New revelations from the Epstein files implicate prominent figures like Peter Mandelson, leading to police inquiries and his resignation from the Lords, while Prince Andrew's links are reviewed and Bill and Hillary Clinton agree to testify.

• Police to review latest claim about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s links to Epstein — The Guardian -
• House shelves contempt vote as Clintons agree to testify in Epstein investigation — BBC World -
• U.K. Investigates Peter Mandelson Over Jeffrey Epstein Ties — New York Times World -

• All About the Epstein Files — New York Times World -
• Tories seek disclosure of vetting process for Mandelson’s ambassador role — The Guardian -
• Epstein called Mandelson ‘devious’ after he lobbied bank to back mining project — The Guardian -
• Met police launch investigation into alleged Mandelson-Epstein email leaks — The Guardian -
• Clintons agree to testify in House Epstein probe — BBC World -
• ‘Finally got him to go’: how Epstein was given inside track on events that rippled through global markets — The Guardian -
• Mandelson scandal shortens odds on Starmer following him out the door — The Guardian -
• Thousands of Epstein documents taken down after victims identified — BBC World -
• Peter Mandelson resigns from Lords after Epstein email leak scandal — The Guardian -
• Starmer gives Mandelson dossier to police and begins process to strip his peerage — The Guardian -
• New Epstein files fail to quell outrage as advocates claim documents are being withheld — The Guardian -
• Newly released files shed new light on Chomsky and Epstein relationship — The Guardian -
• Mandelson could face police inquiry over alleged leak to Epstein — The Guardian -
• Tuesday briefing: The ‘life-shattering’ stories of Epstein survivors — The Guardian -
• Epstein files reveal Peter Mandelson supported campaign to undermine then-Australian PM Kevin Rudd’s mining super profits tax — The Guardian -
• Watch: Why is no-one being prosecuted over the Epstein files? — BBC World -
• Takeaways from the millions of newly released Epstein files — BBC World -
• Sarah Ferguson charity to close after new details of friendship with Epstein — The Guardian -
• Bill and Hillary Clinton agree to testify in House Epstein investigation — The Guardian -

President Trump faces media scrutiny and international outrage over political statements and actions, while his administration navigates diplomatic engagements with Colombia and India, escalating tensions with Iran, and domestic policy shifts including immigration and economic measures.

• Trump scolds CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins for not smiling as she asks about Epstein abuse survivors – live — The Guardian -
• Colombian president and Trump put aside insults for amicable White House meeting — The Guardian -
• ‘It’s sick’: Trump administration uses mascot called ‘Coalie’ to push dirtiest fossil fuel — The Guardian -

• Trump signs $1.2tn funding bill, ending partial government shutdown — The Guardian -
• New York to create team of legal observers to document ICE raids — The Guardian -
• Outrage in Mexico at Trump praise for ‘legendary’ 19th-century US invasion — The Guardian -
• U.S. Fighter Jet Shoots Down Iranian Drone Amid Heightened Tensions — New York Times World -
• Trump says Republicans 'should take over the voting' and 'nationalise' US elections — BBC World -
• Trump suggests Republicans should ‘take over’ elections to protect the party — The Guardian -
• Trump and India Call Off Their Trade War, but the Terms of Peace Are Murky — New York Times World -
• US shoots down Iranian drone flying towards aircraft carrier, navy says — The Guardian -
• US says it shot down Iranian drone flying towards aircraft carrier — BBC World -
• Iran's president says it is ready to negotiate with the US — BBC World -
• Iran's president says it is ready to negotiate with the US — BBC World -
• Trump seeks $1bn in damages from Harvard — BBC World -
• Trump says he is seeking $1bn in damages in Harvard dispute — The Guardian -
• Iran’s president says Tehran ready to pursue ‘fair’ talks with US — The Guardian -
• Trump unveils $12bn critical minerals stockpile scheme in apparent move to counter China’s dominance — The Guardian -
• Judge blocks Trump administration’s stripping of Haitians’ protected status — The Guardian -
• Trump Announces Initial Trade Deal With India, Cutting Tariffs to 18% — New York Times World -
• After months of acrimony, Colombia's Petro is about to meet Trump — BBC World -
• After months of acrimony, Colombia's Petro is about to meet Trump — BBC World -

Australia sees government plans to sell historic defence properties for housing and rising interest rates impacting mortgage holders, alongside a boy's heroic rescue at sea, political maneuverings by One Nation and the Coalition, and debates over hate speech laws and environmental protection at a goldmine.

