Markus Andrews

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead more The European Union on Monday moved to impose visa restrictions on Georgian diplomats and government officials over the police crackdown on opposition protesters demanding a rerun of October’s contested election.Tens of thousands of people have filled the streets regularly in recent weeks since the governing party decided to suspend negotiations on joining the EU. Police have increasingly used force in their attempts to break up the rallies.Former soccer player Mikheil Kavelashvili became Georgia’s president on Saturday as the governing Georgian Dream party tightened its grip on power in the election that the opposition alleges was rigged with Moscow’s help.After chairing what she described as a “very tense discussion” among the bloc’s foreign ministers, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said they had decided “to suspend the visa free regime for diplomatic passports and service passports.”The EU’s executive branch, the European Commission, was tasked to prepare the measure.Kallas also tabled a list of Georgian officials for the ministers to weigh sanctions against them, but Hungary and Slovakia — considered the most Russia-friendly of the 27 EU countries — blocked the move.“With sanctions, we need 27 on board,” Kallas said. But she called the imposition of visa restrictions an important first step.Chairing her first meeting since taking office on Dec. 1, Kallas added: “It’s my first Hungarian veto but I can guarantee it’s not the last.”Hungary holds the EU’s rotating presidency until the end of the month, when Poland takes over. Over the past year it has routinely blocked joint moves against Russia or in support of Ukraine, complicating procedures.Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys told reporters that a visa ban is the “minimum we should do,” adding that “we have to send the message to Georgian people in the streets that Europe doesn’t abandon you.”The EU granted Georgia candidate status for membership in December 2023 but put the accession bid on hold and cut financial support in June after the passage of a “foreign influence” law that was widely seen as a blow to democratic freedoms. More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreSir Keir Starmer is set to face tough questions over the UK’s defence spending as the prime minister gears up to meet with European allies at a major defence summit.The prime minister will meet with leaders from the 10 member states of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) – a UK-led European defence alliance -in Tallinn on Monday and Tuesday, with defence spending expected to be the main topic of discussion. Just hours before the summit began, Estonia’s defence minister Hanno Pevkur issued a stark warning to allies that spending 2 per cent of GDP on defence is simply not enough.He urged allies to act immediately to boost funding, suggesting one possible method would be to introduce a security tax – something Estonia will be introducing from the new yearSir Keir Starmer said he was concerned about the challenge posed by China (Leon Neal/PA) More

Sir Keir admits concerns over challenges China poses to the UKYour support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreAn alleged Chinese spy banned from the UK and linked to the Duke of York can now be named as Yang Tengbo, a High Court judge has ruled.The 50-year-old director of a Chinese investment consultancy firm was barred from the UK in 2023 after it was deemed he would likely threaten national security. A High Court judge has now lifted an anonymity order so he can now be identified.Mr Yang was allegedly found with letters addressed to Beijing’s United Front Work Department – a shadowy arm of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) tasked with gaining influence over foreign officials – after he was detained in 2019.The suspect is said to have become a “close” confidant of the Duke of York and has also been pictured with senior politicians including Lord David Cameron and Baroness Theresa May.It comes after Sir Keir Starmer defended his approach of engaging with Xi Jinping’s government despite concerns over security and human rights abuses.Speaking during a visit to Norway, Sir Keir would not comment on any conversations he may have had with the royal family over the H6 case.But he said: “Of course we are concerned about the challenge that China poses.”Yang Tengbo statement in full: Suspected Chinese spy breaks silence after being named at heart of scandalJabed Ahmed16 December 2024 14:42Inside the court room as alleged Chinese spy is namedIn a short court hearing that lasted less than 30 minutes, a judge ruled that an order preventing the identity of businessman Yang Tengbo from being reported should be lifted.Previously only known as H6, Mr Tengbo is facing allegations of being a Chinese spy who had ingratiated himself with senior Establishment figures, including Prince Andrew.Given that he has been banned from entering the UK, the only people present at the hearing were his legal team, headed by Guy Vassall-Adams KC, a barrister for the Home Office and another lawyer for the media.Around 15 journalists from a number of different publications were also present, after the identity of Tengbo and his relationship to the Duke of York dominated headlines over the weekend.Holly Evans, at the Royal Courts of Justice16 December 2024 14:41Yang Tengbo issues statement denying spying allegations Yang Tengbo, the alleged Chinese spy banned from the UK and linked to the Duke of York, said he has “done nothing wrong or unlawful”, adding in a statement that the “widespread description of me as a ‘spy’ is entirely untrue”.