Graham Russell

@grahamrussell.bsky.social

International site editor @Guardian

A man who has spent 25 years on Alabama’s death row is eligible to be retried for the 1988 murder of a deputy sheriff, a federal appeals court ruled this week, because prosecutors violated his constitutional rights by intentionally rejecting Black potential jurors.

Alabama Violated Constitutional Rights of Death Row Inmate, Appeals Court Rules

A federal appellate panel said that Michael Sockwell was eligible to be retried because prosecutors systematically eliminated Black potential jurors at his 1990 murder trial.

trib.al

"In any previous era, Hegseth and Waltz would be expected to resign immediately. But whether or not they will resign or be dismissed by a dysfunctional president, equally hostile to the notion he should be held accountable, is an open question." www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Latest Signal leak revelations expose US officials’ lies about what was shared

Trump officials had claimed nothing classified or risking harm to members of the military was shared in the chat

theguardian.com

"Zelenskyy remains the most popular politician in Ukraine. Trump’s recent attacks on him have boosted his ratings, which are at 44 % according to the British pollster Survation this week. Poroshenko receives 10% support, with Tymoshenko on 5.4%." www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...

Ukraine opposition leaders confirm talks with US but deny plotting to oust Zelenskyy

Former president Petro Poroshenko denied he was part of a reported White House plot to remove Ukraine leader from power

theguardian.com

"The abuse administered to Zelenskyy two days after Starmer’s visit – although a diplomatic disaster best avoided – was merely a confirmation that Trump will let nothing and no one stand in the way of his strategic aim of restoring relations with Vladimir Putin." www.theguardian.com/world/2025/m...

Europe is running out of hope Trump is still open to persuasion over Ukraine

Where the US president sees a convivial leader an ocean away, Europeans see a tyrant on its borders breaking all agreements

theguardian.com

'[Japan's strategy energy plan] dropped a reference to “reducing reliance” on nuclear energy that had appeared in the three previous plans, and instead called for a “maximisation” of nuclear power.' Japan's nuclear future, 14 yrs after Fukushima, by Justin McCurry www.theguardian.com/world/2025/f...

‘An act of betrayal’: Japan to maximise nuclear power 14 years after Fukushima disaster

Tokyo wants to drop attempts to lessen its reliance on nuclear power, according to a draft energy plan

theguardian.com

Narissara's son, aged 9, was brimming with excitement as he watched footage of Thai hostages being released from Gaza. Then he noticed his mother crying. “He asked: ‘what’s going on, Mom?’” Narissara says. “He realised his dad was not one of those released.” www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

‘I told my son to keep strong – let’s wait for dad’: Thailand hopes for return of its last Hamas hostage

Five of the last six Thai nationals have been released by Hamas. For one nine-year-old, the agonising wait continues for the return of his father

theguardian.com

"As dawn broke, the anti-Yoon camp’s mood turned almost festive: singing, dancing and broadcasting live scenes from multiple angles as the operation to arrest South Korea’s impeached president began in earnest." Amazing scenes as told by @koryodynasty.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

Ladders, noodle stations and K-pop: how the arrest of South Korea’s president unfolded

Police came better prepared than for their first attempt two weeks ago while supporters on both sides of the political divide came out to protest

theguardian.com

I've found evidence that plastic surgery clinics in Korea silence negative patient experiences through confidentiality agreements, offering refunds in exchange for deleting reviews and promising never to speak about their complications. www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12...

As South Korea draws visitors chasing beauty, dodgy practices pose risks

Thousands flock to East Asian country for cosmetic surgeries each year, often relying on unregulated forums for advice.

aljazeera.com

Although the term neijuan has been around for decades, it went viral in China in 2020. A student from an elite school was filmed riding his bicycle with his laptop open on the handlebars. Soon he was crowned as “Tsinghua’s involuted king”, and a meme was born. www.theguardian.com/world/2024/d...

What is neijuan, and why is China worried about it?

The buzzword – which went viral after a student was filmed working on his laptop while riding his bicycle – reflects a mix of competitiveness and hopelessness amid China’s slowing economy

theguardian.com