US political developments feature the Trump administration's renominations and ongoing government shutdown, accusations against the Justice Department regarding the Epstein inquiry, and key electoral battles like the New York City mayoral race where Trump has threatened federal funding.

• Trump reverses course to renominate billionaire Musk ally to lead Nasa — The Guardian -
• Trump administration warns shutdown could force US airspace closures — The Guardian -
• US Senate rejects funding package for 14th time with shutdown in 35th day — The Guardian -

• House Democrat accuses Trump’s DoJ of ‘gigantic cover-up’ over shut Epstein inquiry — The Guardian -
• Prop 50: Californians vote on redistricting to counter redrawn Texas maps — The Guardian -
• Polls open in US elections - here are five things to watch — BBC World -
• Judge considers Democratic challenge to Trump troop deployment in Memphis — The Guardian -
• How Trump is weaponizing the DoJ to ‘bully, prosecute, punish and silence’ his foes — The Guardian -
• Trump administration to fund just half of food stamp benefits | First Thing — The Guardian -
• New York City voters head to polls for closely watched mayoral election — The Guardian -
• The trouble with US veterans benefits isn’t ‘rampant’ fraud – it’s bureaucratic roadblocks, advocates say — The Guardian -
• Democrats fight to rebuild in key state races on election day — The Guardian -
• Trump backs Cuomo for New York City mayor and threatens to cut funding if Mamdani wins — BBC World -
• Family speaks out after death of man deported by ICE in vegetative state — The Guardian -
• Senate Republicans strike down Democratic proposal to fully fund Snap — The Guardian -
• Zohran Mamdani called out Donald Trump’s threat to withhold federal funding in New York City– as it happened — The Guardian -
• Trump threatens to cut funds if ‘communist’ Mamdani wins mayoral election — The Guardian -
• Mamdani, Cuomo or Sliwa? New Yorkers on their choice for mayor — BBC World -

UK domestic affairs are dominated by Chancellor Rachel Reeves's budget preparations, hinting at potential tax hikes and cuts to green levies, concerns over rising racism in the NHS, and major inquiries into the Cambridgeshire stabbing and the Post Office scandal.

• As UK Tries to Curb Immigration, Rural Scotland Looks to Attract Foreign Workers — New York Times World -
• MPs ask HMRC to explain child benefit error that froze payments to parents — The Guardian -
• National curriculum review in England: 10 key recommendations — The Guardian -

• Reeves considers cut to green levies in effort to reduce cost of energy bills — The Guardian -
• NHS staff bearing brunt as ‘ugly’ racism of 70s and 80s returns, says Streeting — The Guardian -
• Cambridgeshire stabbing attack: ‘heroic’ train worker praised for saving passengers’ lives — The Guardian -
• Police investigate four knife incidents possibly linked to Cambridgeshire train attack — The Guardian -
• RMT accepts three-year pay deal for London Underground staff — The Guardian -
• Counter-terror police take over Sussex mosque arson inquiry — The Guardian -
• Head of UK's richest family dies aged 85 — BBC World -
• Head of UK's richest family dies aged 85 — BBC World -
• Prospect of breaking 50-year income tax taboo shows scale of Reeves’s challenge — The Guardian -
• Southport inquiry: killer’s brother said he feared he would kill two years before attack — The Guardian -
• Reeves refuses to say she will stick to manifesto pledge on tax rises and insists she must face world ‘as it is’ – as it happened — The Guardian -
• UK lawyers warn of ‘race to the bottom’ after Tory MP issues deportation threat — The Guardian -
• Teenager taken to Ghana away from UK ‘gang culture’ to stay for now, court rules — The Guardian -
• Former Met police officer goes on trial accused of sexually abusing a girl — The Guardian -
• Gopichand Hinduja, head of Britain’s richest family, dies aged 85 — The Guardian -
• Primark owner’s boss urges Reeves not to hit shoppers with budget tax rises — The Guardian -
• Calls to change ‘embarrassing’ Prince Andrew road names in Maidenhead — The Guardian -
• Sir Alan Bates agrees multimillion-pound settlement over Post Office scandal — The Guardian -
• Reeves aims to prepare voters and markets for possible budget tax rises — The Guardian -
• Tommy Robinson cleared of terror-related offence over phone code refusal — The Guardian -
• Concerns raised over planned second removal of Iranian who returned to UK on small boat — The Guardian -
• Third of British farmers made no profit in past year, report finds — The Guardian -
• Ofwat letting water firms charge twice to tackle sewage, court to hear — The Guardian -
• Phillipson calls for ‘less public debate’ from EHRC on gender recognition rules — The Guardian -
• Counter-terror police investigate claim UK university halted research after Chinese pressure — The Guardian -
• Reeves to lay groundwork for tax rises in ‘candid’ speech about budget — The Guardian -
• John Lewis ad kickstarts Christmas countdown to the tune of 90s club classic — The Guardian -

International conflicts and Middle East tensions highlight the escalating Sudan civil war, marked by deadly drone strikes, Israel's legal scandal over soldier abuse and increased torture in prisons, and Ukraine's President Zelensky visiting front lines while pushing for EU membership.

