US political and legal affairs are dominated by Trump administration policies, controversies surrounding Jeffrey Epstein, foreign relations with Saudi Arabia, and high-profile legal cases.

• Top judge resumes contempt inquiry into Trump El Salvador deportations — The Guardian -
• ‘Unforgivable’: Trump’s ‘piggy’ insult is stoking more outrage than usual — The Guardian -
• Saudi Arabia releases US retiree jailed over critical tweets — The Guardian -

• Trump Moves to Weaken the Endangered Species Act — New York Times World -
• Trump’s plan to impose semiconductor tariffs may be delayed, sources say — The Guardian -
• FBI worker says he was wrongfully terminated for having Pride flag at desk — The Guardian -
• Trump officials announce $1bn loan to restart Three Mile Island nuclear plant — The Guardian -
• Trump’s Tariffs Sent Trade Plummeting in August — New York Times World -
• Congress votes to send Epstein files bill to Trump — BBC World -
• House Republicans’ attempt to censure Democrat over texts with Epstein fails — The Guardian -
• Jessica Tisch will remain New York police commissioner under Mamdani — The Guardian -
• Billionaire environmental activist Tom Steyer announces run for California governor — The Guardian -
• January 6 rioter who was pardoned by Trump arrested for child sexual abuse — The Guardian -
• Trump to sign bill to compel release of more files related to Jeffrey Epstein — The Guardian -
• Nicki Minaj supports contested Trump claim Christians being persecuted in Nigeria — BBC World -
• Harvard to investigate Larry Summers’s Epstein ties as he exits OpenAI board — The Guardian -
• Trump Team Calls Maduro a ‘Cartel’ Boss. That Word Doesn’t Mean What You Think. — New York Times World -
• Larry Summers resigns from OpenAI board after Epstein emails made public — BBC World -
• Trump Said to Authorize C.I.A. Plans for Covert Action in Venezuela — New York Times World -
• Trump Lauds M.B.S. During White House Visit and Dismisses Khashoggi’s Killing — New York Times World -
• Senate agrees to pass Epstein files bill after near-unanimous House vote | First Thing — The Guardian -
• Congress votes to send Epstein files bill to Trump — BBC World -
• State department to cut 38 universities from research program over DEI policies — The Guardian -
• Nearly all immigrants detained in Trump Chicago raid had no criminal conviction — The Guardian -
• Trump’s anti-climate agenda could result in 1.3m more deaths globally, analysis finds — The Guardian -
• Trump Dismisses Journalist’s Murder While Praising Saudi Crown Prince — New York Times World -
• Cristiano Ronaldo attends White House dinner alongside Saudi crown prince — BBC World -
• 'Things happen' - Trump defends Saudi crown prince over Khashoggi killing — BBC World -
• Trump Family’s Business Ties to Saudi Arabia Raise Ethics Worries — New York Times World -
• Senate agrees to automatically pass bill to release Epstein files as Trump claims to not care – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Once a Pariah, Saudi Prince Resets U.S. Relations on His Own Terms — New York Times World -
• The only 'no' vote on releasing Epstein files — BBC World -

The Ukraine conflict continues with peace plan discussions, deadly Russian strikes, and Poland closing a Russian consulate, while Europe strengthens its defense infrastructure amid a new era of threat.

• U.S.-Russian Peace Plan Would Force Ukraine to Cede Land and Cut Army — New York Times World -
• Italy to extradite Nord Stream blast suspect to Germany — BBC World -
• US military officials in Ukraine for talks on ending war — BBC World -

• What Happened to Europe’s Terrorism Problem? — New York Times World -
• Children among 26 killed in one of Russia's deadliest strikes on western Ukraine — BBC World -
• Zelensky Under Siege as Corruption Case Shatters Ukraine’s Wartime Unity — New York Times World -
• Russian Missile Kills at Least 25 in Ukrainian Apartment Building — New York Times World -
• US and Russian officials draft plan to end Ukraine war based on capitulation from Kyiv — The Guardian -
• Death toll from Russian attack rises to 25 as Ukraine says it will raise issue at UN – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Plan to speed tanks and armies across Europe in case of war with Russia — The Guardian -
• Poland closes last Russian consulate after ‘act of state terrorism’ on railway — The Guardian -
• Russian spy ship enters British waters and shines lasers at military pilots — The Guardian -
• What to Know About the Corruption Scandal Roiling Ukraine — New York Times World -
• Zelensky visits Turkey in bid to 'intensify' peace talks — BBC World -
• Moscow passes laws to boost defences against Ukrainian strikes — The Guardian -
• On the front line of Europe's standoff with Russia's sanction-busting shadow fleet — BBC World -

Key environmental concerns include intensifying cyclones, volcanic eruptions, ongoing COP climate summit negotiations, hidden deforestation impacts, and innovative efforts in sustainable infrastructure and conservation.

