Thing

Commentators following the war in Ukraine say the third Battle of Lyman is effectively over, with Ukraine prevailing again. Russian forces are reported to have lost most of the northern salient around the city, with roughly 250 soldiers killed or captured, even as frontlines in the area continue to shift. The claim is circulating widely among war-tracking accounts.

North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister said the country's status as a nuclear weapon state 'cannot be reversed by anything', reaffirming Pyongyang's refusal to give up its arsenal. The statement comes amid continued stalemate in denuclearisation talks and mounting international pressure over North Korea's weapons programme and its alignment with Russia.

Attention is turning to Ethiopia amid warnings that the country risks sliding into a wider war. Coverage lays out five key points to understand the situation, amid concern that renewed fighting could draw in additional forces and destabilise the wider Horn of Africa region.

Donald Trump is preparing to meet China's Xi Jinping at a summit, with the Wall Street Journal flagging three key issues business leaders should monitor. Observers expect trade tariffs, technology restrictions and supply-chain policy to dominate the agenda. Analysts say the outcome could shape market sentiment and corporate planning across both economies, making the encounter one of the most closely watched diplomatic events of the moment.

French President Emmanuel Macron sharply criticised Israel during his address at the United Nations, in what French media describe as a scathing attack. The remarks have drawn wide attention as diplomatic tensions grow over the war in Gaza and France's shifting stance on Israel's conduct.

Iran has put forward a new proposal aimed at reaching an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway at the centre of rising regional tensions. The pitch suggests Tehran may be seeking a negotiated off-ramp, and observers are weighing what concessions Iran wants and how the US and Gulf states might respond to the offer.

Mike Waltz says Iranian negotiators asked for 'everything up front' in concessions before any ceasefire, and that President Trump rejected the proposal. The comments shed light on stalled diplomacy around the conflict, suggesting the US side viewed Iran's terms as excessive and walked away rather than trade sanctions relief or other major concessions for a halt in fighting.

Senator John Thune said the war with Iran has overtaken all other issues in the minds of American voters, saying it has 'trumped everything else'. His comments underscore how the escalating Middle East conflict is reshaping political priorities in Washington and on the campaign trail, crowding out domestic concerns like the economy and immigration in public debate.

Iran has put forward a new proposal offering a deal that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the critical shipping chokepoint for much of the world's oil. The pitch has drawn attention across regional and international outlets, with analysts weighing what Tehran wants in return and how the United States and Gulf states might respond. Details of the proposed terms remain limited, but the move signals an attempt to de-escalate tensions over the vital waterway.

Iran has put forward new demands to the United States following a sharply critical speech at the United Nations. The address and the ensuing demands come amid already strained relations between Tehran and Washington, with tensions over sanctions, nuclear negotiations and regional conflicts continuing to dominate diplomatic exchanges between the two governments.

Manchester City face numerous charges from the Premier League over alleged breaches of financial regulations, and the case is moving toward a resolution. Sky Sports has laid out the full picture: what the allegations cover, how the independent commission process works, and the possible outcomes, which could range from fines to points deductions or even expulsion from the league. The story remains one of the biggest in English football.

SpaceX is preparing another test flight of its Starship rocket from its launch site in Texas on Monday. The upcoming launch has drawn attention as the company continues developing the massive vehicle intended for deep-space missions, including eventual trips to the Moon and Mars. Coverage focuses on what to expect from the flight, launch timing, and how the test fits into SpaceX's broader Starship programme.

A Wall Street Journal feature examines the 'doomers' — researchers, writers and commentators who warned that advanced artificial intelligence could threaten humanity's survival — and their role in driving today's AI safety debate. Their arguments pushed lab leaders, policymakers and the public to treat existential risk as a serious concern, reshaping how AI development is discussed and regulated.

Donald Trump has criticised the decision to release on bail the suspects in the RAF Fairford case, saying the United States knows everything about them and would not have released them. The remarks have drawn attention in Britain, where the bail decision is under scrutiny.

Elon Musk, in a new interview with CCTV Finance, said he generally recommends people visit China as much as they can, citing the many things to see. He described taking the bullet train from Beijing to Xi'an as a great experience and praised the train stations. The remarks are drawing wide attention given Musk's business ties to China and his political prominence in the United States.

US election observers are flagging the period between Election Day and the certification of results as a vulnerable window for misinformation, warning that Donald Trump could use delays in counting ballots to cast doubt on the outcome of the 2026 midterm elections. The Guardian's First Thing briefing highlights concerns that slow tallies in key states could be exploited to spread unfounded fraud claims, as happened after the 2020 election.

A new report from CNN examines the tech industry's push toward autonomous AI agents, systems marketed as capable of handling tasks end to end on a user's behalf. The article argues there may be a major flaw in that plan, suggesting these agents may not yet deliver on sweeping promises being made by developers and companies racing to deploy them.

Donald Trump has rejected a proposal from Iran concerning the Strait of Hormuz, the critical shipping chokepoint for global oil flows. Details of what the proposal entailed and the terms of the rejection remain limited, but the move adds new tension to the standoff between Washington and Tehran, with observers watching closely for how Iran responds and what it means for shipping and oil markets.

England are working through problems at the Cricket World Cup, with analysis from the BBC highlighting the issues the team needs to address as the tournament goes on. The side is described as learning from its early matches, with questions over form and selection shaping debate among fans and pundits about whether England can turn things around.

Manchester City's chairman has addressed the club's long-running Premier League charges case, saying nothing has changed in their position. The club faces numerous alleged breaches of the league's financial rules, and the chairman's comments signal City remain firm in their stance as the case continues to draw attention across football.

ASML, the Dutch chip equipment maker, says it sold 'absolutely nothing' in Europe in 2026 and is calling on the EU to help create demand for its lithography machines. The comments highlight Europe's weak semiconductor manufacturing base, as ASML's sales remain concentrated in Asia, particularly Taiwan, South Korea and China.

Filmmaker and producer Shawn Levy has signed an overall deal with Disney's 20th Television, moving his production company's TV business after a long run at Netflix. Levy, whose credits include directing Deadpool & Wolverine and producing Stranger Things through 21 Laps, will now develop television projects under the Disney banner. The move marks a notable shift for one of Netflix's most prolific creative partners.

Germany's foreign minister, following talks with US officials, reacted coolly to remarks by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, saying she 'heard nothing new' and demanding evidence for Russian claims of attacks on ships. The exchange has drawn attention as a test of Western unity toward Moscow, with critics questioning whether the German minister walked into a diplomatic trap set by Lavrov.