Donald Trump's administration continues to shape policy, with headlines covering Cabinet appointments like the new US ambassador for Malaysia, significant staff reductions at the State Department and NASA, a judge blocking his birthright order, and the suspension of Secret Service agents following an assassination attempt.

• Secret Service suspended staff for failings in Trump assassination attempt — BBC World -
• Trump picks former Sydney councillor and self-described ‘alpha male’ Nick Adams as US ambassador for Malaysia — The Guardian -
• US state department announces plan to lay off nearly 15% of its domestic staff — The Guardian -

• Judge blocks Trump's birthright order after Supreme Court ruling — BBC World -
• Greg Abbott accused of trying to ‘fix’ midterms for Republicans by redrawing congressional maps — The Guardian -
• Planned Parenthood offices begin rejecting Medicaid after Trump signs bill to defund healthcare organization — The Guardian -
• Trump’s inaugural fund received $19m from fossil fuel industry, analysis shows — The Guardian -
• Trump names Sean Duffy as interim Nasa head after rejecting Elon Musk ally — The Guardian -
• First Thing: Democrats ‘too polite’ in fight against fossil fuel giants, says senator — The Guardian -
• Democrats and climate groups ‘too polite’ in fight against ‘malevolent’ fossil fuel giants, says key senator — The Guardian -
• Lobbyists linked to Donald Trump paid millions by world’s poorest countries — The Guardian -
• Trump administration reportedly planning to cut 2,145 Nasa employees — The Guardian -

Immigration challenges remain a global focus, with headlines detailing detentions of a Palestinian woman in Sydney and federal officers using force during raids in California, prompting an L.A.-area bishop to excuse mass attendance due to fear of enforcement.

• Palestinian woman, 61, who fled Gaza detained by authorities after pre-dawn raid in Sydney — The Guardian -
• Federal officers use force on protesters during immigration raids at California farms — The Guardian -
• L.A.-Area Bishop Excuses Faithful From Mass Over Fear of Immigration Raids — New York Times World -

• Robert Jenrick’s migrant returns advice is finally heeded – by a Labour PM — The Guardian -
• Charges dropped against Atlanta journalist detained by Ice — The Guardian -
• Dinghies at dawn and a determination to arrive: on the French coast waiting to cross to UK — The Guardian -
• Starmer hails ‘groundbreaking’ deal to return small-boat migrants to France — The Guardian -
• US cuts visa validity for applicants from three African countries — BBC World -
• Trial UK and France ‘one in, one out’ scheme designed to curb migrant boat crossings to start within weeks – as it happened — The Guardian -
• California bishop excuses weekly mass obligation amid immigration raids — The Guardian -
• How El Salvador Is Reaping Rewards From Trump’s Deportation Agenda — New York Times World -
• How El Salvador Is Reaping Rewards From Trump’s Deportation Agenda — New York Times World -
• Starmer and Macron to announce ‘one in, one out’ migration deal — The Guardian -
• 'Trump was right' - John Kerry says Democrats allowed migrant 'siege' of US border — BBC World -

The Gaza conflict continues to see Israeli strikes causing casualties, including children, and discussions around increased aid delivery, while Houthi militants persist with attacks in the Red Sea, and Iran's nuclear program and its threats to the UK raise international security concerns.

• Friday Briefing: Israel Says Iran Has Some Uranium Left — New York Times World -
• U.K. Faces Rising Threat From Iranian Plots, Intelligence Committee Says — New York Times World -
• Children queuing for supplements killed in Israeli strike in Gaza, hospital says — BBC World -

