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Thursday briefing: What we do (and don’t) know about Alice Huang and the Nvidia affair | China | The Guardian

Espionage is supposed to be a secretive business, and spies are supposed to be virtually invisible.
That hasn’t been the case for Alice Huang…
Many questions have arisen since it emerged that US intelligence believes that Huang (no relation of Jensen’s) is an asset…

theguardian.com2d ago

World

‘He’s the hottest thing right now’: how a $1 scarf seller became Seoul’s biggest attraction | South Korea | The Guardian

Seoul’s ‘scarf uncle’ has become a South Korean sensation for a sales technique that consists of talking customers out…
Seoul’s ‘scarf uncle’ has become a South Korean sensation for a sales technique that consists of talking customers out…
Those in it, mostly middle-aged women, have waited more than an hour.

theguardian.com2d ago

World

Oil slicks seen from space: the devastating impact of boat strikes on fragile Gulf ecosystems | Strait of Hormuz | The Guardian

Since the US war on Iran began in February, there have been hundreds of oil spills…
Since the US war on Iran began in February, there have been hundreds of oil spills…
Throughout October, oil tankers were struck by missiles or sea mines in the waterway and spilled crude into the sea.

theguardian.com2d ago

World

Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy sees ‘window of opportunity’ for peace as US envoys to meet Putin | Ukraine | The Guardian

Ukrainian president says he hopes Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner get ‘specifics’ from Moscow meeting after trilateral talks in Abu…
What we know on day 1,723 Volodymyr Zelenskyy said there could be a chance to reach a breakthrough this year…
“Today there really is this opportunity, this window of opportunity…

theguardian.com2d ago

World

Ex-member of radical Marxist group scales balcony, escapes house arrest in Argentina | Argentina | The Guardian

74-year-old Leonardo Bertulazzi, awaiting extradition to Italy, reportedly used harness to flee custody
74-year-old Leonardo Bertulazzi, awaiting extradition to Italy, reportedly used harness to flee custody A 74-year-old former member of Italy ’s…
Authorities placed Leonardo Bertulazzi under house arrest in Buenos Aires in 2024…

theguardian.com3d ago

World

Millions join Spain’s first general strike in 14 years in protest at housing crisis | Spain | The Guardian

Twenty-four-hour stoppage draws high participation weeks before election in which far right could gain power
Twenty-four-hour stoppage draws high participation weeks before election in which far right could gain power Millions of people across Spain…
At the centre of Wednesday’s nationwide 24-hour stoppage, singularly called for by tenants’ associations and later backed by workers’ unions…

theguardian.com3d ago

World

Trump planning new military assault or tighter sanctions, say Iranian officials | Iran | The Guardian

Regime adviser says Tehran could be forced into pre-emptive strikes if stalemate continues
Regime adviser says Tehran could be forced into pre-emptive strikes if stalemate continues Senior Iranian officials believe the US…
The assessment comes from Mehdi Mohammadi, an adviser to Iran’s chief negotiator in talks with the US, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

theguardian.com3d ago

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Russia’s ambassador to the United States dies aged 66 | Russia | The Guardian

Alexander Darchiev, who previously served as ambassador to Canada, died ‘suddenly’, said Russian foreign ministry
Alexander Darchiev, who previously served as ambassador to Canada, died ‘suddenly’…
The ministry called Darchiev an “outstanding diplomat, an experienced leader and a kind colleague”.

theguardian.com3d ago

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Bridget Phillipson: Kemi Badenoch has ‘no interest in supporting LGBT+ people’ | LGBTQ+ rights | The Guardian

Exclusive: Equalities minister accuses Tories of ‘chasing Reform into the gutter’ as they drop support for planned law to ban…
Exclusive: Equalities minister accuses Tories of ‘chasing Reform into the gutter’ as they drop support for planned law to ban…
The comments by Bridget Phillipson , the equalities minister…

theguardian.com3d ago

World

Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi bring progress on prisoners but not on peace | Ukraine | The Guardian

US envoys to visit Moscow and Dublin on Thursday for talks with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy respectively
US envoys to visit Moscow and Dublin on Thursday for talks with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy respectively Russia…
Both sides sent senior delegations to the two-day talks, led by Donald Trump’s envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff…

theguardian.com3d ago

World

US envoys to meet Putin and Zelenskyy separately - as it happened | Ukraine | The Guardian

Talks break up after a short time on second day in Abu Dhabi but Russian negotiator says more will be…
Russia’s chief negotiator ⁠at Ukraine peace talks in Abu Dhabi Vladimir ⁠Medinsky said after their conclusion that mutual understanding ⁠had…
Medinsky, in ‌remarks broadcast ‌on Russian state television…

theguardian.com3d ago

World

Is the US blue wave a turning point for Europe, too? | World news | The Guardian

Far right populists remain insurgent and pro-EU governments are braced for a lame duck Trump’s betrayal. But the mid-terms also…
Far-right populists remain insurgent and pro-EU governments are braced for Trump’s betrayal.
If Margaret’s query expressed a hope that the Democrats’ blue wave could transform Europe’s fortunes after two years of Maga-induced…

theguardian.com3d ago

World

Killing of journalist underscores deteriorating conditions in Ecuador | Ecuador | The Guardian

