Larry Summers faces bipartisan scrutiny over years-long ties to Epstein 18. November 2025 (01:57) Democrats and Republicans urge institutions to cut ties after files show Epstein called himself Summers’ ‘wing man’Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are urging companies and institutions to cut ties with Harvard professor and economist Larry Summers after documents released by the House oversight committee revealed email exchanges between Summers and the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who called himself Summers’ “wing man”.Democratic senator Elizabeth Warren told CNN that Summers should be held accountable for his years-long relationship with Epstein. Besides Summers, the emails released last week revealed how Epstein maintained contact with other business executives, reporters, academics and political players despite his 2008 guilty plea for soliciting prostitution from an underage girl. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Authors dumped from New Zealand’s top book prize after AI used in cover designs 18. November 2025 (01:55) Ockham Book Awards dropped two titles from contention after new guidelines introduced on artificial intelligence useThe books of two award-winning New Zealand authors have been disqualified from consideration for the country’s top literature prize because artificial intelligence was used in the creation of their cover designs.Stephanie Johnson’s collection of short stories Obligate Carnivore and Elizabeth Smither’s collection of novellas Angel Train were submitted to the 2026 Ockham book awards’ NZ$65,000 fiction prize in October, but were ruled out of the competition the following month in light of new guidelines around AI use. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Is bird-dogging your Roman empire? Macquarie Dictionary reveals word of the year finalists 18. November 2025 (01:44) ‘AI slop’, ‘Australian sushi’ and ‘ate (left no crumbs)’ are also among the shortlist, which is open for voting until Sunday nightFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast“Attention economy”, “bathroom camping” and “Ozempic face” have little in common – except for being three of the finalists for Macquarie Dictionary’s 2025 word of the year.The phrases are in the top 15 for both the Australian national dictionary’s committee’s choice and people’s choice award, joined by other terms such as “AI slop”, “Australian sushi”, “ate (and left no crumbs)” and “Roman empire”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Customer died after triple-zero call did not work on their Samsung phone, TPG says 18. November 2025 (01:26) Early investigations suggest device was using software incompatible with emergency calls on TPG networkFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTPG – the parent company of Vodafone – has said a Lebara customer who tried to dial triple zero on an incompatible Samsung device could not make the call and subsequently died.TPG said in a statement to the ASX that it was informed of the incident, which took place on 13 November, at 5.22pm yesterday after advice from NSW Ambulance.Galaxy A7 (2017)Galaxy A5 2017Galaxy J1 2016Galaxy J3 2016Galaxy J5 2017Galaxy Note 5Galaxy S6Galaxy S6 EdgeGalaxy S6 Edge+Galaxy S7Galaxy S7 Edge Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UN security council votes to endorse Donald Trump’s Gaza plan 18. November 2025 (01:05) The resolution, which includes references to an independent Palestine, was passed by a vote of 13-0 with China and Russia abstaining The UN security council has endorsed proposals put forward by Donald Trump for a lasting peace in Gaza, including the deployment of an international stabilisation force and a possible path to a sovereign Palestinian state.The resolution, passed by a vote of 13-0 with abstentions by China and Russia, charted “a new course in the Middle East for Israelis and Palestinians and all the people of the region alike”, the US envoy to the UN, Mike Waltz, told the council chamber. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
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)
