The UK Justice Minister David Lammy has confirmed that 12 prisoners were mistakenly released over the past three weeks, with two still at large. Lammy attributed the errors to administrative failures within the prison system and suggested that a fully digital system could prevent such incidents in the future. The revelation follows earlier reports that 91 prisoners were wrongly released between April and October in England and Wales. Although the minister said the number of mistaken releases is now declining, he emphasized that the two fugitives are not considered dangerous or sex offenders. The issue gained attention after a convicted sex offender, Hadush Kebatu, was mistakenly freed but later recaptured and deported to Ethiopia. In response, the government has introduced new safety protocols, including checklists for prisoner release and investment in AI-based systems to reduce human error. Despite these measures, mistaken releases rose 128% last year to 262 cases, reflecting staff shortages.

The European Union has agreed on a provisional deal to halt all gas imports from Russia by November 2027, marking a major step toward energy independence following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Under the agreement, member states will stop importing Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) by the end of 2026 and end pipeline gas imports by November 2027. The move aims to eliminate the bloc’s reliance on Russian energy, which once supplied about half of its gas needs before 2022. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the decision as the beginning of Europe’s energy freedom. However, the deal still requires final approval from the European Parliament and Council, and faces political resistance from countries like Hungary and Slovakia that remain dependent on Russian energy. Hungary’s foreign minister has vowed to challenge the measure in the EU Court of Justice. The agreement also bans new long-term pipeline contracts after September 2027 and LNG contracts after January 2027, with short-term deals phased out earlier.

A 112-year-old Fabergé masterpiece known as the ‘Winter Egg’ has sold for a record £22.9 million (approximately 3.7 billion Bangladeshi taka) at Christie’s in London. Crafted in 1913 by Russian artist Peter Carl Fabergé for Tsar Nicholas II as a gift to his mother, the intricately designed egg is carved from rock crystal and adorned with about 4,500 diamonds, platinum snowflake motifs, and a miniature flower basket made of white quartz inside. The buyer chose to remain anonymous. This sale surpassed the previous record set in 2007 for any Fabergé artwork. Christie’s expert Margo Oganesian said the result reaffirms the timeless significance of Fabergé’s craftsmanship. The ‘Imperial Winter Egg’ is one of only 50 imperial eggs created for the Romanov family between 1885 and 1917, of which only seven remain in private collections today.

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has set a new Premier League record by becoming the fastest player to reach 100 goals, achieving the milestone in just 111 matches. The 25-year-old Norwegian scored during City’s 5-4 victory over Fulham, surpassing Alan Shearer’s previous record of 124 matches to reach the same mark. Haaland, who joined City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, continues his prolific form with 15 league goals and 20 in all competitions this season. Despite a brief goal drought in the previous three matches, he returned to scoring form with a precise finish from a Jeremy Doku cross. Haaland also provided two assists in the match, underlining his all-round contribution. While he still has a long way to go to match Shearer’s all-time record of 260 goals, his current scoring rate suggests he could challenge it in the coming seasons.

UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves is under intense political pressure after allegations that she exaggerated the country's fiscal deficit to justify a planned £30 billion tax increase. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) released details of its discussions with Reeves, revealing that Treasury officials had overstated the deficit in recent weeks to build support for higher taxes. OBR chief Richard Hughes stated that the government never faced a deficit exceeding £2.5 billion and that Reeves had been informed of a £4.2 billion surplus before her public statements suggesting worsening finances. The Treasury accused Hughes of breaching confidentiality by disclosing internal discussions, while Reeves claimed the OBR had not provided accurate data. The dispute has sparked a political storm, with opposition figures calling for Reeves’ resignation, accusing her of misleading the public for political gain. Hughes is set to appear before the Treasury Select Committee next week to explain the controversy, which has drawn comparisons to past fiscal clashes under Liz Truss’s government.

Tunisian President Kais Saied has summoned the European Union’s ambassador, Giuseppe Perrone, accusing him of violating diplomatic protocol. The president’s office issued a brief statement confirming the summons but did not provide details about the alleged breach. The move follows Perrone’s meeting with Noureddine Taboubi, head of the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT), a group that has been critical of Saied’s government. EU representatives in Tunis said Perrone had praised the UGTT’s role, while Taboubi called for stronger cooperation between Tunisia and the EU. The UGTT, part of the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize-winning National Dialogue Quartet, remains a key political player and one of Saied’s main domestic critics. Since taking power in 2021, Saied has faced accusations of authoritarianism and has imprisoned several opponents. The diplomatic tension highlights growing friction between Tunisia and the EU amid concerns over governance and political freedoms.

Liverpool’s struggles deepened as they suffered a 4-1 home defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League, marking their worst run in 71 years. The loss at Anfield was Liverpool’s ninth in their last 12 matches and their third consecutive defeat, during which they have conceded 10 goals. The team, currently 12th in the Premier League table, has lost six of their past seven league games despite heavy investment before the season. This is their first home loss to PSV since 2008 and their first group-stage home defeat in the Champions League in five years. Defensive errors, including a penalty conceded by Virgil van Dijk, and missed opportunities from Cody Gakpo contributed to the collapse. Coach Arne Slot’s decision to bench record signing Alexander Isak also failed to yield results. With qualification for the Champions League round of 16 now uncertain, Liverpool face mounting pressure to recover from their worst form since the 1953–54 season.

