President Trump's administration is actively shaping foreign policy through actions like appointing a Gaza peace board, navigating the controversial Greenland takeover proposal with tariff threats, and engaging in complex Venezuelan political dynamics, including accepting María Corina Machado's Nobel Peace Prize medal while critics debate its propriety and his administration's stance on democracy, and also facing scrutiny over pardons for former officials and interfering with the Federal Reserve.

• Trump Has Machado’s Nobel Prize, but Neither Got What They Really Wanted — New York Times World -
• Trump appoints Blair, Kushner and Rubio to Gaza ‘board of peace’ — The Guardian -
• Blair and Rubio among names on Gaza 'Board of Peace' — BBC World -

• Trump set to pardon ex-Puerto Rico governor after ‘political prosecution’ — The Guardian -
• After Trump Call, Colombia’s Petro Turns Up Heat on Far-Left Armed Group — New York Times World -
• CIA chief visits Maduro successor as Machado vows to become Venezuela’s president — The Guardian -
• Trump threatens tariffs against those who oppose him taking Greenland — The Guardian -
• Trump’s economic adviser expects there is ‘nothing to see’ as justice department investigates Fed — The Guardian -
• Donald Trump says he may put a tariff on ‘countries that don’t go along with Greenland’ – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Press advocates condemn Pentagon move to seize editorial control of Stars and Stripes — The Guardian -
• Bank of England governor hits out at populism as Trump interferes in US Fed — The Guardian -
• Machado Presents Trump With Nobel Peace Prize — New York Times World -
• How Greenland Is Reacting to Trump’s Threats — New York Times World -
• Trump pushes for disarmament of Hamas as second stage of Gaza ceasefire begins — The Guardian -
• CIA director had two-hour meeting with new Venezuelan leader in Caracas — BBC World -
• Giving Trump the Nobel peace prize medal is ‘absurd’, say Norwegian politicians — The Guardian -
• Venezuelan Nobel Peace Prize winner presents her medal to Trump — BBC World -
• Trump Chooses Venezuela’s Oil Over Democracy — New York Times World -
• Trump-linked figures lead talks on $200m European pipeline contract — The Guardian -
• María Corina Machado presents Trump with her Nobel peace prize medal — The Guardian -
• Venezuela’s Interim Leader Delivers State of the Union Address — New York Times World -

Various global hotspots show escalating tensions in Syria with President Sharaa affirming Kurdish rights, ongoing Iranian protests met with crackdowns and calls for regime change from exiled figures, Uganda's contested election seeing the opposition leader detained, Russian strikes impacting Kyiv's infrastructure, Myanmar defending itself against genocide accusations, and Israel's border adjustments in Gaza.

• Syria’s President Affirms Kurds’ Rights, in Overture to the Minority — New York Times World -
• 'Anger and frustration': BBC reports from Iranian-Armenian border — BBC World -
• Uganda’s opposition leader ‘taken by army’ as Museveni nears re-election — The Guardian -

• Uganda's president heads for victory as his main rival cries foul — BBC World -
• Exiled crown prince urges world to help protesters topple Iran's government — BBC World -
• Machado vows to lead Venezuela 'when right time comes' — BBC World -
• Son of former shah says he is ‘uniquely positioned’ to lead Iran as he predicts end of regime — The Guardian -
• Russian Strikes Force Kyiv Schools to Close Amid Rolling Blackouts — New York Times World -
• Myanmar begins defence in landmark genocide case at UN court — BBC World -
• Who is Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran's last shah? — BBC World -
• 'I was hit in the face by pellets': Iranians on border describe violence and more protests — BBC World -
• US accuses South Africa military of 'cosying up to Iran' — BBC World -
• Right-Wing Leaders of Italy and Japan Become Fast Friends — New York Times World -
• Museveni takes strong lead in early results of Uganda presidential race — BBC World -
• Iran Has Had Protests Before. Will This Time Be Different? — New York Times World -
• Antiwar Russians in Europe Learn That They Must Watch Their Words — New York Times World -
• Khamenei regime will not be able to keep control of Iran, says dissenting film-maker — The Guardian -
• Rightwing leaders endorse Viktor Orbán in Hungarian election campaign video — The Guardian -
• Many Fiery Remarks, Little Clarity on What’s Next at Security Council Meeting on Iran — New York Times World -
• Cuba counts cost of alliance after 32 troops killed in Venezuela — BBC World -
• Iran protests appear to slow under weight of brutal crackdown — The Guardian -
• Israel moves Yellow Line deeper into Gaza, satellite images show — BBC World -

Worldwide, high-profile legal cases include an Illinois surgeon indicted for a double homicide, a Pennsylvania boy charged with his father's shooting, sexual misconduct allegations against actor Timothy Busfield and singer Julio Iglesias, a US man found guilty in an anti-Asian violence case, and acquittals for aid workers in Greece, while South Korea's ex-president faces prison for martial law violations and Brazil's Bolsonaro attempts to reduce his sentence.

