The UK government says foreign companies awarded defence contracts worth more than £50m will have to invest an equal amount in British factories, jobs and training. The rules are due to take effect in April 2027 and come as ministers face pressure to explain how the UK will meet its defence-spending targets.
Key Facts
The government calls the policy an “offset strategy” intended to increase economic benefits from overseas defence purchases.
The Ministry of Defence will apply the investment rules on a case-by-case basis.
The policy applies to foreign firms receiving defence contracts worth more than £50m.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the government wants the contracts to benefit British workers and businesses.
The government has a target of spending 3% of GDP on defence by 2030.
The government plans to set out more detail on reaching the 3% target in next year’s spending review.
Labour MP Tan Dhesi criticized delays to key defence decisions, while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the Budget lacked a plan for reaching the target.
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Prime Minister Andy Burnham said economic uncertainty and the Iran war limited the measures in his first budget, though he would have preferred to offer more support, including higher energy payments. He said he plans welfare reforms aimed at reducing benefit claims among young people, while ruling out cuts that would push people into crisis.
Key Facts
Chancellor John Healey announced a £100 winter energy payment for most households.
Burnham said the Iran war had raised borrowing costs and reduced the government’s room to act.
The budget has faced criticism over defence spending, welfare and cost-of-living support.
Burnham said he wants most people in their 20s not to need benefits, except when disability or other reasons prevent them from working.
He plans to set out welfare reforms in the coming months, following reports by Alan Milburn and Stephen Timms.
Burnham said Labour’s 2024 manifesto constrained his options by ruling out major policy changes such as increases to income tax, national insurance or VAT.
Burnham said he would seek his own mandate and would not have written the current Labour manifesto exactly as it stands.
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BP reported third-quarter underlying replacement cost profit of $8.46 billion, up from $2.2 billion a year earlier and above analysts’ $7.33 billion estimate. The company attributed the increase mainly to higher refining margins and stronger gas and marketing trading, amid disruptions to energy supplies linked to the Middle East conflict.
Key Facts
BP’s third-quarter underlying replacement cost profit was $8.46 billion, compared with $2.2 billion a year earlier.
Analysts had expected BP’s profit to reach $7.33 billion.
BP said higher refining margins and gas and marketing trading results mainly drove the increase.
The article reports that refinery disruptions in the Gulf region and Russia contributed to higher fuel prices in the UK, Europe and the US.
BP said it would use excess cash flow to address its remaining Deepwater Horizon spill liabilities in full.
BP’s Deepwater Horizon payables and provisions stood at $5.94 billion, according to company data.
BP is expected to announce its first major strategy update under CEO Meg O’Neill on December 15.
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Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, said hackers stole $6.3 billion in assets. The company said it froze about half of the assets, while the rest remained with the hackers; two analytics firms linked the attack to a North Korean hacking unit, but no one has claimed responsibility.
Key Facts
Binance reported a hack involving $6.3 billion in assets.
The stolen amount was also reported as £4.7 billion.
Binance said it froze about half of the assets.
The company said many of the assets remained in the hackers’ hands.
Two analytics firms attributed the incident to a North Korean hacking unit.
No one has claimed responsibility for the hack.
Binance did not directly answer questions about possible links to North Korea.
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Yorkshire Water chief executive Nicola Shaw will leave her post on 1 January, one day after the company received the Environment Agency’s lowest environmental rating. Nicola Medalova will join the company during a transition period and take over as chief executive in the new year.
Key Facts
Shaw has led Yorkshire Water since 2022.
The Environment Agency gave Yorkshire Water one star out of four and classified it as a poorly performing company.
The agency said the company was responsible for 260 pollution incidents in 2025, its highest total since 2011.
Ofwat announced a £47 million fine for historic sewage leaks in 2024.
Shaw faced criticism for not disclosing £1.3 million in shareholder-funded payments made between 2023 and 2025.
Shaw said in December 2025 that keeping the payments secret was a mistake.
Medalova is a chartered environmental health officer who previously worked for National Grid.
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Hamed Mirzaei says a U.S.-Israeli attack on a residential building in Tehran on March 9, 2026, killed 12 members of his family. He describes returning to the destroyed building for 20 days to search for them, including his wife, Mohadeseh, who was 26.
Key Facts
The attack struck a residential building in Tehran on March 9, 2026.
Mirzaei says 12 members of his family died in the attack.
Those killed included Mirzaei’s wife, Mohadeseh, his parents, grandparents, and other relatives.
