After my friend lost his job, he asked AI what came next
The fortunes of a laid-off worker reveal how artificial intelligence is becoming the latest vessel for some of China’s oldest beliefs
Serbian students aim to graduate from antigovernment protests to forming new government
Anger at establishment led by Aleksandar Vučić has spawned movement that could enable the Student List to form government later this month
African countries look beyond the big three credit ratings agencies
Global Briefing: Continent’s leaders hope the new African Credit Rating Agency can help them save tens of billions of dollars in interest payments
South Korea goes on missile manoeuvres amid tensions with Washington
Seoul’s test launch of hypersonic missile is a hedge against US betrayal after Washington restricts intelligence sharing
Trump’s energy ceasefire is unfair to Ukraine but could it bring something better?
A comprehensive energy ceasefire beyond oil refineries could perhaps follow and open the way to a full ceasefire before winter
Taiwan fears for US support as Trump and Xi prepare for fresh talks
Taipei awaits approval of a $14bn arms package as uncertainty over Washington’s commitment to the island grows
EU and China strike deal to curb car exports and avert trade war
Brussels claims Beijing will more than halve hybrid vehicle exports as bloc secures concessions on rare earths and market access
A police raid on a gay bar, in Asia’s most liberal jurisdiction
Mayor’s apology did little to cushion the shock that such an action could take place in Taiwan, the most liberal jurisdiction in Asia for LGBTQ+ rights
‘We’re at a tipping point’: EU prepares its toughest weapon yet against China
As lay-offs spread across parts of Europe’s industrial heartland, Brussels believes Beijing’s export surplus can no longer be absorbed by the single market
French students at forefront of global stirring of disaffected youth
Global Briefing: While education budgets are squeezed, EU governments are borrowing billions of euros to spend on defence
How Israel lost the world’s support after October 7th
Global Briefing: Three years after Hamas’s attack, the war in Gaza and mounting international outrage have made Israel more isolated and possibly less secure
A shift right for Brazil will damage its role as counterweight to the US on global issues
Right-wing senator Flávio Bolsonaro is the favourite to win election runoff with incumbent president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Oil refiners US and China have the leverage amid rising fuel prices
Donald Trump’s recent threat to halt diesel exports would have had calamitous consequences for Europe
Europe wants to get tough on China. The risks could be enormous
With tensions rising, next week’s talks will test whether the EU can curb Chinese imports without harming its own economy
US troops invaded Iraq 23 years ago. Now Iraq and Iran are celebrating their departure
US troops invaded Iraq in March 2003 amid the bogus claim that Saddam Hussein had developed weapons of mass destruction