Ngumoha, 16, scores late Liverpool winner at Newcastle

In the 100th minute, four minutes into his Premier League debut, in the week he will turn 17, in a game when 10 men had come from 2-0 down against the champions. A wondrous moment for the wonderkid. Every aspect of it was remarkable. Rio Ngumoha became the youngest goalscorer in Liverpool’s history but his winner was so much more than that.

It was beautifully taken, for starters, curled in after a lovely dummy by Dominik Szoboszlai. It was desperately cruel on Newcastle, who had rallied wonderfully in adversity. It robbed Will Osula of his own status as the super-sub who had the final say in an extraordinary affair. Denied victory at St James’ Park by an injury-time equaliser last year, Liverpool got victory now with a still later goal. “So many things happened, it was complete chaos,” smiled Arne Slot. “We were lucky to get the win over the line.”

And it was a sequel for him. Last week Federico Chiesa was the substitute who delivered the decisive goal, also after Liverpool gave up a 2-0 lead. Like him, Ngumoha may have languished unused had Liverpool got the attacking reinforcements they wanted. Each nevertheless showed a strength in depth. Liverpool, once again, found an astonishing way to win on another night when they did not require Isak.

But it turns out Eddie Howe was wrong when he described the Isak saga as a “lose-lose” situation for Newcastle United. It became worse than that. Lose-lose-lose, perhaps, or lose-lose-lose-lose.

Newcastle lost to Liverpool, the club who have spent much of the summer trying to sign Isak. They lost with a goal from Hugo Ekitike, the striker they had hoped to sign to either partner or replace the on-strike striker. They lost Anthony Gordon, the man masquerading as a centre-forward, to a sending off borne of stupidity that will come at a further cost with a three-match ban. They lost Sandro Tonali, too, with a suspected shoulder injury and Joelinton, who departed in tears, with two-thirds of a superb midfield sidelined; Howe feared the worst for both. They lost despite a stirring, stunning comeback and what Howe called “a great performance from us”.

Newcastle could be forgiven for thinking that everything that could possibly go wrong did. The Isak saga is damaging them. Howe wants it resolved even before deadline day. “I think that is the ideal from our side. We want clarity to move forward and the narrative to change,” he said.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are unharmed by the impasse, finding goals from five forwards already this season, but not the one they were willing to pay £110m for. Theirs has been a flawed start to their title defence, their capacity to lose leads glaringly apparent again, but they nevertheless took three points in a hostile environment. In a game that began in predictably fast and furious fashion and ended with the frenzy of replacements trading goals, a Liverpudlian and a Liverpool fan lost his head: but it was Gordon, the forward who was tempted to go to Anfield last year.

Perhaps he took co-owner Jamie Reuben’s pre-match tweet urging the players to get “into them” too far when he slid into Virgil van Dijk. Referee Simon Hooper had initially showed a yellow card. “It was strange he had to go to the monitor,” said Van Dijk. When Hooper did, he brandished red. The sight of the studmarks down the Liverpool captain’s calf proved persuasive.

The challenge was needless and reckless by Gordon. “I think he wanted to help too much,” said captain Bruno Guimaraes generously. Howe looked distinctly unimpressed as the forward walked off but claimed: “There is no intent from Anthony, he has gone in probably too quickly and tried to pull out and not commit any damage to Virgil.”

But Gordon’s suspension will compound Newcastle’s striker shortage. It may make it harder for them to countenance the sale of Isak or force a club who have bid for Yoane Wissa and Jorgen Strand Larsen to up their offers. “We are running out of options,” said Howe, who often points out that Newcastle have not replaced Callum Wilson; now they are without Gordon as well.

Even before his departure, Gordon had shown some of his other shortcomings. The winger masquerading as a striker went a 16th consecutive league match without scoring and headed over from Harvey Barnes’ cross. He missed a similar chance last week at Aston Villa. “The quality of Alex, I think he would have made a difference in the two games,” said Howe.

Without Gordon, Newcastle mustered a valiant effort. “We have shown our unity and spirit,” said Howe. He was delighted by the leaders in his camp. “Those guys do make me proud,” he added. “They are entwined into Newcastle. They want to be here and want to play.” Unlike, say, Isak.

