Helen Davidson

China and Japan are in a war of words over Taiwan – what happens next? Japan’s hawkish new PM has angered Beijing after suggesting her country could become involved in a military conflict between China and Taiwan

China and Japan are in a war of words over Taiwan – what happens next?

‘I’d do it all again,’ says Dutch minister at heart of car chip standoff with China Exclusive: Vincent Karremans says six-week row with Beijing that threatened global car production is ‘wake-up call’

Fascinating exclusive interview from @lisaocarroll.bsky.social on the drama behind the China-Netherlands Nexperia drama www.theguardian.com/business/202...

"This isn’t about sudden escalation; it’s about China normalising actions it once restrained itself from taking,” said Song Bo, a fellow at Tsinghua University’s Center for International Security and Strategy.

Single mothers in China find a new kind of partner – other single mothers Posts from women seeking like-minded parents to share a home and child-rearing responsibilities are appearing on social media

Single mothers in China find a new kind of partner – other single mothers

Single mothers in China find a new kind of partner – other single mothers Posts from women seeking like-minded parents to share a home and child-rearing responsibilities are appearing on social media

As divorce rates rise and the cost of living bites, single mothers in China are searching for a new kind of partner: each other. @heldavidson.bsky.social reports:

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...

He is, instead, a 59-year-old Long Island wine importer named Bill DeBlasio, who merely responded to an email from a journalist seeking his views on Democrat Zohran Mamdani’s policies. “I’m Bill DeBlasio. I’ve always been Bill DeBlasio,” DeBlasio said in an interview conducted Wednesday evening through his Ring doorbell in Huntington Station, Long Island, from his current location in Florida. “I never once said I was the mayor. He never addressed me as the mayor,” DeBlasio told Semafor Wednesday evening. “So I just gave him my opinion.”

I’m crying

www.semafor.com/article/10/2...

‘This was a slaughter, not an operation’: the favela reeling from Rio’s deadliest police raid Residents of Vila Cruzeiro gather bodies after more than 130 were killed in pre-dawn assault

“In 30 years working [in the favelas] this is the greatest act of savagery, the biggest massacre I have seen."
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o... By @tomphillips.bsky.social in Rio

An AI-generated band got 1m plays on Spotify. Now music insiders say listeners should be warned The Velvet Sundown released two albums before admitting their music, images and backstory were created by AI

Spotify makes billions in revenue and pays artists a pittance. Now to make matters worse, they've been caught boosting AI generated fake music to compete with real musicians.
They need to stop the rip off and Pay Up!
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

Robin Williams’ daughter Zelda hits out at AI-generated videos of her dead father: ‘Stop doing this to him’ Film-maker tells the public to stop sending her videos, saying: ‘You’re not making art, you’re making disgusting, over-processed hotdogs out of the lives of human beings’ Zelda Williams, the daughter of the late actor and comedian Robin Williams, has spoken out against AI-generated content featuring her father. “Please, just stop sending me AI videos of Dad,” Zelda wrote in an Instagram story on Monday. “Stop believing I wanna see it or that I’ll understand, I don’t and I won’t. If you’re just trying to troll me, I’ve seen way worse, I’ll restrict and move on. But please, if you’ve got any decency, just stop doing this to him and to me, to everyone even, full stop. It’s dumb, it’s a waste of time and energy, and believe me, it’s NOT what he’d want. Continue reading...

Robin Williams’ daughter Zelda hits out at AI-generated videos of her dead father: ‘Stop doing this to him’

China’s fifth-ranking official was suspect in dropped Westminster spy case Person who was thought to have received intelligence is understood to be Cai Qi, de facto chief of staff to Xi Jinping

China’s fifth-ranking official was suspect in dropped Westminster spy case. By @amyabides.bsky.social and Dan Sabbagh

Person who was thought to have received intelligence is understood to be Cai Qi, de facto chief of staff to Xi Jinping
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...

Just trying to bring people a bit of hope and joy with this story

Gym bros, monks, retirees: thousands descend on Taiwan town to clean up after devastating flood Trains packed with volunteers arrive at tourist town of Guangfu, days after typhoon sent millions of tonnes of mud and water crashing through its streets

Gym bros, monks, retirees: thousands descend on Taiwan town to clean up after devastating flood

are you ok

Jerome Cohen, the "Evergreen Pine of Rule of Law in China," Remembered The death of Jerome Cohen last week at the age of 95 prompted a wave of tributes to the legendary professor of Chinese law. Outside legal circles, Cohen may have been best known for his involvement in...

Jerome Cohen, the "Evergreen Pine of Rule of Law in China," Remembered

Gym bros, monks, retirees: thousands descend on Taiwan town to clean up after devastating flood Trains packed with volunteers arrive at tourist town of Guangfu, days after typhoon sent millions of tonnes of mud and water crashing through its streets

People can still be kind 👍 - great dispatch and pics from Helen Davidson www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...

