The political landscape surrounding former President Trump continues to be dynamic, with the fallout from his State of the Union address dominating headlines, amid ongoing debates on immigration and tariffs, and allegations of misconduct against federal officials.

• House speaker says he nearly ejected Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib from Trump’s State of the Union address – US politics live — The Guardian -
• Wellness influencer picked by Trump for surgeon general faces Senate grilling — The Guardian -
• US tariffs could rise to 15% or more after supreme court blow, trade representative says — The Guardian -

• Investigation urged into immigration practices of company owned by Maga donors — The Guardian -
• Trump claims a year of wins and attacks old foes in longest State of the Union | First Thing — The Guardian -
• Trump touts ‘drill, baby, drill’ agenda – but no mention of climate crisis — The Guardian -
• Democrats refuse to stand for Trump as Al Green ejected over ‘apes’ protest sign — The Guardian -
• Fact-checking Trump's longest ever State of the Union — BBC World -
• Why the longest-ever State of the Union address was the most inconsequential — The Guardian -
• Trump claims host of successes and attacks old foes in longest State of the Union — The Guardian -
• Trump's theatrical State of the Union address offers little hint of any change in course — BBC World -
• Trump delivers longest-ever State of the Union address – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Jobs, gas prices and ending wars: factchecking Trump’s State of the Union claims — The Guardian -
• Wednesday briefing: Is the tide turning against Trump on tariffs? — The Guardian -
• Trump Squeezes Cuba — New York Times World -
• ‘We did not hear the truth’: Spanberger criticizes Trump over cost of living — The Guardian -
• Marco Rubio briefs US lawmakers on Iran as Trump uses State of the Union to threaten nuclear programme — The Guardian -
• FBI investigations hindered by Kash Patel, whistleblower tells top Democrat — The Guardian -
• Democrats hold counter-events during Trump’s State of the Union address: ‘These are not normal times’ — The Guardian -
• FBI director's private jet use delayed investigations, Democrat alleges — BBC World -
• Judge blocks DoJ from searching Washington Post reporter’s seized devices — The Guardian -
• Same War, Different Message: Trump Tonight vs. Biden Four Years Ago — New York Times World -
• Democrats to investigate whether DoJ withheld Epstein files on Trump abuse claim — The Guardian -
• US justice department sues UCLA over alleged antisemitism amid pro-Palestinian protests — The Guardian -

Escalating tensions in the Middle East and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine remain at the forefront of global concerns, alongside Japan's planned missile deployment near Taiwan, and reports of press killings in conflict zones.

• Israel responsible for two-thirds of record 129 press killings in 2025, says CPJ — The Guardian -
• Nobody believed that Putin would invade Ukraine. Four years on, has Europe learned from the failures of 2022? — The Guardian -
• Zelenskyy confirms US talks ahead of ‘trilateral meeting with Russia’, as Orbán doubles down on Ukraine criticism – Europe live — The Guardian -

• Disputes over Hamas disarmament stall Gaza peace plan progress — The Guardian -
• Thanks, Ukrainians Say, but Please Stop Calling Us Resilient — New York Times World -
• Ukraine Wants to Join the E.U. to Secure Peace. Here’s What to Know. — New York Times World -
• Members of Iran’s elite accused of hypocrisy over children’s lives in west — The Guardian -
• Japan to deploy missiles to island near Taiwan by 2031, says defence minister — The Guardian -
• Settlers in the Israeli-Occupied West Bank Drive a Palestinian Family Off Its Land — New York Times World -
• Drones hammer Sudan's gold and oil zone - the pivotal new front line — BBC World -

Controversies in UK politics and law enforcement, including the Chagos Islands deal confusion and apologies from the Met Police regarding Mandelson's arrest, are prominent, while calls for student loan reform, concerns over the royal succession, and challenges in healthcare access reflect broader societal issues.

