| | | | | | | Hello. I'm bringing you today an exclusive analysis of what may be the second-worst methane leak ever recorded. My BBC Verify colleagues explain why this matters for the fight against climate change. We're turning our attention to Avdiivka once more, after the US warned the town in eastern Ukraine could fall soon. Also in your newsletter, we're reporting on Argentine libertarians, Soviet spies and Greek bread. See you next week. |
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| | | | Top of the agenda | | Uncovering a methane mega-leak |  | | Plumes of smoke could be seen billowing from the well for over six months. Credit: BBC |
| | A remote well in Kazakhstan leaked about 127,000 tonnes of methane last year - one of the worst such incidents on record, analysis shared with BBC Verify has shown. Satellite imagery detected distinctive plumes of the gas on 115 separate occasions, as fire raged for six months in the wake of a blowout on 9 June. Our video shows the effects. The environmental impact is comparable to that of driving 717,000 petrol cars for a year, according to US authorities. That's because methane, the main component of natural gas, is a much more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. According to the International Energy Agency, methane has been responsible for about 30% of the rise in global temperatures since the Industrial Revolution. Buzachi Neft, the company that owns the well, denies a "substantial amount" of methane was leaked. But regional authorities confirm the concentration of methane in the air exceeded legal limits on multiple occasions. | | | | |
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| | | | | | World headlines | | • | Trump's legal cashflow: A New York judge is expected to deliver a verdict later in former US President Donald Trump's civil fraud trial. After prosecutors asked for a $370m (£291m) fine, we examine how Mr Trump might handle such a serious financial blow. | | • | War in Ukraine: The US has said a shortage of ammunition could lead Ukraine to lose the key eastern town of Avdiivka - the scene of some of the fiercest fighting against Russia in recent months. | | • | Gaza Strip: Israel's military claims it has captured "dozens" of terror suspects during a raid on Khan Younis' Nasser hospital, whose director told the BBC patients and staff were facing "catastrophic and very dangerous" conditions. Watch footage from inside the complex. | | • | Senegal crisis: The country's top court has annulled a decision from President Macky Sall to postpone this month's election. Mr Sall's decree sparked civil unrest in a country once considered a bastion of democracy in West Africa. | | • | UK Politics: Labour has inflicted two stark by-election defeats on the Conservatives. The governing Tories are left with a mountain to climb ahead of general elections later this year, polling analyst Sir John Curtice writes. |
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| AT THE SCENE |  Buenos Aires, Argentina | | The Argentines rooting for 'crazy' Milei | | Argentine President Javier Milei argues "shock" measures are needed to tackle inflation in the country. His devaluation of the currency and radical cuts to public spending have kept driving up prices. Meanwhile, his supporters feel they are fighting a battle for his sweeping reforms. |  | | Ione Wells, South America correspondent |
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| | There is one thing that unites those who love and loathe Argentina's new president - they both describe him as "crazy". "Most people call him that. I think it's good," says 21-year-old Axel Uhrig of Javier Milei, who won the presidential election with 56% of the vote in November. Axel is part of Pibes Libertarios (libertarian lads) - a self-described "militant" group whose battleground is social media. They stick posters around Buenos Aires at night with QR codes linking to videos in support of President Milei's policies. |
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| | | | Beyond the headlines | | The KGB spy editing a French magazine |  | | For decades, KGB spy Philippe Grumbach rubbed shoulders with political figures and celebrities. Credit: Getty Images |
| | Philippe Grumbach was an exceptionally well plugged-in figure in French society for decades. He was close to former President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, and led L'Express, a prominent weekly in Paris. He was also, for 35 years, a spy for the Soviet Union. Laura Gozzi tells this incredible Cold War story, uncovered by L'Express itself. | | | | |
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| | | | Something different | | Basking in history | | The oldest woodfire ovens in Greece once supplied bread to Napoleon's troops. | | |
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| | | | And finally... | | The world's oldest living land animal - a giant tortoise named Jonathan - has formally received a Guinness World Record certificate to recognise his longevity. The 192-year-old reptile, who has lived through the reigns of eight British monarchs, resides in the British overseas territory of St Helena, in the grounds of Plantation House, the island governor's official residence. |
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| | | | | | US Election Unspun newsletter | | Cut through the noise in the race for the White House, every Wednesday to your inbox. | | |
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| | | | More BBC newsletters | | • | Football Extra: Latest news, insights and gossip from the Premier League, weekdays. Subscribe. | | • | Royal Watch: The full story from royal correspondent Sean Coughlan, every Thursday. Subscribe. | | • | Tech Decoded: Timely, trusted tech news from global correspondents, twice-weekly. Subscribe. |
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– Jules |
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