Israel's new rules on aid groups and US-Ukraine alliance uncertainties are making headlines, while China's military exercises near Taiwan and Russia's deployment of nuclear-capable missiles to Belarus signal escalating global tensions, alongside US drone strikes in Venezuela and Saudi-UAE conflicts in Yemen.

• Israel to bar 37 aid groups from Gaza — BBC World -
• 6 Takeaways on the Unwinding U.S.-Ukraine Alliance — New York Times World -
• Gaza Aid Groups Face Suspensions Under New Israeli Rules — New York Times World -

• Crew Paints Russian Flag on Oil Tanker Pursued by the U.S. Coast Guard — New York Times World -
• China Fires Rockets Near Taiwan in Display of Military Power — New York Times World -
• The C.I.A. Strike on Venezuela: What to Know — New York Times World -
• Trump’s shadow war in Venezuela grows, but country’s strongman leader still clings to power — The Guardian -
• How Russia and Ukraine Are Fighting to Shape Trump’s View of the War — New York Times World -
• Saudis Say Airstrike in Yemen Targeted Arms From U.A.E. — New York Times World -
• Russia says it has moved its nuclear-capable Oreshnik missiles into Belarus – as it happened — The Guardian -
• UAE says it will withdraw from Yemen after Saudi strike on separatist-held port — BBC World -
• Russia claims to have moved nuclear-capable missile system into Belarus — The Guardian -
• Iran to listen to protesters’ ‘legitimate demands’ after widespread dissent — The Guardian -
• Protests Over Iran’s Currency Crash and Inflation Spread to Universities — New York Times World -
• The 'thorny' issues that threaten to derail a Russia-Ukraine peace deal — BBC World -
• Tensions between Saudis and Emiratis over future of Yemen reach boiling point — The Guardian -
• UAE promises to withdraw forces from Yemen after bombing by Saudi Arabia — The Guardian -
• Protests spread across Iran for third day after currency hits record low — BBC World -
• Russia still importing Michelin aviation tyres despite sanctions, records suggest — The Guardian -
• Grim Evidence of Trump’s Boat Strikes Washes Ashore on a Colombian Peninsula — New York Times World -
• Saudi Arabia backs call for UAE to leave Yemen after strike on separatist-held port — BBC World -
• Trump should defy Netanyahu over nuclear talks with Iran, says its foreign minister — The Guardian -
• Ukraine denies drone attack on Putin's residence — BBC World -
• Trump ‘not worried’ as China’s live-fire Taiwan wargame enters second day — The Guardian -
• Why Israel's recognition of Somaliland as an independent state is controversial — BBC World -
• Trump says US hit 'big facility' linked to alleged Venezuelan drug boats — BBC World -
• In Myanmar’s Election, ‘Voting Out of Fear, Not Hope’ — New York Times World -
• Trump hopes to reach phase two of Gaza ceasefire 'very quickly' — BBC World -
• Yonaguni, the Japanese Island on the Front Lines of China’s Feud with Japan — New York Times World -
• Trump and Netanyahu Praise Each Other After Meeting, Despite Differences Over Gaza — New York Times World -
• 'No worries': Trump downplays Chinese military drills around Taiwan — BBC World -
• Iran’s Currency Collapse Pushes Protesters to the Streets — New York Times World -
• US military says two were killed in strike on suspected drug vessel in Pacific — The Guardian -
• China Mobilizes Forces Near Taiwan for Live-Fire Drill — New York Times World -

Eurostar services face severe delays due to Channel Tunnel power issues, the Federal Reserve reveals a deep divide on interest rates, and renewable energy projects are booming in Great Britain, while **M&S launches a new food range and UK consumers remain reluctant to spend**.

• Work continues overnight to fix Eurostar and Eurotunnel issue — BBC World -
• Minutes of latest Federal Reserve meeting reveal deep divide over interest rates — The Guardian -
• Eurostar Trains Face Day of Delays After Power Failure — New York Times World -

