Rugby union updates from the 3.10pm GMT kick-off Follow us on Bluesky | Get The Breakdown | Mail Daniel It wasn’t too long ago that this match would be the coming together of the best teams in their respective hemispheres. In 2012 Wales won a grand slam in the Six Nations a few months before New Zealand claimed a clean sweep in the Rugby Championship. Generational players. Superstar coaches. An indomitable belief either side of the equator that men in red and men in black were almost guaranteed success. Continue reading...

Soho theatre, London Tim Foley’s conspiracy-fuelled comedy pits reason against delusion as a palaeontology lecturer faces a dean who believes Jurassic Park is real Logic and reason are torn to shreds in Tim Foley’s sharp, silly satire about fossils and fake news. Though it slightly overextends its central idea, Jurassic is a boxing match of a play, drawing the world’s current quality of political debate into a daft, furious comedy of dinosaurs and destruction. Jay (Alastair Michael) loses his university job in the paleontology department because the new dean, whose name is actually Dean (Matt Holt), believes Jurassic Park is real. What use is a man who studies fossils of dinosaurs now they’ve got the real thing? As Jay tries not to pop a blood vessel while arguing against Dean’s obvious lunacy, this caustic play taps into the impossibility of winning an argument with someone who is playing by an entirely different set of rules. At Soho theatre, London, until 29 November Continue reading...

Her privileges in America’s two-tiered legal system reportedly range from from unlimited toilet paper to puppy playtime I don’t know what, if anything, keeps Ghislaine Maxwell up at night. But it’s certainly not the prospect of running out of toilet paper in the minimum-security prison where she’s residing. Maxwell is serving a 20-year-sentence for her role in Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking operation. Rather than doing hard time, however, it seems Maxwell is having a relatively easy go of it. While most inmates get an allocation of two rolls of toilet paper per week, for example, CNN reports that Maxwell gets an unlimited supply. Arwa Mahdawi is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...

When the people making AI seem trustworthy are the ones who trust it the least, it shows that incentives for speed are overtaking safety, experts say Krista Pawloski remembers the single defining moment that shaped her opinion on the ethics of artificial intelligence. As an AI worker on Amazon Mechanical Turk – a marketplace that allows companies to hire workers to perform tasks like entering data or matching an AI prompt with its output – Pawloski spends her time moderating and assessing the quality of AI-generated text, images and videos, as well as some factchecking. Roughly two years ago, while working from home at her dining room table, she took up a job designating tweets as racist or not. When she was presented with a tweet that read “Listen to that mooncricket sing”, she almost clicked on the “no” button before deciding to check the meaning of the word “mooncricket”, which, to her surprise, was a racial slur against Black Americans. Continue reading...

Women’s groups welcomed the announcement on the eve of the international leaders’ summit in Johannesburg Hundreds of women gathered in cities across South Africa on Friday to protest against gender-based violence in the country before the G20 summit in Johannesburg this weekend. Demonstrators turned out in 15 locations – including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban – wearing black as a sign of “mourning and resistance”. Continue reading...

⚽️ Follow live updates from Saturday’s major football action ⚽️ Live scoreboard | Latest tables | And do send Tim an email Afternoon everyone. Are you old enough to remember when Saturday at 3pm was the moment you looked forward to all week? Well, it’s back, just for one day. From 3 till 5, we have half the weekend’s Premier League action. And as there are no dull teams this season, all five games are appetising… Bournemouth v West Ham Bournemouth were second in the league at Hallowee’en, but then they got spooked, losing to Man City and Villa and slipping to ninth. Still, they’re only one point off the top four and at home, where they have four wins out of five, they should be too strong for West Ham, even allowing for the Nuno bounce. Continue reading...

The closure of the progressive youth-focused magazine comes at turbulent time for journalism and the crumbling of feminist media In late 2016, just a few weeks after Donald Trump won his first presidential election, Teen Vogue published a story that set the internet ablaze: “Donald Trump Is Gaslighting America.” The story garnered more than 1.3m hits, making it the magazine’s most-read story of the year. Elaine Welteroth, then the editor-in-chief, told NPR that the day it published, Teen Vogue sold “in that month, more copies of the magazine than we had that entire year”. It was a transformative moment for the publication: proof that a magazine long associated with Disney child stars and headlines like “Prom Fever!” could shine light on the political dimensions of young people’s lives. Continue reading...

As a well-informed MP on the frontline of the debate, Tony Vaughan’s views are particularly unwelcome to government Before Monday morning, Folkestone and Hythe’s backbench Labour MP Tony Vaughan was best known for his slick, pro-government Instagram reels. In one, he dives into the brown sea off the Kent coast, ignoring a no swimming sign, to show constituents that Labour has made progress tackling water pollution; a few minutes later, he emerges in his trunks, as the 007 theme tune plays. In another, he is filmed by a drone striding along the shingle, wearing Ray-Ban aviators and a crisp white shirt, praising the government’s investment in coastal flood defences. Continue reading...