Trump says Xi Jinping has agreed to approve TikTok deal, but details unclear Trump’s statement suggests preliminary agreement between leaders in the first direct contact between them since June Donald Trump said on Friday that he and Xi Jinping had agreed to approve a deal over TikTok. “He approved the TikTok deal,” Trump said about Xi to reporters in the Oval Office, suggesting the leaders signed off on a preliminary agreement. But Trump offered no details about the agreement or when it would be signed. Continue reading...

Trump says Xi Jinping has agreed to approve TikTok deal, but details unclear

It's worth reminding Americans that one of the things that chilled Japan Inc's involvement in China was the risk that the PRC would detain its workers, so you really can't underestimate the chilling effect the Hyundai raid will have on foreign investment

A spokesperson for Taiwan’s ministry of defence, Col Chiao Fu-chun, told the Guardian the ministry could “assist our coastguard to respond when needed”.

Taiwan accuses China of breaching international law over drilling Island’s government demands halt to Chinese oil and gas operations in its exclusive economic zone

Follow up: Taiwan accuses China of breaching international law over drilling www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...

omg I totally forgot to reply. Yes it did and I see the potential but I need to practise with it! It's very sharp and scary, but I have high hopes of never needing to buy a can opener ever again. Also the colour rules.

China drilling for oil and gas inside Taiwan’s exclusive economic zone Exclusive: Experts say the move could be part of Beijing’s ‘greyzone’ grab for disputed territory

WOW. China is drilling for oil and gas inside Taiwan’s exclusive economic zone, a move that analysts believe is likely part of Beijing’s unilateral grab for disputed territory.

Great scoop from @heldavidson.bsky.social and @thejamestownfdn.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...

China’s Xi, flanked by Putin and Kim, shows off ‘new generation’ weapons As Xi Jinping declared China as a nation “never intimidated by bullies,” President Trump urged him to acknowledge the United States’ support in winning World War II.

People living near Tiananmen Square were even banned from cooking on Wednesday morning — on account that any smoke could haze up the sky — and instead were given breakfast packs of hard-boiled tea eggs, bread rolls and spicy Sichuan pickles. www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...

In the former official’s opinion, it was more likely that the vessel was carrying migrants on a human smuggling run. It would be impossible to know for sure, however, given that any evidence of drug smuggling was destroyed in the attack.

You know that boat the administration blew up? A former law enforcement official told the NYT the boat seemed to be carrying not drugs but *’migrants *
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/03/u...

Hot mic catches Putin and Xi discussing organ transplants and immortality Live footage of private conversation between Russian president and Chinese leader aired at Beijing military parade The authoritarian strongmen Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping have mused on how organ transplants might lead to immortality, during a brief exchange of small talk caught on a hot mic at a military parade. The Russian president was in Beijing on Wednesday with the Chinese leader, who hosted allies for a ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the second world war. Continue reading...

Hot mic catches Putin and Xi discussing organ transplants and immortality

Xi Jinping says world faces ‘peace or war’, as Putin and Kim join him for military parade Trump criticises victory day event as China caps off week of diplomatic grandstanding seen as rebuke to west

My wrap on China's military parade today: A new photo for the history books as Xi, Putin and Kim arrive together, warnings of peace and war, a lot of big shiny military hardware, and a definitely not mad Trump
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...

(My) Great Taiwan Recall One era ends, another begins.

I reckon this from @emoontw.bsky.social on leaving Taiwan (and its media scene) is worth a read

theeastandback.substack.com/p/my-great-t...

Military reveals and bold messaging: five key takeaways from China’s big parade A highly choreographed display and formidable guest list were designed to send a message to the US and its allies about China’s strength

Military reveals and bold messaging: five key takeaways from China’s big parade
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...

China drilling for oil and gas inside Taiwan’s exclusive economic zone Exclusive: Experts say the move could be part of Beijing’s ‘greyzone’ grab for disputed territory

China drilling for oil and gas inside Taiwan’s exclusive economic zone – The Guardian: ‘However, there is no sign of the Taiwan government having responded to it, despite frequently enforcing its EEZ elsewhere.’

China drilling for oil and gas inside Taiwan’s exclusive economic zone Exclusive: Experts say the move could be part of Beijing’s ‘greyzone’ grab for disputed territory

Exclusive from me: China drilling for oil and gas inside Taiwan’s exclusive economic zone www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...

Drugs, smuggling and abductions: inside the fast and furious world of pigeon racing in Taiwan Low regulation and high stakes mean Taiwanese pigeon racing is awash with cheating – but efforts are afoot to clean up the sport

Fascinating read by @heldavidson.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...