Briefing

The U.S. confirms CIA operations in Venezuela. Europe builds a drone wall against Russia. + Turning America’s tax agency against the president’s enemies.

A disarmament ultimatum for Hamas. Madagascar’s Gen Z protests topple a government. + A two-year operation to move tens of thousands of bodies—and hide the evidence.

The Israeli dead begin returning from Gaza. California goes it alone in regulating AI chatbots. + An unusual solidarity across the American press as they decamp from the Pentagon.

Back to the economic brink for the U.S. and China. Israeli hostages return from Gaza after 738 days. + When a peace prize goes to someone still fighting.

War halts in Gaza as Israel and Hamas begin prisoner exchanges. Peru removes its president in the middle of the night. + Out now—the weekend despatch.

An agreement on Gaza’s first peace phase after two years of war. A new set of American sanctions cut Serbia’s fuel supply. + U.S. air-traffic controllers are working 60-hour weeks without pay—and airports are going dark.

A Nobel in chemistry for structures that pull water from desert air. A former FBI chief faces Trump’s Justice Department in court. + Red Hat’s consulting breach—800 clients exposed through a trusted partner.

The U.S. treasury targets the Sinaloa cartel’s chemical suppliers. A hardline conservative is Japan’s first woman PM. + How TikTok turns casual scrollers into compulsive users—by design.

France’s government collapses in less than a day. Georgia’s opposition tries storming the presidential palace. &c. + When political fragmentation makes even forming a cabinet impossible.

The Czech Republic turns away from Ukraine. The Church of England names its first woman archbishop. + Out now—the weekend despatch.