Availability of chickens and ducks also expected to be tight, with 5% of the seasonal flock culled so far UK poultry producers are battling a “bad season” of bird flu, with cases much worse than at this point last year, putting a squeeze on supplies of Christmas birds including turkeys, chickens and ducks. Two industry insiders said they expected supplies of all poultry to be tight ahead of the festive season, especially for organic and free-range birds, which are seen as the most vulnerable to infection. Continue reading...

Advent enthusiast Georgina Hayden rounds up her whole family to determine which chocolate calendars hold festive joy behind every door • The best advent calendars for 2025, tested When it comes to Christmas, I unashamedly go all out. I love to kickstart December with Advent calendars for all the family, so it seemed only fair to taste test this lot with them in tow. And, despite an age range spanning 60-plus years, we were all pretty much on the same page with our expectations: we were looking for a bit of variety behind the doors, some Christmas sparkle and a hint of nostalgia. Packaging that looked the part when displayed on our mantelpiece was also an important consideration. Despite the obvious biases (the kids being attracted to the calendars aimed at them v the adults preferring the slightly more elegant offerings), the results were pretty consistent. We all loved the calendars where there was something extra: a picture behind a door or a foil barrier to break through, a variation in the chocolates and so forth. Ultimately, that just goes to show that we’re all big kids at heart – and that every day should start with a miniature chocolate treat. Continue reading...

The philosopher and the sex trafficker were in contact long after Epstein was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor, documents reveal The prominent linguist and philosopher Noam Chomsky called it a “most valuable experience” to have maintained “regular contact” with Jeffrey Epstein, who by then had long been convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor, according to emails released earlier in November this month by US lawmakers. Such comments from Chomsky, or attributed to him, suggest his association with Epstein – who officials concluded killed himself in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges – went deeper than the occasional political and academic discussions the former had previously claimed to have with the latter. Continue reading...

Negotiations ran late last night, and as delegates begin to leave the outcome of the summit remains unclear As Cop30 continues to overrun, a growing concern is what happens if delegates start to leave the venue. For all UN meetings, a key percentage of government need to be in the room. If it slips below that figure, the meeting is adorned and everyone goes home. The excellent Ed King wrote about this in his Climate Diplomacy Brief this morning: Quorum is key: as cruise ships leave, many delegates have nowhere to stay tonight and will be heading out. Pacific delegates and many UN staffers are among those impacted. Brazil faces a race against time. Lula faces the prospect of explaining to G20 leaders why a summit he hoped would propel him to election victory in 2026 has ended in abject failure, with little to no support from his Brics allies and Saudi Arabia, which tried to kill efforts to talk cuts on Friday. It’s as clear as mud. They have called the plenary for 10am Belem time but we don’t know what is happening to the text or if they will try to gavel something through without that. It could be that there’s a plenary and then it adjourns quite quickly for people to finish the negotiations – or they just try to barrel it all through. We just do not know. Continue reading...

The groundbreaking, smash-hit adventure was a make-or-break moment for both Pixar and computer animation When the Pixar studio was casting for Toy Story, children were invited to bring one toy to the audition. Seven-year-old John Morris showed up with 20: a case of his beloved X-Men action figures. He got the part. Playing Andy, a young boy whose toys include cowboy Woody and spaceman Buzz Lightyear, his was the first voice ever heard in a feature-length Pixar animation. Toy Story was released 30 years ago on Saturday, but to Morris the memory of its premiere is as fresh as ever. Continue reading...

The Maga star won on the Epstein files and could have founded a Republican resistance movement but is instead the latest dissenter to head for the exit It has been a head-spinning 48 hours in Washington. Liberal TV host Rachel Maddow showed up at the funeral of conservative vice-president Dick Cheney. Donald Trump embraced Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist set to be the first Muslim mayor of New York, like a brother. And then Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Trump acolyte-turned-nemesis who bested him over the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, stunned the political establishment again. In what should have been her hour of triumph, the Maga star abruptly announced that she was quitting the House of Representatives. Continue reading...

Agents claim it can increase their clients’ profile and show off their human side. Is that your final answer? For Monty Panesar, it was answering that Germany played their home football matches in Athens. For David Lammy, it was saying Henry VIII’s heir was Henry VII. And for actor Amanda Henderson it was responding with the name Sharon to a question about Greta Thunberg. Panesar’s disastrous appearance on Celebrity Mastermind six years ago was used to taunt him this week by Australia’s cricket captain Steve Smith. Continue reading...

US officials to hold high-level talks in Brussels amid unhappiness in Washington at slow action on July deal The EU and US are set to restart trade negotiations next week after a two-month pause to try to settle unresolved sticking points in their controversial tariff deal struck in July. The US commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, and trade representative Jamieson Greer will hold high-level meetings in Brussels on Monday with ministers, EU commissioners and industry bosses. Continue reading...