Tomás Beltrán was shot dead amid gang warfare that has turned Latin American country into one of its most violent
Tomás Beltrán was shot dead amid gang warfare that has turned Latin American country into one of its most violent…
Beltrán ran a Facebook page with news about Calceta, a small city in the province of Manabí…

theguardian.com3d ago

World

Ukraine captures first Indonesian prisoner of war amid surge in Russian recruitment | Ukraine | The Guardian

Capture of man from Java follows reports that hundreds are being recruited from the south-east Asian country as Moscow seeks…
Capture of man from Java follows reports that hundreds are being recruited from the south-east Asian country as Moscow seeks…
The 49-year-old man from Java was taken to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region to take part in a Russian assault…

theguardian.com3d ago

World

Fresh concerns raised over Gaza doctor held by Israel for 23 months without charge | Gaza | The Guardian

Independent Israeli professor says Hussam Abu Safiya’s life will be at risk until he receives proper medical treatment
Independent Israeli professor says Hussam Abu Safiya’s life will be at risk until he receives proper medical treatment An independent…
Hussam Abu Safiya was detained at work on 27 December 2024 and later held in solitary confinement at Rakefet…

theguardian.com3d ago

World

Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy says Putin ‘lives in a different reality’ as Abu Dhabi talks get under way | Ukraine | The Guardian

Ukrainian president dismisses Moscow’s claims of gains in Donbas region but says first day of trilateral talks were constructive. What…
What we know on day 1,722 Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said the US has backed Ukraine’s assessment of what…
In a post on social media, Zelenskyy said that Russia has claimed at the talks that they occupied half…

theguardian.com3d ago

World

Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron file new defamation lawsuit against Candace Owens | Emmanuel Macron | The Guardian

Legal battle escalates as far-right US podcaster continues to spread false claims that France’s first lady was born a man
Legal battle escalates as far-right US podcaster continues to spread false claims that France’s first lady was born a man…
The Macrons first sued Owens and her media companies in July 2025 in Delaware in response to what the French…

theguardian.com4d ago

World

French police raid Ritz hotel in Mohamed Al Fayed sexual abuse investigation | Mohamed Al Fayed | The Guardian

Arrests made after three properties were searched in relation to inquiry into late businessman
Arrests made after three properties were searched in relation to inquiry into late businessman French police have made arrests after…
Several individuals were taken into custody for questioning last month and later released, according to the Paris public prosecutor’s office.

theguardian.com4d ago

World

Israeli opposition hurries to seize control as new Knesset is sworn in | Israel | The Guardian

Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot has mandate to try to form a government – with Netanyahu waiting if he fails
Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot has mandate to try to form a government – with Netanyahu waiting if he fails…
Although they are still too divided to form a government, the opposition requested a vote for a new speaker…

theguardian.com4d ago

World

Falkland Islanders face ‘devastating consequences’ if Argentina blocks oil project, says UK | Falkland Islands | The Guardian

Countries clash over Sea Lion project as Hamburg tribunal risks deepening sovereignty dispute
Countries clash over Sea Lion project as Hamburg tribunal risks deepening sovereignty dispute The people of the Falkland Islands face…
Ellie Reeves, representing the British government at a hearing of the international tribunal for the law of the sea (Itlos)…

theguardian.com4d ago

World

Activist wins 10-year fight against homophobic Trinidad and Tobago laws | LGBTQ+ rights | The Guardian

Jason Jones welcomes decision by privy council in London to overturn 2025 ruling that outlawed anal sex
Jason Jones welcomes decision by privy council in London to overturn 2025 ruling that outlawed anal sex A gay man…
The privy council, based in London, overturned a 2025 decision by Trinidad and Tobago’s court of appeal that recriminalised consensual…

theguardian.com4d ago

World

Russia-Ukraine talks ‘very productive,’ says US’s Rubio – as it happened | Ukraine | The Guardian

US-led talks in Abu Dhabi break up after four hours but are expected to resume tomorrow as Zelenskyy says humanitarian…
Speaking after Russia, Ukraine and the US held trilateral talks today in the UAE…
Reuters reports Rubio also said that it was a goal at some point to expand the trilateral talks to include…

theguardian.com4d ago

World

US officials seek ‘final end’ to Russia-Ukraine war, as Abu Dhabi talks set to continue | Ukraine | The Guardian

First substantive peace talks since February to include US proposal for ‘long-term security architecture’ between Moscow and Europe
First substantive peace talks since February to include US proposal for ‘long-term security architecture’ between Moscow and Europe US officials…
The talks are also the first since the US launched joint strikes with Israel against Iran…

theguardian.com4d ago

World

Merz accused of ‘blackmail’ by Slovak PM after demand for Ukraine aid in EU budget | Friedrich Merz | The Guardian

German chancellor has signalled he will block budget with no aid deal…
German chancellor has signalled he will block budget with no aid deal…
The German chancellor’s intervention has angered leaders in central Europe who are net beneficiaries of EU funds but do not…

theguardian.com4d ago

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