The Middle East faces heightened tensions as Iran's anti-government protests escalate amid a brutal crackdown, drawing international warnings and prompting US and UK military withdrawals, while Gaza peace efforts progress with a new technocratic government phase.

• US and UK military withdraw some personnel from Middle East amid Iranian threats — The Guardian -
• Execution of condemned Iranian protester postponed, family told — The Guardian -
• Trump’s Gulf Allies Do Not Want Him to Bomb Iran — New York Times World -

• US launches phase two of Gaza peace plan with new technocratic government — BBC World -
• 'I carried my wife's body for an hour and a half' - BBC hears stories of protesters killed in Iran — BBC World -
• US announces start of second phase of Gaza ceasefire — The Guardian -
• Why western diplomats are wary of predicting end days for Iran’s regime — The Guardian -
• Massacres and executions: what are we hearing from inside Iran? – The Latest — The Guardian -
• Starlink reportedly made free in Iran - but protesters are taking huge risks by using it — BBC World -
• US lawmakers call on Donald Trump to restore internet access in Iran — The Guardian -
• An Emboldened Trump Makes Big Bets in Venezuela, Iran and Beyond — New York Times World -
• Trump vows 'very strong action' if Iran executes protesters — BBC World -
• Hundreds of gunshot eye injuries found in one Iranian hospital amid brutal crackdown on protests | First Thing — The Guardian -
• As Iran’s Government Tries to Quell Protests, Accounts of Brutal Crackdown Emerge — New York Times World -
• U.S. to Name Palestinian Committee to Run Gaza — New York Times World -
• A Timeline of Protests in Iran — New York Times World -
• Iran’s Leaders May Survive Protests. But Anger Will Likely Persist. — New York Times World -
• More than 2,000 people reported killed at Iran protests as Trump says 'help is on its way' — BBC World -
• Reza Pahlavi, Son of Deposed Shah of Iran, Seeks Center Stage Amid Protests — New York Times World -
• Iran protests: what we know so far about the spiralling anti-government demonstrations — The Guardian -
• Winter storms kill five in Gaza amid desperate conditions in makeshift camps — The Guardian -
• US citizens should ‘leave Iran now’, says US state department – as it happened — The Guardian -

President Trump's persistent interest in acquiring Greenland has fueled significant diplomatic friction with Denmark and raised questions about NATO's role in Arctic security, while White House posts linked to far-right subculture add to the controversy.

• ‘We’re Not Stupid’: What Greenlanders Would Say to Trump — New York Times World -
• White House post nods to racist, far-right subculture, extremism expert says — The Guardian -
• Trump insists Greenland is crucial for national security after Denmark talks — The Guardian -

• Trump’s Greenland Push Hits Wall as Danish Diplomat Cites ‘Fundamental’ Differences — New York Times World -
• US acquisition of Greenland ‘absolutely not necessary,’ Danish foreign minister says after ‘frank’ talks with JD Vance – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Trump’s Threats to Greenland Raise Serious Questions for NATO — New York Times World -
• Why Greenland Matters for a Warming World — New York Times World -
• How far will Europe go to defend Greenland from Trump? — The Guardian -
• Greenlanders brace for summit that could shape the Arctic's future - and their own — BBC World -
• Greenland Would Be the Largest U.S. Land Acquisition, if Trump Got His Way — New York Times World -
• Everyone Wants the Arctic — New York Times World -

The Trump administration faces intense scrutiny for suspending immigrant visa processing from 75 countries, cutting mental health funding, altering EPA air pollution rules, and for President Trump's public conduct, including a middle-finger gesture and criticism of a slain woman's actions amidst immigration crackdowns.

• Trump signs bill returning whole milk to US school lunches — The Guardian -
• The full list of 75 countries where Trump is suspending visa processing — The Guardian -
• Anti-Trump US reporter says she was offered job at ICE after ‘minimal vetting’ — The Guardian -

• 'Appropriate and unambiguous': White House defends Trump over middle-finger gesture at heckler — BBC World -
• ‘People will die’: Trump administration cancels up to $1.9bn for substance use and mental health — The Guardian -
• FBI raids home of Washington Post reporter in ‘highly unusual and aggressive’ move — The Guardian -
• EPA to stop calculating money and lives saved by curbs on air pollution — The Guardian -
• House oversight chair says panel will move to hold Hillary Clinton in contempt — The Guardian -
• Health secretary RFK Jr appoints two vaccine skeptics to CDC advisory panel — The Guardian -
• Democratic lawmakers file articles of impeachment against Kristi Noem — The Guardian -
• Trump hits back at JP Morgan CEO’s defence of Federal Reserve — The Guardian -
• Suspended Michigan autoworker who heckled Trump gets outpouring of donations — The Guardian -
• Trump administration reinstates fired employees of DoJ race relations agency — The Guardian -
• Eight arrested in Minneapolis as Trump officials issue threats to protesters — The Guardian -
• Trump threatens to revoke citizenship of naturalized immigrants convicted of fraud - as it happened — The Guardian -
• Trump says Renee Good probably a ‘wonderful person – but her actions were pretty tough’ — The Guardian -
• Trump says CBS anchor Tony Dokoupil wouldn’t have job if Kamala Harris had won — The Guardian -
• Trump gives heckler the middle finger during Michigan Ford plant visit — The Guardian -
• Congressional progressives vow to block DHS funding without reforms — The Guardian -

Significant internal UK issues include the Home Secretary pressing a police chief to resign over a football fan ban linked to AI error, ongoing debates about a Hillsborough law amid family talks, a rise in maternal death rates, and the government's shifting stance on digital ID requirements.

