-
On November 12, 2025, former US President Donald Trump sent a letter to Israeli President Isaac Herzog urging a full pardon for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling the ongoing corruption trial politically motivated. Herzog's office responded that any pardon request must follow formal procedures, and Netanyahu or his family have yet to submit such a request. Netanyahu denies wrongdoing amid a trial that began in 2020. Separately, Israel has appealed to the International Criminal Court to disqualify ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan over sexual misconduct allegations, challenging his arrest warrants against Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes.
-
On 25 November 2025, the UK government announced major asylum system reforms inspired by Denmark's strict policies. Refugee status will be temporary, reviewed every 30 months, with a 20-year wait for permanent settlement. Families, including children, may face forced removal if their home countries are deemed safe. The changes aim to curb illegal migration but have sparked widespread criticism from Labour MPs, refugee advocates, and community leaders.
-
Former President Donald Trump filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the BBC in Florida, alleging defamation and unfair trade practices over a documentary that edited his Jan. 6, 2021 speech. The BBC has apologized but plans to seek dismissal, arguing lack of jurisdiction and failure to prove malice. The case could go to trial in 2027.
-
Nigel Farage's Reform UK gains support in Scotland amid rising anti-immigration protests and controversial claims about Glasgow's schoolchildren. Key figures, including First Minister Swinney and Sir Keir Starmer, condemn Farage's comments as racist. The political landscape in Scotland is shifting ahead of the 2026 Holyrood elections, with Reform UK poised to make significant gains.
-
Burkina Faso's military-led government has approved a bill to reintroduce the death penalty for crimes including treason and terrorism. The move follows a series of reforms since the 2022 coup, amid ongoing security crises and increased repression of media and opposition. The bill now awaits parliamentary approval.
-
Gerry McCann has urged the UK government to restart the Leveson inquiry into media practices, citing ongoing media pressure and misleading headlines affecting his family. He also discussed the 18-year search for Madeleine and recent media exploitation of a woman claiming to be her.
-
A UK medical workforce report shows 42% of doctors qualified abroad, with a record 26% leaving NHS. Rising hostility and racism in healthcare settings threaten service stability, as experts warn of NHS collapse without urgent action. The government emphasizes support for international staff.
-
A gun attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Bondi Beach has killed 15 people, mostly Jewish, with victims including children and a Holocaust survivor. The attack was linked to Islamic State-inspired antisemitism, prompting national mourning and political debate on gun laws and security.
-
A year into his second term, former President Trump exhibits increasingly unorthodox and aggressive actions, including pardons, attacks on critics, and efforts to undermine federal agencies. His behavior signals a potential auto-coup, with diminished White House resistance and rising far-right rhetoric, raising concerns about the stability of U.S. institutions.
-
On December 16, 2025, former US President Donald Trump filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC over a 2024 Panorama documentary that misleadingly edited his January 6, 2021 speech. The BBC apologized and two top executives resigned but will defend the case, which raises questions about jurisdiction and the broadcaster's future amid its charter renewal and funding challenges.
-
Recent studies reveal significant progress in cancer survival rates globally, driven by early detection and research. Meanwhile, AI-powered tools are improving diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and Alzheimer's, but funding cuts threaten future breakthroughs. Rising early-onset bowel cancer in young adults is also under investigation.
-
As of January 2026, the Chinese app 'Are You Dead?' (Sileme/Demumu) has become the top paid download on China’s Apple App Store. Designed for solo dwellers, it requires users to check in every two days to confirm their safety, alerting emergency contacts if they fail. The app’s rise highlights China’s growing loneliness epidemic amid 200 million one-person households.
-
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, was blocked from standing in the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election after Labour's NEC voted against his candidacy. Burnham criticized Westminster briefing culture and reaffirmed his support for Labour, amid internal party disputes and political tensions over the seat.
-
Former US President Donald Trump has filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the BBC, alleging defamation and unfair trade practices over a 2024 Panorama episode that edited his January 6, 2021 speech. A Florida judge set a trial for February 2027, rejecting the BBC's delay request.