A global power in Eurasia and a key actor in international security
Several current and former researchers have publicly warned that OpenAI and Anthropic have been racing to build self‑improving, more autonomous models that can evade oversight. Their resignations and public posts have prompted company safety pledges, high‑profile calls for third‑party evaluation, and lawmakers to propose pauses or bans on superintelligence development.
Rep. Robert Garcia has launched an investigation into payments by Russian boxing official Umar Kremlev that covered hundreds of thousands of dollars of Donald Trump Jr.'s May wedding weekend in the Bahamas. Garcia has requested records from the White House and Trump Jr., citing national security and corruption concerns after ProPublica reported that Kremlev funded island rentals and a fireworks show.
Russia is conducting a three-day parliamentary election to select the 450-seat State Duma. Observers say United Russia is likely to retain dominance as opposition candidates face bans and disqualifications amid a broader war posture and heightened censorship.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has offered Canada the chance to become an "associate member" of the EU, proposing a bespoke partnership that would deepen trade, defence and technology ties while stopping short of full membership. Ottawa has welcomed the idea while officials and diplomats warn the legal and political details remain undefined.
The US has said it has deployed on-orbit "space control" weapons that can defend the Joint Force against hostile action. Officials have not disclosed the weapons' type, timing or locations. The announcement is prompting warnings that China and Russia will respond and is accelerating debate over the weaponisation of space.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has proposed opening the door for Canada to become the EU’s first “associate member,” promising closer ties on critical minerals, AI, defence and Arctic cooperation. Canadian prime minister Mark Carney attended the State of the Union address and will address the European Parliament on Thursday; details and legal form remain undefined.
Denmark has summoned Russia’s ambassador after a Russian frigate fired two emergency flares at a Danish Fennec helicopter during a routine Baltic Sea monitoring operation. Copenhagen says one flare passed close to the helicopter, while Moscow accuses Denmark of dangerous maneuvers. The incident follows broader Nato tensions as Baltic air space and sea routes remain under strain.
A growing wave of identity-data breaches is shaping a new privacy landscape. Reports show multiple incidents involving ID verification firms and data brokers, exposing driver’s licenses, passports and other sensitive documents. Investigations note authorities are stepping in while firms scramble to contain the fallout.
Major brands and some supermarkets have shifted canned mackerel from Atlantic (true) mackerel to cheaper, MSC‑certified Chilean jack mackerel. Producers say sustainability and supply constraints drove the change; consumer groups and reviewers say the replacement has lower omega‑3, different taste and texture and risks "skimpflation." Retailers say the species is labelled and sourcing follows standards.
More than 130 legal experts have urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to broaden UK sanctions on Israeli settlements, saying measures so far fall short of the ICJ advisory opinion. The letter accompanies Ed Miliband’s ban on settlement imports and calls for a Russia-style crackdown across the entire occupation.
An Italian NATO fighter has intercepted and shot down a Gerbera-type drone that entered Lithuania from Belarus and crashed near Pratkunai, central Lithuania. President Gitanas Nausėda and Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas have said the device likely carried explosives; Lithuanian forces are analysing debris and electronics to determine targeting and origin.
Global government bond yields have risen to multi‑decade highs this week after renewed US–Iran fighting pushed oil toward $90–$97 a barrel and revived inflation fears. Governments from the UK to the US and Japan have paid higher borrowing costs; central banks are signalling tighter policy and markets are pricing more rate rises, lifting mortgage and corporate loan rates.
Prolonged detentions and indictments are drawing global scrutiny as Russia, Israel and Azerbaijan face court cases and political pressure over perceived rights abuses and censorship. The stories link a broader crackdown on dissent with heightened state security measures.
Western intelligence agencies warn that Iran's state-linked hackers have used CHOSEN BRICK spyware to steal emails, messages and device data via spear-phishing on WhatsApp and Telegram, with victims linked to dissidents and activists. The advisories from the FBI, NCSC and AIVD say the operation has been active since Autumn 2023, with further developments this year.
The Pentagon inspector general has published a costly update on Operation Epic Fury, estimating $33.4 billion in costs through June, with $22.3 billion spent on expended munitions. The report notes strategic inventory shortfalls and bottlenecks in munitions resupply, while authorities say procurement and stockpiling measures are being streamlined.
Myanmar’s military-led government continues to seek international legitimacy while facing regional and UN pressures over representation and refugee issues as ASEAN nations push for a coordinated approach.