At least Newcastle, who had failed to score in their previous four league games the Swede had missed, got two goals. Guimaraes headed in Tino Livramento’s cross; Milos Kerkez, poor against Bournemouth on his Premier League debut for Liverpool, was outmuscled too easily. Liverpool’s defensive jitters continued. When Nick Pope punted the ball forward, Ibrahima Konate, shaky all night, missed his header and Osula, the one specialist striker available to Newcastle, finished calmly.

So did Liverpool, on three occasions. Ryan Gravenberch’s start to the season was delayed by paternity leave and suspension. He made a false start to the game, booked after six minutes. But, as Guimaraes stood off him, he showed a precision to drill in a shot from 20 yards, a motionless Pope watching it go in off the post.

When he was beaten again, it was of scant consolation for Newcastle to realise they were on the right track in targeting Ekitike. The Frenchman’s third goal in as many games for Liverpool was placed past Pope, 23 seconds into the second half, so quickly Slot missed it.

Ekitike’s has been a stunning start. He became the first player since Daniel Sturridge to score in each of his first three games for Liverpool. His name rang around St James’ Park, but from the section of Liverpool fans at the top of the Leazes Stand. The Newcastle supporters had tried taunting Ekitike with the suggestion he was just a “s**t Will Osula”. If they got proof he is considerably more than that, Newcastle then saw evidence they can celebrate Osula for his own ability.

But at 22, he is a relative veteran. Ngumoha became the Premier League’s fourth youngest goalscorer, behind only James Vaughan, James Milner and Wayne Rooney. He isn’t yet old enough to drive. He was good enough to give them three points to take on the road back to Merseyside.

Virginia Giuffre’s memoir to be released months after her death

A posthumous and “unsparing” memoir by one of Jeffrey Epstein’s most prominent accusers, Virginia Giuffre, will be published this fall, publishing house Alfred A. Knopf said Sunday.

Nobody’s Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice is scheduled for release October 21, the publisher confirmed to the Associated Press.

Giuffre, who died by suicide in April at age 41, had been working on Nobody’s Girl with author-journalist Amy Wallace and had completed the manuscript for the 400-page book, according to Knopf. The publisher’s statement includes an email from Giuffre to Wallace a few weeks before her death, saying that it was her “heartfelt wish” the memoir be released “regardless” of her circumstances.

“The content of this book is crucial, as it aims to shed light on the systemic failures that allow the trafficking of vulnerable individuals across borders,” the email reads. “It is imperative that the truth is understood and that the issues surrounding this topic are addressed, both for the sake of justice and awareness.”

Giuffre had been hospitalized following a serious accident in the weeks before her death, her publicist had said, although it’s unclear when the accident was in relation to her email.

“In the event of my passing, I would like to ensure that NOBODY’S GIRL is still released. I believe it has the potential to impact many lives and foster necessary discussions about these grave injustices,” she wrote to Wallace.

In 2023, The New York Post had reported that Giuffre had reached a deal “believed to be worth millions” with an undisclosed publisher. Knopf spokesperson Todd Doughty said that she initially agreed to a seven-figure contract with Penguin Press, but moved with acquiring editor Emily Cunningham after Knopf hired Cunningham as executive editor last year.

Giuffre had stated often that, in the early 2000s, when she was a teenager, she was caught up in Epstein’s sex-trafficking ring and exploited by Britain’s Prince Andrew and other influential men. Epstein was found dead in a New York City jail cell in 2019 in what investigators described as a suicide.

His former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, was convicted in late 2021 on sex trafficking and other charges.

Andrew had denied Giuffre’s allegations. In 2022, Giuffre and Andrew reached an out-of-court settlement after she had sued him for sexual assault.

Giuffre’s name has continued to appear in headlines, even after her death.

In July, President Donald Trump told reporters that Epstein had “stolen” Giuffre from Mar-a-Lago, his private club in Florida where she once worked. She had alleged being approached by Maxwell and hired as a masseuse for Epstein. Maxwell has denied Giuffre’s allegations.

Doughty declined to provide details about the Epstein associates featured in Nobody’s Girl, but confirmed that Giuffre made “no allegations of abuse against Trump,” who continues to face questions about Epstein, the disgraced financier and his former friend.

Knopf’s statement says the book contains “intimate, disturbing, and heartbreaking new details about her time with Epstein, Maxwell and their many well-known friends, including Prince Andrew, about whom she speaks publicly for the first time since their out-of-court settlement in 2022.”

