Year: 2026

President Trump has announced plans for South Korea to invest in a natural gas pipeline project linking Alaska’s North Slope to a liquefied natural gas export terminal. The project, advocated by Senator Dan Sullivan, aims to lower energy costs and is part of broader South Korean investments in US infrastructure.

Mexico’s National Guard has adopted a Chihuahua named Comando, who is training for search-and-rescue work while serving as an unofficial mascot for the force.

The Right Livelihood Award has honoured this year four women and women-led organisations for confronting authoritarianism, patriarchal violence, and unregulated AI development. Among them are Jalila Haider from Pakistan and Timnit Gebru, an Ethiopian-born computer scientist, with the awards ceremony scheduled for 1 December in Stockholm.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has initiated an investigation into major artificial intelligence companies, focusing on rogue AI agents and potential threats. This marks the first federal enforcement action concerning these issues, with plans to issue information requests and seek testimony from firms like OpenAI and Anthropic.

Four small businesses and 25 Democratic-led states contend that tariffs on imports from 60 trading partners, including Canada, surpass the limits of presidential authority. The challenge raises significant questions regarding the scope of executive power in imposing such tariffs.

A Republican-backed stock trading bill failed in the Senate with a 53 to 47 party-line vote, lacking the 60 votes needed to advance. Democrats opposed the measure, citing insufficient restrictions and highlighting a photo ID voting requirement as an obstructive element.

Ten of the 84 dogs rescued from a property in Tickhill, South Yorkshire, found to be living in unsanitary conditions, have now been rehomed. The dogs had to be rehabilitated and were discovered in a house covered in debris. Sentencing for three individuals responsible is scheduled for December 9.

The US military completed its troop withdrawal from Iraq, prompting mixed reactions in Iraq on the final day of US-led coalition withdrawal.

Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken warns of increasing hybrid threats from Russia, urging European nations to enhance air defences as winter approaches.

European Commissioner for Defence Andrius Kubilius emphasised that the European response to Russian hybrid attacks must be proportionate and severe. He warned that Russia aims to influence European populations and called for a robust hybrid defence strategy, rejecting diplomatic engagement as a viable solution to the ongoing conflict.