Mirzaei and his wife had married a year earlier and were preparing to start a family.
Mirzaei said he was about five minutes from home when he heard the first missile strike.
He said five more missiles struck the building after the first impact.
Neighbours trapped under rubble were rescued with help from the Red Crescent.
Mirzaei said he returned to the rubble for 20 days to search for his family.
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Video game remakes can reconnect players with cherished memories while introducing older titles to new audiences. Analysts say updating an existing game can also be a lower-cost strategy for companies, though remakes may disappoint fans with high expectations.
Key Facts
Kacey Doran says footage of a redesigned The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time brought back memories of playing the original with her sister as a child.
The original Ocarina of Time was released in 1998, and the remake is due to arrive on the Switch 2 later this year.
Doran teaches an esports course at Rowan University in New Jersey and hopes to share the game with her sister’s children.
Tim Wulf of the Centre for Advanced Internet Studies says games can evoke nostalgia by letting players return to familiar environments and use skills they learned before.
Piers Harding-Rolls of Ampere Analysis says remakes and remasters can help companies build on established audiences and may cost less than creating a new game.
The article cites recent remakes of Resident Evil 4 and Assassin’s Creed Black Flag as titles that found large audiences.
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Mayon Volcano in the Philippines erupted, sending ash plumes 3,000 metres above its summit. Authorities raised the alert to Level 3, which signals that the volcano has entered a new phase of eruption.
Key Facts
Mayon Volcano is in the Philippines.
The volcano erupted.
Ash plumes rose 3,000 metres above the summit.
Authorities raised the volcano alert to Level 3.
The alert level signals a new phase of eruption.
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U.S. authorities are investigating an alleged scheme that used stolen identities to enroll fictitious students in colleges and divert federal student aid. A Kenyan man, Francis Mogambi, has been indicted in Nebraska; investigators have identified potentially fraudulent aid accounts linked to nearly $130 million, which is not a confirmed loss amount.
Key Facts
Prosecutors allege Francis Mogambi worked with associates in Kenya from November 2025 to May 2026 to steal U.S. citizens’ identities and enroll fictitious students.
Mogambi faces five counts of theft of government money and five counts of aggravated identity theft.
Prosecutors allege that Mogambi diverted financial aid payments, kept 30%, and sent the rest to associates in Kenya.
Mogambi was arrested after the indictment and is being held pending trial.
The Justice Department’s Operation Ghostbusters has resulted in five indictments, with 40 additional investigations still open, according to U.S. authorities.
Authorities say hundreds of people may have had personal information stolen and used to access federal student aid.
Investigators identified 830,840 potentially fraudulent Federal Student Aid identification numbers associated with nearly $130 million in September and October 2026; that amount is not confirmed losses.
Authorities say identity theft can leave victims facing unexpected student loan debts and damage to their credit.
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Russia said it struck energy infrastructure in and around Kyiv, as well as facilities in the Odesa and Dnipropetrovsk regions. An aid convoy carrying food and medical supplies began moving toward Russian-held Oleshky, where a local ceasefire had held for a third day. The developments followed a Russian drone strike on a Dnipro train station that killed at least 14 people.
Key Facts
Russia’s defence ministry said its forces struck energy infrastructure in and around Kyiv.
Russia also reported strikes on port facilities in the Odesa region, the Dnipropetrovsk region, and cargo vessels it said were used by the military.
An aid convoy carrying food, medical supplies and other items began traveling toward Russian-held Oleshky overnight.
Officials from Ukraine and Russia said a local ceasefire in Oleshky held for a third day.
A Russian drone struck a railway platform in Dnipro on Thursday, killing at least 14 people and wounding 14 others.
Six people wounded in the Dnipro strike were reported to be in severe condition.
Russia’s Interfax news agency reported that Russian air defences shot down 1,043 Ukrainian drones overnight, citing Russia’s defence ministry.
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The article examines whether President Donald Trump’s foreign policy could hurt Republicans in the November 3 midterm elections. Ukrainian Americans interviewed in Pennsylvania say his approach to Ukraine may affect their votes, while the article also points to the Iran war and tariffs as policies that could concern voters.
Key Facts
Irene Skulsky, a retired teacher in Pennsylvania, said she planned to vote against Republicans because of Trump’s actions toward Ukraine.
Skulsky said her son Darko survived a Russian attack on vehicles near Kyiv, while people in cars ahead of him were killed.
Skulsky linked the lack of an advance warning to a reported suspension of U.S. intelligence sharing; the Trump administration denied stopping intelligence sharing that month.
