The United Kingdom has announced one of its strictest immigration reforms in decades, potentially affecting around 1.7 million legal migrants awaiting permanent residency. Under the new 'settlement' policy introduced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, the qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) will be extended from five to ten years for most applicants, and up to 20 or even 30 years for those deemed low-contributing or with criminal records. High earners and essential workers may qualify for a fast-track route. The policy, which applies to migrants entering after 2021, could also impact over one million asylum seekers and thousands of foreign NHS nurses. Critics, including Labour MPs and human rights advocates, have condemned the move as morally wrong and economically flawed, while the government argues it is necessary to ease pressure on housing and public services. The plan faces potential legal challenges and parliamentary debate before implementation, with public consultation open until February 2026.

The BBC’s internal turmoil intensified as board member Sumit Banerjee resigned, citing governance issues following the recent 'Panorama' controversy. His departure comes after Director-General Tim Davie and Head of News Deborah Turness stepped down earlier in November. Banerjee stated in his resignation letter that he had not been consulted about the decisions involving Davie and Turness. The dispute stems from a 'Panorama' episode that allegedly manipulated footage from a 2021 speech by former U.S. President Donald Trump, sparking widespread criticism and internal dissent. The BBC confirmed Banerjee’s resignation, noting his term as a non-executive director was due to end in December. The board, responsible for overseeing the broadcaster’s strategy and ensuring its public service mission, is now under scrutiny for its handling of the crisis. Banerjee, who joined the board in 2022, is a technology consultant and investor. The BBC said the search for his replacement is already underway.

The European Commission has proposed significant changes to the EU’s flagship data protection and artificial intelligence frameworks, aiming to reduce regulatory burdens and stimulate economic growth. The revisions would simplify the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by easing data-sharing restrictions and reducing cookie pop-ups, while also delaying enforcement of key provisions in the AI Act governing high-risk systems. The proposal allows AI firms to use personal data for model training under certain GDPR safeguards and introduces lighter documentation requirements for smaller companies. Brussels argues the reforms will foster innovation without compromising fundamental rights, but critics accuse the EU of bowing to Big Tech and undermining privacy protections. The plan, part of a broader “Digital Omnibus” package, will now go before the European Parliament and member states for approval, a process expected to face intense political and civil society scrutiny.

The United Kingdom government is preparing to introduce sweeping reforms to its refugee policy, extending the waiting period for refugees to apply for permanent residency from five years to twenty. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is expected to formally announce the plan on Monday. Under the new system, refugees will initially receive temporary residence permits of two and a half years, down from the current five, with regular reviews of their home country’s safety conditions. If deemed safe, they may be required to return. The policy aims to deter illegal sea crossings and reduce asylum applications, which rose 17% in the past year to over 109,000. Inspired by Denmark’s strict immigration model, the UK’s approach has drawn criticism from refugee advocacy groups, who warn it will impose prolonged uncertainty and psychological strain on asylum seekers. Analysts believe the policy could significantly reshape Britain’s future immigration system.

The BBC has apologised to former US President Donald Trump for a Panorama episode that misleadingly edited parts of his 6 January 2021 speech, creating the impression he directly called for violence. The broadcaster admitted the error and said it would not re-air the 2024 programme but refused Trump’s $1bn compensation demand, arguing there was no defamation case. The controversy prompted the resignations of BBC director general Tim Davie and head of news Deborah Turness. The BBC said the edit was unintentional and aimed to shorten the speech, not mislead viewers. Trump’s lawyers have threatened legal action unless the BBC issues a full retraction and compensation. The corporation maintains that the programme did not cause harm and that political speech enjoys strong legal protection. A similar editing issue in a 2022 Newsnight broadcast has also come under scrutiny, adding to the BBC’s editorial challenges.