“Due to the high level of speculation and misreporting in the media and elsewhere, I have asked my legal team to disclose my identity,” the statement said. “I have done nothing wrong or unlawful and the concerns raised by the Home Office against me are ill-founded. The widespread description of me as a ‘spy’ is entirely untrue. “This is why I applied for a review of the Home Office decision in the first place, and why I am seeking permission to appeal the SIAC decision. It is also why an order extending my anonymity up to the point of determination of the appeal process was granted.“I have been excluded from seeing most of the evidence that was used against me under a process which is widely acknowledged by SIAC practitioners as inherently unfair: decisions are made based on secret evidence and closed proceedings, which has been described as “taking blind shots at a hidden target”.“On their own fact finding, even the three judges in this case concluded that there was ‘not an abundance of evidence’ against me, their decision was ‘finely balanced’, and there could be an ‘innocent explanation’ for my activities. This has not been reported in the media.“The political climate has changed, and unfortunately, I have fallen victim to this. When relations are good, and Chinese investment is sought, I am welcome in the UK. When relations sour, an anti-China stance is taken, and I am excluded.“I am an independent self-made entrepreneur and I have always aimed to foster partnerships and build bridges between East and West. I have dedicated my professional life in the UK to building links between British and Chinese businesses. My activities have played a part in bringing hundreds of millions of pounds of investment into the UK.“I built my private life in the UK over two decades and love the country as my second home. I would never do anything to harm the interests of the UK.”Jabed Ahmed16 December 2024 14:27Full report: ‘Chinese spy’ at heart of Prince Andrew scandal namedJabed Ahmed16 December 2024 14:22Judge gives order naming suspectGiving his judgement, Mr Justice Chamberlain told the court: “Since our order on the 11th of December there has been extensive press reporting in this jurisdiction and abroad. Some reporting on social media has named the claimant and there has been some suggestion that the claimant may be named in Parliament.He continued: “I now discharge those parts of this order. This means the claimant’s name Tengbo Yang can be reported in public in connection with these proceedings.”Holly Evans, at the Royal Courts of Justice16 December 2024 14:17Alleged Chinese spy namedAn alleged Chinese spy banned from the UK and linked to the Duke of York can now be named as Yang Tengbo, a High Court judge has ruled.Jabed Ahmed16 December 2024 14:12Suspect’s lawyer says client wishes to set aside the anonymity orderSpeaking on behalf of the businessman known only as H6, his barrister Guy Vassall-Adams KC said that his client wished to set aside the anonymity order.“My lord following the judgement last Thursday, there has been an enormous amount of media reporting in relation to this story, in particular the relationship between my client H6 and Prince Andrew as well as a huge amount of speculation to the identity of my client,” he said.He added that there had been some publication to the identity, as well as threats “from different quarters” to identify his client using parliamentary privilege.“My client wishes to make a public statement and is applying for last Wednesday’s order to be discharged,” he said.Jabed Ahmed16 December 2024 14:08Hearing begins for suspected agent H6 linked to Prince Andrew The hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice has begun where lawyers acting for H6, the alleged Chinese spy linked to Prince Andrew, will shortly ask the court to allow the spy to be named. Among those inside the room is The Independent’s Holly Evans, who will be bringing you the latest updates. The suspect is said to have become a “close” confidant of the Duke of York and has also been pictured with senior politicians including Lord David Cameron and Baroness Theresa May.Jabed Ahmed16 December 2024 14:03Watch: Starmer admits concerns about China amid Chinese spy allegationsStarmer admits concerns about China amid Chinese spy allegationsJabed Ahmed16 December 2024 13:59Why the alleged Chinese spy with ties to Andrew cannot be named as Farage threatens to unmask himA judge will consider naming an alleged Chinese spy who was able to form links at the heart of the British establishment.An urgent hearing is taking place at the Royal Courts of Justice today at 2pm where a judge is expected to review whether the suspect can be named.Here is why the suspect cannot be named: Jabed Ahmed16 December 2024 13:49 More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreThe European Commission is taking Britain to court over its alleged failure to comply with EU law on freedom of movement after Brexit.In a blow to Sir Keir Starmer’s efforts to reset relations with the bloc, the commission referred the UK to the Court of Justice of the European Union over shortcomings in how it has cooperated with the post-Brexit withdrawal agreement.It alleges several shortcomings in how Britain has stuck to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, affecting residents’ rights to live and work freely between EU member states. It said Britain has failed to heed a series of warnings that its national laws do not comply with EU free movement laws at the end of 2020.The European Commission alleges several shortcomings in how Britain has stuck to post-Brexit agreements More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreThe new cabinet secretary Sir Chris Wormald has delivered a stark pre-Christmas warning on his first day in the job as Britain’s top civil servant.In a message to all civil servants across Whitehall, Sir Chris has echoed the comments from the prime minister that they must stop being a block to progress with an instruction “we must do things differently”.The new top mandarin toned down the language after Sir Keir Starmer