• Australia politics live: Marles reveals $3bn worth of defence properties to be sold off as ‘much of it not being used’ — The Guardian -
• Albanese government to sell off $3bn worth of historic defence sites amid push to free up space for new homes — The Guardian -
• One Nation says it will ‘contest every seat’ in South Australia – but will voters tick the box when it matters? — The Guardian -

• New hate speech rules for NSW schools could stifle classroom discussions about Gaza, teachers warn — The Guardian -
• ‘We never would have bought’: Australian mortgage holders feel the pain as interest rates rise again — The Guardian -
• Australian influencer’s illegal crypto gambling ads permitted by Meta despite Acma warning of $2.4m fine — The Guardian -
• Campaign group behind attack ads on Labor, Greens and teal candidates was funded by coal industry lobby — The Guardian -
• 'I was thinking about mum': Boy, 13, swims for hours to save family swept out to sea — BBC World -
• 'I was thinking about mum': Boy, 13, swims for hours to save family swept out to sea — BBC World -
• A hot economy? RBA’s rate hike justification is hard to swallow for Australians struggling with cost-of-living crisis — The Guardian -
• Teen swims four hours through rough seas to save mother and siblings off Western Australia — The Guardian -
• Man charged over allegedly giving Nazi salute to Jewish students at Melbourne airport – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Palestine Action Group plans march against Isaac Herzog’s visit despite protest restrictions — The Guardian -
• Family of Australian woman who died after Japanese ski lift accident remember their ‘beautiful girl’ — The Guardian -
• RBA interest rates decision: Reserve Bank increases cash rate to 3.85% in blow to mortgage holders — The Guardian -
• Nationals who defied shadow cabinet would sit on backbench for six months under Coalition peace deal — The Guardian -
• Good luck Dua Leaper: scientists return frogs wiped out by fungal disease to wild — The Guardian -
• Melania: Amazon’s $106m documentary takes $982 per screen in Australian opening weekend — The Guardian -
• Lake Cargelligo alleged killer Julian Ingram previously convicted for grabbing family member by throat — The Guardian -
• NSW goldmine faces community class action over allegations of a ‘toxic trifecta’ of pollution — The Guardian -
• Mark of Cain singer comes out as trans ‘to finally live as myself’ — The Guardian -
• Pauline Hanson failed to declare another flight from billionaire Gina Rinehart’s company — The Guardian -

Geopolitical tensions remain high with the reported killing of Seif al-Islam el-Qaddafi, deadly migrant boat collisions in Greece, Russia's missile attacks on Ukraine's energy grid despite calls for truce, US shooting down an Iranian drone, and the reopening of Gaza's Rafah crossing amidst humanitarian and political concerns.

• Seif al-Islam el-Qaddafi, Son of Libyan Dictator, Is Killed — New York Times World -
• Collision between Greek coastguard patrol and migrant boat kills 14 — The Guardian -
• Jimmy Lai’s son says UK government did not do enough to help him on China visit — The Guardian -

