The Trump administration faced a busy day, with the President ordering a halt to Anthropic AI use, suggesting a "friendly takeover" of Cuba, and expressing dissatisfaction over Iran nuclear talks, while Bill Clinton testified on Jeffrey Epstein ties and Hillary Clinton accused Republicans of a "fishing expedition."

• Trump orders US agencies to stop use of Anthropic technology amid dispute over ethics of AI — The Guardian -
• Trump suggests US could carry out ‘friendly takeover’ of Cuba — The Guardian -
• New York businesswoman sentenced to nine years for $30m political finance scheme — The Guardian -

• Bill Clinton testifies about ties to Jeffrey Epstein: ‘I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong’ – live — The Guardian -
• Trump 'not thrilled' with Iran after latest talks on nuclear programme — BBC World -
• Trump Says He’s ‘Not Happy’ With Progress of Iran Talks — New York Times World -
• How Ghislaine Maxwell brought Bill Clinton into Epstein's orbit — BBC World -
• Bill Clinton says he had ‘no idea’ about Epstein’s crimes in House testimony — The Guardian -
• Mamdani’s meeting with Trump was a Trojan Horse triumph at the White House — The Guardian -
• Trump advisers scramble to justify US military intervention in Iran — The Guardian -
• US officials arrest more people over Minnesota anti-ICE church protest — The Guardian -
• Marco Rubio orders US officials to stop commentary that could strain Iran talks — The Guardian -
• Trump ‘not happy’ with Iran situation and says military force is still an option — The Guardian -
• With Possible Iran Strike Looming, U.S. Says Staff Can Leave Israel, and Urges Speed — New York Times World -
• Trump’s Foreign Policy: Resurrecting Empire — New York Times World -
• Democrats outraged at US military’s downing of CBP drone near Mexico border — The Guardian -
• A Trump Call Ignited Saudi-U.A.E. Feud — New York Times World -
• Trump officials move to kill system that protects US from chemical disasters — The Guardian -
• Why Trump means the Cuban Revolution faces its biggest threat yet — BBC World -
• Most US coal plants could meet air pollution rules. Trump weakened them anyway — The Guardian -
• Hillary Clinton accuses Republicans of ‘fishing expedition’ in Epstein testimony | First Thing — The Guardian -
• Trump says affordability crisis is over. Voters and data disagree — The Guardian -
• Hillary Clinton tells House panel she 'had no idea' of Epstein's crimes — BBC World -
• Epstein tried to buy a palace in Morocco days before his arrest in 2019 — BBC World -
• At least 10 FBI agents who worked on Trump investigation fired — BBC World -
• Iranians Cite Progress in Talks, but a Marathon Session Produces No Deal — New York Times World -
• What to Know About U.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks Amid Trump Threats — New York Times World -
• Watch: Key moments from Hillary Clinton's Epstein deposition — BBC World -
• BBC explains the Trump-related Epstein files the DOJ is accused of withholding — BBC World -

Pakistan declared "open war" on Afghanistan following cross-border attacks and bombings, while tensions remained high between the US and Iran amid stalled talks, and Ghana reported 55 citizens killed after being lured to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war.

• Mapping the Risks of Attacking Iran — New York Times World -
• Drone jammed near French aircraft carrier was Russian, says Sweden — BBC World -
• Why Are Pakistan and Afghanistan Fighting? — New York Times World -

• Pakistan’s patience runs out after badly miscalculating over Taliban — The Guardian -
• Ghana says at least 55 of its people killed after Russia ‘lured’ them to fight Ukraine — The Guardian -
• Von der Leyen pushes through Mercosur deal, splitting European leaders – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Pakistan Strikes Afghanistan in ‘Open War’ Against Taliban Regime — New York Times World -
• At least 55 Ghanaians killed in Russia-Ukraine war, minister says — BBC World -
• Hungary Plays Spoiler in Europe as Orban Strains for Votes at Home — New York Times World -
• Pakistan declares state of ‘open war’ after bombing major Afghan cities — The Guardian -
• Israel Facing Prospect of War With a Depleted Missile Defense — New York Times World -
• Pakistan declares ‘open war’ against Afghanistan after cross-border attack – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Why are Afghanistan and Pakistan fighting? — BBC World -
• Pakistan defence minister says country in 'open war' with Afghanistan after strikes — BBC World -
• What we know after latest escalation in Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions — BBC World -
• ‘A living, moving exhibition’: Ukraine Museum opens in Berlin air-raid bunker — The Guardian -
• Pakistan bombs Kabul after intensifying border clashes with Afghanistan — The Guardian -
• The Secret of How Ukraine’s Lifesaving Air-Raid Alarms Work — New York Times World -
• Pakistan strikes Afghan cities as cross-border attacks escalate — BBC World -

The AI industry saw major developments, with OpenAI vowing safety changes after a shooting, Block cutting 4,000 jobs due to AI advances, and Burger King implementing an AI chatbot for employee monitoring, while Paramount Skydance won the bid for Warner Bros Discovery causing staff anxiety.

