President Trump's administration saw him back down on federal troop deployment to San Francisco after tech leaders' intervention, approve oil and gas drilling in Alaska, face accusations of illegal taxpayer money schemes, reject veteran benefits rulings, and his White House East Wing demolition and associated fundraising by tech giants continued to draw attention.

• Trump backs down on sending federal troops to San Francisco for immigration crackdown — The Guardian -
• Trump says tech chiefs convinced him to call off troop ‘surge’ to San Francisco — The Guardian -
• US court rejects Trump officials’ effort to delay rulings on veterans benefits — The Guardian -

• Trump plans land strikes against alleged drug traffickers from Venezuela — The Guardian -
• The White House Wrecking Ball — New York Times World -
• US Senate fails to pass bill to pay federal essential workers and troops through shutdown — The Guardian -
• Trump Supporters Are Uneasy About Military Actions Against Venezuela — New York Times World -
• Top House Democrats accuse Trump of illegal scheme to pilfer $230m in taxpayer money — The Guardian -
• New book details infighting behind Trump’s ‘obviously unqualified’ cabinet picks — The Guardian -
• Donors for Trump’s $300m White House ballroom include Google, Apple and Palantir — The Guardian -
• Trump says 'existing structure' of White House East Wing to be torn down — BBC World -
• Trump poised to send scores of federal agents to San Francisco — The Guardian -

Global tensions escalated with new US sanctions on Russian oil companies leading to a jump in oil prices, while EU leaders struggled to agree on using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine, and the US continued controversial strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats with growing international concern.

• U.S. to Investigate China’s Compliance With 2020 Trade Deal — New York Times World -
• EU leaders fail to agree to use frozen Russian assets to defend Ukraine — The Guardian -
• Vance says Knesset votes on annexing West Bank are an ‘insult’ as Netanyahu halts progress — The Guardian -

• A Mystery in Trinidad as Bodies Wash Ashore After U.S. Strikes — New York Times World -
• Can Europe Agree on Turning Frozen Russian Assets Into Cash for Ukraine? — New York Times World -
• ‘Bibi-sitting’: US heavy-hitters take turns to supervise Israeli prime minister — The Guardian -
• Trump Says Israeli Annexation of West Bank Land ‘Won’t Happen’ — New York Times World -
• Ukrainian attack spoiled planned Zaporizhzhia birthday gift for Putin — The Guardian -
• Oil Price Jumps on Trump’s Russia Sanctions — New York Times World -
• Rosenberg: Trump abandons carrot and wields stick over Putin in Ukraine talks — BBC World -
• Putin Calls U.S. Sanctions ‘Unfriendly Act’ and Says Russia Won’t Bend — New York Times World -
• Colombia urges US to halt strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats: ‘It is murder’ — The Guardian -
• Putin calls new US sanctions an ‘unfriendly act’ but claims they won’t affect Russian economy – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Vance and Rubio criticise Israeli parliament's vote on West Bank annexation — BBC World -
• A Nepali Town Mourns a Native Son Who Died a Hamas Captive — New York Times World -
• Oil price jumps and FTSE 100 hits new high after Trump puts sanctions on Russian firms — The Guardian -
• Donald Trump says Australia will get the Aukus submarines – but the decision won’t be his to make — The Guardian -
• Palestinian women giving birth in rubble on roads, says senior UN official, as he compares Gaza to dystopian film – as it happened — The Guardian -
• New images show Israeli control line deeper into Gaza than expected — BBC World -
• E.U. Approves Sweeping Sanctions Targeting Russian Gas and Crypto — New York Times World -
• Trump Imposes Sanctions on Russian Oil Companies as His Frustration With Putin Mounts — New York Times World -
• Three arrested in UK on suspicion of assisting Russian intelligence service — The Guardian -
• Drug-Smuggling Submarines on Display at Latin American Naval Base — New York Times World -
• China names new second highest-ranking general after military purge — BBC World -
• Trump says Putin talks 'don't go anywhere' as he imposes new sanctions — BBC World -
• First Thing: US imposes sanctions on Russian oil over Putin’s ‘refusal’ to end war in Ukraine — The Guardian -
• Ten dead in blast at Russian munitions plant in Urals — BBC World -
• EU has a plan to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine – how will it work? — The Guardian -
• Latest EU sanctions against Russia target liquefied natural gas — The Guardian -
• US military kills five people in strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats in Pacific — The Guardian -
• EU set to endorse deal to turn frozen Russian assets into support for Ukraine — BBC World -
• What's at stake as Trump boat strikes strain US-Colombia alliance — BBC World -
• Blackouts hit Russia's Belgorod as Ukrainian drone attacks surge — BBC World -
• U.S. Strikes 2nd Boat in Pacific as Antidrug Operation Expands — New York Times World -
• Drone Sightings in Europe: What We Know — New York Times World -
• US forces kill two in strike on alleged drug boat in the Pacific — BBC World -