• Australia news live: Speakman quotes Mark Twain and digs in as NSW Liberals inch towards leadership spill; NT cyclone intensifies — The Guardian -
• Cop30 live: Scientists warn countries must act decisively to protect people and life or risk ‘suffering for billions’ – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Turkey to host Cop31 climate conference after Australia drops push to hold it in Adelaide — The Guardian -

• Mount Semeru eruption in Indonesia prompts evacuations — The Guardian -
• Divide over fossil fuels phaseout can be bridged, Cop30 president says — The Guardian -
• Iowa City Made Its Buses Free. Traffic Cleared, and So Did the Air. — New York Times World -
• Denmark announces one of the world’s most ambitious climate targets, while the rest of the EU looks away — The Guardian -
• Tropical cyclone Fina intensifies to category two and could hit NT coast on Friday — The Guardian -
• Researchers say real impact of deforestation being hidden in Australia’s official figures by ‘sleight of hand’ — The Guardian -
• Climate Change Is Stressing Italy’s Cows, and Coming for Your Burrata — New York Times World -
• Bonn nuit: nailbiter for German city as Albanese and Bowen offer mixed messages on hosting Cop31 — The Guardian -
• ‘Deathly silent’: two out of three corals in world heritage-listed Ningaloo reef have been killed, scientists confirm — The Guardian -
• Heat-pump homes put less strain on grid than expected, study shows — The Guardian -
• In Washington, Birds Are Giving ‘Yelp Reviews’ of Forest Restoration Work — New York Times World -
• ‘Freedom Comes to My Mind’: Saving Family Legacy and Land in South Carolina — New York Times World -
• Driving an E.V. Across North Dakota? Thank the Standing Rock Tribe. — New York Times World -
• In Nebraska, Makeovers for Buildings That Don’t Price Out the Locals — New York Times World -

UK domestic news features debates on asylum policies, allegations of racism against political figures, NHS waiting time failures, espionage warnings from China, and economic shifts including easing inflation.

• Murder convictions in Moss Side ‘joint enterprise’ case referred to court of appeal — The Guardian -
• Reform’s Welsh hopes damaged after Senedd member suspended for ‘vile’ racial slur — The Guardian -
• Microsoft has ‘ripped off the NHS’, says MP amid call for contracts with British firms — The Guardian -

• Wes Streeting defends asylum system shake-up despite his unease — The Guardian -
• UK holds talks with LinkedIn on clamping down on Chinese espionage — The Guardian -
• No 10 calls on Farage to urgently address ‘disturbing allegations’ of past racist behaviour — The Guardian -
• Northern Ireland Must Change How Its Schools Teach Religion, Court Says — New York Times World -
• Windrush scandal still a stain on society, Floella Benjamin tells Lords event — The Guardian -
• Peers call for independent body to take control of Telegraph sale — The Guardian -
• China’s power play: MI5 warns of relentless espionage attempts in Britain — The Guardian -
• ‘He used to say things like “Hitler was right”’: Farage faces more allegations of racist behaviour at school — The Guardian -
• Wimbledon to get exemption from ticket resale crackdown for seats that can cost thousands — The Guardian -
• Uk politics: Streeting defends asylum policy, but says he’s not ‘comfortable’ with forced removal of children – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Ticket touts’ worst nightmare has finally come true in the UK — The Guardian -
• Reform UK councillor suspended over WhatsApp group featuring extremist posts — The Guardian -
• Wintry conditions to last in coastal areas after up to 7cm of snow fell in parts of UK — The Guardian -
• Ex-police officer David Carrick found guilty of raping ex-partner and molesting girl — The Guardian -
• Mahmood and Lammy breached human rights law over segregation of prisoner, judge finds — The Guardian -
• UK inflation eases for first time in five months to 3.6% before crunch budget — The Guardian -
• Man wrongly jailed for 38 years says Merseyside police forced confession — The Guardian -
• Mishal Husain calls for end to ministers picking BBC board members amid ‘existential crisis’ — The Guardian -
• Watch out for online contact with Chinese spies, UK defence minister warns public — The Guardian -
• Fall in UK inflation looks like turning point that heralds interest rate cut — The Guardian -
• UK lacks plan to defend itself from attack, warn MPs — The Guardian -
• Four arrested after £450k watch and £1.1m in cryptocurrency stolen in Oxford raid — The Guardian -
• Wednesday briefing: Why strangulation during sex has become so common among teenagers — The Guardian -
• Launch of East West Rail services to be delayed in row over guards on trains — The Guardian -
• NHS failing to cut waiting times as promised in recovery plan, report warns — The Guardian -
• Coroners’ advice on maternal deaths in England and Wales routinely ignored, study finds — The Guardian -
• Lack of planning has hit Labour’s efforts to fix public services, says thinktank — The Guardian -