The article says Trump reached a deal with Vladimir Putin to buy nearly five million tonnes of diesel, overriding U.S. sanctions on Russia.
The article reports that Trump called for Ukrainians to replace President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and that his administration faced accusations of limiting Ukraine’s access to Starlink.
Ukrainian American advocate Eugene Luciw said foreign policy was a major concern for Ukrainian Americans and could matter to other voters.
The article identifies the Iran war and Trump’s tariffs on imports from much of the world as other policies that could affect Republican prospects.
The article says the Iran war, launched with Israel in February, showed no signs of ending at the time of publication.
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Ministers from other UK departments say Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has not provided detailed estimates of how her asylum reforms could affect homelessness and rough sleeping. Mahmood’s allies say the impact cannot yet be quantified because the proposals are not final, while the Home Office says the reforms will not leave people homeless and that the changes have saved taxpayers more than £1 billion since the election.
Key Facts
The proposed asylum reforms include ending permanent leave to remain and the government’s duty to support people who would otherwise become destitute.
A Home Office impact assessment says reduced disposable income could cause hardship or destitution and increase demand for homelessness services and rough-sleeping support.
Ministers responsible for housing and other policy areas have sought more information about the reforms’ possible effects.
Sources say Ali McGovern and Miatta Fahnbulleh raised concerns while serving as ministers under Keir Starmer, with support from then housing secretary Steve Reed.
McGovern and Fahnbulleh met Alex Norris, then a Home Office minister, but believed their questions were not adequately answered.
A planned formal letter requesting details was not sent after Fahnbulleh resigned from government.
The Home Office says the reforms followed the usual cross-government process and says asylum seekers will be moved to more suitable accommodation as asylum hotels close.
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Victoria’s Court of Appeal dismissed Erin Patterson’s appeal against her convictions and removed the minimum prison term that could have made her eligible for parole. The judges ruled that the crimes were so serious that she must remain in prison for life, though she can ask Australia’s High Court to review the convictions and sentence.
Key Facts
Patterson was convicted of murdering three relatives of her estranged husband and attempting to murder a fourth.
The victims ate a meal at Patterson’s home in Leongatha, Victoria, in July 2023.
The three murder victims were Don Patterson, Gail Patterson and Heather Wilkinson; Ian Wilkinson survived after weeks in hospital.
Patterson said she added death cap mushrooms to the meal by accident.
The appeals court upheld her convictions and granted prosecutors’ request to remove her 33-year nonparole period.
Justice Stephen McLeish said the court found the crimes involved “shocking criminality” and were extraordinarily cold and calculated.
Patterson can apply to Australia’s High Court, her last appeal option.
Patterson is the second woman in Australia sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
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President Donald Trump has told rally audiences that states may receive less federal help if voters elect Democrats in the November midterms. He tied continued aid for veterans affected by Camp Lejeune contamination to Republicans winning control of Congress, while the White House said he wants a Republican majority to advance his agenda.
Key Facts
At a rally in Perry, Georgia, Trump said he would respond differently to requests for state funding from Republican Senate candidate Mike Collins and Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff.
The Associated Press reported that Trump made similar remarks at rallies in North Carolina, Ohio and Kansas.
Trump has paired his warnings about aid with announcements about investments and other policy changes.
A 2022 law signed by then-President Joe Biden enabled people with health conditions linked to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune to seek compensation.
In Greenville, North Carolina, Trump said $1 billion in settlements had gone to affected veterans and family members, and said remaining legitimate claims would be settled quickly if Republicans won the House and Senate.
Trump later said that another administration would have to settle the remaining Camp Lejeune claims if his party did not win.
The White House said Trump was seeking a Republican congressional majority so he could continue his agenda.
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Amazon and Google have signed long-term agreements to buy nuclear power as AI and data centre electricity demand grows. Companies are also backing reactor upgrades and restarts, but new nuclear capacity takes years to deliver, creating a timing gap between electricity supply and rapidly changing technology demand.
Key Facts
Amazon contracted for 690 megawatts from Constellation’s Calvert Cliffs plant in Maryland, including 190 megawatts of added capacity expected between 2030 and 2032.
Google signed an agreement for 890 megawatts of additional nuclear capacity in the United States.
Neither the Amazon nor Google agreement involves building a new reactor; both rely on existing reactors or added output from them.