• Illinois surgeon indicted for double homicide of ex-wife and husband — The Guardian -
• US boy, 11, allegedly shoots father to death after Nintendo Switch taken away — The Guardian -
• Timothy Busfield sexual misconduct allegations mount as wife Melissa Gilbert expresses support — The Guardian -

• US man found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in death of elderly Asian man — The Guardian -
• Ex-South Korean Leader Gets Prison Term in First Ruling Over Martial Law — New York Times World -
• President of Utah university where Charlie Kirk was killed to resign from role — The Guardian -
• Man accused of murdering woman and toddler in Munich car attack goes on trial — BBC World -
• Greek Court Acquits Rescue Workers Accused of Smuggling Migrants — New York Times World -
• Husband who killed his wife and duped child in ‘wicked ‘plot jailed for life in London — The Guardian -
• Brazil’s Bolsonaro finds novel way to reduce 27-year sentence: reading books — The Guardian -
• Italian Court Closes Fraud Case Against Influencer Chiara Ferragni — New York Times World -
• South Korea sentences ex-president to five years in first martial law verdict — The Guardian -
• Julio Iglesias denies sexual assault allegations — BBC World -
• Man armed with bow and arrow shot dead by NSW police — The Guardian -
• Julio Iglesias denies sexual abuse claims of two former female employees — The Guardian -
• Ex-South Korean Leader Gets Prison Term in First Ruling Over Martial Law — New York Times World -
• Woman who accused high-profile twins of sexual assault found dead in Australia — BBC World -
• S Korea's ex-president Yoon to be jailed for five years over martial law bid — BBC World -
• South Korea's impeached president found guilty in first of four trials: What you need to know — BBC World -
• Kyrsten Sinema sued by former bodyguard’s ex-wife over ‘alienation of affection’ — The Guardian -
• Actor Timothy Busfield charged with sexually abusing boys on set of TV series — BBC World -
• Rights groups hail acquittal after seven years of aid workers prosecuted during Greece refugee crisis — The Guardian -

Domestically, the debate over abortion rights is heating up in Virginia, redistricting efforts could reshape political landscapes, Trump administration claims about paracetamol and autism are debunked, and there's significant controversy and legal action surrounding ICE operations and detainee deaths in Minnesota and Texas, alongside concerns over mixed messaging on flu vaccine recommendations.

• Study debunks Trump claim that paracetamol causes autism — The Guardian -
• Virginia voters to decide on amendment to protect abortion rights — The Guardian -
• Trump administration says deporting college student trying to surprise family was a ‘mistake’ — The Guardian -

• Virginia to vote on Democrat-favored redistricting after lawmakers advance plan — The Guardian -
• Democrats condemn ‘trauma and terror’ of Trump’s ICE surge in Minnesota — The Guardian -
• Incident reports provide details of emergency response after fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis — The Guardian -
• US mixed messaging on flu shots alarms experts: ‘Children should not be dying’ — The Guardian -
• Death of ICE camp detainee could be investigated as homicide after examiner’s report | First Thing — The Guardian -
• Three US citizens sue Trump with the ACLU over encounters with ICE agents – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Trump threatens to invoke Insurrection Act to quell anti-ICE protests in Minnesota — BBC World -
• CBS News report on ICE officer’s injuries drew ‘huge internal concern’ — The Guardian -

UK politics is dominated by the defection of Robert Jenrick to Reform UK, sparking acrimony between parties, while West Midlands police leadership faces scrutiny over a fan ban, and social issues range from a tragic case of loneliness-induced murder-suicide to debates over trans colleague changing room use and historical BBC programming on gay men.

• Tories to step up attacks on Reform economic policy after Jenrick acrimony — The Guardian -
• West Midlands police chief steps down after row over Maccabi Tel Aviv fans ban — The Guardian -
• Woman ‘overwhelmed’ by loneliness killed herself and disabled daughter, coroner says — The Guardian -

• Jenrick’s incredible journey – from self-centred halfwit to self-centred halfwit | John Crace — The Guardian -
• Kemi Badenoch emerges stronger from Jenrick’s messy split from Tories — The Guardian -
• Reform UK’s London mayor candidate condemned for burqa stop and search remarks — The Guardian -
• Jenrick says he hopes his defection to Reform UK will ‘unite the right’ after Badenoch says he ‘tells a lot of lies’ – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Female nurses win employment case over NHS changing-room use by trans colleague — The Guardian -
• Top two bosses at City & Guilds placed on leave after bonus scandal — The Guardian -
• ‘Naked homophobia’: play revisits BBC’s first programme on gay men in 1950s — The Guardian -
• Tory ‘arsonists’ still in charge of party, says Jenrick after defecting to Reform UK — The Guardian -
• Nigel Farage tricked into paying tribute to Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins — The Guardian -
• £16,000 private jet to extradite HSTikkyTokky ‘not necessary’, judge tells Surrey police — The Guardian -
• ‘Enough already’: Jenrick’s defection gets mixed reception from Reform members — The Guardian -
• Guardian’s Hope appeal raises more than £1m for charities opposing hatred — The Guardian -