Major investment and crypto scams in the UK were uncovered, President Trump controversially pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, NBA figures were arrested in a sprawling gambling investigation, and French museums faced further jewel robberies.

• Surge in UK savings lost to investment scams, with fake crypto thought to top the list — The Guardian -
• What we know about arrests in FBI's illegal gambling investigation — BBC World -
• Trump pardons founder of Binance, world’s largest crypto exchange — The Guardian -

• Letitia James seeks to dismiss Virginia charges saying DA unlawfully appointed — The Guardian -
• President Trump pardons Binance founder Changpeng Zhao — BBC World -
• Watch: Video appears to show alleged Louvre jewel thieves escaping — BBC World -
• Louvre thieves’ slow-motion getaway using furniture lift was caught on video — The Guardian -
• ‘Brother Wang,’ Accused of Being Drug Cartel Fixer, Is Arrested in Cuba — New York Times World -
• NBA player and head coach among 30 arrested in illegal US gambling investigation — The Guardian -
• President Trump pardons Binance founder Changpeng Zhao — BBC World -
• Melania Trump’s meme coin architects accused of pump-and-dump fraud in lawsuit — The Guardian -
• New rules will allow police misusing force in England and Wales to ‘walk away scot-free’ — The Guardian -
• ‘Quiet as a whisper’: German firm launches ad campaign after lift used in Louvre heist — The Guardian -
• Another French museum robbery sees 2,000 gold and silver coins stolen — BBC World -
• Revealed: police across US spread false rumors about Venezuelan gang threats — The Guardian -
• What to Know About the Billion-Dollar Scam Center Industry — New York Times World -
• Key Louvre Camera Was Pointing Away From Thieves, Director Says — New York Times World -
• NSW prisoners could face harsh penalty for trivial offences such as ‘looking untidy’ after Labor ignores legal advice — The Guardian -
• Family of Cheryl Grimmer say ‘what we want now is the truth’ after NSW MP names suspect in parliament — The Guardian -

Key issues included the introduction of a prostate cancer drug for thousands, resident doctors announcing a five-day strike, Keir Starmer's digital ID scheme drawing criticism, and a British soldier being acquitted of Bloody Sunday murders after decades.

• Prostate cancer drug that can halve death risk to be offered to thousands in England — The Guardian -
• Starmer lays out vision for much-criticised digital ID scheme — The Guardian -
• Soldier F case should serve as a caution for future Troubles prosecutions — The Guardian -

