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- Russian commander tapes soldier to tree for cannabis theft | World News
- I escaped Hong Kong for safety – China’s mega-embassy will boost espionage
- Teenage boy fatally stabbed in woods close to park in Guildford | UK News
- UK Employment Declines Again Amid Slow Wage Growth
- UK Plans Social Media Ban for Under-16s: What You Need to Know
- This straightforward jab that may help millions of pensioners live longer
- UK government has abruptly withdrawn a controversial amendment to the Hillsborough Law
- Andrew Rosindell defection to Reform UK, disillusionment for his constituents
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Russian commander tapes soldier to tree for cannabis theft | World News
3:00 pm
TL:DR – Russian commander tapes soldier to tree for cannabis theft | World News
- Shocking footage shows two Russian soldiers punished for allegedly stealing cannabis from their commander.
- The men were tied to trees in subzero temperatures, one in underwear, the other partially clothed, visibly cold.
- Reports suggest drug use is rampant among Russian troops, with harsh punishments for dissent.
- Disgruntled soldiers face deadly “meat grinder” assaults as punishment, indicating a culture of expendable personnel.
- This tactic was previously employed by Yevgeny Prigozhin’s Wagner Group, now used by the regular army.
Russian commander tapes soldier naked to a tree for stealing cannabis | News World
Certainly! Here’s the revised article:
Shocking footage has emerged of Vladimir Putin’s troops subjecting soldiers to harsh punishment after a pair allegedly stole cannabis from their commander.
The two Russian troops were tied to trees in subzero temperatures on the frontline with Ukraine as punishment.
The pair – one only wearing underpants, the other with a long sleeve shirt and underwear – were shaking from the cold as they suffered the torturous punishment.
They were accused of stealing drugs from their commander, who goes by the callsign Gadyuka.
The footage comes as many reports have said drugs are widespread among Putin’s fighters, who are forced into cannon fodder assaults.
Savage punishments are also common among Russian forces who are accused of wrongdoing.
One of the men had a simple night shirt on – but nothing else (Picture: e2w)
‘Well, you swines, you smoked the commander’s weed,’ the man filming said.
‘F***** swine. Stand there and freeze!’
It’s unknown if the men survived the punishment or were left for dead.
Many Russian soldiers who dissent against their commanders are used in deadly ‘meat grinder’ assaults as punishment.
The tactic is being used to silence personnel who become ‘disgruntled’ and means ‘almost certain and very rapid death’, according to a media outlet which has been using open sources to monitor the Kremlin’s losses.
One instance involved a Russian drone operator who filmed a video suggesting his unit had been infiltrated by Western intelligence.
Dmytro Lysakhovsky also claimed his commander lied about battlefield victories in eastern Ukraine.
One of the soldiers was left only in his underwear (Picture: e2w)
Mika Golubosvky, an editor at Mediazona, said: ‘The “meat grinder” tactics were widely used by Yevgeny Prigozhin’s Wagner Group, mostly in the battle for Bakhmut, and later were adopted by the regular Russian army.
‘There are signs that “meat offensives” have become a sort of punishment in the army.
‘If, for any reason, a soldier becomes disgruntled with his superiors, they transfer him to an assault unit, and it means almost certain and very rapid death.
‘So the concept of “disposable soldiers” is really something very prevalent in the current Russian army.’
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I escaped Hong Kong for safety – China’s mega-embassy will boost espionage
1:00 pm
TL:DR – “I escaped Hong Kong for safety – China’s mega-embassy will boost espionage”
- The UK government has approved plans for a controversial mega-embassy in London, raising significant security concerns.
- The site, at Royal Mint Court near critical infrastructures, has prompted protests from Chinese dissidents and local residents.
- Critics fear increased espionage and have pledged to challenge the decision in court.
- Current warnings from MI5 highlight the risks associated with the embassy’s location.
- Demonstrators argue the decision undermines democratic values and could compromise personal safety for those fleeing authoritarian regimes.