• Drone Strike Kills Dozens of Mourners at Funeral in Sudan — New York Times World -
• What to Know About the Legal Scandal in Israel Over Accusations of Abuse — New York Times World -
• Iran releases two French nationals from detention — BBC World -

• Zelensky visits troops near embattled front line town of Pokrovsk — BBC World -
• Sudan civil war spiralling out of control, UN secretary general says — The Guardian -
• U.S. Seeks Two-Year U.N. Mandate for Gaza Stabilization Force — New York Times World -
• Zelenskyy calls for Ukraine to join EU before 2030 after commission delivers warning on corruption - as it happened — The Guardian -
• ANU bought shares in Israeli weapons maker after pledging to stop controversial arms investments — The Guardian -
• Ukraine Moves to Revamp Military Service — New York Times World -
• Drone strike hits funeral in Sudan, killing many mourners — BBC World -
• As criticism grows, is UAE ready to walk away from Sudan’s RSF militia? — The Guardian -
• Torture in Israeli prisons rose sharply during war, says freed Palestinian author — The Guardian -
• He made his money selling camels and gold. Now this warlord controls half of Sudan — BBC World -

International diplomacy and regional relations involve Canada's new budget aiming to reduce US dependence amid tariff shocks, Mexico's rejection of US troop offers to fight cartels, Germany's proposed changes to Syrian asylum policies, and Peru severing diplomatic ties with Mexico over an asylum claim.

• What to Know About Canada’s New Budget — New York Times World -
• Carney plans billions in new spending in response to US tariff shocks — BBC World -
• Six takeaways from Canada's federal budget — BBC World -

• TikTok and Optimism: How Rob Jetten Won Over the Netherlands — New York Times World -
• Nigeria Resists Christian ‘Mass Murder’ Claims Amid Trump Threats — New York Times World -
• Sheinbaum denies reports US will send troops to Mexico: ‘It’s not going to happen’ — The Guardian -
• Curfew lifted in Tanzania's main city after election unrest — BBC World -
• Friedrich Merz says Syrians no longer have reason for asylum in Germany — The Guardian -
• Kim Yong-nam, Longtime Ceremonial Head of North Korea, Dead at 97 — New York Times World -
• Spain grants citizenship to descendants of civil war’s International Brigades — The Guardian -
• The Netherlands Will Return Looted Pharoah-Era Artifact to Egypt — New York Times World -
• Peru severs diplomatic relations with Mexico after former prime minister claims asylum — The Guardian -
• Canada's Mark Carney promises 'bold' first federal budget — BBC World -
• Guinea's coup leader enters presidential race — BBC World -
• Peru cuts diplomatic ties with Mexico over ex-PM's asylum claim — BBC World -
• N Korea 'head of state' who served under three Kims dies — BBC World -

The passing of former Vice President Dick Cheney has prompted a reassessment of his controversial and influential political career, with analyses on his impact on the 'war on terror' and his complex relationship with Donald Trump.

• Dick Cheney's death a loss to the nation, says George W Bush — BBC World -
• Liz Cheney wanted to follow her father’s legacy. Instead, Trump ended her career — The Guardian -
• Dick Cheney created the ground for Trump’s excesses, despite their differences — The Guardian -

• Dick Cheney’s role in ‘war on terror’ may have paved way for Trumpism — The Guardian -
• Dick Cheney, vice-president and giant of Republican politics, dies aged 84 — The Guardian -
• Dick Cheney remains divisive in death, drawing tributes and condemnation — The Guardian -
• Dick Cheney: Former US vice-president who helped lead 'war on terror' — BBC World -

Global disasters and environmental concerns feature the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaican families, fatal avalanches in the Himalayas, slow progress in global greenhouse gas emissions reduction, and Brazil's Amazon oil drilling undermining climate credibility.

• Munich's surfers left stunned after famed river wave vanishes — The Guardian -
• The Jamaican Families Torn Apart by Hurricane Melissa — New York Times World -
• 7 Climbers Are Killed After Avalanche Hits Base Camp in Himalayas — New York Times World -

• After Hurricane Melissa, a Seaside Town in Jamaica Picks Up the Pieces — New York Times World -
• U.N. Report on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Finds Slight Progress — New York Times World -
• Seven climbers dead after Nepal avalanche — BBC World -
• In ‘Kyoto,’ Seeking to Save the Earth but Veering Off Course — New York Times World -
• Amazon Oil Drilling Undermines Brazil’s Climate Credibility Before COP30 — New York Times World -
• Shipping containers swept away in deadly Philippines floods — BBC World -
• Almost 120 flying foxes hospitalised after giant hail smashes Queensland colony — The Guardian -

Crime and justice issues include the seizure of a narco-sub in the Atlantic, arrests related to an explosion at Harvard Medical School, a deadly police raid in Brazil's favelas, and China sentencing Myanmar scam mafia members to death.