Knopf Publisher and editor-in-chief Jordan Pavlin, in a statement, called Nobody’s Girl a “raw and shocking” journey and “the story of a fierce spirit struggling to break free.”

Giuffre’s time with Epstein is well documented, although her accounts have been challenged. She had acknowledged getting details wrong, errors she attributed to trying to recall events from years ago. In 2022, she dropped allegations against Alan Dershowitz, saying in a statement at the time that she may “have made a mistake in identifying” the famed attorney as an abuser.

“Nobody’s Girl was both vigorously fact-checked and legally vetted,” a Knopf statement reads.

Giuffre’s co-author on her memoir, Wallace, is an award-winning magazine and newspaper reporter whose work has appeared in The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, among other publications. She has also collaborated on two previous books, Pixar co-founder Ed Catmull’s Creativity, Inc. and former General Electric CEO Jeff Immelt’s Hot Seat.

Food inflation jumps to 18-month high as chocolate and butter prices rise

Food prices have risen at their fastest pace for 18 months amid surges in the cost of chocolate, butter and eggs, latest figures show.

Food inflation lifted to 4.2% this month from 4% in July, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC)-NIQ Shop Price Monitor.

It marked the highest level since February 2024.

Bosses at the trade body warned that the acceleration in price increases “adds pressure” to families who are already under pressure from the cost of living.

Fresh food inflation sped to 4.1% for the month on the back of rising dairy prices, up from 3.2% in July.

Meanwhile, ambient food inflation slowed to 4.2% year-on-year compared with 5.1% in the previous month.

The new figures also showed that overall shop price inflation increased to 0.9% in August, despite price deflation of 0.8% for non-food products.

The uptick in food prices comes after the Bank of England said earlier this month that the increase in national insurance contributions in April had contributed to accelerating food prices.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said: “Shop price inflation hit its highest rate since March last year, fuelled by food price rises.

“This adds pressure to families already grappling with the cost of living.

“Retailers continue doing everything they can to limit price rises for households, but as the Bank of England acknowledged, the £7 billion in new costs flowing through from last year’s budget has created an uphill battle for retailers.”

More than 60 retail bosses, including chiefs at Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Boots, warned Chancellor Rachel Reeves last week that raising taxes further in the autumn budget could contradict her plans to improve UK living standards.

In the letter, co-ordinated by the BRC, the bosses said they were expecting the rate of food and drink inflation to reach 6% later this year.

Mike Watkins, head of retailer and business insight at NIQ, said: “The uptick in prices reflects several factors: global supply costs, seasonal food inflation driven by weather conditions, the conclusion of promotional activity linked to recent sporting events, and a rise in underlying operational costs.

“As shoppers return from their summer holidays, many may need to reassess household budgets in response to rising household bills.”

Record bank holiday temperatures for parts of UK

Parts of the UK have experienced some record-breaking temperatures this Bank Holiday before the remains of Hurricane Erin bring wind and rain are expected to hit.

Temperatures reached 29.1C in the village of Hawarden in Flintshire and 24.5C in Magilligan, Londonderry, the Met Office said.

The previous record for Wales was 26.5C dating back to 1991, and 23.8C for Northern Ireland.

Although not a bank holiday in Scotland, it also saw a record for the equivalent day with 27.1C recorded at Charterhall.

It comes as the Met Office said that this summer was already on track to be among the UK’s hottest on record, with four heatwaves declared.

The remnants of Hurricane Erin are set to move in the west of the UK into Tuesday, bringing rain and wind with it which will continue throughout the week.

Hurricane Erin’s wind and rain will see temperatures drop to the high teens in the North and low twenties in the South.

No UK weather warnings are currently in place for the arrival of Hurricane Erin, which tore through the Cape Verde at maximum speeds of 160 mph, as only the last remnants of the storm are set to impact the country.

In just over 24 hours, Erin went from a category one hurricane to a category five, before weakening to a category two storm.

People heading to the beach on Monday or Tuesday have been advised to head to ones with life guards as big waves are set to arrive.

From Tuesday onwards spells of rain will be moving across all parts of the country, and it will be wettest in the west, Mr Snell said.