• Cheap Solar Is Transforming Lives and Economies Across Africa — New York Times World -
• Channel tunnel power outage disrupts thousands of journeys — The Guardian -
• Eurostar disruption: Channel tunnel partially reopens but ‘significant’ delays ongoing – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Fashion brand LK Bennett on brink of collapse — The Guardian -
• Thieves use drill to steal €30m in German bank heist — BBC World -
• Jhoots Pharmacy chain could face insolvency after Lloyds Bank high court application — The Guardian -
• PostNord, Denmark’s Main Postal Carrier, Ends Letter Delivery — New York Times World -
• Cheaper medicines, rules for cash and new state laws: what will change in Australia on 1 January? — The Guardian -
• Octopus Energy to sell stake in software spin-off Kraken at $8.65bn valuation — The Guardian -
• Eurostar Warns of Severe Delays After Power Failure — New York Times World -
• Renewable energy project approvals hit record high in GB in 2025, data shows — The Guardian -
• Marks & Spencer launches ‘nutrient dense’ range for people on weight-loss jabs — The Guardian -
• Plymouth had UK’s steepest rise in house prices in 2025 — The Guardian -
• UK consumers still reluctant to spend going into 2026, KPMG survey finds — The Guardian -

US judges halt deportation protections and mandate continued funding for a consumer watchdog, New York prepares for a new mayor sworn in unconventionally, and UK political parties face internal challenges and debates over citizenship, while historical UK government files reveal past political pressures regarding Iraq and royal matters.

• Suspected DC pipe bomber appears at detention hearing after alleged confession — The Guardian -
• US judge halts ending of temporary protected status for South Sudanese migrants — The Guardian -
• The ‘Trump Effect’ on Global Elections — New York Times World -

• Judge says Trump administration must continue funding consumer watchdog — The Guardian -
• Alaa Abd el-Fattah ‘will not be stripped of British citizenship’ over past tweets — The Guardian -
• Mamdani to be sworn in as New York mayor in abandoned subway station — The Guardian -
• More musicians drop out of Kennedy Center shows after Trump name change — The Guardian -
• Guinea junta chief takes lead in controversial election as social media restricted — BBC World -
• From Send to single-sex spaces: key tests facing Keir Starmer in 2026 — The Guardian -
• Badenoch under fire as Tory shadow attorney general acts for Roman Abramovich — The Guardian -
• Despair for would-be US citizens as American dream blocked by Trump — The Guardian -
• Unite leader tells Labour to ‘stop being embarrassed’ to be voice of workers — The Guardian -
• ‘Zack is a phenomenal leader’: Siân Berry on the Green party’s next steps as membership doubles — The Guardian -
• Pauline Hanson travelled to US on Gina Rinehart’s private jet to attend CPAC — The Guardian -
• Cooper launches review of ‘serious failures’ in Alaa Abd el-Fattah case — The Guardian -
• Did Starmer Impose a Curfew in the U.K.? No, It’s a Fake TikTok Video. — New York Times World -
• Foreign Office cautioned against UK military action to overthrow Robert Mugabe — The Guardian -
• Cabinet Office accused of covering up for royal family after blocking release of Andrew documents — The Guardian -
• Blair pressured officials over case of UK soldiers accused of beating Iraqi man to death, files show — The Guardian -
• Coups, elections and protests - a difficult year for democracy in Africa — BBC World -
• ‘Too complacent’: how Blair’s advisers misjudged his disastrous WI speech — The Guardian -
• Tony Blair’s government discussed how to influence John Howard to commit Australian troops to Iraq — The Guardian -
• Brown’s allies could wreck Labour’s 2005 election hopes, Mandelson warned — The Guardian -

California hikers are found dead after high winds, UK urology wards see a frightening surge in ketamine cases, and sea swimmers are warned of New Year's dip dangers, while **concerns are raised over A&E corridor care and Denmark's vaccine program is questioned** as a US model.

• Three hikers found dead on southern California’s Mount Baldy — The Guardian -
• Experts Question Denmark’s Vaccine Program as a Model for the U.S. — New York Times World -
• ‘Absolutely frightening’: surge in ketamine cases hits UK urology wards — The Guardian -

• Sea swimmers urged to be cautious about taking new year dips off British coast — The Guardian -
• Family pays tribute to Durham boy, 14, who died after farm vehicle overturned — The Guardian -
• Winter storm brings heavy snow and strong winds across parts of the US — The Guardian -
• Offenders in England and Wales to have alcohol levels tracked over new year period — The Guardian -
• Claire Brosseau Wants to Die. Will Canada Let Her? — New York Times World -
• A&Es in ‘big trouble’ because of ‘normalised’ corridor care, says leading UK medic — The Guardian -

Turkey detains hundreds of suspected IS members in nationwide raids, Australia sees charges for loaded guns in a taxi, and Facebook is criticized for slow action on Bondi massacre posts, while the Assad regime's crimes and alleged Bondi gunmen's actions are under scrutiny.

