CATEGORIES

Soft power What is behind Qatar's role as a mediator?

Qatari minister Lolwah Al Khater visits Gaza

Inside a nation in crisis

Jonathan Freedland talks to survivors, displaced people and senior political and military figures about life in Israel before and after 7 October, and considers what might happen next

The royal treatment

From stage to screen, regal dramas are now everywhere - with scant regard for accuracy. As The Crown returns, Mark Lawson asks if this is the TV show's legacy

We must see the true nature of Hamas-and of Netanyahu

Know thine enemy - and know thine ally, too. Too many of those pushing for one outcome or another in the war between Israel and Hamas misjudge the parties involved.

Trump and Bolsonaro hail Milei's victory as far right rejoices

Luminaries of the global far right are in raptures over Javier Milei's thumping election victory in Argentina, which experts predict will turn Buenos Aires into a new stomping ground for the populist radical right.

Disrupted Figurehead's exit plunges Al sector into chaos

The blog headline was anodyne - \"OpenAI announces leadership transition\" - but the consequences for Silicon Valley were seismic.

Dr beat Simple, successful steps to a healthy heart

From regular exercise to watching cholesterol levels, cardiologists share their best advice on how to keep your ticker in good working order

How court ruling could reshape adventure tourism

White water rafting guide Hamish Watters stands in a garage, a 30-minute drive north of Wellington city, hosing down an inflatable raft and hanging lifejackets up to dry.

Disrupted seasons leave haiku poets lost for words

Wooden tablets dotted along a path between office buildings and the Sendaibori river  in eastern Tokyo mark the start of a journey by Japan's most revered poet that would result in his greatest collection of verse.

Authorities clamp down on the right to protest

As pro-Palestine marches gather pace, many nations are banning events - with little protection from EU laws

Grey area Roubles and rials that fuel 'shady' boom

Russian speakers love living here, they like to be in a community and ours is growing all the time,\" said Ruslan Ibrayev, the salesman greeting customers at the head office of the Hub property investment firm in Iskele in Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus.

Sanctioned How Russian oligarchs moved their assets after invasion

Biggest leak of financial data from Cyprus raises concerns over EU state's role in money movements by Kremlin allies

Long division Pedro Sánchez stakes power on polarising deal with separatists

At the end of an investiture debate that had been fraught, savage and bizarre, even by recent standards, the defeated leader of Spain's conservative opposition offered his socialist rival a handshake. It was not accompanied by his warmest wishes. \"This was a mistake,\" said Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the leader of the People's party (PP).

Optimism fades as another winter of war begins

Rumours of rifts at the top, exhaustion after two years of fighting and frustration among allies dampen Kyiv's mood

Sunak's impossible Tory chemistry test

The PM has lurched from one strategy reset to another - but none have healed party divisions

Edging closer Hopes rise as hostage release deal looks more 'credible'

Israel and Hamas appeared to be edging towards a deal this week that would see the release of some hostages, possibly in return for a limited ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners.

THE SECRET SERVICE AGENT HAUNTED BY JFK'S SHOOTING

Clint Hill flung himself on to the president's limousine in a desperate attempt to block any further bullets on that fateful day in Dallas 60 years ago, and spent decades wrestling with lingering feelings of guilt and shame

Nitrogen wars

In 2019, the Dutch government launched a crackdown on farm emissions. The fury unleashed offers a warning about protecting the environment without losing trust

West Bank settlers see Gaza war as vindicating their stance

Tamal Sikurel pats her belly, swollen with her sixth child, and smiles.

Filthy rich Twelve billionaires' climate emissions outpollute 2.1m homes

Twelve of the world's wealthiest billionaires produce more greenhouse gas emissions from their yachts, private jets, mansions and financial investments than the annual energy emissions of more than 2m homes, research shared exclusively with the Guardian reveals.

The oil barons

On the eve of the C op28 climate conference in Dubai, a major new report reveals the deep imbalance between the carbon emissions of the world’s richest and poorest people – and why recognising who is most to blame is an important step towards identifying possible solutions

Strings and bows

Miguel Atwood-Ferguson has worked with Ray Charles and Rihanna; now this child prodigy turned jazzluminary has released agorgeous debutalbum

Cruel performative policies are being used as a smokescreen

This week, Britain's supreme court was due to give its verdict on the Rwanda deportation scheme. The decision will clearly have a major impact on those who face deportation. It will have an impact, too, on the political debate about immigration.

Why is it too much to ask for Palestinians to be viewed as humans?

I do not want to ever hear western democracies lecture the rest of the world on human rights ever again.

The numbers game

Succeeding in love and business, roulette or a pub quiz is easy. You just need to know the right mathematical formula...

The way she was

Barbra Streisand is the Hollywood megastar who's sung for presidents and been a royal pin-up - all while proudly celebrating her Jewish heritage. In her new memoir, the singer and actor shares some tales from an extraordinary career

How soaring inflation could clinch election for Milei

It's 10pm on a weeknight in Palermo, Buenos Aires, and business in the Nuevo D'accordo restaurant is doing well.

The fika principle Why Swedish workplace culture leads the way

Wellbeing allowances, generous parental leave and bonuses for taking breaks are standard perks in Sweden. But would such progressive practices translate to other countries?

Spirit levels The ancient tipple that led to a craft liquor boom

Sheltered in the shade of a mango tree entwined with peppercorn vines, a vast clay pot sits on top of a fire, its lid sealed tight with mud. Distilling within is India's oldest alcoholic spirit, said to date back almost 500 years.

Name dropping Is it time to rethink the way we identify species?

Some scientists say the rules must be changed so plants and animals are not tagged with 'objectionable' denominations