Escalating tensions in the region include Israel targeting Hamas leadership in Qatar in response to a Jerusalem shooting, UK ministers maintaining that Israel is not committing genocide in Gaza, and a Gaza-bound aid flotilla being struck by a drone in Tunisia.

• Israel Targeted Hamas Leadership in Qatar Strike — New York Times World -
• Doha strikes on Hamas leaders were in response to Jerusalem shooting, says Netanyahu – Middle East crisis live — The Guardian -
• UK has ‘not concluded’ Israel carrying out genocide in Gaza, Lammy says — The Guardian -

• Israel launches airstrikes against top Hamas members in Qatar for Gaza ceasefire talks — The Guardian -
• Gaza-Bound Flotilla Struck by Drone in Tunisia, Aid Group Says — New York Times World -
• Israeli strike targets senior Hamas leadership in Qatar — BBC World -
• Greta Thunberg flotilla says Gaza aid boat hit by drone attack in Tunisia — The Guardian -
• Pro-Palestine activists call for arrest of Israeli president during UK visit — The Guardian -
• First Thing: Immigration sweeps step up in LA after supreme court lifts ban — The Guardian -
• Israel Orders Total Evacuation of Gaza City, Threatening Full Invasion — New York Times World -
• Israeli military orders all Gaza City residents to evacuate ahead of ground assault — BBC World -
• Israel orders Gaza City residents to leave as military prepares to occupy city — The Guardian -
• Greta Thunberg's Gaza flotilla hit by drone, organisers claim — BBC World -
• Greta Thunberg's Gaza flotilla hit by drone, organisers claim — BBC World -
• Hannah Thomas: NSW police drop charges against former Greens candidate who plans to sue force over prosecution — The Guardian -

Nepal is experiencing widespread civil unrest that has led to the Prime Minister's resignation and the burning of the parliament, sparked by a social media ban and deeper grievances over corruption.

• Live Updates: Parliament Burns in Nepal as Protests Force Prime Minister to Quit — New York Times World -
• Nepal’s Prime Minister Resigns as Protesters Set Fire to Leaders’ Houses — New York Times World -
• The Forces Behind Nepal’s Explosive Gen Z Protests: What to Know — New York Times World -

• Nepal anti-corruption protests explained — BBC World -
• Nepal prime minister quits after deaths at protests sparked by social media ban — The Guardian -
• Anger at Nepal’s social media ban reflects families’ dependence on workers abroad. — New York Times World -
• Social Media Goes Back Online in Nepal After 19 Are Killed in Protests — New York Times World -
• Protesters in Nepal Set Fire to President and Prime Minister’s Homes — New York Times World -
• Nepal lifts social media ban after 19 killed in protests — BBC World -
• Nepal lifts social media ban after 19 killed in protests — BBC World -

The release of Jeffrey Epstein's "birthday book" has reignited controversy surrounding Donald Trump's alleged connections, including a suggestive note and a novelty check, with Trump and his allies denying the authenticity of the documents.

• Maga loyalists claim Trump note to Epstein is ‘fake’ after House committee releases images of ‘birthday book’ – live — The Guardian -
• Trump calls release of suggestive note to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein a ‘dead issue’ — The Guardian -
• Release of sexually suggestive Epstein ‘birthday book’ piles pressure on Trump — The Guardian -

• Photo of novelty check suggests Epstein ‘sold’ Trump a woman for $22,500 — The Guardian -
• Democrats needle Trump over Epstein ‘birthday book’ letter he denied existed — The Guardian -
• US drug dealer afforded clemency by Trump found guilty of parole violation — The Guardian -
• Epstein 50th birthday book: who is in it and what did they say? — The Guardian -
• First Thing: Immigration sweeps step up in LA after supreme court lifts ban — The Guardian -
• White House denies Trump's alleged birthday message to Epstein is authentic — BBC World -
• What we know as 'birthday book' of messages to Epstein released — BBC World -
• What we know as 'birthday book' of messages to Epstein released — BBC World -
• Deportation Fears Are Fueling Money Transfers to Latin America — New York Times World -
• Peter Mandelson called Jeffrey Epstein ‘my best pal’ in 50th birthday letter — The Guardian -
• Majority in EU’s biggest states believes bloc ‘sold out’ in US tariff deal, poll finds — The Guardian -
• The D.C. Delivery Workers Hiding From ICE — New York Times World -
• House committee releases image of entire Epstein birthday album, including letter signed by Trump – as it happened — The Guardian -

France is facing a significant political crisis following Prime Minister Bayrou's resignation after a no-confidence vote, leaving President Macron pressured to appoint a new PM amidst nationwide protests.