Constellation plans to invest more than $4.3 billion to upgrade 11 reactors in Illinois, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Microsoft has a 20-year agreement to buy electricity from the undamaged reactor at Three Mile Island as it is brought back into service.
The U.S. Department of Energy is offering up to $4.4 billion in loans to support restarting three closed nuclear plants, with a goal of restoring about 2.25 gigawatts of capacity.
The International Energy Agency estimates that global data centre electricity use will more than double to about 945 terawatt-hours by 2030.
A new large nuclear reactor can take a decade or more to begin generating electricity, while several small modular reactor projects are not expected to deliver power until the early 2030s.
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French investigators questioned Édouard Philippe over alleged misuse of public funds linked to a digital hub contract awarded while he was mayor of Le Havre. Magistrates designated him an assisted witness, a status less serious than formal investigation; Philippe denies the accusations.
Key Facts
Philippe served as France’s prime minister from 2017 to 2020.
The case involves allegations of misuse of public funds, favouritism and harassment.
The contract concerned running a digital hub in Le Havre and was awarded in July 2020 to LH French Tech, the only bidder.
LH French Tech was created in July 2020 and was chaired by Le Havre’s deputy mayor.
The association was set to receive more than €2 million over several years to run the hub.
A former civil servant filed the complaint and says her contract was not renewed and she was bullied after raising concerns.
France’s national financial prosecutor’s office opened the investigation.
Philippe is running for president in 2027 for the centre-right Horizons party.
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The article argues that the UK should impose sanctions not only on Israeli settlers but also on Israel and companies that support or profit from settlements. Its author says UK sanctions should take effect quickly and target the wider settlement economy, while also raising concerns about arms sales and components for F-35 jets.
Key Facts
The author says Israeli forces detained a delegation that included three British parliamentarians for nearly eight hours and then barred them from entering the West Bank.
The visit was organised by Global Justice Now, according to the article.
The UK has announced new sanctions related to Israeli settlements in the West Bank, the article says.
The author calls for the sanctions to take effect rapidly and to cover the Israeli state as well as settlers.
The article says UK sanctions rules could cover companies that profit from or support settlements.
The author says sanctions should target companies providing finance, insurance, or surveillance technology to settlements and related infrastructure.
The article says components for F-35 jets remain permitted despite a UK commitment to stop arms sales that materially contribute to the occupation.
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Police recorded at least 26,164 tool thefts in the UK in 2025, based on data from 30 forces; 15 other forces could not provide figures. Tradespeople described repeated thefts, high replacement and repair costs, and concerns about the impact on workers and businesses.
Key Facts
The recorded thefts amount to about one every 20 minutes.
The true number may be higher because 15 police forces did not provide data.
Direct Line for Business reported an average tool-theft insurance claim of £4,206.60 in 2025.
Lulzim Pjetri said his Birmingham refrigeration business suffered six tool thefts in one year.
Pjetri said replacing tools stolen from a van can cost up to £7,000, with another £4,000–£5,000 for repairs.
Kerry Field said a break-in cost his business £10,000 in stolen tools and motorbikes, and he spent a further £10,000 on security.
The Home Office said it was working with police and industry to prevent tool theft and tackle the sale of stolen goods.
Warwickshire Police said it reviewed Field’s case after concerns were raised but found no further lines of enquiry.
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The article raises the question of who should pay on a first date. The supplied page contains no answer or further reporting, and says the video cannot play unless JavaScript is enabled.
Key Facts
The article is titled “Who should pay on the first date?”
The page labels the article under Business.
The page lists Dating, Personal finance, Money, and New York City as related topics.
The page says the video requires JavaScript to play.
The supplied text does not state who should pay or describe any views on the question.
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The UK will raise its tax-free trading allowance for side-hustle income from £1,000 to £3,000 a year in April 2027. The government estimates that up to 1.4 million people could benefit, including some who will pay less tax or no longer need to report their trading income to HMRC.
Key Facts
The allowance will increase from £1,000 to £3,000 in April 2027.
The change was announced in the budget by the chancellor.
The government estimates that up to 1.4 million people could benefit.
About 400,000 people are expected to see their tax bill fall, with an average saving of £380.
About 100,000 people are expected to no longer need to report their trading income to HMRC.
People earning more than £3,000 can choose whether to use the allowance or deduct eligible business expenses and capital costs when calculating taxable profit.
Selling personal belongings for less than their original purchase price is not taxable because the seller has not made a profit.
Online platforms must report seller information to HMRC when a seller makes 30 sales or earns €2,000, about £1,700, in a year.
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