• Some of Iran’s Enriched Uranium Survived Attacks, Israeli Official Says — New York Times World -
• Four More Rescued in Red Sea, as Houthis Vow to Keep Up Attacks — New York Times World -
• Israel Will Allow More Aid Into Gaza, Officials Say — New York Times World -
• Israeli strike kills at least 10 children queueing for medical treatment in Gaza — The Guardian -
• A Lethal Israeli Airstrike Hits Near a Gaza Aid Clinic — New York Times World -
• A British Surgeon Shares What She Saw in Gaza’s Hospitals — New York Times World -
• Seafarers from cargo ship attacked by Houthis rescued after 48 hours in water — The Guardian -
• US issues sanctions against Francesca Albanese, UN official investigating abuses in Gaza — The Guardian -
• Iran’s threat to UK on a par with Russia’s, security report finds — The Guardian -
• Search for survivors after Houthis sink second Red Sea cargo ship in a week — BBC World -
• US sanctions UN expert Francesca Albanese, critic of Israel's Gaza offensive — BBC World -
• US sanctions UN expert Francesca Albanese, critic of Israel's Gaza offensive — BBC World -

The UK faces ongoing domestic challenges, including revelations from the Post Office scandal and concerns over poor value from PFI contracts, while social issues like racial disparities in homelessness and healthcare outcomes persist.

• At Least 13 People Died by Suicide Amid U.K. Post Office Scandal, Report Says — New York Times World -
• Black people in England four times as likely to face homelessness, study finds — The Guardian -
• Government inheriting poor value assets due to bad handling of PFI contracts, watchdog says — The Guardian -

• Social media incentivised spread of Southport misinformation, MPs say — The Guardian -
• Minority ethnic and deprived children more likely to die after UK intensive care admission — The Guardian -
• Keir Starmer accepts invitation to visit Donald Trump in Scotland — The Guardian -
• Belfast police refuse to help dismantle loyalist bonfire on site containing asbestos — The Guardian -
• ‘Serious blunder’ over Islamic State murder of Rochdale imam — The Guardian -
• Ministers propose voting changes for mayoral elections in English devolution bill — The Guardian -
• Ministers accused of betrayal after pausing Grenfell contract investigations — The Guardian -
• Term ‘disabled’ in danger of losing all meaning, says Badenoch — The Guardian -
• Man told fake Russian spies he had ‘useful’ information on Grant Shapps, jury hears — The Guardian -
• South West Water allowed to invest £24m rather than pay £19m fine — The Guardian -
• Rise in school exclusions in England including among pupils six or younger — The Guardian -
• ‘Brutal’ two-child benefit cap affecting 1.7m children, shows data — The Guardian -
• Met’s plan to update alleged Mohamed Al Fayed victims by video ‘not good enough’ — The Guardian -
• UK government abandons energy ‘zonal pricing’ plan — The Guardian -
• Royal Mail gets go ahead to axe second-class post on Saturdays — The Guardian -
• Thursday briefing: Why young people fear ‘there’s nothing here for us’ in England’s coastal towns — The Guardian -
• Last orders: Pubs in Britain will close at rate of one a day in 2025, trade body warns — The Guardian -

The Ukraine-Russia conflict intensifies with deadly Russian drone and missile attacks on Kyiv, including one that killed a Ukrainian intelligence officer, while Ukraine seeks to bolster its defense by arresting Chinese individuals suspected of spying and pressing allies for increased military aid and sanctions against Russia.

• Ukrainian Intelligence Officer Is Shot to Death in Kyiv — New York Times World -
• Russia Bombards Ukraine as U.S. Frustration Mounts — New York Times World -
• Zelenskyy says he has received positive signals from US over resumption of military aid – as it happened — The Guardian -

• Russia's intensifying drone war is spreading fear and eroding Ukrainian morale — BBC World -
• Zelenskyy urges west to hit Russia with sanctions after huge attack on Kyiv — The Guardian -
• Concern that Ukraine will be split up casts shadow over reconstruction talks — The Guardian -
• Trump Seems to Be Warming to What Europe Wants for Ukraine: New Russia Sanctions — New York Times World -
• Deadly new Russian drone and missile attack hits Kyiv — BBC World -
• Ukraine arrests Chinese father and son on suspicion of spying — The Guardian -
• Thursday Briefing: Russia’s Record Drone Attack — New York Times World -

Global power dynamics are in flux, as China surveys seabeds with potential military implications, the Aukus nuclear submarine deal faces delays amid a Trump review, and US tariff threats against Brazil escalate.

