California governor commutes more than 500 death sentences
California Governor Gavin Newsom has commuted the sentences of all 548 inmates on the state’s death row, converting them to life in prison without parole in the largest mass clemency in United States history. The Democrat, acting near the end of his term, said capital punishment is morally objectionable and cited state values and flaws in the legal system. Because the commutations are executive acts of clemency, the inmates cannot be executed under future administrations.
Newsom had already imposed a moratorium on executions in 2019, but hundreds remained on death row until this action. The group represents roughly a quarter of all condemned prisoners nationwide.
Russell Brand convicted of rape and sexual assault
A London jury has found comedian and actor Russell Brand guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault involving four women between 2005 and 2009. During the trial, prosecutors described the 51-year-old as a ruthless, calculated and manipulative sexual predator. Brand denied the charges and testified that, although he had once led a promiscuous life, he had never forced anyone to act against their will.
The judge told Brand he faces a “significant custodial term” and warned him to expect a prison sentence “of some length.” It can now also be reported that further rape allegations against him remain outstanding.
Cristiano Ronaldo announces retirement from Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo has announced that he will no longer play for Portugal, ending an international career that spanned six World Cups, included a European Championship title and produced the men’s all-time international scoring record. In a video message posted to social media, the 41-year-old said the day had come “to hand back the No. 7 shirt” of the national team. He finishes with 234 caps and 146 goals.
The announcement came only weeks after a public dispute with Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus over playing time, which had fuelled speculation about his future with the squad.
Head of US Justice Department civil rights division resigns
Harmeet Dhillon, the assistant attorney general who led the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, resigned after 18 tumultuous months. Attorney General Todd Blanche accepted her resignation. A longtime Donald Trump ally, she is the first high-level Justice Department official to leave following the Republican Party’s historic defeats in the 2026 midterm elections.
Her departure followed conflicts with department leaders, including disagreements over legal strategy in the midterm elections, according to people familiar with the matter. A newly Democratic Congress is expected to scrutinise the division’s handling of Jeffrey Epstein files and Immigration and Customs Enforcement killings.
UK and US condemn Joshua Wong's 10-year jail term
Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong, 30, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for colluding with foreign powers under Beijing’s national security law. He pleaded guilty in September and had already spent nearly six years behind bars. The conviction is his second under the security law imposed after the 2020 crackdown on the city’s pro-democracy movement.
Britain’s Foreign Office condemned the sentence as cruel and said it showed the security law was being used to target individuals for political expression. The United States also condemned the sentence.
Trump declares Oval Office and Cabinet Room national monuments
President Donald Trump signed a proclamation declaring the Oval Office and Cabinet Room national monuments, saying he wanted to prevent future administrations from changing his design of the spaces. Since returning to the White House, Trump has filled the Oval Office with portraits, a copy of the Declaration of Independence and numerous gold accents.
The proclamation does not actually bar future presidents from restyling the rooms, nor does it prevent a successor from rolling it back. The signing was Trump’s third event of the week focused on signature renovation projects after his party’s midterm election losses.
Paraguay president impeached after resigning amid bank crisis
Paraguayan President Santiago Peña has resigned amid a crisis over the collapse of digital lender Ueno, which froze millions of customers’ accounts and tied up public pension and health care funds. The lower house of congress had already voted to pursue an impeachment trial against him, and protests had spread over the bank’s failure.
Minutes after Peña resigned, lawmakers voted to impeach him. Peña, an ally of Donald Trump, had faced mounting pressure over his government’s ties to the collapsed bank.
Democratic socialist Nithya Raman wins Los Angeles mayor race
City Council member Nithya Raman, a democratic socialist, has been elected mayor of Los Angeles, defeating incumbent Karen Bass in a narrow victory. Raman, 45, a progressive urban planner, has served on the city council since 2020 and was once considered a long-shot challenger.
With Raman’s win, the two most populous cities in the United States, New York and Los Angeles, will both be led by democratic socialists, marking another major electoral success for the movement in a year.
Bomb threats disrupt dozens of flights across Europe
Bomb threats disrupted at least 22 flights, and possibly more than two dozen, across Europe on Thursday, forcing emergency landings and diversions in France, Italy, Bulgaria, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Spain, Romania, Poland and other countries. All of the targeted planes landed safely.
Officials are treating the warnings as hoaxes, but the coordinated wave has renewed concern about a deliberate effort to disrupt European air travel and has added to broader airspace anxiety in the region.
Court of Appeal increased minimum term for Henry Nowak's killer
The Court of Appeal has increased the minimum prison term for Vickrum Digwa, who murdered Southampton teenager Henry Nowak, after ruling that his original sentence was unduly lenient. Judges also refused Digwa’s attempt to have the term reduced. Nowak’s family said they face a “life sentence of grief” and that their fight for justice is not over.
Reports differ on the precise new minimum term: the BBC reported it as 25 years, while The Guardian reported it as 24 years and 190 days.
Macau jails ex-lawmaker in first national security case
Former pro-democracy lawmaker Au Kam San has been sentenced to 12 years and six months in prison in Macau’s first national security trial. He was found guilty of “subversion against the political power of the state.”
Bank of England raises interest rates to 4%
The Bank of England has raised its base interest rate from 3.75% to 4%, the first increase in more than three years. Eight members of the Monetary Policy Committee voted in favour of the move, which most analysts had expected.
The central bank warned that another increase may follow and forecast that inflation could climb to about 5% next year, far above its target, as the war in Iran continues to drive up energy costs.