The fallout from the Epstein files continues to ripple globally, triggering a Norway investigation into former PM Jagland and intense scrutiny in the UK over Prime Minister Starmer's apology for Peter Mandelson's ties and Barclays cutting links with Mandelson's lobbying firm.

• Norway investigates former PM Jagland over alleged Epstein links — BBC World -
• Starmer Apologizes for Ex-Ambassador Mandelson’s Epstein Ties — New York Times World -
• Starmer apologises to Epstein victims for believing Mandelson's 'lies' — BBC World -

• No 10 defies calls to sack Morgan McSweeney over Mandelson appointment — The Guardian -
• Barclays reportedly cuts ties with lobbying firm co-founded by Peter Mandelson — The Guardian -
• How the Epstein scandal has shaken the British government to its core — The Guardian -
• Resignations, denials and excuses: Epstein fallout hits some harder than others — The Guardian -
• Calls to halt UK Palantir contracts grow amid ‘lack of transparency’ over deals — The Guardian -
• Rape allegation against ex-Barclays CEO Jes Staley was raised in US Epstein investigation — The Guardian -
• ‘If someone had pulled the trigger’: MPs rue lack of challenger to oust Starmer — The Guardian -
• LA Olympics Chief Keeps Low Profile in Milan Games After Appearing in Epstein Files — New York Times World -
• Starmer has ‘full confidence’ in Morgan McSweeney, No 10 says amid calls for his sacking – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Is this the end for Starmer? – The Latest — The Guardian -
• Epstein files shed more light on Steve Bannon’s efforts to influence European politics — The Guardian -
• ‘My Crazy Friend’: The Royals Who Stayed Close to Epstein — New York Times World -
• Starmer apologises to Epstein victims as he seeks to weather Mandelson scandal — The Guardian -
• Mandelson sought Epstein’s help in hunt for lucrative roles at Glencore and BP — The Guardian -
• First Thing: Minnesota girl, 10, released from ICE custody after a month in detention — The Guardian -
• Mandelson files will be published even if embarrassing to No 10, says ISC chair — The Guardian -
• Naked images remained in Epstein files despite outcry — BBC World -
• Thursday briefing: W​ill the Epstein ​files ​threaten ​Peter Mandelson’s ​legacy​? — The Guardian -
• Trump says America should move on from Epstein - it may not be that easy — BBC World -
• Email appears to confirm photo of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Virginia Giuffre is real — The Guardian -

Amidst persistent global instability, deadly attacks in Nigeria leave over 160 dead, Ukraine-Russia peace talks in UAE conclude with a prisoner exchange, and US-Iran nuclear discussions are set to begin in Oman.

• Nigeria Attack Leaves More Than 160 Dead — New York Times World -
• ‘They killed my sons’: chief of Nigerian village where jihadists massacred hundreds recounts night of terror — The Guardian -
• How We Know Iran Crushed Protests with Lethal Force — New York Times World -