• Reeves considers breaking manifesto pledge with income tax rise to fill £30bn gap — The Guardian -
• Palestine rights group seeks prosecution of UK citizens who fought for Israel — The Guardian -
• Grooming gangs inquiry divided over the question of widening its focus — The Guardian -
• Five grooming gang survivors tell PM they will stay on panel only if Jess Phillips remains in post — The Guardian -
• British Soldier Is Acquitted of Murder in 1972 Bloody Sunday Massacre — New York Times World -
• Resident doctors in England to go on strike for five days next month — The Guardian -
• Asda hires autistic man who was let go by Waitrose after years of volunteering — The Guardian -
• Commons to ask crown estate for details of Prince Andrew’s rent-free housing as inquiry moves closer – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Woman tells spycops inquiry of ‘deep mistrust’ of police after relationship with undercover officer — The Guardian -
• Not guilty verdict for Soldier F in Bloody Sunday murder trial — BBC World -
• Conservatives complain to whips about fellow MP’s comments on legally settled people — The Guardian -
• Dozens of Labour MPs warn of chaos for firms over gender recognition advice — The Guardian -
• British army veteran known as Soldier F not guilty of Bloody Sunday murders — The Guardian -
• Frontrunner suffers blow in race to be UK ambassador to US over criticisms of Trump — The Guardian -
• Engineers baffled by signalling issues on London Underground’s Northern line — The Guardian -
• Care Quality Commission chief quits over maternity inquiry into NHS trust he led — The Guardian -
• Britain’s Labour Party Criticizes Farage Over Ties to U.S. Anti-Abortion Group — New York Times World -
• Jess Phillips has ‘full backing’ of PM over grooming gangs inquiry, says minister — The Guardian -
• Kaye Adams yet to hear complaint two weeks after being taken off BBC Radio Scotland — The Guardian -
• One in 12 secondary pupils put in isolation rooms at least once a week, study finds — The Guardian -
• NHS health checks in England to have questions on menopause for first time — The Guardian -

The US-Mexico border situation flared with concerns over ICE agents tampering with license plates and reports of medical neglect for pregnant women in detention, while in Europe, Irish police braced for unrest at an asylum seeker hotel and French coastguards questioned deadly plans to intercept small boats, amidst the tragic sinking of a migrant boat off Tunisia.

• Illinois warns immigration officers tampering with license plates is illegal — The Guardian -
• Irish police brace for more unrest at Dublin hotel housing asylum seekers — The Guardian -
• Asylum seekers removed to France include potential victims of modern slavery, says report — The Guardian -

• French coastguards demand halt to ‘deadly plans’ to intercept small boats — The Guardian -
• France backing away from pledge to intercept migrant boats, sources tell BBC — BBC World -
• Forty migrants, including infants, die as boat sinks off Tunisia — BBC World -
• New York unveils portal for public to share ICE footage after four US citizens arrested — The Guardian -
• Pregnant women report medical neglect in ICE detention, rights groups say — The Guardian -

The Lloyds Banking Group reported a profit plunge due to a car finance scandal, **Rachel Reeves considered an income tax rise to address a £30bn gap, Foxtons warned of subdued sales, and a European aerospace consortium aimed to rival SpaceX**.

• Reeves considers breaking manifesto pledge with income tax rise to fill £30bn gap — The Guardian -
• ‘Attacks will get through’: head of GCHQ urges companies to do more to fight cybercrime — The Guardian -
• Revealed: some Australians have overpaid their Centrelink debt by more than $20,000 — The Guardian -

• Dining out ‘under pressure’ as Britons cut back due to price rises, says YouGov — The Guardian -
• Foxtons warns of ‘subdued’ sales as budget uncertainty deters homebuyers — The Guardian -
• Aerospace groups link up to create European rival to Musk’s SpaceX — The Guardian -
• Once the AI bubble pops, we’ll all suffer. Could that be better than letting it grow unabated? — The Guardian -
• Lloyds profits plunge 36% as it feels impact of UK car finance scandal — The Guardian -

The Trump administration approved increased drilling in Alaska's wildlife refuge, marine heatwaves in the Pacific threatened flooding, deforestation imperiled coffee cultivation, and UK campaigners launched a bill to give nature legal rights.

• White House approves increased oil and gas drilling in Alaska’s national wildlife refuge — The Guardian -
• Helping to Save the Bees With Plants in Kansas — New York Times World -
• Reviving California’s Kelp Forests, One Dive at a Time — New York Times World -