He added: “It will be heavy at times in the west, but at the moment we’re not expecting too many impacts, and it may for farmers or anyone who needs the rain be welcome.”

On Wednesday, a band of rain will go across the whole country, and low pressure will remain until the weekend with further spells of rain.

Today:

A band of rain, heavy at times, will move eastwards through the evening and overnight. Scattered blustery showers following, most frequent in the west. A warm night in the east.

Tuesday:

A day of sunny spells and scattered showers. Showers most frequent in the northwest, some heavy with the risk of thunder. Generally cooler, but still feeling warm in the sunshine.

Wednesday to Friday:

Frequent showers, as well as some longer periods of rain expected. Showers heavy at times, with hail and thunder. Often breezy. Cooler, but feeling pleasant in any sunnier moments.

Trump says he wants to sit down North Korea’s Kim Jong Un

President Donald Trump on Monday said he wants to rekindle his friendship with the millennial dictator who has illegally assembled a nuclear arsenal while his own country remains starving and isolated under decades of economic sanctions.

Trump told South Korean President Lee Jae Myung he would like to meet with North Korean dictator Kim Jung Un after the South Korean leader noted that North Korea had “developed further its nuclear and missile capabilities” during the four years Trump was out of office after having lost the 2020 election.

After Lee said he hoped Trump would “usher in a new era of peace on the Korean peninsula,” the American president replied: “I will do that, and we’ll have talks. He’d like to meet with me.”

“He didn’t want to meet with Biden because he had no respect for Biden, but we look forward to meeting with him, and we’ll make relations better,” he said.

“Kim Jong Un and I had a very great relationship… and still do,” Trump added.

The president also suggested that he would be attending this year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Seoul and said he could “sneak away” to “do something” to aid relations between North and South Korea, which have remained in a technical state of war since the 1950s.

“I get along great with Kim Jong Un and whatever I can do, having to do with South Korea and getting people together,” he said.

Kim, 41, has led the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea since the death of his father, Kim Jong Il, in 2011.

During his time as the country’s supreme leader, he has pushed to increase North Korea’s illicit nuclear program and ballistic missile program with the aim of gaining the ability to attack western nations such as the United States.

He has persisted in doing so despite multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions calling for denuclearization of the entire Korea Peninsula.

Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to meet with a North Korean leader when he met with Kim in Singapore in June of 2018. The two leaders met a for a second summit in Hanoi in March 2019, and in June 2019 Trump made history when he met with Kim for a short period at the Demilitarized Zone that separates North and South Korea.

The American leader became the first U.S. president to set foot in the DPRK when he briefly crossed the border separating the two Korean nations at Kim’s invitation.

At the time, Trump invited Kim to visit the U.S. “when the time is right” but since then there has been very little in the way of talks between Washington and Pyongyang.

Summer escapes made easy: find your perfect sunbreak fuss-free

When it comes to booking your summer getaway, finding the perfect break can sometimes feel like a bit of a challenge. Whether it’s a fun-packed family holiday, a romantic couples trip, an activity-filled solo break or a group trip where you need to tick everyone’s travel boxes, there’s a lot to consider, and a vast range of options to choose from. So it can be tricky knowing where to start.

To make it easier to plan your perfect break, holiday experts Travel Republic have you covered, whether you’re researching dream destinations or making last-minute plans. With over 20 years of travel know-how, plus big-name airlines, top hotels and exciting attractions – they make booking your next great value getaway easy, affordable and totally stress free.

From trending destinations to incredible money-saving deals and travel ideas tailored to you, Travel Republic has everything you need to find and book your perfect trip. On top of all that, they offer flexible payment plans, super low deposits, are ATOL protected and offer all the holiday extras you need such as car hire, airport parking, transfers and travel insurance.

Ready for some travel inspo? Here’s our guide to four diverse, versatile destinations that offer it all: dreamy beaches, family entertainment, culinary delights, active adventure, and history and culture by the spadeful.

