Hope for peace emerges as a first phase ceasefire deal is reportedly agreed upon by Israel and Hamas, with President Trump hinting at a Middle East visit, while the dire Gaza humanitarian situation highlights nearly 55,000 acutely malnourished children and continued Israeli interception of aid flotillas amidst global protests and a shift in US support for Israel.

• Here’s the latest. — New York Times World -
• Marco Rubio interrupts Trump with handwritten note on Gaza peace deal — The Guardian -
• Gaza ceasefire talks live: Trump says Israel and Hamas have signed off on ‘first phase’ of peace plan — The Guardian -

• ‘First phase’ of ceasefire deal to end war in Gaza agreed by Israel and Hamas — The Guardian -
• Almost 55,000 children in Gaza acutely malnourished, Lancet study estimates — The Guardian -
• Trump Says Gaza Talks Are Going ‘Very Well’ and Will Visit Middle East — New York Times World -
• Progress in Gaza peace talks as Trump says 'very close to deal' — BBC World -
• Trump says Gaza peace deal ‘very close’ and he may travel to Middle East in days — The Guardian -
• Israel Intercepts Another Activist Flotilla Aiming to Break Gaza Blockade — New York Times World -
• Spanish MPs back move to enshrine in law arms embargo on Israel — The Guardian -
• Witkoff and Kushner to Join Israel-Hamas Talks on Gaza, Official Says — New York Times World -
• NHS doctor who posted about 7 October Hamas attacks referred to tribunal for second time — The Guardian -
• Arab Mediators Believe Hamas Could Be Open to Partially Disarming — New York Times World -
• Israel halts another Gaza aid flotilla as MEPs demand activists’ release — The Guardian -
• ‘No doubt there’s been a change’: shift in opinion as Americans’ support for Israel falls — The Guardian -
• Inside one battle-scarred Gaza building, displaced families tell the story of the war — BBC World -
• Israeli forces intercept new aid flotilla bound for Gaza — BBC World -
• Israel Marks Two-Year Anniversary of Oct. 7 in Subdued Fashion — New York Times World -
• Mamdani attends Israelis for Peace vigil after his 7 October statement draws ire from Israel — The Guardian -

A deepening US government shutdown leads to widespread IRS furloughs and airport staffing shortages, while President Trump's deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago sparks controversy and calls for imprisonment from Illinois officials, alongside conservative roundtables on 'antifa' and ongoing legal battles for former FBI Director James Comey.

• White House gives platform to conservative influencers to air grievances during ‘antifa roundtable’ – live — The Guardian -
• Senators press Mike Johnson to swear in Democrat who could force Epstein vote — The Guardian -
• Kristi Noem compares antifa to MS-13, Hamas, Hezbollah and the Islamic State — The Guardian -

• IRS to furlough nearly half its workforce due to government shutdown — The Guardian -
• Argentina soccer game moved from Chicago due to Trump’s immigration crackdown — The Guardian -
• US shutdown deadlock deepens as senators reject competing bills — The Guardian -
• Military should only be used for external threats, more than half of Americans say — The Guardian -
• US airport staffing shortages expected to cause more delays amid shutdown — The Guardian -
• US supreme court hears arguments in lawsuit over Illinois mail-in ballots — The Guardian -
• Ex-FBI director James Comey pleads not guilty on lying to Congress charge — The Guardian -
• Trump calls for jailing of Chicago mayor and Illinois governor as national guard arrives in city — The Guardian -
• ‘Tennessee Three’s’ Justin Pearson launches challenge against Democratic congressman — The Guardian -
• First Thing: National guard troops arrive in Chicago as governor decries Trump’s ‘military invasion’ — The Guardian -
• Democrats introduce bill to help federal workers cover childcare costs during shutdown — The Guardian -
• Hundreds of US National Guard troops arrive in Chicago — BBC World -
• Why is Trump trying to deploy the National Guard to US cities? — BBC World -
• 'I sleep with a gas mask on': Life next to Portland protest angering Trump — BBC World -
• Oregon’s governor says she told Kristi Noem ‘there is no insurrection in Oregon’ – as it happened — The Guardian -

Key political and economic debates include Tory plans to scrap stamp duty and a 'golden rule' for deficit reduction, Labour's exploration of India's digital ID system and new curbs on Palestine protests, a Treasury warning against bailouts, and the Bank of England's concerns over an AI bubble and EU steel tariffs posing an 'existential threat'.

