US judge blocks release of alleged Beijing agent accused of filming Taiwan leader’s son
SCMP •

US judge blocks release of alleged Beijing agent accused of filming Taiwan leader’s son

A federal judge on Wednesday ordered Wanying “Heather” Zhang be held in custody, after her lawyers – who had fought to keep her out of jail – said she “looks forward to establishing” her innocence at trial. They argued that the US government’s case centred on a single day of alleged surveillance in Seattle and was not evidence that she posed a flight risk. US Magistrate Judge Steve Kim sided with ...

Voting opens in high-stakes Holborn and St Pancras byelection
The Guardian •

Voting opens in high-stakes Holborn and St Pancras byelection

Zack Polanski has led energetic campaign for the Greens, while Labour will hope to hold on to Starmer’s old seatVoting has opened in the Holborn and St Pancras byelection, a contest seen as a key gauge of Andy Burnham’s ability to energise voters and whether Zack Polanski’s Greens can still peel off support from Labour’s left.Polanski, who leads the Greens in England and Wales, is standing for his...

Voting opens in high stakes Holborn and St Pancras byelection
The Guardian •

Voting opens in high stakes Holborn and St Pancras byelection

Zack Polanski has led energetic campaign for the Greens, while Labour will hope to hold on to Starmer’s old seatVoting has opened in the Holborn and St Pancras byelection, a contest seen as a key gauge of Andy Burnham’s ability to energise voters and whether Zack Polanski’s Greens can still peel off support from Labour’s left.Polanski, who leads the Greens in England and Wales, is standing for his...

University students say procrastination is biggest threat to their academic performance
The Guardian •

University students say procrastination is biggest threat to their academic performance

More than half of US students surveyed said the problem damaged their ability to do academic work, study findsProcrastination is the biggest problem that can harm students’ academic performance at university, according to a study of more than 65,000 young people who placed it above issues such as ADHD, anxiety or financial worries.The study found that nearly half of the students surveyed named pro...

UK’s military needs to focus spending on domestic defence, not overseas missions – report

UK’s military needs to focus spending on domestic defence, not overseas missions – report

The Guardian •

Exclusive: Thinktank says Britain’s drive towards global commitments is symptom of ‘outdated foreign policy’The UK’s military is too focused on global commitments at the expense of domestic defence, meaning the government’s planned increase in defence spending is likely to result in even greater waste, a thinktank report has warned.According to an analysis by researchers at the Transition Security...

Bachelor star Sam Wood denied bail as police allege he choked wife until she ‘thought she would die’

Bachelor star Sam Wood denied bail as police allege he choked wife until she ‘thought she would die’

The Guardian •

Court hears police attended Wood’s Victorian home over a similar allegation about three years ago, but Snezana Wood had not complained then out of ‘fear of retribution’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe wife of former Bachelor star Sam Wood told police she “thought she was going to die” after he allegedly choked and assaulted her, a Queensland court heard on Thursday. ...

Bachelor star Sam Wood denied bail as police allege he choked woman until she ‘thought she would die’

Bachelor star Sam Wood denied bail as police allege he choked woman until she ‘thought she would die’

The Guardian •

Court hears police attended Wood’s Victorian home over a similar allegation about three years ago, but the woman had not complained then out of ‘fear of retribution’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA woman who was allegedly choked and assaulted by the former Bachelor star Sam Wood told police she “thought she was going to die”, a Queensland court heard on Thursday. The c...

Two runners set a world record in a giant inflatable elephant at the London Marathon

Two runners set a world record in a giant inflatable elephant at the London Marathon

Times of India •

Jo Robinson and Emma Langstaff made a splash at the London Marathon by donning a giant inflatable elephant costume, achieving a remarkable world record time of 4:15:40. This memorable run was motivated by Robinson's connection to type one diabetes, as her daughters live with the condition. Despite minimal training in their costume, the duo effectively supported one another.

Thursday briefing: Why young people are taking to the streets across France

Thursday briefing: Why young people are taking to the streets across France

The Guardian •

In today’s newsletter: A youth-led movement is protesting crumbling school buildings and teacher shortages while turning adult focus onto wider educational inequalitiesGood morning. In my experience, at any protest, the most memorable and encapsulating slogans are always the ones written by hand with marker pen on cardboard placards.“School is a right, not a privilege,” read one such sign held alo...

Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo controversy rumbles on

Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo controversy rumbles on

France 24 •

The controversy between Cristiano Ronaldo and Jorge Jesus continues, following the lengthy statement released by the forward on Tuesday. Ronaldo explained his decision to leave the Portugal squad and accused his coach of breaking his word. The affair dominated the headlines in the Portuguese press, overshadowing Portugal’s four Nations League victories. The media are questioning his future while R...

Minnesota Home Price Record: Lake Minnetonka estate sells for $18.25m; luxury market surges

Minnesota Home Price Record: Lake Minnetonka estate sells for $18.25m; luxury market surges

Times of India •

An exceptional estate on Lake Minnetonka in Deephaven has achieved a remarkable milestone by selling for $18.25 million. Nestled at 20670 Linwood Road, this stunning property covers roughly 2.39 acres and features 350 feet of pristine shoreline. Crafted by the talented Charles Stinson, the modern home offers an expansive 10,440 square feet complete with five luxurious bedrooms and nine upscale bat...

NSW police commissioner made last-minute bid to hold closed-door hearings into Sydney anti-Herzog protest

NSW police commissioner made last-minute bid to hold closed-door hearings into Sydney anti-Herzog protest

The Guardian •

Police watchdog says Mal Lanyon’s timing in raising the issue was ‘regrettable’ and led to delaysGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe New South Wales police commissioner made a last-minute bid to hold hearings into Sydney’s anti-Herzog protest behind closed doors, delaying the inquiry, the police watchdog has revealed.The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (Lecc) has said...

German President Steinmeier targets China trip as Berlin sharpens trade stance

German President Steinmeier targets China trip as Berlin sharpens trade stance

SCMP •

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is planning to visit China in the coming weeks, even as relations between the two countries sour over trade, according to multiple sources familiar with the arrangement. It will mark the first official visit to China since 2018 for Steinmeier, a former foreign minister whose decade-long tenure as president ends in March 2027. The visit will coincide with Ch...