• The Cover-Up: Inside the Plot to Conceal Assad’s Crimes — New York Times World -
• How the Assad Regime Covered Up Its Crimes: Key Takeaways — New York Times World -
• Turkey detains 357 suspected IS members in nationwide raids — BBC World -

• Six charged after police allegedly find man and teen travelling with loaded guns in Sydney taxi — The Guardian -
• Facebook slow to act on posts celebrating Bondi beach massacre, anti-hate group says — The Guardian -
• Alleged Bondi gunmen acted alone and did not train in the Philippines, police say — BBC World -
• CCTV suggests alleged Bondi shooters acted alone and did not receive training in Philippines, AFP says — The Guardian -

George Clooney gains French citizenship and Idris Elba receives a knighthood, while Tatiana Schlossberg, JFK's granddaughter, dies, and Bangladesh's first female Prime Minister, Khaleda Zia, passes away at 80, along with Cecilia Giménez, famed for the "Monkey Christ" fresco restoration.

• George Clooney Is French Now — New York Times World -
• Tatiana Schlossberg, granddaughter of JFK, dies after rare leukemia diagnosis — The Guardian -
• Spanish Woman Scorned, Then Loved, for Botched Fresco Restoration Dies at 94 — New York Times World -

• Campaigner turned down MBE over ‘scapegoating’ of people with disabilities — The Guardian -
• Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s First Female Prime Minister, Dies — New York Times World -
• Gone in 2025: A Yearlong Procession of Giants — New York Times World -
• French right pushes for national tribute to film star Brigitte Bardot — BBC World -
• Idris Elba is Knighted as Part of King Charles’s New Year Honors List — New York Times World -
• Khaleda Zia: Slain leader's widow who went on to lead Bangladesh — BBC World -
• Bangladesh's first female prime minister Khaleda Zia dies aged 80 — BBC World -
• Spanish woman who found fame for botching fresco restoration dies — BBC World -
• Khaleda Zia, first female Bangladesh prime minister, dies aged 80 — The Guardian -

Astronaut Amanda Nguyen expresses depression after her Blue Origin flight, the K-Pop group NewJeans faces a legal feud, and year-end reviews highlight fashion trends and overlooked stories of 2025, alongside unique insights into slime mould photography.

• Overlooked Stories — New York Times World -
• Astronaut Amanda Nguyen says backlash from Blue Origin flight left her depressed — The Guardian -
• K-Pop Group NewJeans Faces New Uncertainty After Member Is Dropped — New York Times World -

• K-pop band member sued for $30m after bitter record label feud — BBC World -
• The Trends, Colors and Styles That Dominated Wardrobes in 2025 — New York Times World -
• K-pop band NewJeans breaks up after bitter feud with record label — BBC World -
• In Lagos, December Is Time to Get Down and ‘Detty’ — New York Times World -
• The Year in Pictures — New York Times World -
• Photographing the hidden world of slime mould — BBC World -
• Naan: How the 'world's best bread' travelled from Islamic courts to our plates — BBC World -

Iceland experienced its hottest Christmas Eve ever, the UK's warmest spring boosted songbird breeding, and young Atlantic salmon have returned to English rivers, but great white sharks in the Mediterranean face extinction.

• Iceland has hottest Christmas Eve ever with temperature of 19.8C recorded — The Guardian -
• UK’s warmest spring on record led to rise in songbirds breeding, data shows — The Guardian -
• Young Atlantic salmon seen in three English rivers for first time in a decade — The Guardian -

• Great white sharks face extinction in Mediterranean, say researchers — BBC World -

British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua was injured in a car crash in Nigeria that tragically claimed the lives of two of his close friends.

• Anthony Joshua injured in Nigeria car crash that killed two team members — BBC World -
• Anthony Joshua’s camp confirm two of his close friends died in Nigeria car crash — The Guardian -

An Australian cruise ship ran aground off Papua New Guinea, becoming detained amid an investigation into its seaworthiness.

• Australian cruise ship refloated after becoming stuck on reef off coast of Papua New Guinea — The Guardian -
• Australian cruise ship stuck off PNG ‘detained’ amid investigation into why it ran aground — The Guardian -