The world grapples with extreme weather events, including devastating floods in South Africa, Mozambique, and Australia, leading to Kruger National Park closures and rising death tolls, while water disruptions affect UK homes, and advances in malaria prevention for babies contrast with the cancellation of a controversial hepatitis B vaccine study and calls for an overhaul of Nigeria's healthcare sector after a child's death.

• Controversial US study on hepatitis B vaccines in Africa is cancelled — The Guardian -
• ‘Garden of Eden’: the Spanish farm growing citrus you’ve never heard of — The Guardian -
• Kruger National Park shuts as deadly floods strike South Africa — BBC World -

• Tragic death of Adichie's young son pushes Nigeria to act on health sector failings — BBC World -
• Extreme rainfall inundates South Africa and Mozambique — The Guardian -
• Death Toll Rises to 28 After Landfill Collapse in the Philippines — New York Times World -
• Water restored to most Kent and Sussex homes after six days’ disruption — The Guardian -
• Sydney awaits ‘soggiest weekend of summer’ as Victorian authorities defend flash flood warnings — The Guardian -
• Cloth wraps treated with ‘dirt cheap’ insecticide cut malaria cases in babies — The Guardian -
• Death of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s son prompts calls for overhaul of Nigeria’s healthcare sector — The Guardian -
• Landscape beneath Antarctica's icy surface revealed in unprecedented detail — BBC World -

The digital landscape is evolving with ChatGPT introducing ads in the US, an AI-generated song being barred from Swedish charts, and TikTok facing legal action over union busting while simultaneously strengthening age-verification across the EU, highlighting broader discussions about AI's impact on employment and its role in digital activism, like Starlink's use in Iran.

• ChatGPT to start showing ads in the US — The Guardian -
• Partly AI-generated folk-pop hit barred from Sweden’s official charts — The Guardian -
• Prominent PR firm accused of commissioning favourable changes to Wikipedia pages — The Guardian -

• Sacked TikTok workers in UK launch legal action over ‘union busting’ — The Guardian -
• How Activists in Iran Are Using Starlink to Stay Online — New York Times World -
• TikTok to strengthen age-verification technology across EU — The Guardian -
• AI will transform the ‘human job’ and enhance skills, says science minister — The Guardian -

Canada and China have reached a tariffs deal on canola products and electric vehicles, signaling a move for Canada to diversify trade, while central banks globally are increasing gold reserves amid concerns about the dollar's credibility, and India pursues a plan for rare earth magnets to reduce reliance on imports.

• Canada Strikes Tariffs Deal With China, as Carney Looks to Diversify From U.S. — New York Times World -
• ‘The dollar is losing credibility’: why central banks are scrambling for gold — The Guardian -
• China and Canada announce tariffs relief after a high-stakes meeting between Carney and Xi — BBC World -

• Canada PM hails strategic partnership with China to adapt to ‘new global realities’ — The Guardian -
• How realistic is India's quest for magnets made of rare earths — BBC World -

Discussions around ethics involve a PR firm accused of altering Wikipedia pages for clients, the ongoing controversy surrounding the sale of Nobel Peace Prize medals, and Christian and Muslim leaders expressing concerns over new hate speech legislation in Australia, as well as accusations of BP's 'insidious' influence on UK education through science museum links.

• The Nobel Peace Prize Medal Has Been Sold Before for Millions — New York Times World -
• Christian and Muslim faith leaders express ‘deep concerns’ about Labor bill’s impact on free speech – as it happened — The Guardian -
• BP accused of ‘insidious’ influence on UK education through Science Museum links — The Guardian -

In lighter news, Venice sees increased tourism to Jeff Bezos' wedding sites, Ant and Dec are launching a new podcast, the dog clothing market is booming in the UK due to cold weather, Italy faces challenges to complete an Olympic ice rink, and an Australian woman found a python on her chest, alongside general advice on brain health.

• Ant and Dec to launch Hanging Out podcast — The Guardian -
• Starring role for ‘Kardashian jetty’ as Venice visitors seek peeks of Bezos wedding sites — The Guardian -
• Pup-and-coming: dog clothing market soars amid cold, wet UK weather — The Guardian -

• How Italy Is Struggling to Finish an Ice Rink Before the Olympics — New York Times World -
• A Healthy Brain — New York Times World -
• 'Baby, don't move': Australian woman wakes to find massive python on her chest — BBC World -