• UK Treasury tells ministers not to expect bailouts from its reserve fund — The Guardian -
• Keir Starmer to look at India’s digital ID system during visit to Mumbai — The Guardian -
• NHS could pay 25% more for medicines under plan to end row with drugmakers and Trump — The Guardian -

• Pubs to stay open until early hours in push for UK growth — The Guardian -
• Badenoch sets out her vision to redefine Tory party – but few are listening — The Guardian -
• David Lammy rules out charging workers for employment tribunal claims — The Guardian -
• Tax cuts, jokes and pig-wrestling: Badenoch’s attempt to save her job – podcast — The Guardian -
• At UK’s Conservative Party Conference, Tories Wonder About Their Future — New York Times World -
• Tory plan to abolish stamp duty ‘will benefit London and the wealthiest the most’ – as it happened — The Guardian -
• ‘Existential threat’: what do EU’s 50% steel tariffs mean for UK industry? — The Guardian -
• Tories will scrap stamp duty on primary residences, Kemi Badenoch tells conference — The Guardian -
• Bank of England warns of growing risk that AI bubble could burst — The Guardian -
• Rachel Reeves given extra £3bn for budget after VAT error fixed — The Guardian -
• Badenoch unveils ‘golden rule’ to use half of spending cuts to reduce deficit — The Guardian -
• Wednesday briefing: How to fight the right on reparations – and ‘rewire’ the architecture of inequality — The Guardian -

Tragic military attacks in Myanmar and rising tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea highlight ongoing global conflicts, while Europe faces a 'hybrid war' with Russian drone incursions, prompting Germany to draft laws for shooting down drones, and China continues to suppress 'pessimistic' social media users amidst a collapsed UK China spy case.

• Colombia’s President Says Boat Bombed by U.S. Was Carrying Colombians — New York Times World -
• Trump Calls Off Diplomatic Outreach to Venezuela — New York Times World -
• Another African Charity Tied to Prince Harry Faces Criticism — New York Times World -

• In Syria, a Crackdown on Gunfire at Weddings — New York Times World -
• Germany ends fast-track citizenship as mood on migration shifts — The Guardian -
• Why a China Spy Case in the U.K. Collapsed Before It Went to Trial — New York Times World -
• Social media content restricted in Afghanistan, Taliban sources confirm — BBC World -
• Drone dilemma: How Russia’s ‘hybrid war’ is using fear to destabilise Europe — The Guardian -
• Three killed in latest Ukrainian strike on Russia's Belgorod region — BBC World -
• How Nepal’s Gen Z Revolution Spiraled Out of Control — New York Times World -
• Somalia to increase Swahili teaching to boost East African ties — BBC World -
• Germany draws up law to allow police to shoot down drones — The Guardian -
• Paraglider bomb attack by Myanmar military kills at least 20 at protest — The Guardian -
• Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of preparing for war as Red Sea tensions rise — BBC World -
• China Punishes ‘Excessively Pessimistic’ Social Media Users — New York Times World -
• Myanmar Military Paraglider Bombs Buddhist Festival, Killing Dozens — New York Times World -
• At least 24 killed as army paraglider bombs Myanmar Buddhist festival — BBC World -
• Nigerian minister accused of forging qualifications resigns — BBC World -
• Burkina Faso junta detains NGO workers for 'spying' — BBC World -
• Prosecutors say Libyan freely confessed to Lockerbie bombing — BBC World -
• Chad cuts ties with wildlife charity linked to Prince Harry — BBC World -
• Trump Predicts That ‘Canada Will Love Us Again’ in Meeting With Carney — New York Times World -

New research reveals a link between air pollution and infertility and emissions heating US cities, while illegal gold mining devastates the Peruvian Amazon, UK plastic waste exports soar, and New Zealand's oceans warm significantly faster than the global average, underscoring warnings from UK defense chiefs about climate crisis threats to national security.

