Hong Kong’s Worst Fire in Decades Fuels Scrutiny of Safety Lapses
The authorities said flammable netting and foam boards may have fueled the city’s deadliest blaze in nearly 70 years, killing at least 65 and prompting arrests. [Continue Reading]
Weather warnings issued as strong winds set to hit parts of the UK
The weather stays changeable with gales for some into Friday and further wet weather as Simon King explains [Continue Reading]
Wales' most deprived areas named - see how yours is affected
A neighbourhood in Rhyl has been named as the most deprived area of Wales in a new report. [Continue Reading]
Ban harmful content from social media instead of us, say Australian teens
From 10 December, social media firms must ensure Australians aged under 16 cannot have accounts. [Continue Reading]
Sharp fall in UK net migration with drop in arrivals for work and study
Provisional figures for net migration to the UK show levels dropped to 204,000 in the year to June 2025. [Continue Reading]
Listen: No evidence of wrongdoing, yet EU NGO funding inquiry sparks turmoil
Wednesday’s inaugural session of the European Parliament’s new scrutiny working group, the one set up to investigate transparency around NGO funding, did not exactly go as planned. The meeting descended into chaos within the first half hour. Progressive and left-leaning MEPs walked out almost immediately, calling the probe a politically-motivated assault on civil society. [Continue Reading]
‘Goosebump-inducing’ Korean fried chicken chain to open flagship UK restaurant
'The perfect balance of sweetness, spiciness, and saltiness.' [Continue Reading]
Netflix fans raving about ‘one of the best Christmas movies’ starring screen queen
It's immediately shot up to the global number one spot. [Continue Reading]
Putin’s scientists are creating spy pigeons controlled by brain implants
The researchers say the pigeons can be steered 'at will'. [Continue Reading]
NAMA 'broadly successful' in process of selling assets
The National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) was "broadly successful" in how it managed the process of selling off its assets, according to a new report. [Continue Reading]
Bulgarian government withdraws 2026 budget draft after mass protests
Wednesday's protest in Sofia against Bulgaria's draft budget plan for 2026 drew an estimated 20,000 people, who demonstrated against a potential increase in social security contributions and the doubling of the dividend tax. [Continue Reading]
Trump says US should ‘re-examine’ all Afghan refugees after suspect named in national guard shooting | First Thing
President called the shooting in Washington an ‘act of terror’. Plus, Hong Kong fire death toll rises to 65Good morning.Donald Trump has said the government should review every Afghan immigrant who entered the US during Joe Biden’s administration, after authorities identified the suspect in the shooting of two national guard members in Washington as an Afghan national.What is the latest on the condition of the national guard members? They remained in critical condition overnight.Have there been arrests? Yes – police have arrested two directors and an engineering consultant at a construction company.Our live blog will update you on new developments.... [Continue Reading]
Starmer says budget did not break manifesto tax pledge and scrapping two-child benefit cap was ‘my long-standing ambition’ – live
PM says: ‘We kept to our manifesto in terms of what we’ve promised. But I accept the challenge that we’ve asked everybody to contribute’Ask the Guardian your budget questionsShare your views on the new ‘mansion tax’Budget calculator: find out if you are better or worse offThe Conservative party is attacking the budget on the grounds that Rachel Reeves is putting up taxes supposedly to fund more spending on benefit claimants. Even though the rationale for this claim is questionable, the Tories were making it before the budget was announced, and Kemi Badenoch firmed it up last night, claiming it was... [Continue Reading]
Denmark sets up ‘night watch’ to monitor Trump since Greenland row
US president’s threat to seize territory prompts intelligence briefings reminiscent of Game of Thrones patrolThe Danish government has set up a “night watch” in the foreign ministry, not to keep out the wildlings and White Walkers like the Night’s Watch of Game of Thrones, but rather to monitor Donald Trump’s pronouncements and movements while Copenhagen sleeps.The night watch starts at 5pm each day and at 7am a report is produced and distributed around the Danish government and relevant departments about what was said and took place, the Politiken newspaper reported. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Hong Kong police say unsafe scaffolding and foam may have spread fire that killed at least 65
Three construction employees arrested as firefighters battle to reach trapped residents, with more than 250 people still missing Hong Kong fire – latest updatesHow the fire unfolded – visual guideHong Kong police have alleged unsafe scaffolding and foam materials used during maintenance work may have been behind the rapid spread of a devastating fire at a group of residential tower blocks that has killed at least 65 people and left more than 250 missing.Firefighters were still battling to reach residents who may be trapped on the upper floors of the Wang Fuk Court housing complex on Thursday due to the... [Continue Reading]
Hong Kong fire latest: rescue crews search for survivors as death toll rises to 65 with hundreds reported missing
Three men arrested as 26 rescue teams on site at Wang Fuk Court residential apartment complex in Tai Po districtA visual guide to the fireThe death toll has risen again to 44, fire officials say.Officials said they are still having difficulties proceeding into the upper floors in some of the buildings in the residential complex as the fire continues. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Pope Leo begins first foreign trip as Catholic leader in Turkiye, Lebanon
First American pope arrives in the Turkish capital, Ankara, where he met President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. [Continue Reading]
Guinea-Bissau general sworn in as transition president after military coup
General Horta Nta Na Man declares himself as leader of the transition government. [Continue Reading]
Settlers are “sponsored and funded by the Israeli ministries”
Walid Habbas on how Israeli ministries are funding settler activity in the occupied West Bank. [Continue Reading]
Four journalists on trial over Istanbul protest coverage acquitted
Photographer Yasin Akgul says he will continue on his path 'with even more reporting' following his acquittal. [Continue Reading]
What’s happening in Lebanon, a year into the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire?
Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr explains what’s going on in Lebanon, a year after the Israel–Hezbollah ceasefire was agreed. [Continue Reading]
Guinea-Bissau coup “doesn’t come as a surprise”
"I don't think this military takeover is going in the right direction." [Continue Reading]
Could Trump’s plan for Alcatraz end this Indigenous Thanksgiving tradition?
Donald Trump is planning an 'enlarged and rebuilt' Alcatraz prison. But Indigenous activists fear for their ceremonies. [Continue Reading]
Isack Hadjar: F1’s first Arab driver
Samantha Johnson breaks down what Isack Hadjar, F1's first Arab driver, represents on the grid and off it. [Continue Reading]
What We Know About the National Guard Shooting in D.C. and the Suspect
Two National Guard members are in critical condition after the attack near the White House on the eve of Thanksgiving. The suspect is a 29-year-old Afghan man. [Continue Reading]
General named new Guinea-Bissau leader a day after coup
Gen Horta N’Tam is sworn in during a ceremony at the army headquarters. [Continue Reading]
Watch: Video shows speed that fire spreads in Hong Kong tower block
Footage geolocated by BBC Verify show the blaze taking hold in Wang Cheong House. [Continue Reading]
First it was passports, now Brits are obsessed with Irish butter
The 'best butter' in the world is taking over TikTok [Continue Reading]
Buying a first home is now the most affordable it’s been in a decade
This level of affordability was last seen at the end of 2015. [Continue Reading]
10 best Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 games in Black Friday 2025 UK sales
With Black Friday itself finally here, these are the best Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 game deals in terms of price and quality. [Continue Reading]
Irish actress Ruth Codd has second leg amputation
Irish actress and The Celebrity Traitors star Ruth Codd has revealed she has undergone a second leg amputation. [Continue Reading]
Pope Leo arrives in Turkey on first overseas trip
Pope Leo XIV has arrived on his first trip outside Italy as leader of the Catholic Church and is expected to make appeals for peace in the Middle East and urge unity among long-divided Christian churches. [Continue Reading]
35% increase in termination notices issued by landlords
There has been a 35% increase in termination notices issued by landlords to tenants in the third quarter of the year compared to the same period in 2024. [Continue Reading]
Hong Kong fire kills 65 as police blame construction firm
Hong Kong firefighters have brought under control a huge blaze in an apartment complex that killed at least 65 people and injured 70, authorities said. [Continue Reading]
Macron announces new French voluntary military service to start next summer
France will launch a voluntary military service programme for 18 and 19-year-olds in 2026, aiming to enrol 3,000 participants initially and up to 50,000 by 2035, the French president announced on Thursday. [Continue Reading]
National Guard shooting: Trump says US should ‘re-examine’ all Afghan refugees after suspect named
President calls the shooting in Washington an ‘act of terror’, as officials name Rahmanullah Lakanwal as suspected shooterDonald Trump has called for his government to re-examine every Afghan immigrant who entered the US during Joe Biden’s administration, after law enforcement officials identified the suspect in the shooting of two national guard members in Washington as a man from Afghanistan.A statement from the Department of Homeland Security named the suspect as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who entered the US under a Biden-era policy allowing Afghans set up after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Immigration authorities granted Lakanwal... [Continue Reading]
Guardian Australia wins Walkley award for Indigenous affairs for The Descendants series
Christopher Hopkins also named the Nikon-Walkley Press Photographer of the Year for work published in Al Jazeera, The Age, and the GuardianGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastGuardian Australia has won a Walkley award for excellence in journalism for a series on Australians facing the truth of their family’s involvement in frontier violence.Guardian Australia won the Walkley Indigenous affairs at Thursday night’s ceremony for the The Descendants series, which built on Guardian Australia’s 2019 Walkley award-winning series The Killing Times. The series explored the deeply personal process of truth-telling about some of the most horrific incidents... [Continue Reading]
Hong Kong fire latest: rescue crews search for survivors after 55 killed and hundreds reported missing
Three men arrested as 26 rescue teams on site at Wang Fuk Court residential apartment complex in Tai Po districtA visual guide to the fireThe death toll has risen again to 44, fire officials say.Officials said they are still having difficulties proceeding into the upper floors in some of the buildings in the residential complex as the fire continues. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Guinea-Bissau general sworn as transition president after coup
Military officers had claimed 'total control' of the country a day after a tightly contested presidential election. [Continue Reading]
Major fallout for Afghans in US after National Guard shooting
Two Guard troops were shot in DC by a suspected Afghan national, triggering major repercussions for Afghan immigrants. [Continue Reading]
Labubu Takes New York on Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Float
A global sensation gets her moment at the Thanksgiving Day parade. [Continue Reading]
As Liverpool hit 'new low' - is Slot's job at risk?
After a dismal run of form, Arne Slot's job as Liverpool boss is starting to come under question - just six months after winning the Premier League title. [Continue Reading]
Wales' most deprived areas named - see how your area is affected
A neighbourhood in Rhyl has been named as the most deprived area of Wales in a new report. [Continue Reading]
France to bring in form of military service, 25 years after conscription was phased out
"The only way to avoid danger is to prepare for it," says President Emmanuel Macron. [Continue Reading]
Asylum seeker hotel stays increase by over 4,000 in just three months
It's a 13 per cent increase since June. [Continue Reading]
Is Russia ‘waging war’ on Europe? Readers discuss
Readers discuss Russian interference in the UK, if Trump is being played by Putin and if freezing fares actually saves the public money [Continue Reading]
A shark kills a woman and seriously wounds another swimmer in Australia
A shark attacked two mid-20s swimmers at Crowdy Bay National Park in Australia, killing a woman and seriously injuring a man. A bystander’s quick first aid likely saved the survivor before he was airlifted to hospital. [Continue Reading]