Ex-spy chief warns balloon ‘gross transgression’ as US denies alien links February 14, 2023 A former head of MI6 has warned of a “gross transgression” by the Chinese authorities in sending a spy balloon into US airspace and urged the UK to “wake up” to the threat posed. Sir Alex Younger, who ran the UK’s foreign intelligence service from 2014 to 2020, told the BBC on 14 February that [...]
Wallace: UK to review security after ‘airspace intrusions’ in US by alleged Chinese ‘spy balloon’ February 13, 2023 Ben Wallace has announced the UK will conduct a security review after a series of objects in Western airspace were shot down by the US military, including a suspected Chinese spy balloon. The Defence Secretary announced the intended review on Sunday. It comes after US fighter jets shot down an “unidentified object” over Lake Huron [...]
Tensions sharpen after US jet downs fourth ‘unidentified object’ in eight days in wake of China ‘spy balloon’ February 13, 2023 A US fighter jet shot down an “unidentified object” over Lake Huron on Sunday on orders from President Joe Biden. It was the fourth such downing in eight days and the latest military strike in an extraordinary chain of events over US airspace that Pentagon officials believe has no peacetime precedent. Part of the reason [...]
Disney: Episode of The Simpsons referencing China’s ‘forced labour camps’ removed in Hong Kong February 8, 2023 Disney has removed an episode of The Simpsons referencing “forced labour camps” in China from its streaming service in Hong Kong. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment about why the episode, One Angry Lisa from The Simpsons’ 34th series, is not available to stream on Disney+ in the semi-autonomous Chinese [...]
China Covid-19 case surge and Brexit disruption worry UK firms most, survey finds February 6, 2023 A surge in Covid-19 cases in China gumming up supply chains threatens to snag the UK economy, a survey out today reveals. Trade flows hobbled by workers in China being too sick to work after contracting the virus or Beijing reimposing lockdowns in response to a rise in cases ranks as the top concern among [...]
China ‘looking into’ accusations of sending spy satellite ballon to US airspace February 3, 2023 China said it is looking into reports one of its spy satellite has been flying in US airspace. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said China is a “responsible country” which has “always strictly abided by international laws” and “has no intention to violate the territory and airspace of any sovereign countries”. She added: “As for [...]
More Covid restrictions lifted: China and Hong Kong scrap need for PCR test to travel between authorities February 3, 2023 Travel between Hong Kong and China will no longer require Covid PCR tests or be limited, authorities have announced. Hong Kong’s tourism industry has suffered since 2019 after months of political strife that at times turned into violent clashes between protesters and police, as well as harsh entry restrictions implemented during the pandemic. “From Monday, [...]
BA and Virgin to restart flights to China after three years as Beijing welcomes back visitors February 2, 2023 Virgin Atlantic and British Airways have announced they will return to China for the first time in three years following Beijing’s reopening. Richard Branson’s airline – which stopped operating flights into China in December 2020 – announced today it will resume daily flights between Heathrow and Shanghai from 1 May. Meanwhile British Airways (BA) will [...]
Taiwan scrambles fighter jets and puts navy on alert after Chinese incursions February 1, 2023 Taiwan has scrambled fighter jets, put its navy on alert and activated missile systems in response to nearby operations of 34 Chinese military aircraft and nine warships. The Chinese deployment is part of Beijing’s strategy to unsettle and intimidate the self-governing island democracy. The large-scale manoeuvres come as Beijing increases preparations for a potential blockade [...]
Will the global economy avoid a recession? Some people think so January 24, 2023 The global economy will narrowly avoid a recession this year due to China dismantling its zero Covid policy, forecasters have predicted today. A boost from the world’s second biggest economy re-entering the global community is set to power world GDP 1.9 per cent this year, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. Beijing’s surprise scrapping of [...]