• Two Massachusetts men arrested after explosion at Harvard Medical School, says FBI — The Guardian -
• Narco-sub carrying 1.7 tonnes of cocaine seized in Atlantic — BBC World -
• Brazil to seek independent inquiry into deadly police raid that killed 121 people — The Guardian -

• Bold Assassinations Are ‘Reality Check’ in Mexico’s Cartel Fight — New York Times World -
• Prisoners spending entire jail term in police cells as Victoria’s justice system buckles — The Guardian -
• California father who killed his baby son sentenced to more than 30 years in prison — The Guardian -
• China sentences infamous Myanmar scam mafia members to death — BBC World -
• Three countries are ‘willing and capable’ of assassinating political dissidents on Australian soil, Asio head warns — The Guardian -
• First stores allegedly selling illegal tobacco shut down in Sydney as officials wield new powers — The Guardian -
• Albanese government rejects Bruce Lehrmann’s request for legal funding over corruption watchdog raid on his home — The Guardian -

Health and public safety news reports a Listeria outbreak linked to pasta meals causing six deaths in the US, an accidental healthcare system error in Maine informing living patients of their deaths, and Shein banning childlike sex dolls following a French investigation and public outrage.

• Maine’s largest healthcare system informed still-living patients of their own deaths — The Guardian -
• Pennsylvania artist sorry for including Nazi camp arch on school parade float — The Guardian -
• Listeria outbreak in pasta meals linked to six deaths across 18 US states — The Guardian -

• Many GPs ‘nervous’ about bulk-billing rollout under new Medicare scheme — The Guardian -
• Delhi's lonely African elephant was killed by rare rodent-borne virus — BBC World -
• Shein to cooperate with French investigation into sale of childlike sex dolls — The Guardian -
• Shein bans all sex dolls after outrage over childlike products — BBC World -
• Affluent Indians drive boom in weight-loss drugs. But concerns are rising too — BBC World -

Developments in technology and AI focus on an AI firm winning a copyright ruling against Getty Images, China's use of AI for surveillance, and experts identifying flaws in hundreds of AI safety tests.

• China’s Security State Sells an A.I. Dream — New York Times World -
• AI firm wins high court ruling after photo agency’s copyright claim — The Guardian -
• Experts find flaws in hundreds of tests that check AI safety and effectiveness — The Guardian -

Global business and economic updates include **Elon Musk's debated $1 trillion Tesla pay deal facing rejection, China accusing the Netherlands of prolonging a critical chip war, and BP signaling further cost cuts after a fall in profits**.

• Elon Musk’s $1 Trillion Payday — New York Times World -
• China accuses Dutch of prolonging chip war that threatens to halt car factories — The Guardian -
• The RBA governor resorts to sport cliches on interest rates while stretched Australians try to keep up with costs — The Guardian -

• Commonwealth Bank, Temu and HCF among those named at this year’s Shonky awards — The Guardian -
• Elon Musk’s $1tn Tesla pay deal to be rejected by huge Norway wealth fund — The Guardian -
• Streamers will be made to produce Australian content — BBC World -
• BP signals more cost cuts on way after fall in profits — The Guardian -
• RBA holds official interest rate at 3.6% while warning of rising house prices and rents — The Guardian -

Culture, arts, and social trends capture Radiohead's first concert since 2018, the death of acclaimed photographer Sara Terry, backlash in New Zealand over scrapping Māori culture in classrooms, and a worker's death in Rome following a medieval tower collapse.

• Suspected drone sightings disrupt flights at Belgium airports — BBC World -
• Radiohead play career-spanning set in first concert since 2018 — The Guardian -
• Radiohead’s 2025 tour: the opening night setlist — The Guardian -

• Sara Terry, Photographer Who Captured War’s Aftermath, Dies at 70 — New York Times World -
• Chasing Waterfalls on Portugal’s Island of Madeira — New York Times World -
• Lucy Ward tells court Joey Barton social media posts scared her — The Guardian -
• Manslaughter inquiry opened after death of worker in Rome tower collapse — The Guardian -
• Worker dies after partial collapse of medieval tower in Rome — BBC World -
• A Big Moment for Women in India — New York Times World -
• Backlash after New Zealand government scraps rules on incorporating Māori culture in classrooms — The Guardian -
• Medieval Tower in Rome Partially Collapses, Trapping Worker Who Died After Rescue Efforts — New York Times World -
• Worker dies after being rescued from partially collapsed medieval tower in Rome — The Guardian -
• John Lewis ad kickstarts Christmas countdown to the tune of 90s club classic — The Guardian -

Australian political developments cover a federal corruption watchdog investigating numerous matters, Liberal MPs debating net zero policy amid fears for city electorates, and concerns over environmental law exemptions and their susceptibility to interference.

• Federal corruption watchdog investigating about 40 matters – as it happened — The Guardian -
• ‘Not over’: Liberal MPs fearing calamity in city electorates launch rearguard action to salvage net zero policy — The Guardian -
• ‘Highly unusual’ exemption in Labor’s environment laws open to interference, integrity experts say — The Guardian -