International crime and justice stories include the hunt for a drug kingpin, discoveries of hidden cash, trials for a fatal nightclub fire, school abductions in Nigeria, and various high-profile criminal investigations.

• Police Found $1 Million in a Tub Under a Garage. The Government Gets to Keep It. — New York Times World -
• F.B.I. Hunt Intensifies for Ryan Wedding, Snowboarder Accused of Being a Drug Kingpin — New York Times World -
• Henry Todd, LSD Kingpin Turned Everest Guide, Dies at 80 — New York Times World -

• Family Who Died While Visiting Istanbul May Have Been Poisoned, Authorities Say — New York Times World -
• 25 Girls Abducted From School in Nigeria — New York Times World -
• Dozens go on trial over North Macedonia nightclub fire that killed 63 — BBC World -
• US charges ex-Olympic snowboarder turned drug kingpin with murder of witness — The Guardian -
• I won't be silenced, says French anti-drugs activist after murders of two brothers — BBC World -
• Investigating a Recycling Disaster — New York Times World -
• Singer D4vd reportedly identified as suspect in death of teen found in Tesla — The Guardian -
• Why India's poorest state continues to struggle with illegal alcohol sales — BBC World -

Global social and human rights headlines cover bans on puberty blockers for transgender youth, Alberta invoking constitutional clauses on trans laws, allegations of troll campaigns against protesters, and UN complaints regarding Indigenous treatment.

• New Zealand bans puberty blockers for young transgender people — The Guardian -
• Alberta Invokes Last-Resort Constitutional Clause to Shield Trans Laws From Challenges — New York Times World -
• Old Divides of East and West Haunt Germany’s Newest Arrivals — New York Times World -

• Kenyan authorities paid trolls to threaten Gen Z protesters, Amnesty says — BBC World -
• Pope Leo condemns US’s ‘extremely disrespectful’ treatment of immigrants — The Guardian -
• Family of Indian man lynched over beef rumours vows to keep fighting for justice — BBC World -
• Christians in Nigeria 'driven from their homes and killed', Nicki Minaj says — BBC World -
• 'It would have been better if they'd killed me': A forgotten war destroying women's lives — BBC World -
• UN to hear human rights complaint over New Zealand’s treatment of Māori — The Guardian -

Technology and business developments highlight Nvidia's strong earnings, Uber's AI-driven pay systems facing legal demands, European Commission proposals for digital protection rollbacks, and major changes in social media access for Australian teens.

• Nvidia earnings: Wall Street sighs with relief after AI wave doesn’t crash — The Guardian -
• Mexico Is Now the United States’ Top Buyer — New York Times World -
• Instagram to start closing Australian teen accounts ahead of social media ban — BBC World -

• Uber hit with legal demands to halt use of AI-driven pay systems — The Guardian -
• European Commission accused of ‘massive rollback’ of digital protections — The Guardian -
• WH Smith CEO quits after accounting error that wiped almost £600m off value — The Guardian -
• The contradiction at the heart of the trillion-dollar AI race — BBC World -
• Meta starts notifying Australian teens of account shutdowns as social media ban looms — The Guardian -
• Labor MP Ed Husic urges own party to ‘pry open the jaws of Treasury’ after CSIRO announces job cuts — The Guardian -

Australian domestic news focuses on NSW Liberal leadership shifts, debates over nature laws and deforestation figures, new breast cancer guidelines, and controversies involving public broadcasting and anti-hate legislation.

