Ukraine-Russia latest: Putin arrives to red carpet in China for summit

Vladimir Putin has arrived in the northern Chinese port city of Tianjin, Chinese and Russian state media reported, for a regional security summit that China hopes can counter Western influence in global affairs.

For the rare four-day visit to Russia‘s neighbour and largest trading partner, Putin arrived to a red carpet welcome, received on the tarmac by top-ranking city officials, a livestream of the event by Russia’s TASS showed.

President Xi Jinping will host about 20 world leaders in Tianjin, also including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at the two-day summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the largest gathering since the group was established in 2001 among six Eurasian nations.

It comes as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Kyiv was planning “deep strikes”, a reference to using long-range missiles either to strike Russia or occupied Ukraine.

“We will continue our active operations in exactly the way needed for Ukraine’s defence. The forces and resources are prepared. New deep strikes have also been planned,” Zelensky said on X after meeting Ukraine’s top general, Oleksandr Syrskyi, without giving further details of the plans.

Harry Potter director says reunion ‘won’t happen’ due to Rowling

Harry Potter director Chris Columbus has said there cannot be a reunion due to JK Rowling’s controversial trans views.

Columbus, who made the first two films, previously suggested he’d like to adapt the play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child for the big screen, but said “it’s never going to happen” with the original child stars.

“It’s gotten so complicated with all the political stuff,” Columbus said, referencing the fact Potter star Daniel Radcliffe and Hermione actor Emma Watson spoke out against Rowling’s stance on trans rights.

“Everyone in the cast has their own opinion, which is different from her opinion, which makes it impossible,” the Thursday Murder Club director toldThe Times.

Columbus said he hasn’t spoken to Rowling in a decade or so, adding: “I have no idea what’s going on with her.”

But he keeps very close contact with Radcliffe and still has “a great relationship with all the kids in the cast”.

In the last five years, Rowling has repeatedly come under fire for various comments about gender ideology, with many, including stars of the Potter film adaptations, accusing her of transphobia.

The author has become ostracised from the former child actors due to her views – and she previously said she would not forgive the actors for criticising her opinions, telling them to “save their apologies”.

In 2020, Radcliffe wrote an essay for The Trevor Project as a way of showing support for the trans community, and apologised “for the pain” Rowling’s comments have caused the Harry Potter fandom.

Meanwhile, Watson wrote: “I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are,” and appeared to make a dig at Rowling at the Baftas in 2022.

Columbus, whose film credits include Home Alone and Mrs Doubtfire, previously told Variety:“ I like to sometimes separate the artist from the art, I think that’s important to do. It’s unfortunate, what’s happened. I certainly don’t agree with what she’s talking about. But it’s just sad, it’s very sad.”

He also questioned the necessity for a new HBO series based on Rowling’s book franchise, calling it “more of the same”.

Columbus’s new film, an adaptation of Richard Osman’s best-selling mystery series The Thursday Murder Club, is on Netflix now. It stars Pierce Brosnan, Helen Mirren, Ben Kingsley and Celia Imrie.

Is ChatGPT killing off Gen Z friendships?

No one enjoys a good chat like my old best friend. Supper used to signify our favourite time of day, reserved for over-analysing whatever social fiasco had been occupying her mind. We’d pick apart friendships gone awry and laugh over our most absurd dating dilemmas. But at some point, these gossip sessions stopped, and in their place, a laptop was brought in, and ChatGPT positioned itself as the newest and most opinionated member of our social circle.

I was and still am deeply offended by my friend’s apparently replacing me with AI. How could she replace all the wisdom and care that I’ve gathered from our years together with a chatbot that requires monthly financial upkeep? Like many other people in their early twenties, I am accustomed to hearing how AI is stealing any future jobs I might have. I was not prepared to discover that it would be stealing my friends, too.

For my friend, her use of chatbots started out as academic assistance and morphed into something more personal. Friendship problems began to be solved by asking a prompt rather than thinking it through herself, with answers delivered in a tone and style that bizarrely mimicked her own. And it wasn’t just answers she was seeking; it was comfort, support, even empathy – an emotion I assumed to be exclusively human. Our conversations were eventually replaced by a one-sided monologue regurgitated from her interactions with this new AI pal, and God forbid I tried to suggest that this might be wrong.