‘I fled Hong Kong for my safety – China’s super-embassy will mean more espionage’ | News UK
There are widespread security concerns over the super-embassy which was approved today (Picture: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
Dissidents who fled China to the UK say Keir Starmer is ‘playing into Beijing’s hands’ after the government approved a hugely controversial super-embassy in London.
Plans to convert the Royal Mint in Tower Hamlets, which is near top financial centres and critical communication cables, have been green-lit today despite widespread security concerns.
People living in the area have already pledged to take the government’s decision to court after years of voicing their fears of espionage.
But none are more worried than those who fled the authoritarianism of Beijing to the UK – only to end up with China building the largest embassy in Europe on their doorstep.
Chung Ching Kwong, who lives in London after leaving Hong Kong, told UK News: ‘As a dissident, I am now very uncomfortable here. I fled my home city for my safety and for my chance to exercise my freedom of speech.
People living in the area have already pledged to take the government’s decision to court
(Picture: Lucy North/PA Wire)
‘But this new embassy is just an example of China trying to subject us to the long arms of the state. It is a really bad decision.’
Chung Ching, who works as a senior analyst for the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, accused the government of not paying enough attention to the threats the embassy poses.
In 2022, a Hong Kong protester was seen being dragged into the Chinese consulate in Manchester before he was beaten up, sparking a diplomatic incident.
Chung Ching added: ‘The facts don’t lie. When there is more Chinese diplomacy on the ground, espionage goes up.
‘I have worked for independent Hong Kong organisations which makes me a criminal for “colluding with foreign forces”. I can never go back.’
Protesters outside a proposed site for a new Chinese Embassy on Saturday (Picture: Getty Images)
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To get the latest news from the capital visit UK News’ London news hub.
In Denmark, intelligence agencies confirmed a state-sponsored Chinese hack group Salt Typhoon targeted Dutch internet providers in 2024.
Chung Ching said: ‘It is hardly beyond imagination that China will try and utilise the communication cables outside of the super-embassy for surveillance.’
MI5 has warned that it is ‘not realistic to expect to be able wholly to eliminate each and every potential risk’ linked to China’s new London embassy, its director general Sir Ken McCallum warned in a joint letter with GCHQ’s director to the Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary.
Clara, who also fled Hong Kong to the UK five years ago, said Starmer is on the side of China to help boost his future trade deal as he prepares for his state visit there.
She now believes he should cancel the trip in a show of support for democracy, rather than totalitarianism.
‘I left Hong Kong to protect my freedom and those of my two children. In coming to the UK, I hoped to go somewhere that valued freedom of expression and democracy,’ she said.
‘But this seems like the complete opposite. Democracy starts at the bottom and the people of Tower Hamlets rejected these plans all the way back in 2022.’
Teenage boy fatally stabbed in woods close to park in Guildford | UK News
10:00 am
TL:DR – Teenage boy fatally stabbed in woods close to park in Guildford | UK News
- A murder investigation has been launched following the fatal stabbing of a teenage boy in Guildford’s Wild Wood Adventure Park on the evening of January 19.
- Emergency services were alerted at approximately 6.10pm; however, the boy was pronounced dead at the scene.
- No arrests have been made yet, and a police cordon is in place around the area.
- Investigators urge anyone with information from the vicinity of Lido Road and Stoke Park to come forward.
Teenage boy dies after being stabbed in woodland near a park in Guildford | News UK
The boy died in the woodland, known as Wild Wood Adventure Park in Guildford (Picture: Google)
A murder investigation has been launched after a teenage boy was stabbed to death in Guildford.
The boy died in a woodland off of Lido Road in Stoke Park yesterday evening.
Officers were first called to the area, known as Peacock Wood and Wild Wood Adventure, at around 6.10pm on Monday along with fire and ambulance crews.
Surrey Police said the boy, whose age has not been given, was pronounced dead at the scene.