• These filmmakers know exactly how to get you hooked on bizarre one-minute dramas — BBC World -
• Paramount Skydance wins Warner Bros Discovery bid after Netflix walks away from deal — The Guardian -
• Departing CBS News producer claims political bias as Paramount poised to buy Warner Bros — The Guardian -

• ‘Not a done deal’: California vows ‘vigorous’ review of Paramount-Warner Bros takeover — The Guardian -
• OpenAI vows safety policy changes after Tumbler Ridge shooting — BBC World -
• Jack Dorsey to cut 4,000 jobs due to AI advances at Square parent Block — The Guardian -
• 'Obnoxious' AI chatbot talked about its mother, customers say — BBC World -
• CBS News and CNN staffers fear ‘disaster’ as Paramount wins Warner Bros battle — The Guardian -
• The AI videos supercharging Russia's online disinformation campaigns — BBC World -
• Paramount set for $111bn Warner Bros takeover after Netflix drops bid — BBC World -
• Burger King cooks up AI chatbot to spot if employees say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ — The Guardian -
• Jack Dorsey's Block cuts thousands of jobs as it embraces AI — BBC World -

The Green Party achieved a landmark byelection victory in Gorton and Denton, pushing Labour into third place and leading to calls for Keir Starmer to change course, while the Home Secretary reiterated hardline migration policies and a suicide forum breached the Online Safety Act.

• Shabana Mahmood vows to stick with hardline migration policies after byelection defeat — The Guardian -
• Green Party Defeats Labour in U.K. Special Election, in Blow to Starmer — New York Times World -
• Suicide forum found to be in breach of Online Safety Act after failing to block UK users — The Guardian -

• ‘Our own people hate us’: reality check for Labour as 13,000 majority vanishes — The Guardian -
• PM vows to ‘keep fighting’ after Greens sweep past Labour and Reform to win byelection – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Labour MPs demand Starmer change course after humiliating byelection loss — The Guardian -
• Dissatisfaction with life in UK unchanged since Covid, official data shows — The Guardian -
• Greens win Gorton and Denton: is this a turning point for UK politics? – The Latest — The Guardian -
• Labour leadership truce holds for now but clock is ticking for Starmer — The Guardian -
• No more safe seats: the Greens take Gorton and Denton – podcast — The Guardian -
• Gross green, chartreuse or phlegm? Hannah Spencer’s waistcoat is political and TikTok winner — The Guardian -
• Welsh elections a choice between culture or ignorance, Plaid leader says — The Guardian -
• Reform and Tories report ‘family voting’ allegations to watchdog — The Guardian -
• Appeal court rejects latest challenge to adding VAT to UK private school fees — The Guardian -
• Legal challenge over plan to use East Sussex army camp as asylum housing dismissed — The Guardian -
• Man arrested after Churchill statue outside UK parliament sprayed with graffiti — The Guardian -
• ‘We defeated the parties of billionaire donors’: Hannah Spencer’s victory speech — The Guardian -
• Green win shows progressive voters are now voting against Labour as well as Reform — The Guardian -
• Green party wins Gorton and Denton byelection, pushing Labour to third place — The Guardian -
• The Gorton and Denton By-Election Comes at a Bad Time for Keir Starmer — New York Times World -
• Labour’s worst fears realised by Greens’ victory in Gorton and Denton byelection — The Guardian -
• Friday briefing: Is the result in Gorton and Denton a sign of things to come? — The Guardian -
• Observers raise concerns over secret ballot breaches at Gorton and Denton byelection — The Guardian -
• Kinship carers in England to be given financial support in government pilot — The Guardian -

Transgender men are suing Kansas over a "dehumanizing" driver's license law, Scouting America reinstated a ban on trans children, and US officials arrested more people in a Minnesota anti-ICE church protest, while Detroit police faced anger over reversing officer firings in an immigration arrest case.

• Two transgender men sue Kansas over ‘dehumanizing’ driver’s license law — The Guardian -
• Scouting America to reinstate ban on trans children to appease Pentagon — The Guardian -
• Man who entered Manchester mosque with axe also took zip ties and balaclava, court hears — The Guardian -

• ‘Violent bully’ who broke partner’s neck and left her paralysed jailed for 16 years — The Guardian -
• Anger at Detroit police U-turn over officers’ call to border agents — The Guardian -
• Science of sex and gender being misrepresented by Trump officials, experts warn — The Guardian -
• California fast food workers, still reeling from ICE raids, demand employers step up — The Guardian -
• Former US diplomat sentenced to life for abusing two girls in Burkina Faso — BBC World -
• Burgertory founder’s chant about Zionists at pro-Palestine rally incited hatred against Jews, tribunal rules — The Guardian -
• Woman at heart of US trial says she was addicted to social media at age six — The Guardian -

Nigeria's richest man plans a new refinery to boost the economy, British Airways' owner reported increased profits despite fewer passengers, and Argentina braced for sweeping labor law overhauls aimed at weakening unions, while Sainsbury's announced job cuts.

