Cummings claims China obtained ‘extremely secret’ government data
He said that fundamental infrastructure for transferring sensitive data around the British state was compromised “for years”. Mr Cummings told The Times: “What I’m saying is that some Strap stuff was compromised and vast amounts of data classified as extremely secret and extremely dangerous for any foreign entity to control was compromised. Material from the National Security Secretariat in the Cabinet Office. Mr Cummings called it “absolutely puerile nonsense” to suggest that whether to define China as a threat is a “difficult semantic question”. A Government spokesperson said: “We don’t comment on national security matters.”
Source:The Times
October 15, 2025 17:55 UTC
How the UK’s Hurricane-Strength Storm of 1987 Became a Famous Weather Forecasting Failure
Warnings would use language that focuses on likelihood and impact, changes the Met Office introduced in the wake of the 1987 storm. For better awareness, the storm would likely be named too, a step some countries have begun taking to help focus public attention on a specific weather threat. If the storm was to strike again today, Mr. Deakin said, it would probably bring an additional layer of risk, because of climate change. “It would definitely drop more rain because a warmer climate holds more moisture,” he said. “The British public are wonderful actually,” he said.
Source:The Times
October 15, 2025 17:46 UTC
Boris Johnson former aide Dominic Cummings claims China ‘stole’ UK state secrets — and Whitehall buried it
The stolen material, he claimed, included intelligence agency data, documents from the National Security Secretariat, and other highly sensitive state secrets.“It was so bizarre that people in the room thought they must have misheard,” Cummings told The Times, describing the meeting where the breach was disclosed. “Vast amounts of data classified as extremely secret were compromised.”If accurate, the breach represents one of the most significant national security failures in modern British history — potentially exposing intelligence operations, diplomatic strategies, and critical infrastructure vulnerabilities to a foreign power.Cummings alleges that the Cabinet Office prioritised protecting relations with Beijing over confronting the breach publicly, arguing that “the British state has prioritised Chinese money over its own security for decades.” He claimed that even current ministers, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, may be unaware of the full extent of the compromise.The revelation comes amid deep political fallout from the collapse of a high-profile Chinese espionage prosecution. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) dropped charges against two men accused of spying for Beijing after the government declined to officially state that China was a “threat” to national security at the time of the alleged offences.The “Strap” system — the UK’s highest classification level — was reportedly compromised. This includes intelligence data, Cabinet Office secrets, and sensitive state material.According to Cummings, the network transferring the UK’s most sensitive data was infiltrated “for years.”Cummings claims senior officials warned those informed not to discuss the breach with the media, with some evidence deliberately “buried.”He accuses successive governments of downplaying threats from China to protect trade and investment ties.The allegations coincide with Starmer’s decision to publish witness statements linked to the collapsed spy trial — documents that could shed light on the government’s stance on Chinese espionage.Cummings’ claims, if substantiated, point to a systemic failure of Britain’s national security apparatus and raise profound questions about how successive governments have balanced security risks against economic interests with China. They also put renewed pressure on Prime Minister Starmer to fully disclose the scale of Beijing’s infiltration and the British state’s response.
Source:The Times
October 15, 2025 17:23 UTC
Britain has a planning problem. Digital twin technology can fix it
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Source:The Times
October 15, 2025 17:00 UTC
Margaux Bordeaux wine goes on sale at Aldi for £19.99
The Margaux Declassified 2023 (£19.99, 75cl) headlines Aldi’s festive wine range. It’s the kind of bottle that would usually be saved for special occasions in top restaurants - now available in the Aldi wine aisle.”The Margaux Declassified 2023 is available in Aldi stores nationwide now. Recommended reading:What is Château Margaux? Château Margaux is a wine estate in Margaux-Cantenac, France, and was one of five wines to achieve Premier cru (first growth) status in the Bordeaux Classification of 1855. The estate's best wines are very expensive, with a bottle of Château Margaux grand vin reaching over £500.
Source:The Times
October 15, 2025 15:45 UTC
Former Strictly Come Dancing professionals announce Vegas-themed tour for 2026
Brendan Cole, James Jordan, Pasha Kovalev, Vincent Simone and Ian Waite, who are about to finish their 2025 Return Of The Legends tour, will hit the road once again with Vegas: After Hours. Cole, 49, said: “Anyone who saw our last two shows will tell you that a Vegas-themed show is the perfect next step for us. We are the Rat Pack of dance, and we’re going to have a Vegas-style party. Across the shows, the five dancers and their female dance partners will perform routines set to a Las Vegas-inspired soundtrack. Tickets go on general sale at 10am on Friday October 17.
