The Guardian

ICE arrests human rights lawyer who fled Chinese crackdown

Arrest in Pennsylvania of Wu Shaoping, who is awaiting asylum decision, raises fears of deportation and persecutionA Chinese human rights lawyer has been arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), raising concerns he could be deported to China where he would face persecution.Wu Shaoping fled China at the end of 2019 amid a crackdown on human rights lawyers. He travelled to the US on a tourist visa and made an asylum claim in 2020, for which he is still awaiting a decision. Continu

general  Jul 17, 2026

WSJ World News

Trump’s Allegations of Chinese Interference in U.S. Elections Stir Tensions With Beijing

The claims that China meddled in the 2020 elections threaten to erode an uneasy detente between the two superpowers.

general  Jul 17, 2026

The Guardian

‘Greatest director out there’: Nolan fans fly into London to see The Odyssey at BFI Imax

Film fanatics arrive from US, Switzerland and Ireland for midnight premiere of director’s critically acclaimed epicOdysseus made his name by embarking on a perilous journey from Troy to Ithaca, plus a few unplanned diversions courtesy of the gods. But this is nothing on Christian Campbell, who last night travelled more than 4,000 miles to see the Greek king’s epic fable on the big screen.The 22-year-old film graduate, who aspires to be an editor, made the journey from Atlanta to London to watch

general  Jul 17, 2026

NY Times World

‘Suddenly, I Was Free’: A Chinese Pastor’s Journey From Jail to the U.S.

In his first interview since being released by China, Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri details his surprise release after a direct appeal by President Trump to Xi Jinping.

general  Jul 17, 2026

NY Times World

As Blazes Spread Near Paris, Extreme Heat Is Changing How France Fights Fires

Until recently, France’s forest fires were mostly in the south. This week, fires are raging much farther north. France is having to rethink its firefighting strategy.

general  Jul 17, 2026

NY Times World

Venezuela Earthquakes Force a Grim Homecoming for Migrants

Mass migration, which defines modern Venezuela, has heavily marked the earthquake, too, saving many who had left, but also making their grief harder.

general  Jul 17, 2026

NY Times World

Dubai Migrant Worker Layoffs Reveal Costs of Middle East War

The Persian Gulf city attracted migrant workers with the promise of opportunity. Many now say the war has brought job losses and salary cuts.

general  Jul 17, 2026

The Guardian

‘Adversarial clothing’: are garments designed to confuse facial recognition systems about to go mainstream?

Designers say that as well as offering a degree of protection from surveillance, their clothes make a powerful fashion statement about the importance of privacyAs facial recognition technology is rolled out across Britain’s public spaces, a new generation of designers say privacy could be the next big fashion trend.Companies have started incorporating “adversarial patterns” in their garments – carefully designed arrangements of shapes, colours and repeated motifs said to exploit weaknesses in so

general  Jul 17, 2026

Washington Post World

After years of drone warfare, Ukraine is selling its ‘blood experience’ to allies

As unmanned aerial vehicles target Israel, Persian Gulf states and U.S. forces in the Middle East, Ukraine is selling equipment, giving advice and establishing joint production lines.

general  Jul 17, 2026

WSJ World News

The U.K. Gets Another New Leader on Monday. His First Task: Reassure the Markets.

The former mayor of Manchester’s entry into Downing Street will mark the climax of a steep ascent for a politician who until last month wasn’t even a member of parliament.

general  Jul 17, 2026

The Guardian

Weather tracker: Thunderstorms strike across Europe amid record heatwave

Storms are typical during intense heat but this week’s have been extreme. Plus, deadly monsoon rains in BangladeshHailstones the size of golf balls have been seen in French villages as, on top of the exceptional European heatwave, thunderstorms struck across certain parts of Europe.While thunderstorms are typical during and after a period of extreme heat, the storms across countries like France, Germany and Poland have been particularly severe and have brought flooding, strong winds and heavy sh

general  Jul 17, 2026

NY Times World

Philippines Condemns AI Video Posted by Chinese State Media Depicting It as a Monkey

It lodged a diplomatic complaint with Beijing over an A.I.-generated video centered on territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

general  Jul 17, 2026

The Guardian

Moira Deeming disendorsed as Victorian Liberal party candidate for upcoming state election

The party’s state executive decided MP’s fate after she withdrew her legal action against the party earlier this weekGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastVictorian Liberal MP Moira Deeming has been disendorsed ahead of the upcoming state election despite dropping an eleventh-hour legal challenge against her own party.The state party called a meeting for Friday afternoon where they voted to remove the MP as a candidate for the November election. Continue reading...

general  Jul 17, 2026

NY Times World

How Andy Burnham, ‘King of the North,’ Conquered U.K. Politics

A plain-spoken politician from a modest background in northwest England, Mr. Burnham is set to be named Labour leader — and prime minister apparent — on Friday.

general  Jul 17, 2026

The Guardian

US strikes on Iran reportedly hit airport and bridge – Middle East crisis live

Iranshahr airport and southern rail station and two bridges attacked, Iranian media saysThe Iranian health ministry said 38 people have been killed in Iran in recent US attacks, with more than 400 others injured.Reporting the figures on X, Hossein Kermanpour, head of public relations for Iran’s ministry of health, said 22 women and nine children were among the injured. Continue reading...

general  Jul 17, 2026

The Guardian

Burnham to say his government will be ‘unashamedly Labour’ in first speech as party leader – UK politics live

‘Special conference’ to take place at noon where Burnham will be formally announced as Labour leaderGood morning. Today the Labour party is going to formally announce at a “special conference” that Andy Burnham is its new leader. We will get a speech from Burnham at that event, and then he is expected to give another speech at an event later this afternoon.As Kiran Stacey and Rowena Mason report, in his special conference speech Burnham will say he will lead a government that will have the ‘cour

general  Jul 17, 2026

NY Times World

Japan Passes New Law Banning Flag Desecration in Nationalist Push

The new law is part of a campaign by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, a hard-line conservative, to build a more patriotic and assertive Japan. Critics say it undermines free speech.

general  Jul 17, 2026

The Guardian

China ‘strongly dissatisfied’ with nationalisation of British Steel

Move dealt ‘severe blow to Chinese companies’ confidence in investing in the UK’, says Ministry of CommerceChina’s government has said it is “strongly dissatisfied” with the decision to nationalise British Steel this week, 15 months after the UK government stepped in to prevent the closure of its steelworks in Scunthorpe and the loss of 4,000 jobs.On Thursday, British Steel was brought under public ownership to protect “the future of steel production”, the government announced. Continue reading.

general  Jul 17, 2026

The Guardian

Andy Burnham’s difficult first cabinet – a visual guide to the options and dilemmas

The Makerfield MP enters No 10 as prime minister on Monday. But who will he choose to join him at the table?Keir Starmer is expected formally to resign as prime minister on Monday morning at Buckingham Palace, with Andy Burnham being invited to take on the role shortly afterwards. Once back in Downing Street mid-morning, Burnham will begin assembling his cabinet. Continue reading...

general  Jul 17, 2026

BBC World

Trump Media to sell early access to key social posts

Trump Media is launching a fast, paid feed to its most influential posts for Wall Street traders.

general  Jul 17, 2026