• She Worked on Tsunami Alerts. Then She Was Fired. — New York Times World -
• Marine heatwave over Pacific Ocean could lead to flooding in north-west — The Guardian -
• Deforestation Is Imperiling Coffee Cultivation, Report Finds — New York Times World -
• Labor needs to bow to Liberals or Greens or its environment law revamp is dead — The Guardian -
• Renewable energy investment should come from defence budgets, say retired military leaders — The Guardian -
• Watch: Millions of red crabs begin annual migration on Christmas Island — BBC World -
• UK campaigners launch bill to give nature legal rights — The Guardian -
• Labor’s environment law revamp in jeopardy as Coalition dubs it ‘handbrake’ on investment — The Guardian -
• Wood burners linked to 2,500 deaths a year in the UK, analysis finds — The Guardian -

King Charles made history by praying publicly with Pope Leo, Brazil's president Lula announced a bid for a fourth term, Pakistan banned a radical Islamist party, and New York City's mayoral race saw contentious debates including a racist AI ad.

• Pakistan Bans Radical Islamist Party After Deadly Clashes — New York Times World -
• Eric Adams to endorse Andrew Cuomo in New York City mayoral race — The Guardian -
• No Russians or Belarusians at Winter Paralympics — BBC World -

• 'A hugely symbolic moment': King Charles and Pope pray together — BBC World -
• Brazilian president will seek fourth term at age 80: ‘I’ve got as much energy as when I was 30’ — The Guardian -
• King Charles and Pope Leo Pray Together in Groundbreaking Moment — New York Times World -
• King Charles makes history by praying publicly with Pope Leo — The Guardian -
• A rift that took 500 years to repair: King Charles prays with the pope — The Guardian -
• Shouting and ready to ‘bump chests’ with Trump – but nobody moved the needle in the final New York mayoral debate — The Guardian -
• Catherine Connolly: the outspoken leftwinger set to be Ireland’s next president — The Guardian -
• Voters go to polls in Caerphilly byelection that could mark historic shift for Wales — The Guardian -
• An ex-first lady, a tycoon and a 'safe pair of hands' vie for power in Ivory Coast — BBC World -
• Tens of thousands to attend rival rallies as Hungary’s election campaign kicks off — The Guardian -
• Cuomo condemned over racist AI ad depicting ‘criminals for Zohran Mamdani’ — The Guardian -
• Mamdani, Cuomo and Sliwa fling zingers in New York mayoral debate as they try to win over voters — The Guardian -
• New York City mayoral debate: Mamdani, Sliwa and Cuomo trade jabs over Israel, rent and Trump – as it happened — The Guardian -

Recent science suggests dinosaurs were thriving until an asteroid struck, Ghana's former First Lady Nana Konadu Rawlings passed away, a "six-seven" meme invaded UK classrooms, and Misty Copeland took her final bow in ballet.

• Ghana's former First Lady Nana Konadu Rawlings dies aged 76 — BBC World -
• Dinosaurs were thriving until asteroid struck, research suggests — The Guardian -
• ‘What does it mean? No one knows’: six-seven meme invades UK classrooms — The Guardian -

• What’s the story? British peer says Oasis will play Knebworth – then rows back — The Guardian -
• Four members of Illinois politician’s family killed in helicopter crash — The Guardian -
• Gone in 60 milliseconds: dramatic slow-motion snake bites reveal clues about how fangs and venom kill prey — The Guardian -
• Broadway musicians union reaches tentative deal to avoid strike — The Guardian -
• Family rescued off Cape Cod after sheltering in barn following boat fire — The Guardian -
• Dave Ball, synth-pop hitmaker as one half of Soft Cell, dies aged 66 — The Guardian -
• ‘She changed ballet’: Misty Copeland takes her final bow at retirement show — The Guardian -
• A Pilgrim Route in Norway: Berries, Bogs and a Viking King — New York Times World -
• Can a Beach Really Be Evil? Ask the Sun-Seekers in Good Sahel. — New York Times World -
• Chinese Impersonator’s Trump Act Has Won Him Millions of Fans — New York Times World -
• Strong winds in New Zealand leave tens of thousands without power — BBC World -
• ‘Your new website sucks’: Bureau of Meteorology redesign is lightning rod for heated criticism — The Guardian -
• Nepal’s Gen Z Sees Little Hope at Home — New York Times World -
• ‘Inexperienced’ British surfer drowned in wild Melbourne weather alongside friend who jumped in to save him — The Guardian -