The US Senate's progress towards ending the longest government shutdown, historic diplomatic engagement with Syria's new leader, and controversial US deportation policies to Equatorial Guinea and El Salvador dominated American political and international headlines.

• US declares partial suspension of sanctions on Syria after historic meeting — The Guardian -
• How Syria’s President Transformed His Image — New York Times World -
• US has sent $7.5m to Equatorial Guinea to accept noncitizens deportees — The Guardian -

• Angry Democrats call on Schumer to resign after eight vote to end shutdown — The Guardian -
• UK commentator detained by ICE after Israel criticism to be released, family says — The Guardian -
• Drug dealer granted clemency by Trump sent back to prison for violating terms of release — The Guardian -
• Democratic candidate for Congress criticizes deal to end shutdown – which her mother voted to advance — The Guardian -
• US supreme court to decide if states can accept late-arriving mail ballots — The Guardian -
• UAE refuses to join Gaza stabilisation force without clear legal framework — The Guardian -
• How each senator voted on legislation to end US government shutdown — The Guardian -
• Syria al-Shara al-Baghdadi Trump — New York Times World -
• Senate Democrats who defected in shutdown vote: ‘This was the only deal’ — The Guardian -
• Senate advances funding bill to end longest-ever US government shutdown — The Guardian -
• Trump pardons Giuliani, Meadows and others over plot to steal 2020 election — The Guardian -
• Hegseth says six people killed in two new US attacks on alleged drug boats — The Guardian -
• First Thing: Senate advances funding bill to end longest US government shutdown in history — The Guardian -
• US Senate to debate deal to end longest shutdown after overnight breakthrough — BBC World -
• Medicaid head falsely claims $1bn is being spent on healthcare for ‘illegal immigrants’, say experts — The Guardian -
• Netherlands presses on with plan to ban imports from illegal Israeli settlements — The Guardian -
• Syrian president holds talks with Trump at White House — The Guardian -
• US Senate vote marks step towards ending federal shutdown — The Guardian -
• Inside Trump’s Deportation of Venezuelans: Four Months in a Salvadoran Prison — New York Times World -

The BBC was engulfed in crisis with *top executives resigning* amid accusations of bias and criticism from President Trump, while a UK commentator's detention for *criticizing Israel* raised concerns about free expression.

• What to Know About the BBC Resignations and Turmoil Over a Trump Speech Edit — New York Times World -
• The BBC Under Fire — New York Times World -
• Ros Atkins on... the BBC resignations — BBC World -

• BBC board member with Tory links ‘led charge’ in systemic bias claims, say insiders — The Guardian -
• BBC Director Tim Davie and CEO Deborah Turness Quit Following Trump Documentary Turmoil — New York Times World -
• Trump threatens BBC with legal action over edit of speech in documentary — The Guardian -
• BBC in crisis: why did Tim Davie and Deborah Turness resign? — The Guardian -

Global climate talks at COP30 began in Brazil, facing challenges from AI data center expansion and *Trump administration policies*, while Iran experienced an unprecedented drought and *a major plastic spill polluted the Sussex coastline*.

• Data centers meet resistance over environmental concerns as AI boom spreads in Latin America — The Guardian -
• Agenda for Cop30 agreed as crucial climate talks begin – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Why Everyone Wants to Meet the ‘World’s Most Boring Man’ — New York Times World -

• At COP30 in Belém, Brazil, Chinese Technology Is Shifting Climate Politics — New York Times World -
• Trump officials set to approve ‘forever chemical’ as pesticide ingredient — The Guardian -
• Southern Water apologises for catastrophic spill of plastic biobeads in Sussex — The Guardian -
• The temperature at Cop30: Trump’s absence better than a US wrecking ball — The Guardian -
• Iran faces unprecedented drought as water crisis hits Tehran — BBC World -
• Tackling Climate Change Without the U.S. — New York Times World -
• Growth in global demand for ‘green’ office buildings slows amid Trump policies — The Guardian -

High-profile legal cases including *the release of Gaddafi's youngest son* and *Nicolas Sarkozy*, *sexual assault charges against public figures*, *prison violence in Ecuador*, *a major Turkish betting investigation*, and *human rights concerns for unwed mothers in Saudi Arabia* underscore ongoing justice and human rights issues globally.

