Russians against Ukraine war should spy for the UK, MI6 boss says
The head of MI6 has urged Russians appalled by the war in Ukraine to “join hands” with his spy service and bring the bloodshed to an end. In his second speech since becoming chief of the Secret Intelligence Service in 2020, Richard Moore said there appeared little prospect of Vladimir Putin’s forces regaining momentum in Ukraine – whose long-awaited counteroffensive is now under way. Delivering his speech at the British embassy in Prague, the MI6 chief likened the current situation in Ukraine to the Prague Spring in 1968, when the Soviet Union quashed liberalising reforms. “As they witness the venality, infighting and callous incompetence of their leaders – the human factor as its worst – many Russians are wrestling with the same dilemmas as their predecessors did in 1968,” Moore said. “I invite them to do what others have done this past 18 months and join hands with us. Our door is always open ... Their secrets will be safe with us and together we will work to bring the bloodshed to an end.” While Mr Putin has sought to maintain an iron grip on the war narrative since Russia’s full-scale invasion last February, with the aid of state TV, public opinion of the conflict is likely to have been knocked by Moscow’s apparent military setbacks and his mobilisation of reservists last Septmeber. Many fighting age men have fled abroad to escape the draft, while thousands of protesters have been arrested in infrequent demonstrations across scores of Russian cities since the war began. “There are many Russians today who are silently appalled by the sight of their armed forces pulverising Ukrainian cities, expelling innocent families from their homes and kidnapping thousands of children,” said Mr Moore. “They are watching in horror as their soldiers ravage a kindred country. They know in their hearts that Putin’s case for attacking a fellow Slavic nation is fraudulent, a miasma of lies and fantasy.” More follows... Read More The Body in the Woods | An Independent TV Original Documentary The harrowing discovery at centre of The Independent’s new documentary
1970-01-01 08:00
Heatwave: Italy's major cities on red heat alert
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1970-01-01 08:00
Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets excited for new chapter with Inter Miami
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1970-01-01 08:00
Tottenham to sign Ashley Phillips; Edmond Tapsoba & Micky van de Ven negotiations near conclusion
Tottenham are set to sign Ashley Phillips from Blackburn, while they are continuing talks for Bayer Leverkusen's Edmond Tapsoba and Wolfsburg's Micky van de Ven.
1970-01-01 08:00
US needs 'Kissinger-style wisdom' in its China policies - Wang Yi
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1970-01-01 08:00
Trump news – live: Trump claims he’s ‘not frightened’ by Jan 6 target letter as potential indictment looms
Donald Trump has claimed he is “not frightened” about his third potential indictment on criminal charges – after he revealed that he had been sent a letter by special prosecutor Jack Smith informing him he is the “target” of a grand jury investigation into his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. The former president took to Truth Social on Tuesday morning to say that he had been told to report to a grand jury over the January 6 Capitol riot, which he pointed out “almost always means an Arrest and Indictment”. The Independent has learned that the indictment could be handed down as soon as this week. Mr Trump spoke out about the potential looming indictment to Fox News’ Sean Hannity, admitting that “it bothers me”. “They want to try to demean and diminish and frighten people. But they don’t frighten us because we’re going to make America great again. That’s all there is,” he said. Meanwhile, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced criminal charges against 16 people who signed certificates falsely declaring Mr Trump won the 2020 election, part of a nationwide scheme to upend the results in states that the former president lost to Joe Biden. Read More Donald Trump brands US a ‘third-world hellhole’ run by ‘perverts’ and ‘thugs’ Ron DeSantis campaign fires staff as Florida governor trails Trump in the polls Fundraising takeaways: Trump and DeSantis in their own tier as Pence and other Republicans struggle RFK Jr revives antisemitic conspiracy theory that Covid-19 was ‘ethnically targeted’ to spare Jewish people
1970-01-01 08:00
IMF Warns Pakistan May Have to Restructure Debt If Goals Not Met
The International Monetary Fund said Pakistan’s external debt has swelled to $100 billion, warning the nation could well
1970-01-01 08:00
Pita Limjaroenrat: Thai reformist leader suspended from parliament
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1970-01-01 08:00
'Jeopardy!' fans disappointed as the 'Next Ken Jennings' Daniel Moore loses champ title by $1
Daniel Moore seemed to play it safe by going for clues with smaller scores and letting the chance for a big win go to the other contestants
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Football transfer rumours: Man Utd consider Kolo Muani; Liverpool enter Palhinha race
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Ukraine war: Crimea depot blasts force villagers to flee
More than 2,000 people are evacuated in an incident that closes a key highway in occupied Crimea.
1970-01-01 08:00
US Says Soldier Fled to North Korea After Facing Expulsion
North Korea detained a US soldier who intentionally crossed the border from South Korea in an apparent effort
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