• Nuclear Arms Control Era Comes to End Amid Global Rush for New Weapons — New York Times World -
• Thousands Displaced by Military Operation in Pakistan — New York Times World -
• ‘It’s Collective Punishment’: Iran Exacts Heavy Price on Protest Supporters — New York Times World -
• Iran is betting that Trump does not have a plan for regime change — The Guardian -
• Cuba open to talks with US ‘without pressure’ after months of Trump threats — The Guardian -
• Shin Bet chief’s brother charged with ‘assisting enemy’ over cigarette smuggling in Gaza — The Guardian -
• Israel accused of spraying cancer-linked herbicide on farms in southern Lebanon — The Guardian -
• Israeli intelligence chief's brother charged with smuggling cigarettes into Gaza — BBC World -
• Revealed: private jet owned by Trump friend used by ICE to deport Palestinians to West Bank — The Guardian -
• Russia and Ukraine exchange prisoners as peace talks end without breakthrough — BBC World -
• Lebanon says Israel sprayed southern villages with concentrated herbicide — BBC World -
• Zelenskyy says Ukraine-Russia talks ‘not easy’ but ‘constructive’ after prisoner swap agreed - as it happened — The Guardian -
• Italian investigated over claims he paid to shoot people during siege of Sarajevo — The Guardian -
• U.S. and Iran to Hold Talks in Oman on Friday — New York Times World -
• Venezuela Said to Detain Maduro Allies Targeted by the U.S. — New York Times World -
• In Afghanistan, a Trail of Hunger and Death Behind U.S. Aid Cuts — New York Times World -
• Dozens of Muslims 'massacred' in Nigeria for refusing to join jihadists, says governor — BBC World -
• Dozens of Muslims 'massacred' in Nigeria for refusing to join jihadists, says governor — BBC World -
• Second day of Ukraine-Russia peace talks in UAE end without breakthrough — The Guardian -
• 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed in war with Russia, Zelensky says — BBC World -
• 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed in war with Russia, Zelensky says — BBC World -
• US and Iran agree to hold nuclear talks in Oman on Friday — BBC World -
• Aid workers missing after airstrikes hit South Sudan hospital — BBC World -
• US must be prudent when supplying arms to Taiwan, Xi tells Trump — BBC World -
• US must be prudent when supplying arms to Taiwan, Xi tells Trump — BBC World -
• Israel Launches Deadly Strikes on Gaza, Saying Militants Attacked Its Soldiers — New York Times World -
• Maduro’s alleged frontman Alex Saab reportedly detained in Caracas — The Guardian -
• Venezuela plan to turn notorious prison into cultural centre scrubs past horrors, critics say — The Guardian -
• Be ‘prudent’ about supplying arms to Taiwan, Xi tells Trump in call — The Guardian -
• Watch: Inside Gaza hospital struggling to provide care to newborn babies — BBC World -
• Watch: Inside Gaza hospital struggling to provide care to newborn babies — BBC World -
• Fears of new arms race as US-Russia nuclear weapons treaty expires — BBC World -
• Sanctions having ‘significant impact’ on Russian economy, says EU special envoy — The Guardian -
• Australia vows to repair ‘distressing’ damage to war graves in Gaza bulldozed by Israeli army — The Guardian -
• Gen Z toppled an autocrat - but old guard tipped to win Bangladesh vote — BBC World -
• Green energy sector drove more than 90% of China’s investment growth last year, analysis finds — The Guardian -

Notable events include a fatal car crash into an LA grocery store, Oregon courts dismissing 1,400 criminal cases due to attorney shortages, and Savannah Guthrie's mother's disappearance investigated as a possible kidnapping.

• Three dead and six hurt after driver hits cyclist and crashes car into LA grocery store — The Guardian -
• Oregon must dismiss more than 1,400 criminal cases due to attorney shortage, court rules — The Guardian -
• Republicans dismiss whistleblower complaint against Tulsi Gabbard — The Guardian -

• Ex-priest indicted for allegedly raping disabled child while ministering in New Orleans — The Guardian -
• What to Know About the Disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s Mom, Nancy — New York Times World -
• Arizona officials confirm blood found at Nancy Guthrie’s home was hers — The Guardian -
• Trump offers contradictory account of Tulsi Gabbard presence at FBI raid in Georgia — The Guardian -
• Democrats’ 10 demands to ‘rein in’ ICE – the full list of proposed reforms — The Guardian -
• The way, the Trump and the lies: prayer breakfast displays US right’s devil’s pact — The Guardian -
• Trump administration issues rule that makes it easier to fire federal workers — The Guardian -
• Florida euthanizes 5,000 iguanas after cold snap stuns the invasive reptiles — The Guardian -
• ICE agents in Oregon cannot arrest people without warrants, judge rules — The Guardian -
• Amazon pulls Melania from Oregon cinema after owner’s criticism as rumours mount over ‘fake ticket sales’ — The Guardian -
• First Thing: Minnesota girl, 10, released from ICE custody after a month in detention — The Guardian -
• Calls to shut down Texas ICE facility for children grow amid measles outbreak — The Guardian -
• Trump’s border-czar takeover does little to calm Minneapolis tensions: ‘The agenda is still the same’ — The Guardian -
• New York City and Illinois join WHO network after Trump pulls US out of global health body — The Guardian -
• 'We are ready to talk': US news anchor Savannah Guthrie pleads for return of her abducted mother — BBC World -
• 'We are ready to talk': US news anchor Savannah Guthrie pleads for return of her abducted mother — BBC World -
• US launches plan to tackle China's critical minerals dominance — BBC World -
• Savannah Guthrie releases video appealing for proof her missing mother is alive — The Guardian -
• Tulsi Gabbard reportedly oversaw probe of Puerto Rico voting machines last year – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Nancy Pelosi warns press freedom is ‘under siege’ after arrest of journalist — The Guardian -