• Fourteen migrants dead after collision with Greek coastguard boat — BBC World -
• Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of ex-Libyan leader, reportedly shot dead — BBC World -
• Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of ex-Libyan leader, reportedly shot dead — BBC World -
• On Eve of Peace Talks, Russia Hits Power Plants in Frigid Ukraine — New York Times World -
• DHS’s account of two Venezuelans shot by border patrol falls apart in court: ‘a smear campaign’ — The Guardian -
• Iran’s President Backs ‘Fair’ Talks With U.S. as Confrontation Looms — New York Times World -
• A Hamas Hostage’s Secret Ordeal — New York Times World -
• Behind the ‘Free Maduro’ Message Spreading in Caracas — New York Times World -
• Palestinians Return to Gaza for First Time in Nearly Two Years — New York Times World -
• Zelenskyy accuses Russia of violating Trump-brokered truce amid cold snap — The Guardian -
• Gazans returning through Rafah crossing describe checks by Palestinian militia — BBC World -
• Ukraine ‘ready to play ball’ on peace deal but Russia ‘creating chaos’ with its attacks, says Nato chief – as it happened — The Guardian -
• French magistrate reportedly summons two French-Israelis over ‘complicity in genocide’ — The Guardian -
• After Maduro’s Capture, Venezuela’s Authoritarian System Shows Signs of Easing — New York Times World -
• Human Rights Watch researchers resign after report on Palestinian right of return blocked — The Guardian -
• Marwan Barghouti, ‘Palestine’s Mandela’, to publish book from prison — The Guardian -
• Expiry of nuclear weapons pact between US and Russia risks new arms race — The Guardian -
• 'Record number of missiles' hit Ukraine leaving thousands with no heating in -20C — BBC World -
• 'Record number of missiles' hit Ukraine leaving thousands with no heating in -20C — BBC World -
• Israel reopens Gaza's key Rafah border crossing with Egypt — BBC World -
• Israel reopens Gaza's key Rafah border crossing with Egypt — BBC World -
• Music and dancing signify defiance at celebratory funerals of Iran’s protesters — The Guardian -
• Rafah Crossing in Gaza Reopens, Another Step for Fragile Cease-Fire — New York Times World -
• Shanties in a Lagos lagoon: Bulldozed and burnt — BBC World -

Legal battles continue with the rape trial of Norway's crown princess's son and the murder charge against Jill Biden's ex-husband, while the UK plans "supermax-style units" for dangerous criminals, and studies reveal **lower life expectancy for LGB+ individuals alongside ongoing discussions about transgender inmate policies and a missing TV host's mother**.

• Trial of Norway crown princess's son hears tearful account in rape trial — BBC World -
• Son of Norway’s Crown Princess Goes on Trial Over Charges Including Rape — New York Times World -
• Arizona officials say they ‘don’t know where’ Savannah Guthrie’s mother is, three days after disappearance — The Guardian -

• Jill Biden’s ex-husband charged with murder of his wife — The Guardian -
• Life expectancy of LGB+ people a year lower than that of heterosexuals, ONS finds — The Guardian -
• What to Know About the Disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s Mom, Nancy — New York Times World -
• France teacher fighting for life after knife attack by pupil — BBC World -
• ‘Supermax-style units’ for most dangerous criminals to be introduced in England and Wales — The Guardian -
• Son of Norway's crown princess hears details of rape charges in tense trial for royal family — BBC World -
• Son of Norway's crown princess hears details of rape charges in tense trial for royal family — BBC World -
• Campaigners challenge Scottish policy on transgender inmates in female prisons — The Guardian -
• Police believe son of Norway’s crown princess sexually assaulted woman at party, court hears — The Guardian -
• Police spy tried to incite activists to firebomb shop, UK inquiry hears — The Guardian -
• Harvey Willgoose’s family says ‘too many red flags’ missed before school stabbing — The Guardian -

The tech and business sectors are active with Elon Musk's SpaceX and xAI merger to form a valuable private company, Netflix's CEO facing scrutiny over a merger, X's operations in France raided and facing UK privacy inquiries over AI deepfakes, and Anthropic's new AI legal tool impacting data companies.

• Netflix co-CEO grilled by US senators over Warner Bros Discovery merger — The Guardian -
• Police Search X’s Premises in France as Prosecutors Summon Elon Musk — New York Times World -
• French headquarters of Elon Musk’s X raided by Paris cybercrime unit — The Guardian -