Our supper-time gossip sessions fell by the wayside as it became obvious which of the three of us was actually the unwanted third wheel. In some ways, it’s reassuring to discover I’m not alone in feeling replaced; others are beginning to find themselves in the same predicament. Like that natural path from acquaintances to friends, more people are moving from using ChatGPT as a tool to perceiving it as a buddy. With AI performing the tasks that previously provided the bedrock of our friendships, it’s only inevitable to expect these friendships to weaken while our dependency on AI strengthens. “I feel useless”, one of my friends told me, “We don’t exchange dating advice anymore, we just type a situation into ChatGPT and wait for it to determine our next move.”

And it’s not just affecting our relationships with our friends. One friend holds ChatGPT’s opinion in such high esteem that she dumped a boy the second AI deemed him unworthy. Not to defend said boy – I never got to meet him – but I do hope that any future relationships I enter into won’t be subject to the judgment of a mysterious AI dictator.

The big problem here is that the advice we’re receiving from ChatGPT isn’t really advice at all, it’s self-validation. That it seeks nothing but your approval makes it incredibly addictive to use – how delicious being told you are always right. And unlike my supper-time availability for gossip, ChatGPT is at your disposal wherever and whenever you need it. It never goes to work or forgets to ring you back. It never judges you or asks you to switch the conversation onto itself. So, what’s even the point in seeking out human opinion when it’s messy, unreliable, and crowded with self-interest?

A new iteration of ChatGPT appeared this month, so I decided to message my old friend to ask her how she’s finding it. She informed me that this version is far more intelligent but slightly less complimentary. For a second, I felt hopeful. Would the lack of flattery within ChatGPT-5 mean I’ll get my friend back? But then it dawned on me, like many of us, she’s been hooked, and the fact that her robot friend has somehow discovered a more confident voice only risks making mine – human, unpredictable – even less necessary.

Even Reform voters now want to unpick parts of Brexit, poll reveals

A shock new poll has revealed that even a majority of Reform UK supporters now want to unpick parts of Brexit and move the UK closer to the EU.

The major YouGov survey of 2,224 voters has underlined a significant shift in attitudes to the Brexit debate and suggests that Nigel Farage’s continued hostility towards the EU is not even landing with his own party’s supporters.

According to the findings, 55 per cent of Reform UK (previously the Brexit Party) voters want a permanent youth mobility scheme for young people in the UK and Europe to be put in place with just 34 per cent opposing.

The scheme is being looked at following the Brexit reset by Sir Keir Starmer earlier this year, which the prime minister described as an ongoing process.

Overall, 76 per cent of those asked support the scheme, compared to only 13 per cent who are opposed.

Meanwhile, 62 per cent of Tory voters support the youth mobility scheme despite the party’s hard line in favour of Brexit, while 90 per cent of Sir Keir’s Labour voters back it.

In a further telling result, Reform voters also back closer trading with the EU by 41 per cent to 19 per cent.

Among the options presented to them, only 35 per cent want to be “more distant” from the EU, with 23 per cent wanting closer relations and 32 per cent preferring no change.

Pro-EU campaign group Best for Britain described the support for measures such as youth mobility among Reform voters as “highly significant”.

Tom Brufatto, director of policy, said: “A deal on youth mobility would create new opportunities for young UK and EU citizens alike, as first proposed by the UK Trade and Business Commission in 2021, and, as Best for Britain’s polling found earlier this year, is favoured in every constituency in Great Britain.

“The government must now use this welcome momentum to work at speed with the EU to finalise a deal so Brits can feel the economic benefits – no more time should be wasted.”

The polling was commissioned by the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) and Seasonal Businesses in Travel (SBiT) and carried out over 25-26 August, with 483 Reform voters among the 2,224 polled.

The associations argue that youth mobility matters for the health of the UK’s outbound travel sector, which brings more than £52bn a year in gross value added (GVA) to the UK economy, because many of the workers in the industry started their careers in temporary roles overseas and around two-thirds of all UK holidays overseas are taken within the EU annually.

Previous research by ABTA and SBiT revealed that over a third of all workers, and nearly half of industry leaders, worked in similar roles earlier in their careers.

There has also been a notable fall in opportunities for young people to find these roles since the UK voted to leave the EU, with the number of UK nationals working in tourism support roles, such as travel reps, having fallen by 69 per cent since then.

Luke Petherbridge, ABTA’s director of public affairs, said: “We know that travel is one of the most noticeable areas that has been altered by the UK’s departure from the EU – with Brits now having to join different passport queues, and changes to the in-destination experience of UK holidaymakers as it has become harder for travel companies to hire get UK staff into Europe.