• France to get third PM in a year as Bayrou resigns after confidence vote – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Macron under pressure to name new PM as France simmers ahead of protests — BBC World -
• Macron Has No Good Options After Repeat Collapse of French Government — New York Times World -

• France to get third PM in a year as Bayrou resigns after confidence vote — The Guardian -
• France’s Government Has Collapsed. What Comes Next? — New York Times World -
• France’s Political Crisis — New York Times World -

Recent UK news features calls for an inquiry into Boris Johnson's private lobbying and allowance usage, a "mass psychogenic illness" alert at Heathrow, and ongoing concerns about NHS waiting times and school absences.

• ‘Mass psychogenic illness’ caused toxic substance alert at Heathrow, says scientist — The Guardian -
• Lucy Powell to stand for Labour deputy leadership after reshuffle sacking – UK politics live — The Guardian -
• Phillipson the frontrunner as six female Labour MPs enter deputy leader race — The Guardian -

• St George’s cross appears on Westbury white horse monument — The Guardian -
• School absence a big factor in child mental illness in England, data shows — The Guardian -
• Revealed: Boris Johnson approached Elon Musk on behalf of London Evening Standard owner Lebedev — The Guardian -
• Boris Johnson secretly lobbied UAE for billion-dollar private venture, leak suggests — The Guardian -
• FCA warns car finance firms over ‘lost’ data amid £18bn compensation scheme — The Guardian -
• BBC not ‘trying to ingratiate’ itself to Reform UK, Tim Davie tells MPs — The Guardian -
• One in five inpatients left to wait in hospital corridors in England, CQC finds — The Guardian -
• Girl saved sister’s life by shielding her from Southport attacker, inquiry hears — The Guardian -
• Burning on England’s deep peat banned — The Guardian -
• Starmer’s reshuffle and march of Reform dominate discussions at TUC conference — The Guardian -
• Former PMs say they use subsidy only for public duties after Boris Johnson revelations — The Guardian -
• ‘Paying twice’: workers face NHS bills of thousands in immigration crackdown — The Guardian -
• Call to halt Boris Johnson’s £115,000 allowance after Boris Files revelations — The Guardian -
• London’s pedicabs could be forced to turn down music and charge by the minute — The Guardian -
• UK retail sales rise but stores fear tax worries could hit festive period — The Guardian -
• London Tube Strike Takes Effect, Causing Travel Chaos — New York Times World -

Key Australian developments include debates over migration's impact on housing prices, Victorian plans for high-rise rezoning, controversies surrounding university and political leadership, and new childcare reform proposals.

• Slashing migration would actually lead to higher house prices in Australia. Here’s why — The Guardian -
• Victorian Labor targets affluent Melbourne suburbs for rezoning to allow 16-storey apartment towers — The Guardian -
• Pocock questions Bishop’s ANU leadership as pressure builds for chancellor and vice chancellor to step down — The Guardian -

• Proposed ‘nation-leading’ NSW childcare reforms to include $500,000 fines — The Guardian -
• Kerry Stokes ordered to pay Ben Roberts-Smith’s $13.5m legal costs after failed defamation suit — The Guardian -
• Lachlan finally has control of Murdoch empire but deal is a win for sibling rivals — The Guardian -
• Brittany Higgins ordered to pay 80% of Linda Reynolds’ legal costs after defamation ruling — The Guardian -
• Herald Sun failed to seek response from Victorian MP Sam Groth and wife before article that invaded privacy, court documents claim — The Guardian -
• University of Melbourne law professor’s allegedly racist emails were protected ‘political opinion’, court hears — The Guardian -
• Right-leaning MPs rally around Nampijinpa Price as she resists calls to apologise to Indian Australians — The Guardian -
• Australian ‘terrified for my life’ after apparent drone strike on vessel – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Minns may have ‘misspoken’ when stating Labor voted to send Shooters’ ‘right to hunt’ bill to parliamentary inquiry — The Guardian -
• Albanese went to Vanuatu to sign a $500m agreement – but leaves empty-handed thanks to concerns about China — The Guardian -
• Lachlan Murdoch is now in control of News Corp and its Australian newspapers are safe – for now — The Guardian -
• Premier condemns religious intolerance as Muslims in Queensland face heightened ‘fear and anxiety’ — The Guardian -
• Dhanushi lost her job the same day CBA rolled out an AI chatbot. It may just be the beginning — The Guardian -

Global legal proceedings include the sentencing of the GirlsDoPorn founder for sex trafficking, the ICC hearing war crimes charges against Joseph Kony, and Thailand's former PM Thaksin Shinawatra being jailed for a year.

