Month: November 2025
In today’s newsletter: Shabana Mahmood is pitching radical new limits on whether asylum seekers can ever gain settled status – but it may come with political consequences
Good morning. In September, Nigel Farage floated a Reform UK policy of ending indefinite leave to remain that critics said would eject hundreds of thousands of people from the country. In October, the Conservatives began talking about deporting large numbers of people previously considered legally settled. Now, the Labour government is preparing to impose radical new limits on whether asylum seekers can ever gain settled status. The Overton window on immigration keeps marching implacably rightwards.
In a document published by the government yesterday afternoon, the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, described the plans as “the most sweeping asylum reforms in modern times”. The prime minister, Keir Starmer, said that having an asylum system at all depends on “social confidence” that it is “fair, effective and humane”. A lot of Labour MPs look set to disagree with the approach, causing yet another political headache for No 10.
Society | More than two in five sexually active under-18s in the UK have either been strangled or strangled someone during sex, research has found, despite the serious dangers of the practice.
Jeffrey Epstein | The Harvard professor and economist Larry Summers said he would step back from public life after documents released by the House oversight committee revealed email exchanges between him and Jeffrey Epstein, who called himself Summers’ “wing man”.
Cop30 | Jamaica has led calls from vulnerable nations at the Cop30 climate summit to urge immediate action on climate breakdown as the conference entered its second week.
Gaza | The UN security council has endorsed proposals put forward by Donald Trump for a lasting peace in Gaza, including the deployment of an international stabilisation force and a possible path to a sovereign Palestinian state.
Poland | Poland’s prime minister Donald Tusk has described an explosion along a section of railway line used for deliveries to Ukraine as an “unprecedented act of sabotage” that could have led to disaster.
Ongoing violence in northern Nigeria draws international attention
Recent incidents in northern Nigeria have brought renewed focus to the ongoing violence affecting local communities and provoking international responses, including vocal criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump. He has decried the killing of Christians by “radical Islamists” in the region, which has historically faced significant security challenges, reports 24brussels.
Local victims and church leaders echo Trump’s sentiments, asserting that Christians have been subjected to targeted attacks, kidnappings, and murders due to their faith. A church in Kaduna was notably the site of a kidnapping incident in November 2024, where congregants and their pastor were seized during a service.
However, analysts and residents caution against oversimplifying the narrative, contending that the violence has affected individuals across various backgrounds, and is indicative of a broader security crisis in Nigeria. Reports indicate that the violence in northeastern Nigeria has resulted in thousands of deaths and displacements over recent years, creating a complex environment where no one is truly immune from the threat.
Recent portraits of affected communities include Imam Idris Ishaq, who mourns the loss of family members due to the violence. He, alongside community leaders, advocates for recognition that the insecurity plaguing Nigeria impacts all citizens, not just specific religious groups. “Everyone here is vulnerable,” he stated, emphasizing the collective suffering experienced by families across the spectrum of faiths in Northern Nigeria.
As concerns mount over the potential manipulation of these narratives for political leverage, the interplay of religion and security in Nigeria continues to be a topic warranting careful consideration and comprehensive understanding from both local and international communities.
Amidst this backdrop, the plight of families remains dire. Tabitha Danladi, a local mother who was kidnapped in June 2025 and released only after ransom payments, shared, “I’ve sold everything and they have been collecting ransoms, but we don’t know if he’s still alive.” Similar accounts illustrate the desperate measures families are taking to survive amidst the chaos.
The situation remains fluid, as communities seek support and strategies to mitigate the risks posed by the ongoing violence, highlighting the urgent need for effective national and international responses to enhance security and stability in the region.
With each harrowing story, the need for a nuanced understanding of Nigeria’s security landscape becomes increasingly critical, as does the recognition of the broader implications of this violence on regional and global stability.
Diplomatic dispute over Japan’s stance on Taiwan continues to rumble after Senae Takaichi’s comments
Chinese travellers are estimated to have cancelled hundreds of thousands of flights to Japan amid reports of suspended visa processing and cultural exchanges as a diplomatic dispute over Japan’s stance on Taiwan continues.
Under pressure from business groups, Japan has sent a senior diplomat to Beijing in an attempt to calm tensions after Japan’s prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, said her country could get militarily involved if China attempted to invade Taiwan. Her comments prompted fury from China’s government, which issued warnings against Chinese travellers and students going to Japan.
Suppliers would not have previously been obliged to test the products at any point in the supply chain, ABF confirmed
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Coloured sand products which have been contaminated with asbestos and used widely in Australian schools were not required to undergo any testing for the hazardous material before they were imported, border officials have confirmed.
The Australian Border Force (ABF) on Tuesday said it would now consider sand products designed for children’s sensory play to be high risk, meaning they will require proof they are asbestos-free before they are allowed into the country.