“We welcomed the UK-EU deal in May. We now need to see progress on the items within the deal, such as enhanced use of eGates and, importantly, restoring opportunities for young people from the UK to live and work in the EU, which often is the way people take their first steps into a career in travel. Securing these changes will help the industry to grow and to continue to be successful.”

The Independent has asked Reform UK for a comment.

F1 Dutch GP LIVE: Devastated Norris forced to retire as Piastri wins

Lando Norris suffered a dramatic late engine failure at the Dutch Grand Prix as McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri took a major step towards the title.

Pole-sitter Piastri was cruising towards a lights-to-flag victory at Zandvoort, holding off championship rival Norris before the British driver reported smoke from his cockpit seven laps from the end and swiftly came to a halt.

A dejected Norris sat with his head between his knees on the bank at the side of the track as his title hopes suffered a massive blow, with Piastri opening up a 34-point lead with nine rounds of the championship remaining.

It was also another miserable afternoon for Lewis Hamilton, who began the weekend by saying he wanted to enjoy racing for Ferrari after suggesting they should ditch him when he started and finished 12th in Hungary before the summer break.

Follow live coverage of the Dutch Grand Prix with The Independent below:

Make the most of London this summer with this stadium experience

Whether you’re experiencing London for the first time or you’re a family with kids keen to create unforgettable memories during the holidays, a visit to this world-famous stadium in North London is a must.

After 90 years at their beloved Highbury stadium, Arsenal’s ambitions outgrew their original home and in 2006, the club opened the Emirates. With a seating capacity of over 60,000, the Emirates stadium is one of the largest in England. The sheer scale of this field of dreams must be seen to believed — and thanks to its easy-to-reach location, you can hop on a bus or train and get there in no time.

Once there, Arsenal’s award-winning tours open the doors to parts of the stadium that are usually off-limits to the public. For sightseers who prefer to go at their own pace and for those with little ones who tire easily, the club’s self-guided audio-visual tour is a great option.

Fans and families can take their time to soak in the atmosphere and stroll in the footsteps of footballing legends, imagining the roar of the crowd as you step into the players’ tunnel. Afterwards, feel the tension rise in the dugout and experience the best seats in the house in the directors’ box.

It’s a rare opportunity to glimpse the inner workings of a prestigious football club and explore normally restricted areas that also include the home and away dressing rooms, the media lounge and the exclusive members-only Diamond Club.

Available in seven languages on a state-of-the-art handheld device, the tour is narrated by Arsenal presenter David Frimpong, otherwise known as ‘Frimmy’, as well as featuring commentary from Arsenal legends Alex Scott and David Seaman.

As well as audio, the tour recreates the electric atmosphere of matchday using 360-degree augmented footage and includes brand new interactive elements. You can also take souvenir photos with iconic Arsenal trophies, including that of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

The Arsenal Legend Stadium Tour is a more bespoke alternative to the self-guided tour, where visitors can explore the stadium for 90 minutes alongside an Arsenal hero. Tour guides include Nigel Winterburn and Perry Groves, as well as former women’s captain Faye White MBE.

During the tour, the Arsenal legend will share memories, anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories from their time on the pitch, offering a unique insider’s perspective on life at the club. Expect plenty of humour, fascinating insights and a chance to hear back-room gossip straight from the legends themselves. There’s also a chance for a Q&A and photo opportunity with your Arsenal legend of choice.

Included with every tour ticket is entry into Arsenal’s interactive museum situated right next door to the stadium. Chart the club’s evolution from humble origins in Woolwich in 1886 to its modern powerhouse status with a global following of over 100 million fans.

The museum features two impressive video theatres, showing highlights from the club’s origins to the present day as well as twenty major displays of Arsenal’s proud history. Feast your eyes on silverware from the club’s most successful eras, Michael Thomas’s boots from Anfield 1989 and Jens Lehmann’s goalkeeper gloves worn for every league match of the unbeaten Invincibles season in 2003/4.

For lifelong Gooners, it’s a trip down memory lane. For families and tourists, it’s an eye-opening lesson in why football matters so much to the UK and is the perfect outing to experience London at its most authentic.

This content is brought to you by Living360, a digital lifestyle destination keeping you up to date with health and fitness, food and drink, homes and gardens, beauty, travel, finance trends and more.

