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PM’s spokesperson says it is ‘entirely false’ government played role in getting CPS to drop China spying case
At the Downing Street lobby briefing this morning the PM’s spokesperson said it was “entirely false” to suggest the government influenced the collapse of the China spying case because of concerns Beijing could withdraw investment in the UK, Downing Street said.
Asked about reports in the Sunday Times which suggested a decision was taken high up in government to abandon the case so as not to damage the economic relationship with China, the PM’s spokesperson told reporters:
It is entirely false. The CPS [Crown Prosecution Service] decision to drop the case was entirely a matter for the CPS. There was no role for any member of this government, no minister, or special adviser, to take any decision in relation to this case. That is entirely for the CPS.

Trump has threatened 100% tariffs after Beijing’s fresh curbs on rare earths, a month before deadline to agree a deal
With nearly a month to go before the deadline for the US and China to reach a deal in their trade war, goodwill between the two countries appears to have been swept off the table in recent days. China announced that it was once again , prompting the US president, Donald Trump, to announce on US-bound Chinese exports, scuppering – at least for now - hopes that global economic turmoil could be averted.

Wall Street rallies at the open as fears over US-China trade war ease
The National Lottery operator Allwyn is to merge with Greece’s leading gambling company OPAP to create a global listed gaming giant worth about €16bn (£13.9bn).
Allwyn, which owns a near-52% controlling stake in Athens-headquartered OPAP, has agreed an all-share tie-up with OPAP that will see the combined group renamed Allwyn.

US S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite indexes rise and cryptocurrencies rebound after Trump post on Truth Social

Global stock markets have edged higher and cryptocurrencies rebounded amid signs that a new front in the US-China trade war may not be as severe as first feared.
, as Donald Trump threatened to impose additional US tariffs of 100% on China starting next month.

Beijing says it could introduce "countermeasures" if the US President imposes an an additional 100% tariff on Chinese imports.

The move, which is aimed to protect supplies of technology, could raise tensions between the EU and China.

Zion Church, founded by pastor Jin Mingri in 2007, is one of China's largest underground church networks.

The conference was billed as a celebration of China’s achievements in supporting women. But the government has mostly wiped out independent advocacy groups.

Bridget Phillipson says national security adviser was not involved in discussions before CPS abandoned its prosecution
The government’s national security adviser had no involvement in the prosecution against two British men accused of spying for China, a senior cabinet minister has said.
Jonathan Powell had no connection to discussions about the “substance or the evidence” of the case, Bridget Phillipson said on Sunday, adding that Keir Starmer had full confidence in him.

The documentary highlights Larry Ramos, the first Asian American to win a Grammy. Ramos is from Waimea on Kauai. The documentary will be screened at the Hawaii International Film Festival.

The documentary highlights Larry Ramos, the first Asian American to win a Grammy. Ramos is from Waimea on Kauai. The documentary will be screened at the Hawaii International Film Festival.

Beijing says it will act if US president doesn’t stand down, while investors brace for trade war turmoil
Beijing has told the US it will retaliate if fails to back down on his threat to impose 100% on imports as investors brace for another bout of trade war turmoil.
China’s commerce ministry blamed Washington for raising trade tensions between the two countries after Trump announced on Friday that he would , along with new controls on critical software, by 1 November.