Dugald Saunders steps down as NSW Nationals leader with speculation the Liberals’ Mark Speakman could follow 17. November 2025 (02:33) Saunders says ‘it is the right time for me to take a step back and focus on my family and myself’, week after state Nationals dump net zero commitmentFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe New South Wales Nationals leader, Dugald Saunders, has stepped down from the role ahead of a party room meeting, citing family reasons.It comes as the state Coalition faces similar turmoil to its federal counterpart over climate policy. The NSW Nationals voted last week to abandon a net zero emissions target by 2050. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Schools close in New Zealand after play sand recalled over asbestos fears 17. November 2025 (02:11) Six coloured sand products recalled in New Zealand after testing in Australia found asbestos in similar itemsMultiple schools have temporarily closed in New Zealand and hundreds of education facilities are seeking advice from officials after asbestos was detected in several brands of widely used coloured play sand.Last week, the ministry for business, innovation and employment confirmed a voluntary recall was under way for two brands of coloured sand sold in New Zealand, after testing in Australia found asbestos in similar products. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Far-right candidate José Antonio Kast favourite to become Chile’s next president after first round vote 17. November 2025 (02:01) The ultraconservative lawyer is in pole position going into the second round election, after running a campaign with a distinctly Trumpian feelThe ultraconservative lawyer, José Antonio Kast, is in pole position to become Chile’s next leader after advancing to the second round of the South American country’s presidential election where he will face the Communist party candidate Jeannette Jara.With more than 70% of votes counted, Kast had secured about 24% of the vote in Sunday’s first round vote, having campaigned on hard-line promises to crack down on crime and immigration, while making a Donald Trump-style pledge to “put Chileans first”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
More than 70 ACT public schools closed over health fears from asbestos-contaminated children’s play sand 17. November 2025 (01:38) Education directorate closed schools for assessment and cleaning despite assessing health risk as ‘low’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastMore than 70 public schools in the ACT were closed on Monday as fears grew over children’s play sand products that may contain asbestos.The territory’s education directorate decided to shut their doors after it found “widespread” use of coloured play sand products sold at Kmart and Target, which were recalled on the weekend. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Asking prices fall as UK housing market hit by budget speculation, Rightmove says 17. November 2025 (01:01) November drop of 1.8% is biggest for this time of year since 2012, with chancellor’s plans loomingBudget speculation has depressed the UK property market, figures from a leading property website have suggested, with asking prices slipping in the run-up to Rachel Reeves’s much anticipated fiscal set piece on 26 November.The average new seller asking price fell by 1.8%, or £6,589, month on month in November, the figures collated by the property website Rightmove set out, taking the average price tag on a British home put up for sale to £364,833. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Two-thirds of nurses in UK work while unwell, says union 17. November 2025 (01:01) Understaffing driving workers to ill health and discouraging them for taking leave, says Royal College of Nursing CEONurses across the UK are working while unwell in understaffed hospitals, with stress as the leading cause of illness, according to research.A survey by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) of more than 20,000 nursing staff found that 66% had worked when they should have been on sick leave, up from 49% in 2017. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Australia news live: gas-backed rescue of steelworks may cost $2bn in subsidies; Ley claims renewables transition being ‘rushed’ 16. November 2025 (23:54) Meanwhile ACT schools closed after asbestos detected in samples from commercial sand products. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastFactchecking five Coalition claims about net zero, from power prices to the $9tn costAs Liberals join Nationals in abandoning a 2050 emissions target, we unpick some of the opposition’s talking points. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US military attacks another alleged drug boat in eastern Pacific, killing three 16. November 2025 (23:54) This is 21st known strike since early September as Trump officials justify efforts to stop narcotics from entering USThe United States conducted another attack on an alleged drug trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific on Saturday, killing three people aboard, the Pentagon said on Sunday.“Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, transiting along a known narco-trafficking route, and carrying narcotics,” the US Southern Command announced in a post on social media. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Man held on suspicion of murder after woman, 21, found dead in Welsh boatyard 16. November 2025 (23:25) Man, 29, arrested after Corinna Baker found at Netpool Boat Yard on River Teifi in CardiganA man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 21-year-old woman was found dead in a boatyard in west Wales, police said.Corinna Baker was found shortly after noon on Saturday at Netpool Boat Yard, located on the River Teifi in Cardigan, Ceredigion. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Trump’s investigation into Epstein ties to political foes might be ‘smokescreen’, Republican says 16. November 2025 (22:20) Thomas Massie says move could be Trump’s ‘last-ditch effort’ to keep Epstein files from becoming publicRepublican congressman Thomas Massie challenged Donald Trump on Sunday over whether the US president is making a “last-ditch effort” to keep the full files on the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein from becoming public by ordering a fresh investigation.Massie and Democratic congressman Ro Khanna, the two US representatives leading the bipartisan push to make all the files held by the government public both raised fresh concerns about the latest actions by the White House. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