Manhunt after two men stabbed at Oxford Circus Tube in 24 hours

Police have released a CCTV image of a man they want to question after two people were stabbed at the Oxford Circus Tube station within 24 hours.

Emergency services were called to the first incident at 3.40am on Saturday and to the second just after 1.30am on Sunday.

A 23-year-old man injured on Saturday and a 43-year-old man who suffered stab injuries on Sunday were both treated in hospital, the Metropolitan Police said.

The force said the assaults are connected and have released a CCTV image of a man they want to question as part of their investigation. No arrests have been made.

“There is absolutely no place for violence on the rail network, and detectives are working at pace to investigate these two connected incidents,” Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Davies said.

“Passengers will see an increased police presence at the station while officers carry out their inquiries.

“We are urging anyone who was in the area at the time and may have seen these incidents take place or events leading up to, to get in touch and assist us with our enquiries.

“Any piece of information might be vital for our investigation.”

Any witnesses are asked to text the Met on 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 49 of August 31.

They can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Met Office gives verdict on whether UK is set for another heatwave

It’s been what is expected to be the hottest summer ever, with the UK seeing record-breaking temperatures, long spells of sunshine and four official heatwaves.

But those hoping for a final hurrah before autumn hits will be disappointed, with experts now predicting that another heatwave is not on the cards.

Reports of a so-called Indian Summer – a period of unseasonably warm and calm weather that occurs in the autumn – had surfaced, with speculation that the mercury could hit 30C in the UK early in September.

But Met Office forecasters said they are expecting moderate conditions, with temperatures more likely to be in the low-twenties – which will still feel warm, but is normal for this time of year.

Met Office meteorologist Craig Snell said the current forecast suggests “nothing like what we have seen during the summer months”.

He told The Independent: “The week after next is a little bit too early to nail down exactly what will go on. Our general trend though, as we go through to the second week of September, is that, on the whole, for the UK, it is probably going to remain on the changeable, unsettled side of the weather.

“It looks like there will be some drier and brighter spells at times… It will be early September, so in any sunnier moments, it will still feel fairly warm out there.”

He said that, as the UK heads into the second week of September, it is likely to see the best of the brighter and drier weather, but there are no indications that temperatures will reach any highs that point towards a heatwave.

“I can’t say it’s not going to completely not happen, but looking at the chances of things happening, I’d say there’s just as much chance of us being as we are now,” he said.

The Met Office said that, between September 4 and 13, it expects “changeable and unsettled weather conditions” across the UK.

“This will mean showers or longer spells of rain will affect much of the UK at times,” it said. “Some heavy rain or showers are expected in places, most often in the west. Thunderstorms and hail are also possible, as are some spells of strong winds if any deep areas of low pressure form in the vicinity of the UK.

“Some short-lived spells of drier and more settled weather are also possible at times, especially later in the period when they may last a little longer. Temperatures will likely be close to average or slightly below overall, but may rise above at times in any drier, sunnier spells.”

The UK has experienced an unprecedented summer, on track for the hottest summer ever recorded. It has seen four consecutive heatwaves this summer, which the Met Office says makes it “almost certainly” the warmest yet.

Over the bank holiday weekend, temperatures hit 29.1C in the village of Hawarden in Flintshire and 24.5C in Magilligan, Londonderry. The previous record for Wales was 26.5C dating back to 1991, and 23.8C for Northern Ireland.

But as the UK faced the aftermath of Hurricane Erin last week, Britons saw an end to the dry spell that brought record-breaking temperatures to the UK all summer.

The double effects of Tropical Storm Fernand and Hurricane Erin meant it was an “unseasonable” rainy weekend for parts of the UK, with the Met Office issuing a yellow weather warning for some areas.

Here is the weather forecast in the UK for the coming days, according to the Met Office.

Rain soon clearing Shetland, leaving a day of sunshine and showers across the UK. Showers most frequent in the west, heavy at times with hail, thunder and gusty winds possible. A windy day generally, with gales along exposed western coasts.

Showers affecting western and southern coastal areas, merging into longer spells of rain at times. Sheltered areas of eastern Wales, central and eastern England remaining largely dry with clear spells.

Another day of sunny spells and scattered showers. Showers starting in the west and spreading eastwards during the day, again possibly heavy with hail and thunder. Still blustery for many.

Remaining unsettled throughout this period with further showers and longer periods of rain moving across the UK, chiefly in the south. Some brief drier interludes are possible at times.