismissing the killing by observing “things happen”.The US president made the remarks at the White House on Tuesday while welcoming Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the first time since Khashoggi’s murder and dismemberment in Istanbul by Saudi state operatives. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
More than 80 countries at Cop30 join call for roadmap to fossil fuel phase-out 18. November 2025 (21:24) Countries from Africa, Asia, Latin America, Pacific and Europe plead for transition to be central outcome of talksCop30 live – latest updatesMore than 80 countries have joined a call for a roadmap to phasing out fossil fuels, in a dramatic intervention into stuck negotiations at the UN Cop30 climate summit.Countries from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific joined with EU member states and the UK to make an impassioned plea for the “transition away from fossil fuels” to be a central outcome of the talks, despite stiff opposition from petrostates and some other major economies. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Caribbean slavery reparations body calls for ‘mutually beneficial’ restorative justice from UK 18. November 2025 (20:56) On first official visit to UK, leaders say aim is not to ‘break the British Treasury’ but to find solution to help clean up ‘mess’ left by colonialismThe Caribbean’s slavery reparations body has decried misleading press reports that suggest their aim is to “break the British Treasury” by demanding trillions of pounds, as they call for a mutually beneficial restorative justice programme.Prof Sir Hilary Beckles, chair of the Caricom Reparations Commission (CRC), which was set up to progress the Caribbean’s pursuit of justice for centuries of enslavement and colonisation by European nations, made the comments during the body’s first official visit to the UK. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