Louise Haigh criticises delivery company over treatment of workers who spoke out against pay cuts The Labour government must back delivery workers who were sacked for speaking out about DPD’s plans to cut of thousands of pounds from their pay, a former cabinet minister has said. Louise Haigh has heavily criticised the delivery firm over its treatment of the workers – one of whom said the row had cost them their livelihoods just in time for Christmas. Continue reading...

The brand, which evokes nostalgia and pride, hit its €5m fundraising target within hours and orders have soared Drop a Duralex glass and it will most likely bounce, not break. The French company itself has tumbled several times in the past two decades and always bounced back, but never quite as spectacularly as when, earlier this month, it asked the public for money. An appeal for €5m (£4.4m) of emergency funding to secure the immediate future of the glassworks took just five hours and 40 minutes to reach its target. Within 48 hours, the total amount pledged had topped €19m. Continue reading...

⚽️ Premier League updates from the 12.30pm GMT kick-off ⚽️ Live scoreboard | Latest tables | Top scorers | Mail Taha Moisés Caicedo begins on the bench for Chelsea, as does Alejandro Garnacho, who set up two goals in the victory over Wolves. Burnley are unchanged from their 3-2 defeat by West Ham. Burnley: Dubravka, Walker, Tuanzebe, Estève, Hartman, Florentino, Cullen, Tchaouna, Ugochukwu, Anthony, Flemming Continue reading...

Robert James Purkiss faces extradition for alleged septic tank killing of Agnes Wanjiru near army training base A former British soldier accused of murdering a Kenyan woman whose body was found in a septic tank in 2012 has spoken publicly about the allegations, saying: “I do not believe I ever met her.” Robert James Purkiss, 38, faces extradition to Kenya, where he is wanted for the alleged “brutal” murder of 21-year-old Agnes Wanjiru in Nanyuki, a town near a British army training camp. Continue reading...

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The plan would leave Ukraine’s democracy in jeopardy and its sovereignty compromised For a moment, Donald Trump seemed to have seen the light on Ukraine. After promising “severe consequences” in August if Vladimir Putin continued to obstruct ceasefire talks – but then doing nothing as Putin did just that – Trump finally on 22 October imposed significant sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, seriously compromising Putin’s ability to finance his invasion. But now, with his 28-point peace plan for Ukraine, drafted by US and Russian officials without Ukrainian or European participation, Trump has reverted to his pro-Putin norm. Trump’s plan would reward Putin for invading Ukraine while leaving Ukraine’s democracy in jeopardy. The plan’s ringing proclamation that “Ukraine’s sovereignty will be confirmed” rings hollow when so much of the plan compromises that sovereignty. A Kremlin dream, the plan would be a Ukrainian nightmare. Kenneth Roth, former executive director of Human Rights Watch (1993-2022), is a visiting professor at Princeton’s School of Public and International Affairs. His book, Righting Wrongs: Three Decades on the Front Lines Battling Abusive Governments, is published by Knopf and Allen Lane. Continue reading...

The Indian photographer captured a quiet moment at the popular Maha Kumbh Mela religious festival in Prayagraj Divyanshu Verma regards the north Indian city of Prayagraj as deeply special: not only is it home, it is also where he began his journey into street photography. This image was taken in the Sangam area during the huge Hindu purification festival Maha Kumbh Mela – maha meaning great because this was the 12th in a row of the ritual that takes place once every 12 years. “It’s a massive spiritual gathering and the energy is entirely unique,” Verma says. “The place was incredibly crowded with people who had travelled from far and wide, all drawn by faith, but there was a strange sense of calm within the chaos. I wandered through the crowds with my phone, observing rituals and soaking up the powerful atmosphere.” Continue reading...

Organised criminals face few repercussions for dumping toxic rubbish as Environment Agency struggles to keep up In a once scenic ancient woodland outside Ashford, an enormous biohazard cleanup operation is under way to remove the toxic aftermath of the criminal dumping of 35,000 tonnes of rubbish. Tankers come and go along a new road, built for the purpose. Behind metal gates away from public view, specialists in hazmat suits dig through the mountain of waste dumped on an industrial scale in a woodland that is a protected site of special scientific interest. Continue reading...

Musselburgh, East Lothian, Scotland: The hide was very busy but lucky for me someone let me look through their telescope – this bird isn’t really found in Scotland A gargantuan flock of birds had gathered in the mouth of the River Esk. We were heading towards the Musselburgh Lagoons nature reserve, where there is a marshy wetland area made from reclaimed land. As I cycled along the track, I could hear the geese honking and chattering on the sand. It was mid-autumn and I wondered whether they were resting midway through their migration to warmer countries. I could see an oystercatcher pecking hungrily at the mud and using its blood-red legs to energetically kick at the sand. There was a curlew scouring through pebbles with its curved beak. I cycled into the forest. The sunlight was bouncing off the leaves. When we got to the bird hide it was silent, even though there were lots of people inside. Their telescopes and cameras were all trained on a small, speckled, brown bird in the distance. It had long, pale yellow legs and was wading next to the muddy bank: a marsh sandpiper! It was so exciting that it was hard to be quiet. Continue reading...