An investigation, led by the Surrey and Sussex Police Major Crime Team, is underway.
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No arrests have been made as yet, they added.
The boy was stabbed to death near Stoke Park (Picture: Google)
A police cordon is in place around Peacock Wood and at the end of the car park on Lido Road.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Andy Jenkins said: ‘First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim at this desperately sad time.
‘I know there will be a lot of concern and speculation in the local community following the events of last night.
‘I would like to reassure them that our officers are working around the clock to establish the circumstances of this tragic incident, gather as much evidence as possible, and identify and bring those responsible to justice.
‘Our investigation is still in its early stages, and we are urgently looking to speak to anyone with any information that may assist our enquiries.
‘Were you in the area around Lido Road, Parkway, and Stoke Park between 6pm and 6.20pm on Monday 19 January?
‘Did you see anyone acting suspiciously in the area or running from the woods around this time? Any piece of information you have, no matter how small, could be significant.’
UK Employment Declines Again Amid Slow Wage Growth
8:26 am
TL:DR – Number of employed people in UK falls again as wage growth slows
- UK employment declined by 184,000 in December, mainly affecting retail and hospitality.
- Unemployment rate held steady at 5.1%.
- Private sector wage growth slowed to 4.5%, the lowest in five years.
- Employers are hesitant to hire due to increased national insurance and minimum wage.
- Job vacancies have dropped below pre-COVID levels, with 1.8 million unemployed.
- Economists anticipate Bank of England will reduce interest rates amid a weakening job market.
UK Employment Declines Amid Slow Wage Growth
The UK labour market continues to face challenges, with a drop of 184,000 employees in December compared to the previous year, particularly in the retail and hospitality sectors, while private sector wage growth hits a five-year low.
Current payroll figures stand at 30.2 million, translating to an unemployment rate of 5.1%.
People are getting paid less
Recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals a decline in the workforce and stagnation in hiring, particularly in shops, restaurants, and hotels.
Wage growth, excluding bonuses, decreased to 4.5%, down from 4.6%, while including bonuses, it fell to 4.7% from 4.8%.
This decline is reflected nationally, impacting businesses across the UK, particularly those reliant on consumer footfall in the retail and hospitality industries.
Stakeholders – What will Rachel Reeves do about it?
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has faced criticism for contributing to uncertainty among employers ahead of her budget announcement, which included £26 billion in tax increases aimed at addressing cost-of-living issues.
Liz McKeown, director of economic statistics at the ONS, highlighted the concentrated job losses in retail and hospitality.
The response from economists and industry leaders has been one of concern as the labour market deteriorates, with ongoing uncertainty impacting hiring practices.
There are predictions that large corporations may become even more cautious about hiring, particularly for entry-level positions.
What Will Happen Next
Analysts anticipate potential cuts to interest rates by the Bank of England, as expectations shift in response to worsening employment conditions.
The outlook remains uncertain as businesses navigate these economic pressures, with the potential for further consequences in the job market.
UK Plans Social Media Ban for Under-16s: What You Need to Know
8:15 am
What you need to know about the social media ban
- The UK government is considering a ban on social media access for children under 16.
- This initiative is in response to rising concerns about online safety and harmful content.
- Labour plans to draft legislation to enforce this restriction.
- The proposal has gained traction following the tragic case of Brianna Ghey, highlighting the need for better protections for minors online.
- Stakeholders are being consulted to discuss potential regulations and implications of such a ban.
UK Plans Social Media Ban for Under-16s
Labour is reportedly considering plans to ban under-16s from social media, a move prompted by growing concerns about online safety for children. This initiative comes in the wake of the tragic murder of Brianna Ghey, a 16-year-old whose family has called for stricter regulations.
The proposal aims to address rising instances of cyberbullying and harmful content that adolescents encounter on social platforms. The move reflects increasing scrutiny of digital spaces and their impact on younger users’ mental health.