• Police chief behind Maccabi Tel Aviv ban clings to job despite home secretary wanting him to quit — The Guardian -
• Three Palestine Action protesters end their hunger strike — The Guardian -
• U.K. Home Secretary Presses Police Chief to Resign Over Israeli Soccer Fan Ban — New York Times World -

• Labour MPs could rebel over Hillsborough law after talks with families break down — The Guardian -
• Keir Starmer denies change to digital ID plan is yet another U-turn — The Guardian -
• Maternal death rate in UK rose by 20% over 14 years despite Tory pledge — The Guardian -
• Can’t stand losing out: battle over the Police’s royalties reaches high court — The Guardian -
• X ‘acting to comply with UK law’ after outcry over sexualised images — The Guardian -
• Rights group disputes claim ministers cannot act over Palestine Action-linked hunger strikers — The Guardian -
• West Midlands crime commissioner resists calls for immediate sacking of chief constable – UK politics live — The Guardian -
• South East Water could lose operating licence after outages in Kent and Sussex — The Guardian -
• Home secretary says she has lost confidence in police chief behind Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ban — The Guardian -
• France announces ban on 10 British anti-migrant activists — The Guardian -
• U.K. Retreats on Plan to Require ‘BritCard’ ID for Workers — New York Times World -
• Keir Starmer promises action over cancellation of Jewish MP’s school visit — The Guardian -
• Victims’ commissioner for England and Wales warns against U-turn on limiting jury trials — The Guardian -
• Northern Powerhouse Rail plans welcomed but big questions remain — The Guardian -
• West Midlands police chief apologises after AI error used to justify Maccabi Tel Aviv ban — The Guardian -
• Rachel Reeves ‘pretty relaxed’ about what form of digital ID workers use — The Guardian -
• Palestinian citizen of Israel wins UK asylum over ‘well-founded fear of persecution’ — The Guardian -

Following the capture of its former president, Venezuela claims a new political era with the release of political prisoners and a US envoy's visit, while the US races to sell Venezuelan oil to stabilize the country's economy.

• U.S. Races to Sell Venezuelan Oil, Transforming Ties With Former Foe — New York Times World -
• Venezuela regime claims release of political prisoners is sign of new era — The Guardian -
• Venezuela Announced the Release of Political Prisoners. Families Are Still Waiting. — New York Times World -

• Venezuela Envoy to Visit U.S. for First Official Trip in Years — New York Times World -
• Venezuela has freed some American citizens from prison, US official says — BBC World -
• Venezuela Frees Several Americans From Prison, U.S. Says — New York Times World -

Australia grapples with new hate speech and gun laws proposed after the Bondi terror attack, debates over forestry logging impacts on endangered species, a defamation threat against the SA premier regarding a writers' week cancellation, and high-profile arrests related to organized crime and child exploitation material.

• Former NSW Labor minister condemns Forestry Corporation after greater glider ‘den trees’ found at planned logging site — The Guardian -
• Australian chapter of Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir has no plans to disband before Labor’s hate speech laws — The Guardian -
• Randa Abdel-Fattah threatens defamation action against South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas — The Guardian -

• Coalition set to vote against Labor’s hate speech and gun laws in wake of Bondi terror attack — The Guardian -
• Craig Silvey’s books pulled from WA and Victoria curriculums after child exploitation material charges — The Guardian -
• Minns says bridge used in Bondi attack should be torn down – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Exiled gangland boss Kazem Hamad linked to Victoria’s tobacco wars arrested in Iraq — The Guardian -
• Labor considering extending new hate speech protections to LGBTQ+ Australians and religious groups — The Guardian -
• Islamic prayer hall permanently closes after controversial cleric comes under scrutiny following Bondi terror attack — The Guardian -
• Man accused of making threats against MP says he stands for ‘Team Australia’ after court appearance — The Guardian -

China reports a record trade surplus despite Trump tariffs, while BP plans a significant writedown on its green energy business to refocus on fossil fuels, and Saks Global files for bankruptcy in a major retail collapse.