• With a New Nigeria Refinery, Africa’s Richest Man Wants ‘to Rescue the Country’ — New York Times World -
• BA owner’s profits rise by 20% despite drop in passenger numbers last year — The Guardian -
• Sainsbury’s to cut 300 jobs as it restructures tech team and Argos deliveries — The Guardian -

• Hornby sells slot car racing brand Scalextric for £20m — The Guardian -
• ‘More exploitation, fewer rights’: Argentina braces for sweeping overhaul of labor laws — The Guardian -
• Switching energy deal can save £200 as price cap falls, say experts — The Guardian -
• Rising anger over ‘lop-sided’ and ‘immoral’ US health funding pacts with African countries — The Guardian -

Winters are becoming shorter in most US cities due to the climate crisis, NASA changed plans for the Artemis III moon mission citing delays, scientists are understanding Neanderthal sex life through DNA, and vegetarians have a lower risk of five cancer types.

• What Your DNA Reveals About the Sex Life of Neanderthals — New York Times World -
• Winter getting shorter in 80% of major US cities, new data shows — The Guardian -
• Nasa announces Artemis III mission no longer aims to send humans to moon — The Guardian -

• Six planets due to parade across night sky in rare celestial spectacle — The Guardian -
• Fighting Wildfires Could Soon Get Harder — New York Times World -
• Weather tracker: US cities close schools and cancel flights amid heavy snowfall — The Guardian -
• NSW government denies ‘covering up’ deadly fungal outbreak at major hospital — The Guardian -
• SA braces for ‘highly unpredictable’ weather as Sydney commuters urged ‘take care’ – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Game-Changing Drugs — New York Times World -
• Vegetarians have ‘substantially lower risk’ of five types of cancer — The Guardian -

The music world mourned Neil Sedaka's passing, Demna reinvigorated Gucci with a daring fashion show, and Bruno Mars continued his reign as pop's most-streamed artist, while a Brigitte Bardot tribute at the César awards drew boos.

• Neil Sedaka, Breaking Up Is Hard to Do singer and pop song hitmaker, dies aged 86 — The Guardian -
• Demna brings sexy back in effort to reinvigorate Gucci — The Guardian -
• Hiding in plain sight: everyone from Meghan to the Beckhams wants a funnel neck — The Guardian -

• Brigitte Bardot tribute at the César awards greeted with boos — The Guardian -
• ‘It’s good music, not a guilty pleasure’: how Bruno Mars embraced cheese to become pop’s most popular star — The Guardian -
• Last weekend of summer brings sparkle and stars to Sydney with Mardi Gras parade, Bad Bunny and Grace Jones — The Guardian -

A tram derailment in Milan killed two people and injured dozens, Russia's energy system suffered disrepair leading to blackouts, and China removed nine military officials ahead of a key meeting, while Victoria's Liberal party faced a rising threat from One Nation.

• Polls, preferences, potential defections: can Victoria’s Liberal party ward off the rising threat of One Nation? — The Guardian -
• Two dead and 38 injured after tram derails in Milan — The Guardian -
• Questions loom over FBI raid of LA superintendent’s home and district office — The Guardian -

• Some Russians Go Without Heat or Power in Winter, as Energy System Falls Into Disrepair — New York Times World -
• Iran’s Students Are Protesting Again. Here’s Why. — New York Times World -
• Venezuela’s Capital, Laid Low by Misrule, Is Stirring Back to Life — New York Times World -
• Were Duterte’s Speeches Orders to Kill or Hyperbole? — New York Times World -
• Two staff stabbed after US contractor used Kia Carnival to transfer Australian immigration detainee: ‘You might as well hire an Uber’ — The Guardian -
• Lynx could return to Scotland – but can rewilders win over wary Highlanders? — The Guardian -
• Spanish opposition calls for disgraced ex-monarch to return from exile — BBC World -
• Indian court clears former Delhi chief minister of corruption charges — BBC World -
• South Korea Clears Way for Google Maps to Fully Operate — New York Times World -
• 'They seized everything': Yemen's Houthi rebels drive aid groups to the brink — BBC World -
• Jacinda Ardern Is Latest New Zealander to Move to Australia — New York Times World -
• Former NSW MP Rory Amon tells court 13-year-old boy said he was 17 before alleged sexual abuse — The Guardian -
• India and Israel pledge to boost ties in defence and technology — BBC World -
• Liberal party executive agrees to permanently bury review into catastrophic 2025 election defeat — The Guardian -
• Firefighters in Sicily rescue 400 rare library books from precipice after landslide — The Guardian -
• North Korea’s ‘most beloved’ child: what the key congress revealed about Kim Jong-un’s succession plans — The Guardian -
• China removes nine military officials ahead of key political meeting — BBC World -
• Negative gearing changes on the table before May budget, Jim Chalmers confirms — The Guardian -
• Will World Cup Games in Mexico Be Affected by Cartel Boss Killing? — New York Times World -
• Boss of theatre hosting Chinese dance group Shen Yun in Sydney won’t be intimidated by ‘outrageous’ threats — The Guardian -