• Chagos Islands confusion as Foreign Office denies minister’s claim the deal has been paused – UK politics live — The Guardian -
• Ed Davey accuses care home trustee of embezzlement amid watchdog inquiry — The Guardian -
• Met apologises to Commons speaker for sharing tip-off with Mandelson’s lawyers — The Guardian -

• Role of Scotland’s top law officer questioned after ‘bombshell’ over Peter Murrell charges — The Guardian -
• How the UK Could Remove Former Prince Andrew From the Royal Line of Succession — New York Times World -
• UK suspension of refugee family reunion scheme to be challenged in high court — The Guardian -
• Student loan crisis in England and Wales is a scam on graduates, say MPs — The Guardian -
• Devon defence lawyer who abused vulnerable clients jailed for 13 years — The Guardian -
• Facial recognition error prompts police to arrest Asian man for burglary 100 miles away — The Guardian -
• Mandelson v the Met: what the statement issued after his arrest tells us — The Guardian -
• Man who murdered girl, 9, as she played hula hoop in Lincolnshire street jailed for life — The Guardian -
• What Brontë Country Tells Us About Britain Today — New York Times World -
• Man arrested for entering Manchester mosque allegedly carrying weapon — The Guardian -
• Behind the Guardian’s analysis of 100 years of MPs’ language on immigration — The Guardian -
• In Windsor, Some See Family Drama in the Andrew Accusations — New York Times World -
• Scotland’s new emissions strategy ‘too reliant on science fiction’, critics say — The Guardian -
• Half of Britons avoid calling GP when they are ill, survey finds — The Guardian -

Major corporations like Diageo and HSBC navigate fluctuating markets, while Aston Martin faces workforce reductions, meatpackers confront price gouging allegations, and energy bills in Great Britain are set to decrease, offering a mixed picture of global and domestic economic performance.

• Diageo slashes dividend and vows to address Guinness capacity constraints in London — The Guardian -
• HSBC bankers to share $3.9bn bonus pot, the highest in more than a decade — The Guardian -
• Ineos said to be in talks to sell parts of business to tackle rising debt — The Guardian -

• Aston Martin to cut 20% of workforce in effort to save £40m — The Guardian -
• ‘Big Four’ meatpackers under fire as beef prices soar — The Guardian -
• Reserve Bank governor denies inflation is ‘taking off’ amid fears of fresh rate hikes — The Guardian -
• Energy bills will fall by £117 for millions of households in Great Britain from April — The Guardian -
• ‘Strong rebound’ for UK housing market with 6% more homes for sale than a year ago — The Guardian -
• Woolworths reports 16% jump in profits as ACCC prepares legal action over ‘illusory’ discounts — The Guardian -
• Shein's elusive boss hails Chinese roots in rare public appearance — BBC World -

Germany's decision to scrap renewables mandates sparks climate target concerns, while US health aid deals with Zimbabwe and Zambia raise exploitation questions, and new research highlights DMT's potential as a depression therapy, alongside legal actions over water pollution.

• Zimbabwe rejects 'lopsided' US health aid deal over data concerns — BBC World -
• Germany accused of ditching climate targets as it scraps renewables mandate — The Guardian -
• Ayahuasca psychedelic DMT shows promise as depression therapy — The Guardian -

• US accused of ‘shameless exploitation’ over proposed Zambian health aid deal — The Guardian -
• How ancient Scottish rocks throw ‘snowball Earth’ theory up in the air — The Guardian -
• Group expands legal claim over South West Water sewage pollution — The Guardian -
• Anger over plans to abolish New Zealand’s dedicated environment ministry — The Guardian -

Tragic multiple stabbings in Washington state, the capture of a Mexican cartel leader, and arrests in an Australian kidnapping and murder case underscore global crime challenges, while deportations from Bali and executions in Florida reflect ongoing justice system actions.