• Mike Smith, Bubbles on ‘Trailer Park Boys,’ Is Charged With Sexual Assault — New York Times World -
• Gaddafi's youngest son released after 10 years in Lebanese detention — BBC World -
• Turkish authorities arrest eight people and suspend 1,024 players in betting investigation — The Guardian -

• Ghislaine Maxwell eyeing commutation, whistleblower tells House Democrats — The Guardian -
• Nicolas Sarkozy, Former French President, Is Released From Prison Pending Appeal — New York Times World -
• Nicolas Sarkozy says he wants to ‘prove his innocence’ as he is released from prison — The Guardian -
• Former French president Sarkozy released from prison after three weeks — BBC World -
• Tim Westwood appears in court charged with rape and sexual assault — The Guardian -
• Unwed Mothers and Their Children Are Trapped in Saudi Arabia — New York Times World -
• Unwed Mothers and Their Children Are Trapped in Saudi Arabia — New York Times World -
• Jacob Zuma’s daughter goes on trial over deadly South African riots — The Guardian -
• Man goes on trial in Germany over deadly Christmas market car attack — The Guardian -
• Dozens of inmates found hanged in Ecuador prison — BBC World -
• Daughter of ex-South African President Jacob Zuma denies terrorism charges — BBC World -
• Why Children of Unmarried Mothers Are Stranded in Saudi Arabia — New York Times World -

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict revealed *challenges with draft evasion* and *corruption allegations*, while *South Korea faced martial law bids*, and *terrorist infighting erupted in Nigeria*, alongside the *killing of a Malian TikToker by suspected jihadists*.

• Ukraine’s Anti-Corruption Agencies Push Back Despite Zelensky Pressure — New York Times World -
• As the Russia War Continues, Ukraine Faces a Major Draft Evasion Problem — New York Times World -
• Drones Over North Korea Were Part of Martial Law Bid in South, Special Counsel Says — New York Times World -

• Nord Stream suspect accuses Italy of pressure to confess — BBC World -
• Ukraine’s energy sector faces wide-scale investigation over ‘kickback’ allegations — The Guardian -
• Terrorist turf war battle in north-eastern Nigeria leaves about 200 dead — The Guardian -
• Malian TikToker killed by suspected jihadists after pro-army posts — BBC World -

Canada lost its measles elimination status, sparking concerns for the US, as a *deadly plane crash occurred during hurricane relief efforts*, and Typhoon Fung-Wong necessitated evacuations in the Philippines, while *Floridians were warned of falling iguanas* amidst a cold snap.

• Two dead after small plane on hurricane relief trip to Jamaica crashes in Florida — The Guardian -
• Canada Lost Its Measles Elimination Status. What Does It Mean for the U.S.? — New York Times World -
• A Million Evacuated as Typhoon Fung-Wong Hit the Philippines — New York Times World -

• Canada loses its measles-free status, with US on track to follow — BBC World -
• Hundreds of Migrants Missing Off Malaysia’s Coast — New York Times World -
• Second Migrant Child Dies on ‘Reverse Migration’ Boat Route — New York Times World -
• Floridians warned about falling iguanas as wintry weather hits eastern US — The Guardian -
• Seven dead after migrant boat sinks near Thai-Malaysian border — BBC World -
• Coffee may protect people against irregular heartbeats, US study finds — The Guardian -
• Philippines typhoon aftermath: 'Water levels are rising fast' — BBC World -
• Weather tracker: Typhoon Fung-Wong becomes second in a week to hit the Philippines — The Guardian -
• No link between paracetamol in pregnancy and autism or ADHD in children, review finds — The Guardian -

UK politics saw debates over the two-child benefit cap and *Chinese influence in universities*, with concerns raised about asylum hotel conditions and *stalking threats to an MP*, alongside *challenges to deportation policies* and *corporate ownership of rental properties*.

• Your Party row erupts over hundreds of thousands of pounds in donations — The Guardian -
• Penny Mordaunt had to step up security after stalker jumped barrier at her office, court hears — The Guardian -
• AI chatbots could help stop prisoner release errors, says justice minister — The Guardian -

• Second man deported under ‘one in, one out’ scheme returns to UK on small boat — The Guardian -
• Rachel Reeves signals plan to remove two-child benefit cap in budget — The Guardian -
• Jailed climate activist wins appeal against deportation from UK — The Guardian -
• Reeves suggests two-child benefit cap will fully go, saying children in big families should not be ‘penalised’ – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Shetland islanders accuse Tom Daley’s Game of Wool of cultural appropriation — The Guardian -
• Man charged with murder after woman stabbed in Birmingham dies — The Guardian -
• Legal experts and politicians criticise process used to ban Palestine Action — The Guardian -
• MPs preparing to examine Chinese state influence at British universities — The Guardian -
• Rats, overcrowding and malnutrition common at UK asylum hotels, report finds — The Guardian -
• UK transport and cyber-security chiefs investigate Chinese-made buses — The Guardian -
• Putin ally who declared poverty had £217m of property, UK judge finds — The Guardian -
• Jailed climate activist facing deportation from UK fights ‘crazy double punishment’ — The Guardian -
• Lloyds the landlord: how the bank quietly became a big rental property player — The Guardian -
• Billionaire Tory donor gives £200,000 to Reform UK — The Guardian -
• Crisis charity to become a landlord in attempt to rectify ‘catastrophic’ housing in UK — The Guardian -