Source:The Times
October 15, 2025 15:39 UTC
UK is taking targeted action against Indian, Chinese Firms over Russian oil trade, British finance minister says
SynopsisThe UK is cracking down on Indian and Chinese companies that are helping Russia sell its oil. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced these targeted sanctions, aiming to disrupt Moscow's oil trade and put more pressure on Russia's economy. This move signals a tougher stance from Britain against those facilitating Russian oil sales.
Source:The Times
October 15, 2025 15:19 UTC
Irvine pensioner confronts 'mugger' after bag snatched
Archie Dempster, from Girdle Toll, was waiting for a bus near Pitchers when the man allegedly ran up and snatched his bag. But brave Archie wasn't letting him get away with it - and followed and confronted his 'attacker', brandishing his walking stick. The pensioner told the Times: "I said to him, 'that's my bag' and he replied, 'no, it isn't' before running off again. The attack took place in Bank Street as Archie waited for a bus(Image: Street View)"I kept up with him for a bit but my legs were knackered. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 4.35pm on Thursday, October 9, 2025, officers received a report of theft from a man on Bank Street, Irvine.
Source:The Times
October 15, 2025 15:04 UTC
Dominic Cummings: China ‘stole’ classified state secrets
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Source:The Times
October 15, 2025 15:01 UTC
George Russell signs new multi-year deal to remain with Mercedes
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Source:The Times
October 15, 2025 13:09 UTC
Chicago’s Uprising Against ICE, and 80,000 Stolen Phones
Your morning listen, all in about 10 minutesHere’s what we’re covering:ICE Is Cracking Down on Chicago. Some Chicagoans Are Fighting Back by Julie BosmanTrump Renews Threat to Cut ‘Democrat Programs’ During Shutdown by Tony Romm and Catie EdmondsonTrump Dangles $20 Billion Lifeline for Argentina, With Strings Attached by Zolan Kanno-Youngs and Alan RappeportTrump Awards Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Tyler PagerLead Found in Popular Protein Powders and Shakes, Report Says by Maggie Astor
Source:The Times
October 15, 2025 13:03 UTC
London Became a Global Hub for Phone Theft. Now We Know Why.
Last month’s raids were aimed at identifying a group of middlemen who, the police say, use secondhand phone shops as part of a multilayered global criminal network. By the end of the two-week operation, detectives had found about 2,000 stolen phones and 200,000 pounds ($266,000) in cash. A Mile of Aluminum FoilFor years, London’s police assumed most of the phone thefts were the work of small-time thieves looking to make some quick cash. “It quickly became apparent this wasn’t just normal low-level street crime,” said Mark Gavin, a senior detective leading the investigation for the Metropolitan Police. Phone theft has been the subject of particular anger among victims, who for years reported their cellphones stolen and handed the police the locations being transmitted, only to be given a crime reference number and hear nothing more.
Source:The Times
October 15, 2025 11:34 UTC
DP World India Championship 2025 LIVE: UK tee times, players, leaderboard, prize money and how to follow Rory McIlroy
DP World India Championship 2025 LIVE: UK tee times, players, leaderboard, prize money and how to follow Rory McIlroyRory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood will headline the inaugural DP World India Championship this week. DP World India Championship: Date and how to followThis event is taking place from Thursday, October 16 to Sunday, October 19, at Delhi Golf Club in New Delhi, India. 3 Hovland is among a high-class field in India Credit: GettyDP World India Championship: What has been said? I'm proud to play in the inaugural DP World India Championship. Fleetwood added: “I can’t wait to get back to Delhi for the DP World India Championship.
Source:The Times
October 15, 2025 11:02 UTC
Times letters: Plan to boost budget with planning reforms
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Source:The Times
October 15, 2025 09:11 UTC
Teacher struck off after ‘telling pupils about rectal bleeding from dildo mishap’ during lesson on Charles Dickens
It follows an investigation and hearing which took place last monthHARD TIMES Teacher struck off after ‘telling pupils about rectal bleeding from dildo mishap’ during lesson on Charles DickensA TEACHER has been struck off after allegedly telling pupils during an English class about a dildo mishap that caused rectal bleeding. Kathryn Matthews, 43, instead allegedly talked about sex toys, orgasms, pornography and sex acts rather than classic literature. However, the English teacher denied having made any comments of the nature and that students “had colluded against her”. These kinds of conversations were said to be regular in the class, as students regarded her “more like a friend than a teacher”. She is also banned from teaching in any school sixth form college, youth accommodation or children’s home in England.
Source:The Times
October 15, 2025 08:52 UTC