46 m. ago China has set a bear trap for Keir Starmer – and our naive PM is walking straight into it | Simon Tisdall

The conviction of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong is another hostile act. How can Britain ignore Beijing’s provocations and human rights abuses?The UK pushed hard to secure the release of Jimmy Lai, the newspaper publisher and British citizen who was a leading light in Hong Kong’s brutally suppressed pro-democracy movement. So, too, did press freedom and human rights campaigners. But the Beijing-appointed high court judges in the former colony convicted him anyway, finding Lai guilty last week on fake charges of trying to “destabilise” the Chinese Communist party (CCP). For Xi Jinping, China’s dictator-emperor, there is no greater crime.Protesting to China’s ambassador, the UK’s foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, condemned the trial as “politically motivated”. She’s right, of course – but her angry words will make no difference. Beijing’s contempt for Britain’s views is as painfully obvious as the UK’s weakness and indecision in the face of Chinese hubris. The breaking of its solemn promise t...

Politics

3 h. ago Ukraine war briefing: Russian oil rig hit in Caspian Sea over 700km from Ukraine

Kyiv continues campaign of attacks on Russia-linked maritime targets; latest US idea is three-way peace talks. What we know on day 1,397 Ukrainian drones hit an oil rig at Russia’s Filanovsky field in the Caspian Sea – more than 700km (435 miles) from Ukraine’s nearest border, as well as the military patrol ship Okhotnik and other facilities, Ukraine’s military general staff said in a statement on Saturday. It said the ship was patrolling near the platform. The extent of the damage was being assessed. The attack continues Kyiv’s recent campaign of strikes on Russia-linked maritime targets far from Ukrainian territory.Ukrainian drones struck a radar system in the Krasnosilske area of Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014. Ukraine’s SBU security service claimed two Russian fighter jets were also destroyed at an airfield in occupied Crimea.Since Thursday, Russian forces have at least five times hit a bridge on the Dniester River near the village of Mayaky, south-w...

Events

4 h. ago La Voix lined up for Strictly presenting gig with bosses 'determined to find a role' for drag performer

The cabaret star, aged 45, whose real name is Christopher Dennis, impressed during her run on Strictly with her quick wit and repartee, and made no secret of her hosting ambitions.

Politics

6 h. ago Craig Richards defeats Dan Azeez with brutal knockout in historic Ghana event

Britons collided in a huge moment for African boxing

Politics

7 h. ago Arsenal: Mikel Arteta hails Martin Odegaard leadership after Viktor Gyokeres penalty decision

Norwegian took charge after first-half spot-kick was awarded

Politics

7 h. ago Rob and Michele Reiner murders: Suspect Nick Reiner is on suicide watch in solitary confinement, report says

The 32-year-old is in detention in downtown Los Angeles and will be arraigned in early January for the alleged murders of his parents

Events

8 h. ago Over £31 million paid to 949 wrongfully dismissed LGBT veterans

The Ministry of Defence has doubled its payments team and brought in an automated processing system to speed up applications to the Financial Recognition Scheme

Economics

9 h. ago Glaring gaps in Epstein files as DOJ release offers scant new insight into his crimes

The meatiest records released so far showed that federal prosecutors had what appeared to be a strong case against Epstein in 2007 yet never charged him

Events

10 h. ago Epstein files offer scant new insight into his crimes or how he avoided serious prosecution

The Justice Department’s much-anticipated release of records tied to Jeffrey Epstein have done little to quell the long-simmering intrigue

Events

12 h. ago Murder investigation launched after man, 40, stabbed to death in Maida Vale

The tragic incident took place on December 19 in north London

Events

13 h. ago Police announce £20k reward for information over fatal shooting of north London father

Met police believe it was a case of mistaken identity and want to speak to two people in connection with the incident

Events

14 h. ago Met Police sergeant dismissed for gross misconduct after sexual assault

Sergeant Leo Boateng subjected his victim to a serious sexual assault in 2022 but was acquitted in court

Events

14 h. ago ‘Reddit Detective Agency’ learned from past mistakes before crucial Brown University shooter tip

The latest AI-powered surveillance was of little use in the early search for the Brown University shooter

Events

15 h. ago Luigi Mangione death penalty decision was tainted by Pam Bondi’s conflict of interest, his lawyers claim

The ‘very person’ empowered to seek Mangione’s death ‘has a financial stake in the case she is prosecuting,’ his lawyers wrote

Events

15 h. ago ANNA TURLEY: 'Nigel Farage needs to take a long, hard look at himself'

'Nigel Farage needs to decide whether he’s prepared to be a responsible party leader, or drag his party further into the gutter', the Labour Party Chair Anna Turley writes

Politics

15 h. ago ‘The biggest transformation in a century’: how California remade itself as a clean energy powerhouse

The Golden State’s clean energy use hit new highs in 2025. As the Trump administration abandons US climate initiatives, can California fill the void?As officials from around the world met in Brazil for the Cop30 climate summit last month, the US president was nowhere to be found, nor were any members of his cabinet. Instead, the most prominent American voice in Belém was that of the California governor, Gavin Newsom.During the five days he spent in Brazil, Newsom described Donald Trump as an “invasive species” and condemned his rollback of policies aimed at reducing emissions and expanding renewable energy. Newsom, long considered a presidential hopeful, argued that, as the US retreated, California would step up in its place as a “stable, reliable” climate leader and partner. Continue reading...

Politics

15 h. ago Africa Cup of Nations springs surprise move to every four years

Patrice Motsepe reveals change on eve of tournamentCaf event held every two years since its inception in 1957The Africa Cup of Nations will be held every four years instead of every two years from 2028, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) has announced. The tournament, which brings in an estimated 80% of CAF’s revenue, has been held every two years since its inception in 1957. Sunday marks the start of the 35th edition, hosted in Morocco with the home team taking on Comoros.The Caf president, Patrice Motsepe, said the next finals, scheduled for 2027 in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, will go ahead and another tournament would be held in 2028, but after that it will be hosted every four years. Continue reading...

Politics

15 h. ago Vladimir Putin 'plans to wage World War 3 in a year's time', Ukraine intelligence chief claims

As Putin drags out peace talks with the US and Ukraine, an intelligence boss has warned the Russian leader could start WW3 in a matter of months

Politics

16 h. ago Man, 55, shot dead in northwest London as police hunt killer

Detectives appeal for witnesses after victim dies at scene

Events

18 h. ago True crime fans 'in shock' just minutes into chilling new series now streaming

The Channel 5 documentary is now available for free streaming

Events