UK bank and building society customer protection limit to rise to £120,000 18. November 2025 (01:01) Increase of more than 40% from current figure of £85,000 will give more cover if financial firm goes bust The amount of a customer’s money protected if a UK bank or building society goes bust will rise to £120,000 next month, providing a boost to the nation’s savers.The new deposit protection limit, a 41% rise from the current limit of £85,000, is higher than expected and takes effect on 1 December. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nearly half of sexually active young people in UK have experienced strangulation, study shows 18. November 2025 (01:00) Survey reveals crisis of distress, consent issues and physical harm caused by strangulation during sex‘I think it’s natural’: why has sexual choking become so prevalent among young people?More than two in five sexually active under-18s in the UK have either been strangled or strangled someone during sex, research has found, despite the serious dangers of the practice.“Choking”, as it is commonly known, has become normalised in young people’s sexual habits, the study by the Institute for Addressing Strangulation (Ifas) showed, with 43% of sexually active 16- and 17-year-olds having experienced it. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Reform would ‘cut benefits for EU nationals and hike NHS immigration surcharge’ 18. November 2025 (00:06) Party claims its policies would eliminate ‘black hole’ Rachel Reeves faces in the budget – but Labour says the ‘fantasy numbers don’t add up’A Reform UK government would block EU nationals from receiving universal credit, a move that would rip up the post-Brexit trade deal with Europe and risk potential retaliation from Brussels.It is among several proposals that will be announced by Nigel Farage at a press conference on Tuesday. The party claims its measures would save £25bn a year in total – enough to cover the supposed shortfall faced by Rachel Reeves in next week’s budget. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nestlé accused of ’risking health of babies for profit’ over added sugar in cereals sold in African countries 18. November 2025 (00:00) Campaigners say the company is contributing to rising rates of childhood obesity, while the firm says it is helping to combat malnutritionNestlé is still adding sugar to most baby cereals sold across Africa, according to an investigation by campaigners who have accused the company of “putting the health of African babies at risk for profit”.The food firm was accused of “double standards” over the researchers’ findings, which come at a time when rates of childhood obesity are rising on the continent, prompting calls for Nestlé to remove all added sugar from baby-food products. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australia news live: Jess Wilson ousts Brad Battin to become Victorian Liberals’ first female leader; Gurmesh Singh elected to lead NSW nationals 17. November 2025 (23:44) Majority of party room rallies behind 35-year-old shadow treasurer. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe NSW premier, Chris Minns, says a $60 toll cap for Sydney’s roads will be extended beyond its expiry date at the end of this year, and the government is considering two-way tolling on the Harbour Bridge to fund the cap permanently.The cap, under which drivers claim up to $340 a week back from the government after spending $60 for each registered vehicle, was put in place at the start of 2024, and was due to expire on New Year’s Day, 2026.We’re going to keep it. We can’t get rid of it. It’s a massive cost-of-living relief measure for literally hundreds of thousands of people who live in western Sydney, and without a $60 a week toll cap, they’ll be paying full market rates to use toll roads in Sydney. It’s hugely, hugely onerous for them. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Sydney’s $60 road toll cap to be made permanent with plan for two-way fee on Harbour Bridge to fund it 17. November 2025 (23:42) ‘It’s a massive cost-of-living relief measure for hundreds of thousands of people who live in western Sydney,’ premier Chris Minns saysFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe New South Wales government plans to make permanent a $60 weekly cap for tolls on Sydney’s roads, with the premier saying it could be funded by reintroducing two-way tolling on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.The cap – under which drivers can claim up to $340 a week back from the government after spending $60 per vehicle – started in early 2024 and was due to expire at the end of this year. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump Gaza plan: UN security council approves US-drafted resolution for international stabilisation force – live 17. November 2025 (23:42) UN body quickly passes resolution that also includes reference to a future Palestinian state The US is planning for the long-term division of Gaza into a “green zone” under Israeli and international military control, where reconstruction would start, and a “red zone” to be left in ruins.Foreign forces will initially deploy alongside Israeli soldiers in the east of Gaza, leaving the devastated strip divided by the current Israeli-controlled “yellow line”, according to US military planning documents seen by the Guardian and sources briefed on American plans. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
News Corp apologises to Victorian Liberal MP Sam Groth and wife over relationship claims 17. November 2025 (23:41) Groth had sued the Herald Sun for defamation, while his wife Brittany had launched the first test of a new statutory tort for serious invasions of privacyThe Herald Sun has apologised to Victorian Liberal MP Sam Groth and his wife, Brittany, for a series of articles earlier this year that suggested their relationship had begun when Brittany was underage.Groth was suing publisher the Herald and Weekly Times, reporter Stephen Drill and Herald Sun editor Sam Weir for defamation, while his wife had launched the first test of a new statutory tort for serious invasions of privacy. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Families of IRA victims in England told new Troubles bill could revive path to justice 17. November 2025 (23:30) Security minister Dan Jarvis says scrapping immunity scheme would give relatives a renewed chance for answersThe families of more than 70 people killed by the IRA and other paramilitaries in unsolved attacks on English soil can once again hope for justice under the new Northern Ireland Troubles bill, the UK government has claimed.As MPs in the House of Commons prepared to debate the bill for the first time on Tuesday, the Home Office said there remained 77 unsolved killings, including 39 British armed forces personnel in English towns and cities, from the time of the Troubles. It said more than 1,000 people were injured in the attacks. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Children in care who lash out may no longer face automatic arrest under UK review 17. November 2025 (23:30) Plan aims to restrict ‘over-policing’ of looked-after young people and ensure challenging behaviour is met with support rather than criminalisationVulnerable young people in care who assault staff or damage property will not automatically be arrested by police or charged, under proposals intended to reduce the excessive criminalisation of looked-after children.A government review will examine how children in state care who exhibit challenging behaviour can be offered targeted support such as trauma counselling rather than being punished through the criminal justice system. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