A UN General Assembly vote has endorsed the Equal Earth projection to replace parts of the Mercator map, with 164 countries in support and the United States the sole vote against. The move aims to correct distortions that have long misrepresented Africa’s size, though the change remains non-binding and voluntary for now.
Lithuania reports the first drone downing in its airspace near Pratkūnai, with authorities saying an explosives device was detected and neutralized. NATO members are weighing the broader implications as Baltic security tensions rise.
Diplomatic train carrying Boris Johnson, Carl Bildt and EU security advisers has left Yahodyn ahead of schedule. A Russian drone struck nearby infrastructure as a second train faced evacuation; officials say the attack targets infrastructure and underscores escalating cross-border tension near the Poland-Ukraine frontier. No casualties have been reported.
Global shipping faces higher costs and longer routes as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz persist and Arctic routes gain attention amid climate-driven ice melt. Regulators warn of a two-tier system as supply chains adapt to new chokepoints.
Britain is exploring membership in a proposed multinational defence bank to fund arms projects as ministers weigh how to meet rising NATO commitments while balancing public finances. The move follows talks with Canada and a push from defence allies to improve financing for rearmament.
This week has seen a string of new and updated cars: Skoda has launched the Epiq, its smallest electric SUV from £24,950; Mercedes has introduced a seven‑seat electric GLB with an 85kWh battery and up to 379 miles claimed range; Bentley has previewed the Torcal EV and a lighter Supersports coupe; Rivian has rolled out a smaller R2 SUV; Suzuki and Volvo have updated compact models and added full‑EV versions; Chinese brands Leapmotor and Toyota have new affordable EVs. Reviews highlight trade‑offs in range, ride and interior packaging.
The IAEA has terminated its nearly two‑decade investigation into Syria's undeclared nuclear activities after inspectors visited sites in Deir ez‑Zor and a previously undisclosed location. Inspectors have uncovered a near‑complete reactor, a fuel‑fabrication plant and about 73 tonnes of natural uranium metal; the material is now under IAEA containment and surveillance measures.
Ukraine’s Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko has offered his resignation, saying the move is a political decision. Anti-corruption bodies NABU and SAPO allege a money-laundering network tied to call centres; Kravchenko denies involvement. Kyiv faces renewed Russian strikes as anti-corruption reform debates intensify.
Derek Parker Aghnaanga has survived after clinging to the top of a capsized skiff for more than two days near St. Lawrence Island. His older brother and a cousin died after the boat capsized during a halibut trip. Coast Guard and Northwest Explorer crews coordinated a rescue; the survivor is recovering with his family in Nome.
Multiple fires across Kalimantan have sustained thick haze, reducing visibility and straining firefighting efforts. Authorities report a drop in high-confidence hot spots, but smoke drifts toward the Philippines and Malaysia as regional air quality remains under threat.
Drones have struck border checkpoints and cities across Ukraine and Russia, killing and injuring civilians. Authorities report multiple attacks, with border crossings closed and infrastructure damaged. Ukraine and Russia escalate long-range strikes as Moldova and border regions face spillover tensions.
The EPA has rolled back Biden-era power-plant emissions rules as part of a broader deregulatory push. The move, announced at a G20 energy ministers meeting, removes requirements for fossil-fuel plants to install emissions-control technologies and could reshape the nation’s emissions trajectory.
With nearly all ballots counted, Magdalena Andersson's centre‑left bloc has edged ahead of Ulf Kristersson's centre‑right coalition by roughly 26,000 votes, putting Andersson on track to reclaim the prime ministership. The Sweden Democrats have lost ground, falling from second to third place and weakening their immediate path into government.
The U.N. Security Council has extended the Darfur arms embargo for one month as negotiations continue on potential changes. The United States is pushing for a countrywide ban and stronger sanctions on arms flows and aid workers, while Russia and other members push back. The war in Sudan has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions.
Thaci and three former Kosovo Liberation Army commanders face war-crimes charges for the 1998-1999 conflict. Prosecutors seek up to 45 years; supporters rally in Pristina, while defendants deny the charges. The Kosovo Specialist Chambers is conducting the case in The Hague with a focus on political violence and human rights.
France’s UN mission has apologised for a July post criticising the United States’ human rights record. Washington has delayed approving France’s next ambassador to Washington, Aurélien Lechevallier, amid the diplomatic row. Paris says differences on one UN vote do not undermine ties.
President Donald Trump has told Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop Ukrainian strikes on Russian diesel and oil facilities, saying the attacks are driving record U.S. diesel prices above $6 a gallon. Kyiv has continued to hit long-range Russian refineries and logistics targets; neither Ukraine nor Russia has confirmed a bilateral pledge to spare energy sites.