Discussions about the ban are taking place at Labour headquarters, with representatives stressing the need for decisive action to protect children from online dangers. The initiative has sparked considerable debate over the balance between protecting minors and the potential overreach of government intervention in digital freedoms.
In a poignant statement, Ghey’s mother urged Labour leader Keir Starmer to take action. “No family should have to endure what we’ve gone through. We need to safeguard our children from the dark side of social media,” she remarked, highlighting the urgent need for reform.
As the conversation unfolds, questions remain about how such a ban would be implemented and enforced. The implications for social media companies and user privacy are yet to be fully explored. Advocates for the ban maintain that immediate action is necessary to shield vulnerable youth from potential harm in the digital landscape.
With increasing calls for change echoing through the corridors of power, one thing is certain: this debate will shape the future of how young people interact online.
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This straightforward jab that may help millions of pensioners live longer
6:00 am
TL:DR – This straightforward jab that may help millions of pensioners live longer | News UK
- New research indicates that the shingles vaccine may help pensioners live longer by slowing biological ageing.
- Participants aged 70+ who were vaccinated showed better scores on key ageing aspects, including inflammation.
- The study involved over 3,800 older adults from the U.S. Health and Retirement Study.
- Vaccinated individuals demonstrated significantly lower inflammation and slower biological ageing compared to unvaccinated peers.
- The findings suggest potential links between vaccination and improved immune health, impacting overall ageing processes.
This simple jab that could make millions of pensioners live longer
Those who received the shingles vaccine showed slower overall biological ageing on average (Picture: Getty)
New research has shown that a simple jab could help pensioners live longer and slow biological ageing in older adults.
The study showed that people aged 70 or older who had the shingles jab scored better on four key aspects of biological ageing, including inflammation.
Using data from the nationally representative U.S. Health and Retirement Study, researchers examined how shingles vaccination affected several aspects of biological ageing in more than 3,800 participants who were 70 or older in 2016.
Even when allowing for other socio-demographic and health variables, those who received the shingles vaccine showed slower overall biological ageing on average in comparison to unvaccinated people.
Shingles, also called herpes zoster, is a painful, blistering skin rash caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus, or varicella zoster.
Shingles risk is higher among those aged 50 and above
Anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk for shingles, and though shingles can occur at younger ages, the risk is higher among those aged 50 or older and immunocompromised individuals.
Vaccination, which has generally only been provided to older people, offers protection from shingles as well as a lower chance of postherpetic neuralgia, or long-term pain after a shingles infection.
While vaccines are designed to protect against acute infection, recent studies have highlighted a possible connection between adult vaccines – including those for shingles and influenza – and lower risks of dementia and other neurodegenerative disorders.
Inflammaging
Professor Jung Ki Kim said: ‘This study adds to emerging evidence that vaccines could play a role in promoting healthy ageing by modulating biological systems beyond infection prevention.’
Unlike chronological ageing, she explained that biological ageing refers to how the body is changing over time, including how well organs and systems are working.
Two people who are both 65 years of age may look very different inside: one may have the biological profile of someone younger, while another may show signs of ageing earlier.
On average, vaccinated people had ‘significantly’ lower inflammation measurements, slower epigenetic and transcriptomic ageing, and lower composite biological ageing scores.
The team say the results, published in the Journal of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, provide more insight into the possible mechanisms underlying how immune system health interacts with the ageing process.
What is inflammaging
Professor Kim says chronic, low-level inflammation is a well-known contributor to many age-related conditions – including heart disease, frailty, and cognitive decline – known as ‘inflammaging’.
She said: ‘By helping to reduce this background inflammation – possibly by preventing reactivation of the virus that causes shingles, the vaccine may play a role in supporting healthier ageing.
‘While the exact biological mechanisms remain to be understood, the potential for vaccination to reduce inflammation makes it a promising addition to broader strategies aimed at promoting resilience and slowing age-related decline.’
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