An explosion near Delhi's Red Fort caused casualties, while *Australia grappled with political shifts* and *neo-Nazi protests*, and *Indonesia sparked controversy* by declaring former dictator Suharto a national hero.

• Explosion Reported Near Red Fort in New Delhi — New York Times World -
• At least eight killed after car explodes near Delhi's Red Fort — BBC World -
• Verified videos show aftermath of explosion in Delhi — BBC World -

• Eight people die and several injured after car explosion in Delhi, police say — The Guardian -
• Victoria urged to ramp up train, tram and bus services – and make off-peak transport cheaper — The Guardian -
• ‘They didn’t realise how pissed off we would be’: Sussan Ley risks losing MPs regardless of where net zero debate lands — The Guardian -
• NSW shop landlords could be jailed for allowing tenants to sell illicit tobacco and vapes under new laws — The Guardian -
• He Was Known for Kleptocratic Rule and Bloodshed. Now Suharto Is a National Hero. — New York Times World -
• NSW MP rebuffed by security after asking to relocate planned neo-Nazi protest away from parliament — The Guardian -
• Fury as Indonesia declares late authoritarian ruler Suharto a national hero — The Guardian -
• Gough Whitlam’s dismissal ‘a calculated plot’ to remove elected government via partisan ambush, PM says — The Guardian -
• Former radio host Mark Parton elected ACT Liberal leader after Leanne Castley and deputy quit — The Guardian -
• Jacinta Nampijinpa Price backs out as headlining speaker at anti-immigration rally due to feature Tommy Robinson — The Guardian -
• Jay Weatherill named next high commissioner to UK – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Female NSW MPs Allegra Spender and Kellie Sloane report death and rape threats after condemning neo-Nazi rally in Sydney — The Guardian -
• Twice as effective as nets: shark-spotting drones to become ‘permanent fixture’ on Queensland beaches — The Guardian -

AI and technology advancements saw *tech giants vowing to protect users from spyware* and *a hacking kingpin revealing details*, while business news included corporate leadership changes and *Bezos's rocket launch delay*, and cultural highlights featured the Booker Prize winner and *diverse theatre and music developments*, alongside *protests at a Nigerian art museum*.

• David Szalay wins 2025 Booker prize for ‘dark’ Flesh — The Guardian -
• Juan Gabriel Tribute Draws Tens of Thousands to Mexico City — New York Times World -
• Can ex-Tesco boss Drastic Dave refresh the fortunes of drinks giant Diageo? — The Guardian -

• Protesters force delay to opening of Nigeria's new art museum — BBC World -
• Tech giants vow to defend users in US as spyware companies make inroads with Trump administration — The Guardian -
• Protesters target major new Nigerian museum embroiled in looted artefacts row — The Guardian -
• Troubled drinks giant Diageo names former Tesco boss to lead turnaround push — The Guardian -
• ‘Young audiences are less scared of it’: why London jazz clubs are expanding and thriving against the odds — The Guardian -
• Bezos’s Blue Origin postpones second rocket launch over poor weather — The Guardian -
• Andrew Miller is bookies’ favourite to win 2025 Booker prize — The Guardian -
• Celebrity Traitors to return for second series in 2026, BBC announces — The Guardian -
• Lake District theatre to be renamed after Victoria Wood and unveil new musical of her songs — The Guardian -
• China Tightens Controls on Fentanyl Precursors After Summit — New York Times World -
• Love The Traitors and Only Murders in the Building? Visit The Mousetrap, says bold new director of West End perennial — The Guardian -
• A jailed hacking kingpin reveals all about the gang that left a trail of destruction — BBC World -
• Documentary explores whether JMW Turner may have been neurodivergent — The Guardian -
• Who is ‘fedora man’? Dapper French teenager in viral Louvre heist photo unmasked — The Guardian -
• Ahead of the G20, is Johannesburg's city centre in ruins? — BBC World -