The UK Home Office has issued a formal apology and agreed to pay £225,000 in compensation to British-Bangladeshi community leader Chowdhury Mueen Uddin after a prolonged defamation case. The dispute stemmed from a 2019 report on the Home Office website linking Mueen Uddin to extremism and referencing a controversial 1971 war crimes verdict from Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal. Mueen Uddin denied all allegations, calling them politically motivated. In June 2024, the UK Supreme Court ruled unanimously in his favor, describing the government’s accusations as exceptionally serious and unfounded. Following the ruling, the Home Office publicly apologized in the Royal Courts of Justice and confirmed the compensation payment. Legal experts noted that this is among the largest defamation settlements ever paid by a UK government department. Mueen Uddin expressed relief and gratitude, saying the outcome reaffirmed the enduring power of truth and justice within Britain’s legal system.

A rare incident unfolded in the English Premier League as Everton midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye received a red card for slapping his own teammate, defender Michael Keane, during a match against Manchester United at Old Trafford. The altercation occurred in the 13th minute following a defensive misunderstanding that nearly led to a goal for United. Referee Tony Harrington, witnessing the confrontation, immediately sent Gueye off. Despite being reduced to ten men early in the game, Everton managed to secure a 1-0 victory thanks to a powerful strike from Dewsbury-Hall in the 29th minute. Manchester United, despite having a numerical advantage, failed to capitalize on their chances. United coach Ruben Amorim expressed disappointment after the match, admitting that his team lacked intensity and that Everton deserved the win.

BBC Director-General Tim Davie and News Chief Deborah Turness have resigned following outrage over misleading editing of a Donald Trump speech. However, analysts argue that the real crisis within the British broadcaster lies in its coverage of the Gaza conflict. A report by the Centre for Media Monitoring, which analyzed over 35,000 BBC news items from October 2023 to May 2025, found consistent institutional bias favoring Israel’s perspective while marginalizing Palestinian voices. The study revealed that Israeli deaths received 33 times more attention than Palestinian casualties, and language such as 'massacre' or 'murdered' was used disproportionately for Israeli victims. Internal BBC staff have also accused the organization of creating a culture of fear that discourages criticism of pro-Israel bias. Critics say the resignations distract from deeper editorial failures and political pressures that have compromised BBC’s journalistic integrity. The crisis underscores growing tension between public accountability and political influence in British media.

Two members of the UK House of Lords, former Army Chief Lord Richard Dannatt and businessman Lord David Evans, have been suspended for breaching parliamentary conduct rules. The Lords Standards Commissioner found that both peers offered to use parliamentary access and contacts for personal or business benefit. Lord Dannatt was recommended for a four-month suspension after being found to have approached ministers regarding companies in which he held financial interests. Lord Evans faces a five-month suspension for sponsoring events linked to his son’s company and offering introductions to MPs, with tickets sold above cost. The investigation followed undercover reporting by The Guardian, which prompted separate inquiries. Both peers accepted the findings and did not appeal. The suspensions will take effect once approved by the House of Lords. The case highlights ongoing scrutiny over lobbying and ethical standards in the UK’s upper chamber.

The United Kingdom intercepted two Russian naval vessels—the corvette RFN Stokiy and the tanker Yelna—in the English Channel, according to a BBC report on November 24. The British Ministry of Defence stated that Russian naval activity near UK waters has increased by 30% over the past two years. As part of NATO operations, the UK has also deployed three Poseidon surveillance aircraft to Iceland to monitor Russian ships and submarines in the North Atlantic and Arctic regions. The incident follows reports that a Russian spy ship allegedly targeted British aircraft pilots with lasers off Scotland’s coast. Defence Secretary John Healey condemned the actions as reckless and dangerous, warning Moscow that Britain is prepared to respond to any intrusion. Russia’s London embassy dismissed the claims as rumor-spreading. The event underscores growing UK defense concerns and supports calls for increased military spending amid threats from Russia, China, and Iran.

Former British Prime Minister David Cameron has publicly disclosed that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer earlier this year. In an interview with The Times, the 59-year-old said he underwent medical tests after his wife, entrepreneur Samantha Cameron, encouraged him to do so following a BBC interview with entrepreneur Nick Jones, who had also battled prostate cancer. Cameron’s prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test showed elevated levels, prompting further MRI scans and a biopsy that confirmed the disease. He subsequently received focal therapy, a targeted treatment that uses ultrasound and other technologies to destroy cancer cells in specific areas of the prostate. Cameron stated that sharing his experience was important to raise awareness and encourage men to undergo regular health checks. He served as the UK’s Prime Minister from 2010 to 2016.

The ownership of the influential British right-leaning newspaper The Telegraph is set to change hands, as Daily Mail owner General Trust PLC (DMGT) has agreed to purchase it for £500 million (approximately $650 million). The deal follows the withdrawal of U.S.-based private investment firm RedBird Capital Partners, which had previously been in talks to acquire the publication. According to the Financial Times, the valuation was determined to cover the repayment of funds spent by the RedBird-led consortium. The parties involved have now entered exclusive negotiations to finalize transaction terms and prepare necessary documentation. The agreement is expected to be submitted soon to the UK Foreign Secretary for approval. Neither The Telegraph nor RedBird IMI has commented further on the matter, though both sides confirmed that discussions were expedited to reach the announced deal.

The Daily Mail’s parent company, Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT), has announced a £500 million agreement to acquire The Telegraph newspaper from the US-UAE consortium RedBird IMI. The deal, confirmed in a press release from DMGT, marks a significant consolidation in the British media landscape. Founded 170 years ago, The Telegraph has long been one of the UK’s leading conservative newspapers and a direct rival to the Daily Mail. By securing this acquisition, DMGT is set to become one of the largest right-leaning media groups in the United Kingdom. The move underscores ongoing shifts in ownership within the UK press industry, as traditional media houses seek to strengthen their influence amid changing readership and digital transformation trends.