Australia sees drug kingpin Tony Mokbel walk free, debates around scaling back the capital gains tax discount, and a terrorism charge laid over an alleged bombing attempt at an Invasion Day rally.

• Australian drug kingpin Tony Mokbel walks free after police informant scandal — The Guardian -
• Scaling back the capital gains tax discount might not help housing affordability – but there are still good reasons to do it — The Guardian -
• Donors gave $131m before Australia’s 2025 election. Here’s who they are — The Guardian -

• Adani donated $600,000 to Liberal National party before 2024 state election using federal ‘loophole’ — The Guardian -
• Indonesians wrongly deemed adult people smugglers by Australian police finally cleared to appeal convictions — The Guardian -
• Possibility of US ever selling Australia nuclear submarines is increasingly remote, Aukus critics say — The Guardian -
• Townsville hospital investigates after South Australian anti-abortion activist posts image of aborted foetus — The Guardian -
• WA work safety watchdog makes ‘initial enquiries’ after family who hired kayak and paddleboards washed out to sea — The Guardian -
• Greens senator claims One Nation the party of ‘billionaires, not battlers’ – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Capital gains tax discount to cost Australia $250bn over next decade with retirees and high-income earners to benefit most — The Guardian -
• Suspect identified in disappearance of four-year-old in Australian outback — BBC World -
• Suspect identified in disappearance of four-year-old in Australian outback — BBC World -
• Man charged with terrorism over attack targeting Aboriginal Australians at protest — BBC World -
• ‘Major failing’ in psychiatric care before Joel Cauchi stabbed six people at Bondi Junction, coroner finds — The Guardian -
• Suspect identified in disappearance of four-year-old Gus Lamont in outback South Australia — The Guardian -
• Queensland man charged with 596 child abuse offences allegedly groomed children online, police say — The Guardian -
• Australia police charge man with abuse of 459 children — BBC World -
• Doctor who treated Bondi Junction mass killer referred to health regulator — BBC World -
• Sydney teen accused of threatening to shoot Israeli president Isaac Herzog faces court — The Guardian -
• Terrorism charge laid over alleged attempted bombing at Invasion Day rally in Perth — The Guardian -
• Wong says she understands ‘depth of feeling in the community’ as she defends Israel president’s Australia visit — The Guardian -
• Growing calls in India to restrict children's social media use — BBC World -

Significant domestic news covers the Home Office reporting 60,000 migrant deportations, the **Palace of Westminster's restoration potentially costing £40bn, and the Bank of England holding interest rates at 3.75%** due to inflation concerns.

• Home Office says nearly 60,000 people deported from UK or left voluntarily since 2024 election — The Guardian -
• Restoring the Palace of Westminster could cost ‘eye-watering’ £40bn — The Guardian -
• Bristol church repair opens up possibility of Edward Colston exhumation — The Guardian -