• She Found a Link Between Air Pollution and Infertility — New York Times World -
• He Studied How Emissions Are Heating Up U.S. Cities — New York Times World -
• How to Protect Your Pets From Pollution — New York Times World -

• Illegal gold mining clears 140,000 hectares of Peruvian Amazon — The Guardian -
• National security threatened by climate crisis, UK defence chiefs due to warn — The Guardian -
• ‘From reef to retail’: experts warn global marine aquarium fish trade relies heavily on wild populations — The Guardian -
• Tour operator Intrepid drops carbon offsets and emissions targets — The Guardian -
• More than 40 Trump administration picks tied directly to oil, gas and coal, analysis shows — The Guardian -
• Ovo pricing change could double charging costs for some EV owners — The Guardian -
• Thousands take legal action over ‘widespread pollution’ of three UK rivers — The Guardian -
• UK plastic waste exports to developing countries rose 84% in a year, data shows — The Guardian -
• New Zealand oceans warming 34% faster than global average, putting homes and industry at risk, report finds — The Guardian -

France navigates a political crisis as President Macron seeks to name a new Prime Minister within 48 hours to avert snap elections, while Gisèle Pelicot returns to court to confront an assailant in her prominent rape case, emphasizing that victims should never feel shame.

• Macron Will Name New Prime Minister Rather Than Call Elections — New York Times World -
• Macron will nominate new French prime minister in 48 hours — BBC World -
• Gisèle Pelicot Returns to Court to Confront Assailant in Rape Case — New York Times World -

• Outgoing French PM says ‘path still exists’ to avoid snap elections — The Guardian -
• Gisèle Pelicot tells appeal trial she never gave consent to man convicted of rape — The Guardian -
• Outgoing French PM says ‘there is desire’ to agree budget and talks down prospect of snap election – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Crunch moment in French crisis as outgoing PM tries to avert new election — BBC World -
• Time may be running out for master of clocks Macron: What next for France? — BBC World -
• Time may be running out for master of clocks Macron: What next for France? — BBC World -
• Ex-Husband Contradicts a Man Appealing Conviction in Pelicot Rape Case — New York Times World -

A Manchester synagogue attacker pledged allegiance to ISIS, revealing a terror plot to target Jewish people, as a man was charged with igniting the deadly Palisades fire, and New Orleans' last jail escapee was captured, amidst Jamaica imposing curfews due to deadly shootings.

• Wife of synagogue terrorist says he showed no signs of extremism — The Guardian -
• Last of 10 inmates who escaped from New Orleans jail captured by police — The Guardian -
• Manchester Synagogue Attacker Pledged Allegiance to ISIS, Police Say — New York Times World -

• Man charged with starting Palisades fire that killed 12 people — The Guardian -
• Men hatched terror plot to ‘kill as many Jewish people as they could’, jury hears — The Guardian -
• Manchester synagogue terrorist pledged allegiance to Islamic State in 999 call — The Guardian -
• Jamaica imposes local curfews after two deadly shootings rattle the island — The Guardian -
• Alleged ‘kill team’ face court after arrest en route to hit near Sydney daycare — The Guardian -

Australia sees political discussions on Coalition 'introspection' and returning citizens from the Middle East, the University of Melbourne topping global rankings, a prohibition on a Sydney Opera House march due to safety concerns, and federal police gaining powers to address child abuse material online.