The Guardian and Mirror reports show UK mega-donations to Reform UK have triggered a debate over caps on overseas and domestic political contributions as Parliament considers the Representation of the People Bill.
Energy ministers and key delegates from G20 nations, including Canada and Saudi Arabia, gather in Houston for discussions on energy security as gas storage in Europe strains ahead of winter. Russia’s attendance has stirred debate amid ongoing tensions over Ukraine and Iran, with US officials highlighting the need for affordable, reliable energy.
Genta Koja has won a majority of votes in Okinawa, setting him up as the island’s youngest governor since 1972 and potentially reshaping U.S. military access. The election accompanies Tokyo’s drive to accelerate defense planning, with national leaders signaling a tougher posture toward regional security.
Syria has increased diesel by 40% and petrol by around 28% in what officials describe as a temporary measure, citing global cost pressures and an overhaul at the Baniyas refinery. Protests have erupted nationwide, with demonstrators blocking roads and calling for relief as living costs surge in a war-battered economy.
Leaders at the European Arctic Summit in Rovaniemi push for a more proactive EU Arctic policy as climate change opens new sea routes and Russia's influence grows. No formal decisions were taken, but momentum builds for a forthcoming EU Arctic strategy. The event highlights security concerns, economic interests, and indigenous rights.
Brennan's legal team has disclosed a grand jury subpoena compelling his appearance in Florida as part of a wide-ranging, ongoing investigation. The defense says the documents sought could prove vindictive prosecution, while prosecutors have not publicly named charges.
AP and Independent profiles converge on photographer Vadim Ghirda, highlighting his advocacy for human stories, night shoots, and risk-filled assignments across conflict zones and iconic landscapes. The interviews underscore photography as a universal language and a lifelong pursuit of ‘soul’ in a moment.
The EU is advancing a plan to shield children from social media harms, with von der Leyen set to unveil the “EU Kids Act.” The package aims to make platforms safer for youngsters and considers age limits, while delegations discuss the broader digital and defense agendas ahead of the Strasbourg speech.
Ukraine has proposed a de-escalation framework with Russia while both sides exchange strikes on energy infrastructure. Zelenskyy has urged allies to push for a halt to Russian attacks on critical infrastructure, and Kyiv says de-escalation depends on Russia’s willingness to stop the war long-term. Meanwhile, Russia continues strikes and Ukraine targets energy facilities, signaling a tense path into winter.
Belarusian authorities have released 25 political prisoners as part of a U.S.-brokered interim deal, with sanctions relief on two state companies linked to the move. Washington says more releases and relief will follow as talks continue, while opposition figures warn that repression persists.
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act has cleared a committee and moves to a House vote. It would empower the president to levy up to 100% tariffs on the top five buyers of Russian energy, sanction Russian leaders and institutions, and expand Iran sanctions. Democrats warn the measure could raise prices for Americans and strain allies.
Ovechkin has drawn backlash after appearing in a campaign video with Kremlin figures Lavrov and Simonyan, prompting questions about his political stances as he remains a focal point in the NHL amid Russia’s war in Ukraine. The press cycle highlights ongoing debate about athletes and political affiliation.
Eto’o has been accused of improperly receiving a payment linked to a 2023 Russia-Cameroon friendly. FECAFOOT alleges a 567,000-euro transfer was made to Eto’o’s account rather than to the Cameroonian federation. Legal actions are planned in Cameroon and Russia, while Eto’o has publicly defended Infantino amid calls for accountability.
The Seoul court has ruled that North Korea must pay 44.6 billion won in damages over the destruction of the inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong, a move the South regards as a symbolic judgment in a long-running diplomatic standoff.
The Department of Justice has charged five men linked to Russian intelligence with conspiring to finance terrorism and, in some cases, murder for hire. They allegedly recruited people in the United States and abroad to surveil and kill a prominent Russian dissident and to target others aligned with Ukraine. All five remain at large.
Leaders within Germany’s CDU say stability is needed as the party battles a surge by the far-right AfD in Saxony-Anhalt and faces upcoming state votes in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Merz’s grip on power is under scrutiny after recent regional losses.
China’s foreign ministers in Beijing have pressed for calm and urged reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Wang Yi says Beijing will safeguard Iran’s rights and strengthen dialogue with Tehran as Xi plans a visit to the U.S. The talks come amid regional tensions over Yemen, the Red Sea, and Iran’s nuclear programme, with Washington pressing sanctions.