7 h. ago ‘I wanted to do something more meaningful’: the Chinese nationals fighting for Ukraine

Volunteers defy their government and public opinion in China to risk their lives for an adversary of Beijing’s main geopolitical partnerIn a war that has been characterised by merciless attacks on civilians, one of the worst took place on 8 July 2024. Russia missile strikes killed at least 43 people in cities across Ukraine in one of the deadliest days of the war last year. One of the most shocking blows was to the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital in central Kyiv, which reduced the country’s largest paediatric clinic to rubble.Tim, 43, was delivering aid on the outskirts of Kyiv when he heard a missile fly overhead. A short while later, he saw the news on his phone that the children’s hospital had been hit. Along with a British friend, the Chinese national, who asked to be referred to by just his English name, rushed to the scene to help with the recovery efforts. “Seeing the severed limbs, some of them belonging to children, I started crying,” the father-of-two said, tears in his eyes...

Politics

9 h. ago ‘I was doing nothing at home’: the Chinese nationals fighting for Ukraine

Volunteers defy their government and public opinion in China to risk their lives for an adversary of Beijing’s main geopolitical partnerIn a war that has been characterised by merciless attacks on civilians, one of the worst took place on 8 July 2024. Russia missile strikes killed at least 43 people in cities across Ukraine in one of the deadliest days of the war last year. One of the most shocking blows was to the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital in central Kyiv, which reduced the country’s largest paediatric clinic to rubble.Tim, 43, was delivering aid on the outskirts of Kyiv when he heard a missile fly overhead. A short while later, he saw the news on his phone that the children’s hospital had been hit. Along with a British friend, the Chinese national, who asked to be referred to by just his English name, rushed to the scene to help with the recovery efforts. “Seeing the severed limbs, some of them belonging to children, I started crying,” the father-of-two said, tears in his eyes...

Politics

65 h. ago ‘You’re in spy territory’: how two UK nationals got tangled in a Chinese espionage row

The Met’s elite SO15 unit alleged a parliamentary researcher helped his friend create 34 reports for a shadowy frontFor Christopher Cash it was а job he adored. The young parliamentary researcher, then in his late 20s, was a China specialist working successively for two influential backbenchers, Tom Tugendhat and Alicia Kearns. He had a parliamentary pass and was plugged into Westminster’s gossip network during 2022, a year of Conservative turmoil in Westminster, three prime ministers and future policy uncertainty.At the same time, Cash was in close contact with a friend, Christopher Berry, a teacher based in Hangzhou, eastern China, where the Britons had first met five years earlier. They discussed politics constantly, using an encrypted app. At one point, on 18 July, Berry allegedly told him he had met a senior Chinese Communist party leader (though he now denies meeting anybody of that rank). In a reply the next day, Cash said: “You’re in spy territory now.” Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Russian pilots eject from fighter jet after being shot down by own side over Crimea, says Ukraine

Ukraine’s navy reportedly intercepted messages about the incident in the occupied territory

Events

3 d. ago John Terry hits out at 'DISGUSTING' treatment of 'lovely man' Roman Abramovich as Chelsea legend comes out fighting for former owner after he was banned following Russia's invasion of Ukraine

Chelsea legend John Terry has leapt to the defence of the club's former owner Roman Abramovich and hit out at the treatment he has received in recent years. 

Events

3 d. ago Russia gives long prison sentences to captured volunteer Ukrainian fighters

Their trial took place behind closed doors in a military court in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don

Events

4 d. ago Oleksandr Usyk snubs British heavyweight as opponent for next fight

Usyk looks set to return to the ring next year and has several contenders eyeing up a fight with him, but the Ukrainian has already ruled out one individual

Politics

4 d. ago MI5 chief ‘frustrated’ by China spy case as No 10 defends Starmer’s approach

Sir Ken McCallum warned ‘Chinese state actors’ present a national security threat to the UK ‘every day’.

Politics

4 d. ago China attacks UK efforts to ‘smear and defame’ it over spy case

MI5 says Chinese ‘state actors’ regularly present threats to UK national security

Events

4 d. ago MI5 chief says Chinese spies pose threat to UK national security 'every day'

Sir Ken McCallum says UK needs to ‘defend itself resolutely’ against Beijing amid row over alleged spying at Westminster

Events

4 d. ago MI5 thwarted Chinese plot to attack Britain's national security last week as spy chief says UK 'needs to up its game' against outside threats

Sir Ken McCallum vowed that he would 'never back off from confronting threats to the UK' after a critical espionage case collapsed when Government refused to describe Beijing as Britain's enemy.

