Liberty Steel being investigated in Romania for embezzlement 13. November 2025 (14:39) Metals firm denies allegations as more problems emerge for founder Sanjeev Gupta after loss of key UK operationSanjeev Gupta’s Liberty Steel is under investigation in Romania for embezzlement and tax evasion, adding to the metals tycoon’s difficulties after the loss of his key British operation.Romania’s prosecutor’s office said in a statement last week that they raided seven homes and the registered office of an unnamed company. The office published a video – blurred to make identification more difficult – which appeared to show officers in helmets and body armour entering a property at night. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Trumpist’ Czech PM-elect refuses to sell business empire amid conflict of interest row 13. November 2025 (14:27) Billionaire populist Andrej Babiš insisting he will meet legal obligations before taking officeAndrej Babiš, the self-proclaimed “Trumpist” billionaire who won last month’s Czech election, has refused to sell his huge business empire, but insisted he will resolve a conflict of interest that threatens to bar him from becoming prime minister.Babiš, whose ANO party finished a comfortable first in the October vote but failed to secure a majority in parliament, said in a social media post on Thursday he would not sell his Agrofert farming, food processing and chemicals conglomerate. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Alan Rickman’s personal scripts and mementoes up for auction 13. November 2025 (14:21) Lots include the annotated shooting script for Die Hard and a hand-drawn Halloween card from his Harry Potter co-star Rupert GrintAlan Rickman’s obsessive attention to detail is revealed in the copious annotations he made on all his scripts, as a number of film-related items from the late actor’s personal collections are put up for auction including screenplays from Die Hard and Harry Potter.Propstore, the Los Angeles and London-based auction firm that specialises in entertainment industry memorabilia and recently sold a Star Wars lightsaber for £2.7m, is staging a three-day sale in which a number of lots originating from the Alan Rickman archive will be available. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
EU investigates Google over ‘demotion’ of commercial content from news media 13. November 2025 (14:16) Some content created with advertisers is no longer visible, which could mean loss of revenue, officials sayThe EU has opened an investigation into Google Search over concerns the US tech company has been “demoting” commercial content from news media sites.The bloc’s executive arm announced the move after monitoring found that certain content created with advertisers and sponsors was being given such a low priority by Google that it was in effect no longer visible in search results. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labour faces questions over Starmer aide who holds shares in lobbying firm 13. November 2025 (14:11) Communications chief Tim Allan left Strand Partners in September but still holds a minority stakeUK politics live – latest updatesNo 10 is facing calls for an investigation into whether Keir Starmer’s communications chief should be allowed to hold shares in a lobbying firm and discuss politics with one of its consultants.Tim Allan, who is one of Starmer’s most senior aides, has a minority stake in Strand Partners, which critics claim could give rise to a perception of a conflict of interest. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Frankie the flamingo wins her freedom after flying to France from Cornwall 13. November 2025 (13:09) Zookeepers at Paradise Park in Hayle decide not to attempt to bring bird home after 120-mile flight over ChannelZookeepers in Cornwall have decided to grant an escaped flamingo what she apparently has gone to great lengths to attain: freedom.Four-month-old Frankie took flight on 2 November, despite having her feathers clipped, from the walled garden of Paradise Park in Hayle. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Whatever it takes’: Starbucks workers launch US strike and call for boycott 13. November 2025 (12:00) Unfair labor practice strike on ‘red cup day’ in over 25 cities comes amid stagnant negotiations with coffee chain Hundreds of Starbucks workers are set to strike in more than 25 cities across the US today amid stagnant negotiations with the world’s largest coffee chain over a first union contract.On the company’s annual “red cup day”, hailing the start of the lucrative holiday season, Starbucks Workers United is launching an unfair labor practice (ULP) strike, with rallies planned in locations including New York City; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Chicago, Illinois; Columbus, Ohio; and Anaheim, California. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US government reopens after shutdown with House to vote on Epstein files next week – politics live 13. November 2025 (11:53) Even if bill passes the House, it will still need to get through the Senate before files can be releasedEmerging market stocks extended gains on Thursday after US President Donald Trump signed legislation ending the longest government shutdown in history, while South African markets rallied on optimism over the budget review.An index tracking emerging market stocks was on track to extend gains to the fourth session, up 0.23%, echoing strength across broader Asian equity markets. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
EU to discuss unlocking €140bn in frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine – Europe live 13. November 2025 (11:52) EU president Ursula von der Leyen says using the assets would be “the most effective way to sustain Ukraine”, although legal fears remainA bitter battle over the future of a Chinese-owned chipmaker in the Netherlands that threatened to cripple the global car industry is a “wake-up call to Europe and the west”, the minister at the heart of the row has warned.The six-week standoff between the EU and Beijing over Nexperia and its vital supplies of automotive semiconductors has served up a sobering lesson to world leaders over their dependency on China, says Vincent Karremans. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Council staff visited wrong address day before Sara Sharif’s murder, review finds 13. November 2025 (11:43) Education secretary says report highlights ‘glaring failures and missed opportunities’ by various agenciesServices in Surrey failed to identify Sara Sharif was at risk of abuse, did not question unexplained bruising and staff members visited the wrong address the day before her murder, a safeguarding review has found.Sara, 10, was killed by her father, Urfan Sharif, and her stepmother, Beinash Batool, in August 2023 after years of escalating brutality that left her with bruises, burns, human bite marks and at least 25 fractures. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