With over 6000 islands and islets, 200 of which are inhabited, not to mention a culture-rich mainland, Greece definitely has something for every type of traveller. For couples, friends and singles looking to party, head to the clubs and beach parties of Ios, Zante (Zakynthos) or Mykonos – enjoy the growing foodie scene in the pretty white-washed, streets of Mykonos Town, while adrenaline junkies will feel at home on the water, with kitesurfing, windsurfing, scuba diving and jet skiing on offer. For sandy beaches and calm waters, book into the islands of Rhodes or the family friendly Kos. If chilling on the beach is your priority, some of the world’s best can be found in Crete or Halkidiki – sporty types take note of the 13km scenic coastal cycling route. Or head to Faliraki with the kids for banana boat rides, snorkelling and splashing about at Faliraki Waterpark.

History lovers won’t want to leave Greece: explore the archeological wonder that is the Athens Acropolis, walk the capital’s charming old Plaka neighbourhood and stop at one of the many local cafes to enjoy souvlaki, moussaka and gyros. For another UNESCO World Heritage Site, visit the island of Corfu’s Old Town and submerge yourself in a world of Venetian cobbled streets, fortresses and tunnels.

Whether you want the perfect package holiday with breathtaking beaches, buzzing bazaars and cafes on your city break or a boutique stay to explore a multitude of ancient ruins, Turkey has a dream holiday for everyone.

Istanbul will keep every generation entertained: visit the impressive Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosques, go haggling in the Grand Bazaar, then grab a traditional pide (folded pizza) and a Turkish tea before making a trip to the array of castles and fortresses. There’s also a zoo, aquarium and entertainment parks.

Turkey has an abundance of historical sites, with many accessible from top beach resorts such as Side and Izmir. Head to the Dalaman region, often referred to as the Turquoise Coast in reference to the picture-perfect Blue Lagoon beach. Make the short journey from Daylan town to the magnificent ancient port city of Kaunos, which dates back to the 9th century BC and be sure to go turtle spotting at the neighbouring İztuzu Beach. Thrill seekers should head to the nearby resort of Fethiye, to spy its rugged scenery and historic sites from a paraglider. While Marmaris offers everything from parties and waterparks to romance. Head inland to Anatolia to experience the ‘fairy chimney’ rock formations of Cappadocia from the skies in a hot air balloon — a true bucket list experience.For resorts that offer a bit of everything, choose Bodrum and Antalya for everything from Roman ruins, bazaars and nightclubs to yacht-filled marinas, waterparks and pristine beaches. Lots to keep little ones entertained, and party goers busy while couples can enjoy luxe adult-only hotels.

From the Costas to the Canaries and Barcelona to the Balearics, Spain really does have it all. If it’s a city break you’re after, choose the cosmopolitan capital of Madrid: take in art at the impressive Prado Museum, stroll through the peaceful Royal Botanic Gardens and tour the famous Bernabeu Stadium, home to the mighty Real Madrid. Or if you like beach vibes with your culture, opt for the city of Barcelona. Visit the Gothic Quarter for breathtaking architecture, marvel at the iconic Sagrada Família and enjoy tapas and cava in the narrow streets of the El Born district – home to the Moco and Picasso museums.

For full-on beach action, stay on the mainland and choose between Costa Blanca, Costa del Sol, Costa Brava or the ‘Golden Coast’ of Costa Dorada. Here,Salou is a good option for those looking for buzzing restaurants and bars, active types keen on coastal walks, kayaking and snorkelling and kids keen to mix rollercoasters and waterparks at PortAventura theme park.

If you’re more about ‘island life’ there’s no shortage of options: head to Ibiza or Majorca for parties galore and secluded beaches with crystalline waters or opt for one of the equally idyllic Canaries. For a break that feels out of this world, choose volcanic island Lanzarote, which offers pristine white sand beaches across the island, including the main holiday resorts of Puerto del Carmen, Playa de los Pocillos, Costa Teguise and Playa Blanca. The latter offers a wealth of bars and restaurants, waterparks, 5km promenade and lively marina with a daily market.

Dramatic coastlines with crystal clear waters, buzzing city life with pop-up restaurants and dolphin and whale watching for wildlife lovers are just some of what is on offer in Portugal, making it a must-visit for group and solo travellers alike. Head to the south coast for the holiday haven of the Algarve, home to some of Europe’s top beaches. There’s 30km of coastline to enjoy at Albufeira alone, peppered with beachfront family friendly and adult-only hotels. Be sure to explore the cobbled streets and palm tree-lined squares of the Old Town before settling down for local seafood specialities including the Cataplana stew. Want to get active? Hike the coastal Seven Hanging Valleys Trail for views of rock formations against the backdrop of turquoise waters. While nightlife lovers should head to the Algarve cities of Lagos and Faro for rooftop cocktails and tunes that play until the sun comes up.