Events

6 d. ago Lecornu backs delaying rise in French retirement age until after 2027 presidential election – Europe live

PM says that law increasing age to 64 will be put on pause in bid to stave off losing a no-confidence vote that would bring down his governmentThe Kremlin said on Tuesday it welcomed US president Donald Trump’s desire to focus on the search for a peace deal to end the fighting in Ukraine after achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and hoped he would be able to push Kyiv towards a settlement.Addressing the Israeli Knesset a day earlier after brokering a deal between Israel and Hamas, Trump spoke of wanting to get a deal done with Iran over its nuclear programme, but said he would turn his attention to trying to end the war in Ukraine first.We are already well acquainted with Mr Witkoff; he is effective, has proven his effectiveness now in the Middle East, and we hope that his talents will continue to contribute to the work already under way in Ukraine.The Russian side remains open and ready for peaceful dialogue, and we hope that the influence of the United States and the diplomatic skills o...

Politics

6 d. ago Lecornu addresses French parliament in bid to win over Socialists – Europe live

PM will be hoping to win over enough Socialists to stave off losing a no-confidence vote that would deepen France’s political crisisThe Kremlin said on Tuesday it welcomed US president Donald Trump’s desire to focus on the search for a peace deal to end the fighting in Ukraine after achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and hoped he would be able to push Kyiv towards a settlement.Addressing the Israeli Knesset a day earlier after brokering a deal between Israel and Hamas, Trump spoke of wanting to get a deal done with Iran over its nuclear programme, but said he would turn his attention to trying to end the war in Ukraine first.We are already well acquainted with Mr Witkoff; he is effective, has proven his effectiveness now in the Middle East, and we hope that his talents will continue to contribute to the work already under way in Ukraine.The Russian side remains open and ready for peaceful dialogue, and we hope that the influence of the United States and the diplomatic skills of President...

Politics

6 d. ago UK’s cyber security agency warns of ‘sophisticated’ threat from Chinese hackers

The number of serious attacks from across all sources in the most recent 12-month period hit record levels.

Events

6 d. ago Lecornu attempts to rally French cabinet before addressing parliament – Europe live

PM will be hoping to win over enough Socialists to stave off losing a no-confidence vote that would deepen France’s political crisisThe Kremlin said on Tuesday it welcomed US president Donald Trump’s desire to focus on the search for a peace deal to end the fighting in Ukraine after achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and hoped he would be able to push Kyiv towards a settlement.Addressing the Israeli Knesset a day earlier after brokering a deal between Israel and Hamas, Trump spoke of wanting to get a deal done with Iran over its nuclear programme, but said he would turn his attention to trying to end the war in Ukraine first.We are already well acquainted with Mr Witkoff; he is effective, has proven his effectiveness now in the Middle East, and we hope that his talents will continue to contribute to the work already under way in Ukraine.The Russian side remains open and ready for peaceful dialogue, and we hope that the influence of the United States and the diplomatic skills of President...

Politics

6 d. ago Zelenskyy urges world leaders not to lose momentum for finding peace, and says the war in Europe can also be ended – Europe live

Ukrainian leader expresses hope amid Trump’s Gaza deal, saying ‘it brings more hope for peace in other regions’The Kremlin said on Tuesday it welcomed US president Donald Trump’s desire to focus on the search for a peace deal to end the fighting in Ukraine after achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and hoped he would be able to push Kyiv towards a settlement.Addressing the Israeli Knesset a day earlier after brokering a deal between Israel and Hamas, Trump spoke of wanting to get a deal done with Iran over its nuclear programme, but said he would turn his attention to trying to end the war in Ukraine first.We are already well acquainted with Mr Witkoff; he is effective, has proven his effectiveness now in the Middle East, and we hope that his talents will continue to contribute to the work already under way in Ukraine.The Russian side remains open and ready for peaceful dialogue, and we hope that the influence of the United States and the diplomatic skills of President Trump’s envoys will ...

Politics

6 d. ago National security considerations ‘paramount’ in Chinese embassy decision – Reed

A decision is expected on October 21, although that could be pushed back with Steve Reed indicating it would come ‘within weeks’.

Events

7 d. ago Russia TV say Trump's 'intellect not up to par' as poll claims 50% of Russians want to strike NATO

The Orange Manbaby recently suggested that the US could provide Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles in the fight against Russia – and Kremlin pundits did not like one bit

Politics

1 week ago Businessman’s Apple laptop stops BULLET during terrifying armed robbery after he was held at gunpoint waiting for taxi

A BUSINESSMAN cheated death when his Apple laptop stopped a speeding bullet after he was ambushed at gunpoint while waiting for a taxi. The terrifying attack happened at a petrol station in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on October 1, as Chinese national Mr Zhang was preparing to head home after an event. Mr Zhang said he was standing by the roadside when a black car...

Events

1 week ago Indian man fighting with Russian forces surrenders to Ukrainian Army, Kyiv says

Majoti Sahil Mohamed Hussein, 22, claims in video posted by Ukrainian military he joined war to escape prison

Politics