China’s 84% retaliatory tariffs on US goods, announced on Wednesday, are due to come into effect on ThursdayRead the latest full reportChina and the European Union have exchanged views on strengthening their economic and trade cooperation in response to US tariffs, the Chinese commerce ministry said on Thursday, according to Reuters news agency.In a video call on Tuesday, China’s commerce minister Wang Wentao discussed with European trade and economic security commissioner Maros Sefcovic the restart of talks on trade relief and to immediately carry out negotiations on electric vehicle price commitments, the Chinese ministry statement said. Continue reading...

Why have the city’s bin collectors gone on strike? Jessica Murray reports“It’s been absolutely unbelievable,” William Timms, a pest controller, tells Hannah Moore.“Since March, calls have gone up 50%. Usually, I’m dealing with about three or four rodent jobs a day this time of year. And then I’ve got my insect jobs on top. Continue reading...

The 73-year-old actor was diagnosed after her role in the John Wick franchise, and chose to keep it private – but is now speaking out in case it helps othersAnjelica Huston has revealed she was diagnosed with cancer six years ago, saying she is now “in the clear”.The 73-year-old actor declined to tell People magazine what kind of cancer she had, saying she wanted to keep that private, but did reveal she was diagnosed after the release of her 2019 film John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum. Continue reading...

Lakers star scores 31 of 45 points before halftime in winDončić shed tears during lengthy pre-game tribute videoLuka Dončić scored 45 points in his first game in Dallas since being traded to the Los Angeles, helping the Lakers wrap up a playoff spot with a 112-97 victory over the Mavericks on Wednesday night.Dončić’s emotional return came two months after a seismic trade out of nowhere that sent the five-time All-Star to Los Angeles. The 26-year-old star from Slovenia spent his first five and a half seasons with the Mavericks, and still had two seasons left on his contract. Continue reading...

Ukraine president says more than 150 Chinese involved in fighting for Russia; US lawmakers criticise reports of planned troop pullbacks in Europe. What we know on day 1,142See all our Ukraine war coverageVolodymyr Zelenskyy accused Beijing of turning a blind eye to the recruitment of Chinese nationals to fight for Russia, adding he believed the US was “very surprised” by the revelation. The Ukrainian leader said Kyiv has obtained passport details of at least 155 fighters from China in the war. While Zelenskyy said Beijing knew its citizens were there, he didn’t believe the country had given “some kind of command” they join the fight.Zelenskyy added he believes Russia is using social media, including TikTok, to recruit. He said he was prepared to exchange captured Chinese soldiers with Ukrainian servicemen in detention.China called those claims “groundless”, saying they are contrary to an effort to find a political solution to the ongoing war. “The Chinese government always asks Chinese citizens to stay away from conflict zones,” a spokesperson for the country’s foreign ministry said. Russia has not commented on the existence of Chinese nationals joining its side.Zelenskyy said Ukraine needs at least 10 Patriot missile systems to intercept Russian ballistic weapons, just days before a summit at the Ramstein airbase in Germany. “We have repeatedly raised this issue with the American side and with everyone in Europe who is in a position to help. We are counting on decisions,” he wrote on X.Russian drones attacked Kyiv early Thursday. Local officials said one person was trapped in a destroyed house and a downed drone started a fire in a storage area of the city.A bipartisan group of US lawmakers sharply criticised reports the Trump administration is looking to reduce the number of American troops in Europe. The US has maintained a force of about 100,000 in Europe in recent years, an increase of 20,000 since Russia invaded Ukraine.A Russian family who fled to the US after protesting against the war are asking to leave on their own terms after working their way through the labyrinthine immigration process, only to get ensnared by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “I left home so that I wouldn’t be afraid to be put into prison again,” a member of the family said. “When I came here, I thought, worst case they can refuse us asylum. But I didn’t expect that something like this could happen. Not again.” Continue reading...