• Man who stabbed four to death in Washington state had history of mental health issues — The Guardian -
• Inside Nicolás Maduro’s Last Days as Venezuela’s Leader — New York Times World -
• Two men arrested in relation to alleged kidnapping and murder of 85-year-old Chris Baghsarian — The Guardian -

• US man deported from Bali after 11 years in prison for ‘suitcase murder’ of then girlfriend’s mother — The Guardian -
• BBC sees damage in Puerto Vallarta after Mexican cartel violence — BBC World -
• Australia police make arrests over alleged murder of grandfather mistakenly kidnapped — BBC World -
• Mexican Forces Say They Tracked El Mencho to Cabin by Following His Lover — New York Times World -
• Threat of further violence looms after Mexican cartel rampage — BBC World -
• Man convicted of killing 70-year-old grocery store owner executed in Florida — The Guardian -

Meta's AI generating "junk" child abuse tips raises significant concerns for investigators, while experts warn of psychosis signs in Australian users interacting with AI chatbots, and US military leaders pressure Anthropic to adjust AI safeguards for defense applications.

• Meta’s AI sending ‘junk’ tips to DoJ, US child abuse investigators say — The Guardian -
• Signs of psychosis seen in Australian users’ interactions with AI chatbots, expert warns — The Guardian -
• US military leaders pressure Anthropic to bend Claude safeguards — The Guardian -

Disputes over housing policy in Victoria, revelations about car fuel efficiency, and a bomb threat against the Prime Minister linked to a Chinese dance group tour illustrate key domestic challenges, alongside discussions on police patrols and celebrating literary achievements.

• Where will Victoria’s new homes be built? Competing Liberal and Labor visions are as much about politics as planning — The Guardian -
• Three-quarters of Australia’s new cars use more fuel than advertised lab rating, testing shows — The Guardian -
• Evelyn Araluen wins $125,000 for ‘politically uncompromising’ poetry at Victorian premier’s literary awards — The Guardian -

• Chinese dance group's tour triggers bomb threat against Australian PM — BBC World -
• Chalmers signals ‘belt tightening’ to come in May budget – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Police return art posters of Trump and Netanyahu in Nazi uniforms to Canberra venue after no charges laid — The Guardian -
• Bomb threat at the Lodge that forced Albanese’s evacuation linked to opposition to Chinese dance group — The Guardian -
• Heavily armed police to patrol places of worship and protests in NSW after hate crime unit made permanent — The Guardian -

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's strong warning to China on trade marks a significant diplomatic event, while outrage in Austria over a secret filming incident involving female footballers highlights a societal issue, and the appointment of a new Louvre director addresses a cultural institution's crisis.

• Germany’s Leader Merz Delivers a Blunt Warning to China on Trade — New York Times World -
• Louvre museum director resigns months after high-profile heist — BBC World -
• A Seasoned French Museum Chief Takes Over a Louvre in Crisis — New York Times World -

• Macron appoints new head of crisis-hit Louvre after jewellery heist — The Guardian -
• Outrage in Austria after man ordered to pay female footballers €625 each for secretly filming dressing room — The Guardian -
• German chancellor lands in Beijing for inaugural China trip — BBC World -

South Korea's rising birthrate signals demographic shifts, while India's Kerala state undergoes a renaming to Keralam, Pope Leo plans a significant visit to Africa, and controversies around Bill Gates' Epstein ties and K-pop group NewJeans' future reflect diverse global social and cultural narratives.

• Indian state of Kerala to be renamed Keralam to reflect local pronunciation — The Guardian -
• Pope Leo to Visit Africa, Signaling Continent’s Importance to Catholicism — New York Times World -
• Bill Gates 'took responsibility' over Epstein ties in staff meeting, foundation says — BBC World -

• After a turbulent year, Australia’s Khaled Sabsabi will present not one but two works at the Venice Biennale — The Guardian -
• Rescuer who jumped into icy Chicago lake to save baby: ‘All I did was a human act’ — The Guardian -
• Don't break up NewJeans and I'll forgo $18m payout, says ex-K-pop boss — BBC World -
• Senegal PM proposes tougher anti-LGBT law, doubling prison terms — BBC World -
• Futsal Phenom in Afghanistan Is a Hero the Taliban Didn’t Expect — New York Times World -
• South Korea’s birthrate rises for second year with experts saying ‘echo boomers’ behind boost — The Guardian -
• Study Shows Xi’s Purges of China’s Military Run Deep — New York Times World -
• Caribbean leaders call for ‘de-escalation and dialogue’ amid US oil embargo on Cuba — The Guardian -