was described as “Trumpian” in his attack on civil servants. He said in a major speech: “too many people in Whitehall are “comfortable in the tepid bath of managed decline”, though he insisted he did not think there was a “swamp to be drained here”.Sir Chris Wormald the new Cabinet Secretary (Yui Mok/PA) More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead more European Union nations on Monday set out conditions for lifting sanctions on Syria and kick-starting aid to the conflict-ravaged country amid uncertainty about its new leaders’ intentions just over a week after they seized power.At a meeting in Brussels, the EU’s top diplomats said they want guarantees from members of Syria’s interim government that they are preparing for a peaceful political future involving all minority groups, one in which extremism and former allies Russia and Iran have no place.Since Damascus fell on Dec. 8 and leader Bashar Assad fled to Moscow, Syria’s transition has been surprisingly smooth. Few reports have surfaced of reprisals, revenge killings or sectarian violence. Most looting or destruction has been quickly contained.But the new leadership has yet to lay out a clear vision of how Syria will be governed. The interim government was set up by former opposition forces led by the Islamic militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, a former al-Qaida affiliate that the EU and U.S. consider to be a terrorist organization.The interim government is set to rule until March. Arab foreign ministers have called for U.N.-supervised elections based on a new constitution. The U.N. envoy to Syria has pressed for removing sanctions.To understand more, the EU is sending an envoy to Damascus for talks with those at least temporarily in charge.EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc wants a “stable, peaceful and all-comprising government in place,” but that it will probably take weeks, if not months, for Syria’s new path to be clear.“Syria faces an optimistic, positive, but rather uncertain future, and we have to make sure that this goes to the right direction,” she told reporters at a meeting of EU foreign ministers. “For us, it’s not only the words, but we want to see the deeds.”In a message aimed at the new leaders, Kallas said: “Russia and Iran are not your friends, are not helping you if you are in trouble. They left Assad’s regime, and that is a very clear message showing that their hands are full elsewhere and they are weakened.”Syria has been shattered by five decades of Assad family rule. Its economy has been destroyed, poverty is widespread, inflation and unemployment are high and corruption seeps through daily life. Millions of people have fled the country.Hundreds of thousands of them live in Europe, and while some EU countries have suspended asylum applications from Syrian refugees, only those willing to return will be helped to get home, for now.In 2011, the EU began imposing asset freezes and travel bans on Syrian officials and organizations in response to Assad’s crackdown on civilian protesters, which turned into civil war. The sanctions have been slapped on some 316 people and 86 entities accused of backing Assad.French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said that before any sanctions are lifted or EU development aid sent to Syria, “a certain number of conditions must be met.” They include, he said, “a political transition that allows all Syrian minority groups to be represented, the respect of human rights, the rights of women in Syria (and) the rejection of terrorism and extremism.”His Spanish counterpart, Jose Manuel Albares, said Syria’s new leaders must understand that the EU has some “red lines” which should be respected before support comes.“We must guarantee the territorial integrity of Syria and we must make sure that there (is) no foreign interference,” he said. “If those questions are correctly addressed by the new authorities, then we can have a second conversation about sanctions.”Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said Europe’s support for Syria’s new leaders should not be “a blank check in advance,” whereby the bloc would be expected to lift all its sanctions and economic restrictions and then start talks.Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp also told reporters that “regarding the Russian military bases in Syria, we want the Russians out.” More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreRachel Reeves is being warned that her so-called “tractor tax” will not just hit farms but also puts tens of thousands of family businesses at risk along with 125,000 job losses.The main trade body representing builders – the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) – has become the latest of 32 trade bodies to sign an open letter to the chancellor warning about the consequences of changes to inheritance tax in the Budget.It has raised serious questions over the Labour government’s hopes over a building revolution pushing forward economic growth.The 32 trade bodies, representing 160,000 family businesses, have made their intervention ahead of a major protest event at the London Palladium on Monday which will be addressed by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch.The Chancellor is facing criticism over the tractor tax (Peter Byrne/PA) More

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreNigel Farage has refused to take up parliament’s anti-bullying training, branding the scheme “woke” and saying he has no intention of engaging with it.The Reform UK leader is one of five MPs to have not taken up the course, which is designed to explain the rules around harassment and sexual misconduct.Others include two Conservative MPs, the former minister Neil O’Brien and Dr Caroline Johnson, and two DUP MPs, Sammy Wilson and Gregory Campbell, The Times reported.Nigel Farage has ‘no intention’ of completing the anti-bullying course More