• China Surveys Seabeds Where Naval Rivals May One Day Clash — New York Times World -
• U.K. and France Sign First Nuclear Pact to Fend Off Threat to Europe — New York Times World -
• US-Brazil Tariffs: What to Know About Trump’s History With Bolsonaro — New York Times World -

• Targeting Brazil, Trump Tests Legal Limit of His Tariff Powers — New York Times World -
• Rubio Tells Top Russian Diplomat of Trump’s Frustration Over Putin’s War — New York Times World -
• Why is Trump targeting Brazil - and will it backfire for Bolsonaro? — BBC World -
• Fate of Aukus nuclear submarine deal may be delayed months as UK and Australia wait on Trump review — The Guardian -
• As Israel and Ukraine Advance Drone Warfare, U.S. Sees Its Own Vulnerabilities — New York Times World -
• Von der Leyen survives censure vote but faces calls to reverse EU’s rightward drift — The Guardian -
• EU chief von der Leyen survives rare confidence vote — BBC World -
• EU chief von der Leyen survives rare confidence vote — BBC World -
• Trump Pledges 50% Tariffs Against Brazil, Citing ‘Witch Hunt’ Against Bolsonaro — New York Times World -
• Brazil vows to match US tariffs after Trump threatens 50% levy — BBC World -
• Brazil vows to match US tariffs after Trump threatens 50% levy — BBC World -
• Trump threatens Brazil with 50% tariff and demands Bolsonaro's trial end — BBC World -
• Trump threatens Brazil with 50% tariff and demands Bolsonaro's trial end — BBC World -
• Trump announces 50% tariff on Brazil, citing a ‘witch-hunt’ against Bolsonaro — The Guardian -

This topic addresses global efforts for social justice and human rights, including Caribbean leaders backing Jamaica's petition for slavery reparations, a court ruling in favor of Caster Semenya concerning athlete rights, and concerns about a spike in HIV infections in South Africa due to US aid cuts.

• Caribbean leaders back Jamaica petition to King Charles for slavery reparations — The Guardian -
• Caster Semenya calls for athletes’ rights to be put first as court rules in her favour — The Guardian -
• Semenya's right to a fair hearing violated - ECHR — BBC World -

• Semenya's right to a fair hearing violated - ECHR — BBC World -
• South Africans fear spike in HIV infections as US aid cuts bite — BBC World -
• South Africans fear spike in HIV infections as US aid cuts bite — BBC World -
• High-risk HIV groups facing record levels of criminalisation as countries bring in draconian laws — The Guardian -
• ‘One too many’: rapper’s arrest sparks protests against Togo’s ruling dynasty — The Guardian -

Australia faces domestic challenges including a rising death toll from suicides in prisons due to known ligature points, a mass fish kill in NSW, and debates over whether YouTube should be excluded from an under-16 social media ban.

• News live: Australian dollar hits nine-month high against USD; Jillian Segal defends antisemitism measures — The Guardian -
• New data reveals increase in staggering death toll from known hanging points in Australian jails — The Guardian -
• Cold weather blamed for killing thousands of bony herring in central west NSW lake — The Guardian -

• YouTube creators and eSafety commissioner at odds over whether to exclude platform from under-16 ban — The Guardian -
• Two NSW police officers attacked naked woman suffering mental health episode — The Guardian -
• Australian envoy’s antisemitism plan criticised as ‘Trumpian’ over concerns changes could be used to silence dissent — The Guardian -
• ‘One in a million’: teen surfer found on remote island 14km off Australian coast — The Guardian -
• Segal says stripping universities of funding a ‘last resort’ - as it happened — The Guardian -
• Court rejects developer’s bid to turn Sydney boarding house into luxury apartments — The Guardian -
• Abandoned van found in search for missing German backpacker Carolina Wilga in remote WA — The Guardian -
• Universities and artists face funding threat under antisemitism plan being considered by Australian government — The Guardian -
• Report on Queensland CFMEU referred to police after ‘threats of violence, intimidation, misogyny’ alleged — The Guardian -

Climate change continues to impact regions globally, with the UK experiencing record temperatures and Scotland urged to cut water use due to supply limits, while concerns are raised over weaker building regulations potentially destroying nature in England.