• Politics live: Leeser warns of use-by-date for Coalition ‘introspection’; government prepares for return of more Australian citizens from Middle East — The Guardian -
• University of Melbourne rated best in Australia in global rankings report — The Guardian -
• Court prohibits pro-Palestine march to Sydney Opera House after police raise safety concerns — The Guardian -

• AFP to get power to possess and share child abuse material to target sex offenders online — The Guardian -
• Former Australian prime minister Julia Gillard to chair Women’s prize for fiction in 2026 — The Guardian -
• Telecoms company sent emails to wrong addresses during deadly outage — BBC World -
• ABC not banned from Trump press conferences, managing director says – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Sydney Opera House pro-Palestine march has ‘disaster written all over it’, senior NSW police officer tells court — The Guardian -
• News Corp Australia chair says social media platforms are ‘true monsters’ and ‘torment our children’ — The Guardian -
• Death of three-year-old boy in social housing fire could have been caused by faulty electrical wiring, inquest hears — The Guardian -

The Nobel Prizes continue with an award for chemistry innovations in new materials, while breakthroughs include the first accurate blood test for chronic fatigue syndrome and the potential for diamonds to revolutionize computer chip cooling, alongside warnings about AI 'slop' and UK cyber-attack risks from outdated Windows 10 systems.

• A.I. Slop Is Here — New York Times World -
• Nobel Prizes 2025: What to Know — New York Times World -
• Chemistry Nobel awarded for work on new materials that could help planet — BBC World -

• Why Diamonds Are Computer Chips’ New Best Friend — New York Times World -
• Millions in UK at risk of cyber-attacks as Windows 10 ends updates, Which? finds — The Guardian -
• Scientist's off-grid hike interrupted by news of Nobel Prize win — BBC World -
• Scientists develop first ‘accurate blood test’ to detect chronic fatigue syndrome — The Guardian -

**Gold prices surge past $4,000 an ounce for the first time amidst global uncertainty, while Trump's energy cuts impact US states, and Tesla introduces new 'affordable' models that still spark debate over pricing, reflecting the dynamic nature of international trade and energy markets**.

• Trump’s Energy Cuts Punished Mostly Blue States. Red States Might Be Next. — New York Times World -
• Gold surges past $4,000 an ounce as uncertainty fuels rally — BBC World -
• More than 40 Trump administration picks tied directly to oil, gas and coal, analysis shows — The Guardian -

• Gold price tops $4,000 for first time as investors seek safe haven — The Guardian -
• Tesla debuts ‘affordable’ Model Y and 3 in US that strike some as too expensive — The Guardian -

Dolly Parton reassures fans about her health and Taylor Swift breaks sales records, while the Athens Democracy Forum debates information integrity and women's rights, EU parliament considers banning meat names for plant-based foods, and the US Trump administration threatens to cut funding for global DEI initiatives.

• Texas charges eight people over links to midwife accused of illegal abortions — The Guardian -
• Dolly Parton addresses health concerns in new video: ‘I ain’t dead yet!’ — The Guardian -
• No more veggie burgers? EU parliament votes to ban meat names for plant-based foods — BBC World -

• Taylor Swift beats Adele’s first week in US sales record with Life of a Showgirl — The Guardian -
• ‘Veggie burgers’ could be off EU menu as MEPs back renaming plant-based foods — The Guardian -
• Bill Burr calls critics of Riyadh comedy festival ‘sanctimonious’ and ‘phony’ — The Guardian -
• Man who became popular in Blinking White Guy gif raises over $300,000 for multiple sclerosis research — The Guardian -
• US ‘undermining global health’ by threatening to strip funding from aid projects that do not fit its political agenda — The Guardian -
• Napa on the Aegean: A Turkish Wine Region Re-emerges — New York Times World -
• Dolly Parton's sister 'didn't mean to scare anyone' with call for prayers — BBC World -
• 'One of the greatest things' - Nigeria's art innovators on display in London — BBC World -
• Dazzling supermoon illuminates skylines around the world — BBC World -
• Dolly Parton ‘going to be just fine’, singer’s sister says as she calls for prayers amid health problems — The Guardian -
• Athens Democracy Forum: Reinventing a Democracy for Our Times — New York Times World -
• Athens Democracy Forum: ‘The Mother of All Battles?’ Information Integrity — New York Times World -
• Athens Democracy Forum: As Democracy Erodes Globally, So Do Women’s Rights — New York Times World -
• Athens Democracy Forum: Dialogue Is An Antidote for Security Threats — New York Times World -
• Five Young Democracy Advocates Share What They Have Learned — New York Times World -
• Civics Education Struggles, Even as Government and Politics Saturate Daily Life — New York Times World -