• GirlsDoPorn founder receives 27-year prison sentence for sex trafficking — The Guardian -
• Joseph Kony case in The Hague begins with accounts of alleged atrocities — The Guardian -
• ICC hears war crimes case against Ugandan rebel leader — BBC World -

• Thai Court Orders Thaksin, Ex-Premier, to Serve a Year in Prison — New York Times World -
• Thai court rules ex-PM Thaksin must serve one year in jail — BBC World -
• Thai court rules ex-PM Thaksin must serve one year in jail — BBC World -
• NZ 'suitcase murder': Anti-depressants found in children's bodies — BBC World -
• Thaksin Shinawatra jailed by Thailand supreme court for one year in major blow to former prime minister — The Guardian -

Significant updates include Iran meeting with the UN watchdog for nuclear inspections, scientists testing a bird flu vaccine in seals, concerns over WHO's acceptance of "dark money", and US fossil fuel subsidies.

• Iran and U.N. Watchdog Meet to Discuss Resuming Nuclear Inspections — New York Times World -
• Scientists Begin Testing Bird Flu Vaccine in Seals — New York Times World -
• Fossil-fuel firms receive US subsidies worth $31bn each year, study finds — The Guardian -

• Alarm as WHO accepts increasing amount of dark money from corporate donors — The Guardian -
• Ed Miliband accused of subsidising ‘wasteful and dangerous’ electric SUVs — The Guardian -
• Protect Arctic from 'dangerous' climate engineering, scientists warn — BBC World -
• South Australians with asthma warned of ‘potential risk’ of toxic algal bloom as Senate inquiry begins — The Guardian -
• Britain’s butterflies bounce back in annual count – but only to average levels — The Guardian -
• China’s Renewable Energy Investment Helping Stem Fossil Fuel Growth, Report Says — New York Times World -

The ongoing conflict sees Russia launching a bomb that killed dozens of retirees in Ukraine, raising concerns about nuclear sites in the war-torn country, and a historical WWII dispute between Ukraine and Poland being resolved.

• Russian Bomb Hits Crowd of Retirees, Killing at Least 23, Ukraine Says — New York Times World -
• Russian air strike kills 24 in pension queue, Ukraine says — BBC World -
• A World War II Dispute Between Ukraine and Poland Is Put to Rest — New York Times World -

• Nuclear Sites Dotted Across Ukraine Pose Threat of Radiation Disaster — New York Times World -

Diverse global stories include the inauguration of Africa's largest hydroelectric dam in Ethiopia, a deadly train crash in Mexico, the Murdoch family's succession deal, and a Hollywood tycoon's acquisition of a cinema company.

• The pride of Ethiopia - What it took to build Africa's largest hydro-electric dam — BBC World -
• Hollywood tycoon poised to swoop on Secret Cinema owner — The Guardian -
• Spanish government moves to ban smoking on bar terraces — The Guardian -

• Dozens of DR Congo mourners killed in attack linked to jihadist group — BBC World -
• The New Symbol of the Brazilian Right: the American Flag — New York Times World -
• Seismic protests in Asia have had young people at their core. — New York Times World -
• Anglo American to merge with rival Teck in $53bn mining group — The Guardian -
• Ethiopia inaugurates Africa’s largest hydroelectric dam as Egypt rift deepens — The Guardian -
• Peru accused of violating human rights after government rejects reserve for uncontacted people — The Guardian -
• Murdochs reach deal in succession battle over media empire — BBC World -
• At least 10 dead after train crashes into bus in Mexico — BBC World -
• A Man From China Pursued U.S. Asylum. Deportation Sent Him Home Again — New York Times World -
• Norway's left clinches vote win as populist right surges into second place — BBC World -
• Norway's left clinches vote win as populist right surges into second place — BBC World -
• Apple to debut new, thinner iPhone at ‘awe-dropping’ annual product event — The Guardian -
• Murdochs reach deal in succession battle over media empire — BBC World -
• First photos of site where NZ bushman hid children released — BBC World -
• Images of Tom Phillips’ remote campsite revealed a day after fugitive father shot dead by New Zealand police — The Guardian -
• Billy Porter recovering from ‘serious case of sepsis’ as Broadway show closes early — The Guardian -
• 10 Killed and 61 Injured in Mexico After Train Crashes Into Bus — New York Times World -