• UK Braces for Record Temperatures as Third Heat Wave Spreads — New York Times World -
• Scottish households urged to cut water use as climate crisis limits supplies — The Guardian -
• Trump officials axed an online portal for its key climate report. Read it in full here — The Guardian -

• Weaker building regulations could destroy 215,000 hectares of nature in England, analysis shows — The Guardian -
• Sonoran Desert Toads, With Their Psychedelic Powers, Appear to Be in Decline — New York Times World -
• Lead ammunition to be banned for hunting and shooting in England, Scotland and Wales — The Guardian -
• Umbrellas Optional? East Asia’s Monsoon Rains Are No Longer a Sure Thing — New York Times World -

Recent disasters and accidents include the deadly Texas floods claiming over 120 lives, a fatal bridge collapse in India, a Delta flight diversion to an Atlantic island, and the successful rescue of construction workers after an LA tunnel collapse.

• Delta flight with roughly 300 passengers diverted to island in Atlantic Ocean — The Guardian -
• Texas floods: death toll reaches at least 120 people as recovery efforts continue — The Guardian -
• US neo-fascist group claims it is part of Texas floods relief efforts — The Guardian -

• ‘We feared the worst’: 31 construction workers rescued after LA tunnel collapse — The Guardian -
• 'A huge explosion-like sound' - Survivors recall moment India bridge collapsed — BBC World -

The business world sees major acquisitions like Ferrero Rocher buying WK Kellogg, while cybersecurity concerns rise with arrests over cyber-attacks on UK retailers and an alarming surge in AI-generated child sexual abuse videos.

• 'I can't drink the water' - life next to a US data centre — BBC World -
• Ferrero Rocher owner to buy cereal giant WK Kellogg in $3.1bn deal — The Guardian -
• Denmark Aims to Use Copyright Law to Protect People From Deepfakes — New York Times World -

• Four people arrested over cyber-attacks on M&S, Co-op and Harrods — The Guardian -
• WPP names senior Microsoft boss Cindy Rose as new CEO — The Guardian -
• AI-generated child sexual abuse videos surging online, watchdog says — The Guardian -

This topic highlights diverse cultural moments and trends, including the record-breaking sale of Jane Birkin's Hermès handbag, Ozzy Osbourne's abstract expressionist paintings with chimpanzees, and an Indonesian boy becoming a tourism ambassador via TikTok.

• Coal, the Last Survivor of Canada’s Parliament Hill Cat Colony, Dies — New York Times World -
• Who Is the ‘Aura Farming’ Boat Race Kid on TikTok? — New York Times World -
• Larry David and the Obamas team up for American history sketch comedy show — The Guardian -

• Original Birkin bag shatters record with £7m sale — BBC World -
• England’s Sycamore Gap Tree, Felled by Vandals, Stands Again as Art — New York Times World -
• La Scala Warns Opera Patrons: No Flip-Flops or Tank Tops Allowed — New York Times World -
• Photo agencies to boycott Oasis tour over rights restrictions — The Guardian -
• Ticketless Oasis fans warned not to try breaking into Manchester shows — The Guardian -
• K-Pop Singer Taeil Sentenced to 3½-Years in Rape of Tourist — New York Times World -
• Maya Ruler’s Tomb Is Unearthed in Belize, With Clues to His Ancient World — New York Times World -
• The Calgary Stampede Captures Canada’s Western Spirit — New York Times World -
• Ozzy Osbourne collaborates with chimpanzees on abstract expressionist paintings — The Guardian -
• Bob Vylan frontman warns ‘you’ll get me in trouble’ after crowd’s IDF chants — The Guardian -
• Henry Mount Charles, Whose Castle Was a Mecca for Rock, Dies at 74 — New York Times World -
• Children limiting own smartphone use to manage mental health, survey finds — The Guardian -
• Hundreds form human chain to help Melbourne’s oldest bookshop relocate after more than a century — The Guardian -