• Australia news live: Speakman quotes Mark Twain and digs in as NSW Liberals inch towards leadership spill; NT cyclone intensifies — The Guardian -
• Krysty was diagnosed with breast cancer months after getting the all-clear. New Australian guidelines aim to help women like her — The Guardian -
• Researchers say real impact of deforestation being hidden in Australia’s official figures by ‘sleight of hand’ — The Guardian -

• Coalition and Labor negotiate nature laws as Greens warn compromise would show it was ‘written for big business’ — The Guardian -
• Former Liberal senator quits party – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Tony Burke reviewing anti-hate laws and says South African neo-Nazi will not be allowed back into Australia — The Guardian -
• Valvoline, bourbon and a touching tribute from Russell Crowe: radio star John Laws farewelled at state funeral — The Guardian -
• Hugh Marks decries ‘opportunistic’ attacks on the ABC – but concedes broadcaster blew it with Bluey — The Guardian -
• Australian cricket great Glenn McGrath dropped by the ABC over betting agency links — The Guardian -
• Australian Man Convicted of Murderer Sues to Challenge Vegemite Ban Behind Bars — New York Times World -
• Australia’s peak health body for men distances itself from conservative group’s International Men’s Day campaign — The Guardian -

Middle East conflicts see deadly Israeli strikes in Gaza and Lebanon amidst cease-fire violations, alongside Iran releasing a seized tanker, and allegations of Israel using banned cluster munitions.

• Israeli Strikes Kill at Least 25 in Gaza Amid Cease-Fire, Officials Say — New York Times World -
• Israeli strikes across Gaza kill 25 Palestinians, health ministry says — BBC World -
• Iran Releases Tanker It Seized From the Strait of Hormuz — New York Times World -

• Israel used widely banned cluster munitions in Lebanon, photos of remnants suggest — The Guardian -
• Israeli Airstrike on Refugee Camp in Lebanon Kills at Least 13, Officials Say — New York Times World -

Global health issues include a study linking marijuana to reduced alcohol consumption, historic low child vaccination rates in Argentina, breakthroughs in tuberculosis treatment, and significant workforce cuts at the WHO due to US funding withdrawal.

• ‘California sober’: marijuana may help you drink less, study finds — The Guardian -
• Disease fears as Argentina child vaccination rates hit historic lows — The Guardian -
• New drug could be a breakthrough in treatment for killer TB, trial suggests — The Guardian -

• WHO to lose nearly a quarter of its workforce – 2,000 jobs – due to US withdrawing funding — The Guardian -

International relations and geopolitics outside of the Ukraine conflict are marked by China suspending Japanese seafood imports as Taiwan tensions escalate.

• China suspends seafood imports from Japan as Taiwan row escalates — The Guardian -

World culture and current events present diverse stories from archaeological discoveries of ancient canoes, scandals at the Miss Universe pageant, a rare Klimt painting selling for record sums, and social commentary on historical legacies.

• Archaeologists find ancient canoes used by Indigenous people in Wisconsin — The Guardian -
• Two Miss Universe Judges Resign Before Finale, Deepening a Crisis — New York Times World -
• Rome decries ‘Italian-sounding’ pasta sauces on sale in EU parliament store — The Guardian -

• All 267 passengers and crew rescued after South Korean ferry runs aground — BBC World -
• Christie’s withdraws rare ‘first calculator’ from auction after French court halts export — The Guardian -
• Owl described as ‘fighter’ set to fly free after falling into cement mixer in Utah — The Guardian -
• Social Democrats in Denmark suffer sweeping election losses — The Guardian -
• Klimt painting second most expensive artwork sold at auction — BBC World -
• Two Miss Universe judges quit scandal-hit pageant, as one claims it's rigged — BBC World -
• Japan's largest urban fire in decades rips through 170 buildings — BBC World -
• ‘Dangerous nostalgia’: did Spain’s ‘pact of forgetting’ after Franco leave new generation open to far right? — The Guardian -
• Where Mao’s Peasants Tilled the Soil, Tourists Now Pay for the View — New York Times World -
• Drawing Religion Minister’s Ire, Music Video is Pulled by Universal in Malaysia — New York Times World -
• Gustav Klimt portrait sells for $236.4m, making it the second most expensive artwork ever sold at auction — The Guardian -
• Neanderthals and early humans ‘likely to have kissed’, say scientists — The Guardian -