26 h. ago ‘When power can define madness’: China accused of using mental health law to lock up critics

More than a decade after China passed a groundbreaking mental health law, victims and activists say that involuntary hospitalisation remains commonZhang Po was barely one year out of school when an out of control mine-cart barrelled into him deep in a pit in Anhui province, causing injuries that ended his brief career as a coalminer. Since the accident in 1999, he has been living off disability allowances provided by his former employer in Huainan, Anhui’s coal city. But in 2024 Zhang was sent to hospital once again – this time to a psychiatric ward.Zhang was sectioned for 22 days in June after he protested outside the office of his former employer, demanding an increase in his disability allowance. “I endured more than 20 days of humiliation in there. There was no phone, and my belt and shoelaces were taken away,” Zhang said in a recent interview with Chinese media. Zhang said that he was forced to take medicines and tied to his bed for several hours a day. After the three weeks in...

Society

59 h. ago Nurse in trans doctor case demands clarity from union on single

The Royal College of Nursing reportedly wrote to an English health board claiming it was breaking the law with its changing room policy.

Politics

7 d. ago Prince Harry accused the Sun of printing story linking him to P Diddy out of revenge

Exclusive: court documents reveal Harry claimed front page story and other articles had ‘hugely negative impact on his mental health and that of his wife and children’Prince Harry accused the Sun newspaper of being motivated by revenge when publishing a front page story reporting that he had been named in a lawsuit accusing Sean “Diddy” Combs of sex trafficking, according to claims in a newly disclosed court document.The story was said by the Duke of Sussex to be among “a large number of false and highly derogatory articles” published by Rupert Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers (NGN) “in retaliation” for his claims of phone hacking and unlawful information gathering. Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago Mississippi sues China for $200bn for costs associated with the Covid

A default judgment was made against China, which refuses to recognize the lawsuit, after it failed to show up in court

Economics

9 d. ago Cosmetic surgery being conducted in ‘living rooms and Airbnbs’, MPs hear

There have been calls for legislation which would mean only qualified surgeons can conduct certain procedures.

Politics

9 d. ago ‘I gave birth three months early – then police investigated me over an illegal abortion’

As MPs call on parliament to vote over decriminalising abortion, one woman tells Bel Trew how the traumatic premature birth of her baby was exacerbated by a year-long police investigation

Events

1 week ago Trump says tariffs on China imports won’t return to 145% and that he sees a deal – live

Trump warns US could raise tariffs after 90-day pause on trade war with China but expresses confidence a deal will be madeChina and US agree 90-day pause to trade warQatar has offered to donate a plane to the United States and details are still being worked out, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said on Monday.“The Qatari Government has graciously offered to donate a plane to the Department of Defense. The legal details of that are still being worked out,” Leavitt said in an interview with Fox News. Continue reading...

Economics

1 week ago Asian shares advance as details awaited on progress in China

Asian shares are higher after two days of trade talks between China and the U_S_ made what the U_S_ side said was “substantial progress.”

Politics

2 w. ago Experts warn of health epidemic sparked by Britain’s housing crisis

Exclusive: Doctors and renters tell The Independent how housing issues are worsening health in Britain

Events

2 w. ago Ding Junhui's dad made feelings clear as Zhao Xintong becomes China's first snooker World Champion

An inspired Zhao Xintong broke new ground at the Crucible on Monday as he was named Asia's first world snooker champion, and an iconic compatriot’s father made his feelings known

Politics

2 w. ago Inside troubled Peaky Blinders star Paul Anderson’s chaotic life as actor looks unrecognisable

Paul Anderson, best known for his role as the gangster Arthur Shelby in Peaky Blinders has sparked concern from friends and fans over his health and brushes with the law

Events

3 w. ago Judge orders mental health assessment for man accused of killing 11 at Vancouver festival

A Canadian judge has ordered a man accused of ramming his sport-utility vehicle through a Filipino heritage festival crowd, killing 11 people, to receive a mental health assessment to determine if he’s fit to stand trial

Events

3 w. ago Sycamore Gap accused says he was asked to take blame for felling of tree

Daniel Graham tells court it was suggested he accept responsibility ‘because I have mental health issues’One of the two men accused of felling the Sycamore Gap tree has denied being responsible and said he was asked to take the blame because he had mental health issues.Daniel Graham said his co-defendant, Adam Carruthers, was responsible for felling the tree next to Hadrian’s Wall. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Trump’s first 100 days supercharged a global ‘freefall of rights’, says Amnesty

World now in era of repressive regimes’ impunity, climate inaction and unchecked corporate power, says reportThe first 100 days of Donald Trump’s presidency have “supercharged” a global rollback of human rights, pushing the world towards an authoritarian era defined by impunity and unchecked corporate power, Amnesty International warns today.In its annual report on the state of human rights in 150 countries, the organisation said the immediate ramifications of Trump’s second term had been the undermining of decades of progress and the emboldening of authoritarian leaders. Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago Nigel Farage blasted over 'fake news' claim about children's health

Nigel Farage was branded 'completely out of touch' and accused of spreading fake news after crass claims that mental illness is being 'overdiagnosed' by GPs

Society

4 w. ago Ukraine talks in London made 'significant progress': British foreign office

Ukraine talks in London made 'significant progress': British foreign office  China Daily

Politics