Bond buzz: new 007 casting talks as the franchise hunts a fresh face. James Bond, fictional MI6 agent created by Ian Fleming in 1953.
Italian authorities have seized €20 million worth of assets linked to actress Ursula Andress, believed to be proceeds of money laundering connected to a fraud scheme involving her former financial adviser. The assets include properties, vineyards, and artworks in Tuscany. The case stems from Andress's report of financial fraud in Switzerland, with investigations revealing a complex scheme over eight years.
Sir Alex Younger, who led MI6 from 2014 to 2020, has died at 62 after a cancer diagnosis. Colleagues and politicians have paid tribute, highlighting his openness and efforts to broaden recruitment beyond traditional norms.
Xi Jinping has arrived in North Korea for a two-day state visit, his first there in seven years, to bolster China-North Korea relations amid North Korea’s growing ties with Russia. The visit follows a long history of diplomacy and defence agreements, with analysts watching for negotiations on denuclearisation and regional balance against the US and Russia.