1+ min ago (254+ words) Judge last week's budget in the light of our bold plans to sweep away red tape, tackle inactivity among young people and pursue a closer trading relationship with the EU Report: Labour's economic plan will take years to deliver, Starmer says In a speech on Monday, I will place the budget in the context of the broader economic renewal on which the government will be judged at the end of this parliament. If we are to achieve the national renewal we seek, we must do more to encourage growth, to tackle inactivity among young people and to pursue closer international cooperation with our trading partners. So one element of our economic renewal will be continuing to move towards a closer trading relationship with the EU. If we can get cheaper food, boost growth and create jobs by having a closer…...

1+ min ago (654+ words) The prime minister is keen to change the conversation after the Tories called his chancellor's ethics into question The political fates of Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves are intertwined. Allies say that if one goes, the other is likely to follow. This is why, in the wake of the budget, the Conservatives have attempted to focus their response on the chancellor's personal ethics, accusing Reeves of lying about the rationale behind her record-breaking tax rises. And it is also why, in response, Starmer has chosen to fight back personally. In a speech on Monday, he will seek to draw a line under the row and refocus attention on the government's wider economic plan. Writing for the Guardian before that speech, the prime minister argues: "At the budget last week, we made the right choices for Britain, cutting the cost of…...

48+ min ago (219+ words) Detectives claim to have uncovered Sydney-based network involving online distribution of child sexual abuse material involving ritualistic or satanic themes NSW police say they have uncovered an "international satanic child sex abuse material ring" and charged four Australians for their alleged involvement. Detectives from the sex crimes squad said that as part of Strike Force Constantine, an investigation into the online distribution of child sexual abuse material involving ritualistic or satanic themes, they disrupted a Sydney-based network. In a statement, police alleged the network was actively involved in possessing, distributing and facilitating this material through a website that was "administered internationally". Detectives, accompanied by the riot squad, carried out six search warrants in Waterloo, Ultimo and Malabar on Thursday morning last week. At the Waterloo address, police arrested a 26-year-old man who they alleged played a "leading role" in the…...

50+ min ago (496+ words) Algerian foreign minister says African countries and peoples continue to pay a heavy price for colonialism At a conference in the Algerian capital, Algiers, diplomats and leaders convened to advance an African Union resolution passed at a meeting earlier this year calling for justice and reparations for victims of colonialism. Algerian foreign minister Ahmed Attaf said Algeria's experience under French rule highlighted the need to seek compensation and reclaim stolen property. A legal framework, he added, would ensure restitution is seen as "neither a gift nor a favour. "Africa is entitled to demand the official and explicit recognition of the crimes committed against its peoples during the colonial period, an indispensable first step toward addressing the consequences of that era, for which African countries and peoples continue to pay a heavy price in terms of exclusion, marginalisation and backwardness, Attaf…...

51+ min ago (314+ words) Duplantis named World Athletics" male athlete of year Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone wins top female award Immediately after picking up the award, the Swedish pole vaulter took aim at Michael Johnson"s Grand Slam Track, which collapsed earlier in the summer and is still yet to pay athletes their full prize money. "There was another tour that tried to exclude field events," Duplantis said to an audience that included multiple athlete stars as well Prince Albert II of Monaco. "That didn"t didn"t go so well, did it? I am very proud to represent field eventers." That received applause and laughter in the room, and there was more when Duplantis, who was unbeaten in 16 competitions in 2025, said he was "delighted and honoured to win the award " I just love pushing myself and pushing boundaries." The female athlete of the year award…...

56+ min ago (570+ words) Financial journalist who was the founding editor of the groundbreaking Independent newspaper in 1986 He was born in Macclesfield, Cheshire, the son of a Church of England vicar, Canon JE Smith, originally from a Manchester working-class family, whose parish was in an impoverished area near the docks of Birkenhead on Merseyside. His mother, Margaret (nee Barlow), a piano teacher, was the daughter of a Lancashire mill owner. Their son's Christian name derived not from some exotic foreign relations but from a village on the Isle of Man where his parents had spent their honeymoon. Andreas was educated at Birkenhead school and obtained a third class degree in politics, philosophy and economics at Keble College, Oxford. A report from his national service in the Army apparently concluded that he was unfit to lead men. Under its hidebound Hartwell family ownership, the Telegraph…...

1+ hour, 42+ min ago (498+ words) The journalist and editor also led the British Board of Film Classification and served as the senior lay member of the Church of England Andreas Whittam Smith, the co-founder of the Independent newspaper and a former president of the British Board of Film Classification, has died aged 88. Whittam Smith was also the first editor of the Independent and served as First Church Estates Commissioner, the senior lay member of the Church of England, from 2002 to 2017. A family spokesperson said: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Andreas Whittam Smith, co-founder of the Independent newspaper, on 29 November 2025, aged 88. "He was surrounded by his family until the end and will be dearly missed. "He is survived by his wife, Valerie; two sons, Benedict and Mark; and three grandsons." Much of Whittam Smith's early career was spent in financial…...

1+ hour, 54+ min ago (665+ words) North Carolina beaten 42-19 by NC State in finale Belichick's debut season has been beset by problems Bill Belichick stood at the microphone in a crowded room of reporters. North Carolina's season had just ended with a lopsided loss to a fierce nearby rival to cap a four-win season. And the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach wasn't in much of a mood to talk about it. A little more than four minutes' worth, in fact. "Look, the season's just ended a few minutes ago, OK?" Belichick said after the 42-19 loss at NC State on Saturday night. "So now we're going to move into the offseason. That's what we're going to do." He offered few insights, too, down to what message he gave his first college team after a season of expectations ended in ugly fashion "I'll keep my message to the…...

1+ hour, 55+ min ago (328+ words) Greens senator Steph Hodgins-May says gas corporations have created a "crisis" that Australian households have had to pay for. Follow today's news live Greens call for 25% gas export tax The Greens are calling for all gas exports to be taxed 25% and domestic gas supply to be prioritised as the country faces a future gas shortfall by 2028. The minor party " who just secured a deal with the government on the EPBC nature law reforms " say they will not support support any new gas fields. There is more than enough uncontracted gas being exported overseas, they say, to meet any future shortfalls. The 25% tax would replace the petroleum resource rent tax (PRRT) which the Greens say has failed to collect "meaningful" revenue from gas exporters due to "massive loopholes". Government and industry lies are quickly unravelling. We don't have a gas shortage,…...

1+ hour, 59+ min ago (751+ words) Mois's Caicedo was too pumped up before his rash red card but the Blues" progress under Enzo Maresca is undeniable This was the resumption of a bitter rivalry. It felt spicy from the moment Marc Cucurella sent Bukayo Saka flying with the first foul of the afternoon and, although it ended with Arsenal still dominant in first place, they will look at Chelsea"s defiant response to Mois's Caicedo"s reckless red card and conclude that Enzo Maresca"s young side will be coming for them in the future. There were probably more reasons for Chelsea to feel positive at the end of this bruising 1-1 draw. Their dominance of Arsenal was once routine, back in the days when Didier Drogba would delight in dragging Philippe Senderos around Stamford Bridge, but the balance of power has shifted in recent years. Chelsea,…...