• David Furnish calls alleged phone hacks of him and Elton John ‘an abomination’ — The Guardian -
• UK to cut climate finance to poor countries by a fifth despite promising more help — The Guardian -
• London man angry at ‘Orwellian’ incident in supermarket using facial recognition tech — The Guardian -
• Man who stabbed nine-year-old to death in Lincolnshire found guilty of murder — The Guardian -
• Airlines should tell UK customers the carbon impact of flights, watchdog says — The Guardian -
• Bank of England keeps interest rates at 3.75% as inflation concerns persist — The Guardian -
• De Montfort University student named as victim of fatal stabbing in Leicester — The Guardian -
• Deaths in Boat Disaster in English Channel Were Avoidable, Inquiry Finds — New York Times World -
• Cornish tin mine could reopen with Trump administration investment — The Guardian -
• Russian container ship captain jailed for six years over fatal North Sea collision — The Guardian -
• Why the Bank of England is holding rates despite a weakening economy | Phillip Inman — The Guardian -
• Duke of Marlborough charged with controlling or coercive behaviour — The Guardian -
• BT loses more than 200,000 broadband customers as profits slump — The Guardian -
• ‘Hope and relief’ as seaside town’s last youth centre saved — The Guardian -
• Loss of life was avoidable in worst small boat disaster in Channel, inquiry finds — The Guardian -
• UK health body says 36 cases of toxin poisoning linked to baby formula — The Guardian -
• Fumes, rats and maggots: peer urges Environment Agency to clear illegal dump in Wigan — The Guardian -
• Robbie Williams: British people are good at devaluing ourselves — BBC World -
• Minister defends long delays to UK military spending plan — The Guardian -

Groundbreaking research reveals most statin side-effects are not caused by the drugs, bonobos demonstrating make-believe play, and newborn babies anticipating rhythm in music, alongside Michigan accusing big oil of fueling climate crisis.

• Most statin side-effects not caused by the drugs, study finds — The Guardian -
• At a Bonobo’s ‘Tea Party,’ Scientists Find Hints of Imagination — New York Times World -
• Bonobos can play make-believe much like children, study suggests — The Guardian -

• ‘Part of our biological toolkit’: newborn babies can anticipate rhythm in music, researchers find — The Guardian -
• Anger over Scottish salmon farm inspections amid 35m unexpected fish deaths — The Guardian -
• Michigan accuses big oil of being ‘cartel’ that fuels climate crisis and high energy costs — The Guardian -
• Watch: Giant phantom jellyfish floating off Argentina — BBC World -

In the tech world, **Amazon reveals plans to spend $200bn in AI and robotics, Google parent Alphabet's earnings beat projections with deep AI investments, and Spain hits back at Telegram founder Pavel Durov** over social media ban plans.

• Amazon reveals plans to spend $200bn in one year day after Bezos guts Washington Post — The Guardian -
• Carney Increases E.V. Investments as Trump’s Trade Policy Disrupts Canada’s Auto Industry — New York Times World -
• Dubai’s potent lure: the reality behind the real-estate frenzy — The Guardian -

• Spain hits back at Pavel Durov over mass Telegram post on social media ban plan — The Guardian -
• Google parent earnings beat projections amid plans to invest deeply in AI — The Guardian -

Global cultural headlines include Italy toughening protest laws before the Winter Olympics, the Louvre Museum reporting damage to a priceless crown after a heist, and a Japanese city canceling its cherry blossom festival due to overtourism.

• It’s Time for the Olympics — New York Times World -
• Italy Toughens Protest Laws, Hours Before Planned Rallies at Winter Olympics — New York Times World -
• Rethinking Shakespeare in Shanghai — New York Times World -

• Magic Beach by Alison Lester named Australia’s best children’s picture book — The Guardian -
• The Louvre Thieves Dropped This Priceless Crown. Now It Looks Like This. — New York Times World -
• Summer travel disruption fears over new biometric checks at European borders — The Guardian -
• Japanese city cancels cherry blossom festival over badly behaved tourists — BBC World -
• Trigger warnings risk ‘mollycoddling’ theatre audiences, says Tony-winning director — The Guardian -
• Jessie Diggins is the Olympian Testing the Limits of Endurance — New York Times World -
• Rethinking Shakespeare in Shanghai — New York Times World -
• Residents of Cortina, a Winter Olympics Hub, Are Angry About All the Construction — New York Times World -
• Canada’s Tate McRae Roots for Team USA in New Olympics Ad — New York Times World -