Pension changes row threatens Germany’s coalition government 18. November 2025 (18:53) Youth wing of conservatives say younger people will be left carrying can for older generation A row over pension changes is threatening the future of the German coalition government, with a youth wing of the conservatives of the chancellor, Friedrich Merz, gaining support for an attempt to block legislation which they argue will leave younger Germans carrying the can for the older generation.An 18-strong group of young MPs, the Junge Union, has been accused of holding Merz’s coalition government to ransom over its demands to revise proposed pension changes, which would guarantee pension increases for the next six years. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sheinbaum again dismisses Trump’s threat of sending troops to Mexico: ‘We do not want intervention’ 18. November 2025 (18:46) Mexico’s president responds to Trump’s latest warning that he could authorize strikes against drug cartels in countryMexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has again dismissed Donald Trump’s threat of military action against drug cartels inside her country, telling reporters: “It’s not going to happen.”Sheinbaum made the comments on Tuesday morning in response to the US president’s latest warning that he could authorise strikes in Mexico. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Donald Trump welcomes Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman to White House - live updates 18. November 2025 (17:49) President set to sell F-35 stealth jets to the kingdom in crown prince’s first US visit since 2018 killing of regime critic Jamal KhashoggiTrump says US will sell F-35 stealth jets to Saudis as Prince Mohammed visitsA reminder that Donald Trump’s family has a strong personal interest in Saudi Arabia. In September, London real estate developer Dar Global announced that it plans to launch Trump Plaza in the Red Sea city of Jeddah.It’s Dar Global’s second collaboration with the Trump Organization, the collection of companies controlled by the US president’s children, in the kingdom. Last year, the two companies announced the launch of Trump Tower Jeddah. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
The Kessler Twins sisters Alice and Ellen die together aged 89 18. November 2025 (17:33) German pop duo who last year said their wish was ‘to leave together’ had joint assisted death at their home in GrünwaldAlice and Ellen Kessler, the pop singing sisters who were famous in Europe in the 1960s, especially in Italy where they were credited for bringing glamour to the country’s TV network, have died aged 89.The identical twins had chosen to have a joint assisted death at their home in Grünwald, close to Munich, on Monday, said Wega Wetzel, a spokesperson for Deutsche Gesellschaft für Humanes Sterben (DGHS), a Berlin-based assisted dying association. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Federal judge approves opioid settlement for Purdue Pharma 18. November 2025 (17:31) Deal requires Sackler family members who own company to contribute up to $7bn over 15 yearsA federal bankruptcy court judge on Tuesday formally approved OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma’s plan to settle thousands of lawsuits over the harms of opioids.The deal approved by US bankruptcy Judge Sean Lane requires members of the Sackler family who own the company to contribute up to $7bn over 15 years. Most of the money is to go to government entities to fight the opioid crisis that has been linked to 900,000 deaths in the US since 1999. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
ExxonMobil shuts chemicals plant in Fife with loss of up to 450 jobs 18. November 2025 (17:19) US oil firm blames UK government policy and supply costs for closure of site near Cowdenbeath in ScotlandExxonMobil is to close a chemicals plant in Scotland that employs hundreds of workers within months, blaming the decision on the UK government’s “economic and policy environment”.Workers at the Fife ethylene plant were told on Tuesday that the oil company would shut the 40-year-old facility near Cowdenbeath by February next year owing to the difficult policy and market conditions in the UK. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Mahmood faces calls for compassion and clarity over hardline asylum policies 18. November 2025 (17:16) Home secretary urged to explain statement that asylum admissions will start at ‘a few hundred’ peopleShabana Mahmood is facing demands for compassion and clarity after it emerged that only a “few hundred” asylum seekers would initially be permitted to come to the UK under three new schemes for refugees.The home secretary had justified a series of hardline policies – such as the deportation of families and the confiscation of assets from claimants – by saying she would also open the “safe and legal” routes for “genuine” claimants. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Argentina judge fired after causing mistrial in case over Maradona’s death 18. November 2025 (17:15) Julieta Makintach’s role in a documentary series about negligence case over football star’s death led to mistrialAn Argentinian judge has been fired after causing a mistrial in the negligence case against the late football legend Diego Maradona’s medical team due to her involvement in a documentary about it.A special panel of judges, lawyers and provincial legislators dismissed Julieta Makintach, 48, from her post and disqualified her from holding any other judicial position in the future. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Stellan Skarsgård starrer Sentimental Value leads nominations for European film awards 18. November 2025 (17:04) Director Joachim Trier’s family drama has five nominations, including best actor for Skarsgård, while Oliver Laxe’s techno thriller Sirāt has four nominationsNorwegian director Joachim Trier is leading the race for a triumph at the European film awards, with five nominations in key categories for his family drama Sentimental Value.The Cannes Grand Prix winner is nominated for best European film, best screenplay and best director, with further best actor and best actress nominations for Stellan Skarsgård and Renate Reinsve. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Surgeons reattach 10-year-old girl’s hand nearly lost in Florida shark attack 18. November 2025 (17:01) Leah Lendel was bitten by a bull shark as she was snorkeling with her family from a beach in Boca GrandeA 10-year-old girl whose hand was reattached after it was severed in a shark attack has spoken of her remarkable recovery after a “miracle” six-hour operation that has allowed her to resume knitting outfits for her beloved Barbie dolls.Leah Lendel’s right hand was left hanging by shreds of skin after the bite by a 9ft bull shark as she was snorkeling with her family at a beach in Boca Grande, Florida, in June. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