• Amazon to close Milton Keynes fulfilment centre, affecting 590 workers — The Guardian -
• Six arrested over suspected £300m fraud at UK social housing fund — The Guardian -
• China Announces Record Trade Surplus as Its Exports Flood World Markets — New York Times World -

• Offshore windfarm contracts to fuel 12m homes in Great Britain after record auction — The Guardian -
• Saks Global files for bankruptcy after takeover leads to financial collapse — The Guardian -
• BP to take hit of up to $5bn on green energy as it refocuses on fossil fuels — The Guardian -
• McKinsey asks graduates to use AI chatbot in recruitment process — The Guardian -
• Netflix ‘plans to switch to all-cash offer to seal $83bn Warner Bros deal’ — The Guardian -
• China announces record $1tn trade surplus despite Trump tariffs — BBC World -
• US approves sale of Nvidia's advanced AI chips to China — BBC World -

A deadly crane collapse on a train in Thailand highlights infrastructure concerns, while Quebec's premier unexpectedly resigns, and Japan and South Korea display warming ties through K-pop drum diplomacy.

• Uganda election chief says he has had threats over results declaration — BBC World -
• Quebec premier François Legault resigns from post in surprise move — The Guardian -
• Italian influencer Chiara Ferragni cleared of cake fraud — BBC World -

• Crane Falls on Passenger Train in Thailand, Killing at Least 32 — New York Times World -
• Swiss regions ban pyrotechnics after ski bar fire — BBC World -
• At least 32 killed as crane collapses on train in Thailand — The Guardian -
• Mark Carney Heads to Beijing to Discuss Canada-China Relations as U.S. Outlook Darkens — New York Times World -
• Cyprus investigates ‘sinister’ death of Russian diplomat said to have been GRU spy — The Guardian -
• Yulia Tymoshenko reportedly accused of scheming to bribe Ukrainian MPs — The Guardian -
• France records more deaths than births for first time since end of second world war — The Guardian -
• Ukraine able to buy weapons from non-European suppliers with €90bn EU loan — The Guardian -
• Arrest Is Made in Toronto Airport Gold Heist as Police Seek 2 Others — New York Times World -
• Russian doctors arrested after 9 babies die in maternity hospital — BBC World -
• Watch the Leaders of Japan and South Korea Jam to K-pop on the Drums — New York Times World -
• Uganda Cuts Internet Days Before Presidential Election — New York Times World -
• No power or water and -19C: Kyiv seeks relief from Russian strikes and cold — BBC World -
• K-pop drum duet between Japan and South Korea's leaders caps off summit talks — BBC World -
• Only Trump can stop Putin, Polish president tells BBC — BBC World -
• China reports record trillion-dollar trade surplus despite Trump tariffs — The Guardian -
• Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for Former South Korea President — New York Times World -
• David Webb, Investor Who Took on Hong Kong Tycoons, Dies at 60 — New York Times World -
• South Korean prosecutors demand death penalty for former president Yoon Suk Yeol — The Guardian -
• A crumbling system is depriving India's young offenders of a 'second chance' — BBC World -
• Canada's Mark Carney faces delicate balancing act in China visit — BBC World -

Diverse stories include rising concerns over AI-generated lewd images, the reopening of California's Highway 1 after landslides, new insights into social media's impact on teen mental health, and reports of bears taking residence under California homes.

• Two-star Michelin restaurant in Wales handed one-star hygiene rating — The Guardian -
• Bears under California homes go from one-off to trend — The Guardian -
• California’s Highway 1 reopens after years-long closure due to landslides — The Guardian -

• Toby Kiers, World Champion of Mycorrhizal Fungus — New York Times World -
• California attorney general investigates Musk’s Grok AI over lewd fake images — The Guardian -
• Watch: Paraglider survives 500ft drop into ocean — BBC World -
• Sex, drugs and sugar babies: first trailer for Euphoria season three drops — The Guardian -
• Puppies treated for suspected fentanyl overdose to go up for adoption in Washington — The Guardian -
• LA opens ticket draw for 2028 Olympics - with seats starting at $28 — BBC World -
• ‘It has destroyed years of work’: Cornish beauty spot loses 80% of its trees to Storm Goretti — The Guardian -
• John Forté, Grammy-nominated musician who worked with Fugees, dies at 50 — The Guardian -
• Social media time does not increase teenagers’ mental health problems – study — The Guardian -
• Amateur stuns world's best to win A$1m in Melbourne — BBC World -
• Property of Jewish temple destroyed in Los Angeles fires vandalized — The Guardian -
• It Ends With Us author Colleen Hoover reveals 'successful' cancer surgery — BBC World -
• Accused US grave robber allegedly admits he sold human remains online — The Guardian -
• A New Video Game Traps Players in an Online Scam Center — New York Times World -
• Tennis player celebrates win after forgetting rules - then loses Australian Open qualifier — BBC World -
• Wes Streeting asks US expert Jonathan Haidt to address officials on social media ban for under-16s — The Guardian -
• Dubai chocolate-inspired dessert takes S Korea by storm — BBC World -
• Actor Kiefer Sutherland arrested over alleged assault of ride-share driver — BBC World -
• Global temperatures dipped in 2025 but more heat records on way, scientists warn — BBC World -
• BTS announces return with new world tour in 2026 and 2027 — The Guardian -
• 'Welcome to 2976' - North Africa's Amazigh people ring in the new year — BBC World -
• One in four UK teenagers in care have attempted to end their lives, study says — The Guardian -