Top stories
1. Nvidia CEO reportedly targeted by an alleged Chinese spy
The New York Times reported that US intelligence believes Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang was targeted by an alleged Chinese spy. The suspect, Alice Huang of Singapore-based Megaspeed, had business dealings with him and was previously suspected of smuggling Nvidia chips.
Source: The Guardian World
2. ECB’s Lagarde steps down, saying she can’t remain neutral on world events - Reuters
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde has stepped down, saying she cannot remain neutral on world events, Reuters reported. No further details were provided.
Source: Reuters World (via Google News)
3. Details of thousands of US immigration agents leaked in major hack
A group calling itself the Department of Peace leaked information on more than 41,000 U.S. Department of Homeland Security staff, including immigration agents. The major hack raises concerns about the privacy and safety of federal employees.
Source: BBC World
World news
1. Hong Kong’s leader apologises for residential fire that killed 168 people
Hong Kong’s leader has apologised for government shortcomings that contributed to a residential fire last year that killed 168 people. A report cited “decades of failure,” but some survivors and bereaved families say justice has yet to be served.
Source: The Guardian World
2. Cambodian police and soldiers helped guard abusive scam compounds, Amnesty alleges
Amnesty International alleges Cambodian police and military officers worked as private guards at scam compounds where thousands were forced into online fraud. Survivors said some guards administered electric shocks and beatings. The rights group says the security system enabled slavery and rape.
Source: The Guardian World
3. Amazon cuts more jobs, in devices unit, after flurry of product rollouts - Reuters
Amazon is cutting additional jobs in its devices unit after a recent flurry of product rollouts, according to Reuters. The report did not specify how many employees are affected.
Source: Reuters World (via Google News)
4. Audio reveals exchanges between Spain train operators and drivers moments before deadly crash
Leaked audio appears to show that before a deadly train crash in Spain, one high-speed train was cleared to run at normal speed even though another train ahead had stalled. The recordings may shed light on communication failures before the collision.
Source: BBC World
5. Egypt fines prominent editor Lina Attalah and shuts independent news outlet Mada Masr
An Egyptian court convicted prominent journalist Lina Attalah, editor-in-chief of Mada Masr, of managing an unlicensed website and ordered the independent outlet shut. She was briefly detained and later released, amid warnings of an escalating crackdown on press freedom in Egypt.
Source: The Guardian World
6. Outcry after Call of Duty maker uses real footage of deadly Seoul crowd crush in new video game
Bereaved families in South Korea have urged the publisher of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 to remove seconds-long clips using real footage from the 2022 Seoul crowd crush, including CPR and bodies in the street. The game’s opening use of the tragedy has sparked criticism.
Source: The Guardian World
7. Screwworm infests dog in Arizona, widening US cases - Reuters
Reuters reports that a dog in Arizona has been infested with screwworm, widening the range of U.S. cases. Screwworm can harm animals and humans, prompting heightened monitoring and control efforts.
Source: Reuters World (via Google News)
8. Venezuela to offer state assets to private sector, Rodriguez says - Reuters
Venezuela’s government will offer state assets to the private sector, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said, according to Reuters. The move may aim to attract investment and support the economy.
Source: Reuters World (via Google News)
9. Erin Patterson to die in prison after losing appeal against mushroom murder convictions
An Australian appeals court rejected Erin Patterson’s challenge to her triple-murder convictions and upheld a life sentence without parole. She was convicted over a deadly beef Wellington lunch that killed three people.
Source: The Guardian World
10. More than half of Victorian lawyers use AI – but only a quarter have cut client fees as a result
A new study finds 55% of Victorian lawyers use AI at work, up from 37% last year. But only about a quarter have reduced client fees from efficiency gains, and chatbot inquiries are adding correction work.
Source: The Guardian World
11. Four killed in crash of Italian helicopter on EU mission in Bosnia - Reuters
An Italian helicopter on a European Union mission crashed in Bosnia, killing four people, Reuters reported. The circumstances of the crash were not immediately detailed.
Source: Reuters World (via Google News)
12. Rock collapse kills two in Turkey’s Cappadocia, local media reports
A rock formation known as a “fairy chimney” collapsed outside an open-air museum in Turkey’s Cappadocia, killing two people, local media reported. The incident involved one of the region’s famous formations.
Source: BBC World