• US private investigator did ‘unlawful stuff’ for the Daily Mail, court hears — The Guardian -
• ‘Unlawful’ OfS ruling against University of Sussex should be quashed, court told — The Guardian -
• Santander offers 98% mortgage for first-time buyers – with strict rules — The Guardian -
• UK privacy watchdog opens inquiry into X over Grok AI sexual deepfakes — The Guardian -
• Anthropic’s launch of AI legal tool hits shares in European data companies — The Guardian -
• Disney names parks and cruises boss Josh D’Amaro as next CEO — The Guardian -
• X offices raided in France as UK opens fresh investigation into Grok — BBC World -
• X offices raided in France as UK opens fresh investigation into Grok — BBC World -
• Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos stays silent as employees brace for cuts — The Guardian -
• EU has ‘open mind’ on UK customs union talks, says official — The Guardian -
• Musk's SpaceX and xAI merge to make world's most valuable private company — BBC World -
• Elon Musk merges SpaceX with xAI at $1.25tn valuation — The Guardian -
• Hope and uncertainty as India and US strike long-delayed trade deal — BBC World -
• Palantir beats Wall Street expectations amid Trump immigration crackdown — The Guardian -
• Barnsley rebranded UK’s first ‘tech town’ as US giants join AI push — The Guardian -

Global health concerns include the potential resurgence of "Biblical Diseases" in Africa due to aid cuts and surging pneumonia cases in England, while environmental efforts focus on preventable cancers, a disappointing PFAS action plan for the UK, marine pollution on UK beaches, and a controversial mule deer extermination plan in California.

• California officials move forward with plans to exterminate mule deer from island — The Guardian -
• Three-quarters of cancer patients in England to survive by 2035 under new plans — The Guardian -
• ‘Biblical Diseases’ Could Resurge in Africa, Health Officials Fear — New York Times World -

• Seven million cancers a year are preventable, says report — BBC World -
• Seven million cancers a year are preventable, says report — BBC World -
• Pennines delight as drone survey offers hope for one of UK’s rarest birds — The Guardian -
• Human-made materials make up as much as half of UK beaches, study finds — The Guardian -
• Environmentalists decry ‘crushingly disappointing’ Pfas action plan for UK — The Guardian -
• Aid cuts could cause 22m avoidable deaths by 2030, study finds — The Guardian -
• China to ban hidden car door handles on all EVs over crash safety concerns — The Guardian -
• Riverford sales rise 6% as UK organics market enjoys biggest boom in two decades — The Guardian -
• China bans hidden car door handles over safety concerns — BBC World -
• China bans hidden car door handles over safety concerns — BBC World -
• Emergency pneumonia cases surge to half a million a year in England — The Guardian -

Diverse international events include heavy snowfall deaths in Japan, a deadly pilgrim bus crash in Brazil, the arrest of Nepalese officials for fraudulent Everest rescues, and logistical challenges for Italy's Winter Olympics, alongside cultural debates over a Meloni angel fresco, a Nasa moon mission delay, and concerns over fishing around the Chagos Islands.

• This is How Hard It Will Be to Get Around Italy’s Winter Olympics — New York Times World -
• Paris Court Deals Family Blow in Battle for Rent From the French Embassy in Iraq — New York Times World -
• At Least 30 Dead After Weeks of Heavy Snowfall in Japan — New York Times World -

• Countries Have Long Tested Their Own Athletes for Doping. That Could Soon Change. — New York Times World -
• Bus carrying pilgrims overturns in Brazil killing 15 on board — BBC World -
• Two arrested over attempted sabotage of German naval vessels — BBC World -
• Nepal Arrests 6 Officials, Accusing Them of Fraudulent Everest Rescues — New York Times World -
• Restored angel fresco resembling Italian PM Meloni sparks investigation — BBC World -
• Restored angel fresco resembling Italian PM Meloni sparks investigation — BBC World -
• Chappell Roan says revealing Grammys outfit wasn't 'that outrageous' — BBC World -
• No defect found in switch of jet grounded by Air India - regulator — BBC World -
• Plan to allow fishing around Chagos Islands alarms conservationists — The Guardian -
• Nasa delays moon rocket launch by a month after fuel leaks during test — The Guardian -
• Uproar Over Meloni’s Face Painted on an Angel in a Church in Rome — New York Times World -
• What Do You Get When You Put a Mummy Through a CT Scan? — New York Times World -
• Greenland Crisis Has Danes Chuckling, in Their Own Way — New York Times World -
• Fifa president 'infantile' for wanting to lift Russia ban, Ukraine minister says — BBC World -
• UK shoppers buy more fruit and yoghurt in healthy start to 2026 — The Guardian -