The United Nations reports that more than 24,000 tons of humanitarian aid have entered Gaza since the ceasefire began, marking a sharp rise from pre-ceasefire levels. UN Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov said relief is now being distributed across communities, while the World Food Programme collected 20,000 tons of food in 20 days. Reduced looting has eased distribution efforts, and UNICEF has opened 15 therapeutic centers, eight in northern Gaza. Alakbarov emphasized the need to implement the U.S. 20-point peace plan to ensure continued aid access and urged Israel to allow NGOs to participate in relief work, noting that registration barriers persist. The U.S. military has also set up a coordination center in southern Israel to monitor the truce and aid flow. UN officials say the ceasefire has enabled the largest humanitarian push in months.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for significant reforms in the UN Security Council, highlighting its lack of representation for Africa, Latin America, and several Asian countries. Speaking at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, he emphasized the need to review the veto powers of permanent members, noting proposals from the UK and France to limit their use. Guterres also addressed global financial inequalities, advocating a more inclusive and fair governance structure and urging multilateral development banks to triple their lending capacity for developing nations. On climate change, he stressed that G20 countries, responsible for 80% of greenhouse gas emissions, must lead initiatives, while all nations contribute according to their capacity. He called for concrete agreements at the upcoming Brazil conference to limit warming to 1.5°C and ensure $1.3 trillion in annual climate funding for developing countries by 2035.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a global alert regarding three Indian-made cough syrups found to contain dangerously high levels of diethylene glycol, a toxic chemical. The syrups—Coldref by Shresan Pharmaceuticals, Respifresh TR by Rednex Pharmaceuticals, and Relife by Shape Pharma—were intended for children aged one to five. WHO tests revealed the presence of the chemical at concentrations 500 times higher than the approved limit. The alert follows the deaths of 17 Indian children in August after consuming Coldref syrup. Similar incidents in 2023 caused 141 child deaths in Uzbekistan, Cameroon, and The Gambia from contaminated Indian syrups. India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has acknowledged the WHO warning and promised stricter quality monitoring and regulatory actions to prevent future tragedies.

The United Nations has announced plans to reduce about 25% of its peacekeeping troops and police across nine global missions in the coming months due to financial shortfalls and uncertainty over U.S. funding. Approximately 13,000–14,000 military and police personnel, along with significant civilian staff, will be affected. The reductions will impact missions in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon, Kosovo, Cyprus, the Central African Republic, Western Sahara, the Golan Heights, and Abyei. The cuts follow the U.S. canceling nearly $800 million in peacekeeping funds for 2024–2025 and proposals to withhold 2026 funding. Bangladesh, one of the top troop contributors, could face disruptions in its deployments. Experts warn that these reductions could severely undermine the effectiveness of peacekeeping missions, with critics calling the U.S.’s unilateral decisions a major setback for global peace efforts.

Hamas has accepted U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed 20-point Gaza peace plan, agreeing to release all Israeli hostages, both alive and deceased. The move has been welcomed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, whose spokesman Stephen Dujarric said the announcement was encouraging. Guterres urged all sides to seize this chance to end hostilities, reiterating his call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, unconditional release of all detainees, and unrestricted humanitarian aid. He also praised Qatar and Egypt for their mediation. Following Hamas’s response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced Israel’s readiness to begin the first phase of Trump’s plan, which focuses on the hostages’ immediate release. The Israeli statement emphasized cooperation with the U.S. to ensure that any end to the war aligns with Israel’s policies while remaining consistent with Trump’s vision. The development marks a potential breakthrough in efforts to halt the Gaza conflict, though challenges to lasting peace remain.

Algerian Ambassador Amar Benyama was moved to tears at the UN after reading a farewell letter from Palestinian journalist Mariam Abu Dakkar, killed in an Israeli strike on Gaza’s Nasser Hospital. Addressed to her 13-year-old son, the letter urged prayer instead of tears and leaving a legacy through her name. Benyama condemned Israel for targeting journalists, called Gaza a “living hell,” and urged the UN to enforce an immediate ceasefire, provide humanitarian aid, and prevent further genocide.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is reportedly preparing arrest warrants against Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on charges of apartheid. Former Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan completed the cases before stepping aside, but deputies are hesitating due to U.S. sanction threats. If issued, these would be the ICC’s first apartheid charges, recognized as crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute. Rights groups and the ICJ have also accused Israel of unlawful occupation and systemic discrimination.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán declared that Russia has won the Ukraine war, ahead of a planned Trump-Putin summit in Alaska aimed at ending the conflict. Orbán, in power since 2010, maintains close ties with Moscow, opposes military aid to Ukraine, and rejects its EU membership bid. He was the only EU leader not to endorse a statement supporting Ukraine’s right to decide its future. Hungary relies heavily on Russian energy and has refused to send weapons to Kyiv.

The Israeli security cabinet committee approved a plan to establish full control over Gaza, prompting UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk to call for its immediate withdrawal. He stressed that the plan violates the International Court of Justice ruling demanding Israel end its occupation swiftly. Turk urged implementation of the two-state solution and protection of Palestinian self-determination. He warned the plan could cause forced displacement, mass suffering, and war crimes, while demanding release of detainees held by both Hamas and Israel.

The United Nations has reported that 1 million women and girls in Gaza are suffering from severe hunger amid a worsening humanitarian crisis. Despite a partial pause in Israeli airstrikes to allow aid, humanitarian organizations warn that the assistance remains insufficient. Malnutrition-related deaths are rising, with many children affected. The situation has crossed famine thresholds in parts of Gaza, prompting calls for immediate ceasefire, life-saving aid, and prisoner releases to address this dire crisis.