For culture fans, head to capital city Lisbon for countless museums, galleries and beautiful historic buildings including the huge, Gothic Jerónimos Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lose yourself in the cobbled alleyways of the Old Town of Alfama and soak up the smells and tastes of Portuguese baking including the delicious Pastéis de Belém. Beach lovers worry not, you can have sand between your toes after a quick bus ride, while surf lovers can train it to Estoril or Cascais to catch some waves.

For more travel ideas, inspiration and great value getaways, visit Travel Republic

Artist in UK after alleged China censorship ‘doesn’t feel safe at all’

An artist forced to flee to the UK from Thailand after his exhibition on authoritarian regimes was censored has said he does “not feel safe at all”.

Sai, who is Burmese, said that pieces in his Bangkok show by Tibetan, Uyghur and Hong Kong artists were removed and names of the artists obscured following an alleged pressure campaign by Beijing.

“Constellation of Complicity: Visualising the Global Machinery of Authoritarian Solidarity” opened on 24 July at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC), with the aim of exposing the repression tactics used by authoritarian governments. However, just three days later, Chinese embassy staff are claimed to have visited the BACC, accompanied by Bangkok city officials, and demanded that the exhibition be shut down.

Sai has now opened up about the ordeal after he and his co-curator wife fled, fearing arrest or deportation to Myanmar, where he believed he would be punished by the military-run junta for his activism.

“My wife was really trembling,” Sai, who did not want to share his full name for safety reasons, told The Independent. “We tried to buy the earliest flight possible, [thinking]: ‘We don’t know what this is, or the magnitude, but we’ll try to get out of the country for now and solve this while we’re outside.’”

The couple left on a plane bound for the UK, taking off just before midnight on 26 July.

“On the way to our hosts [in the UK], we get phone messages that three diplomats from the Chinese embassy along with Bangkok metropolitan administration officials had shown up at the BACC,” Sai said. “The Chinese diplomats were demanding that the exhibition be shut down. BACC had a discussion with them.

“After the discussion, I was informed that the Chinese embassy demanded to remove the names of artists from Tibet, Hong Kong and the Uyghur region. The Chinese diplomats said the relationship between China and Thailand would be affected if BACC didn’t comply.”

Works by Hong Kong artists Clara Cheung and Gum Cheng Yee Man, Tibetan artist Tenzin Mingyur Paldron, and Uyghur artist Mukaddas Mijit had been flagged as “problematic”, Sai explained. The artist was told that Chinese diplomats returned on multiple occasions, allegedly making more demands, including the removal of elements critical of Beijing’s policies.

In a statement issued following the censorship, the Chinese foreign ministry neither confirmed nor denied that its embassy was behind the alterations.

However they claimed the exhibition distorted Chinese policies and “undermined China’s core interests and political dignity”.

“The fact that the relevant country took timely measures precisely shows that the promotion of the fallacies of ‘Tibetan independence’, ‘East Turkestan Islamic Movement’ and ‘Hong Kong independence’ has no market internationally and is unpopular,” a spokesperson said.

Sai described the incident as an “unprecedented act of transnational repression”, which highlighted the concerning “magnitude” of China’s reach.

“We do not feel safe at all,” he told The Independent. “An exhibition that exposes the network of authoritarian regimes is itself being attacked by a network of authoritarian regimes, just after 48 hours of opening, which is very ironic and self-explanatory.

“This is the most controversial, most well-known exhibition all over the world – not because we intended, but because of the censorship of the Chinese Communist Party [CCP].”

Sai and his wife have lived in Thailand since 2023, finding sanctuary in the country like thousands of other Burmese people, following the military coup in Myanmar in 2021.

But now he said they do not see a future when they can return to Thailand, and fear even leaving the UK, claiming there is “more than one regime after us”.

“I’m very sad to not be able to go back to Thailand, which is like a second home for me,” he said. “Thailand has long been a refuge for dissidents. This is a chilling signal to all exiled artists and activists in the region.”

But Sai vowed to continue fighting and is establishing a network against global oppression – “combining all the Davids against the Goliaths”.

Visitor numbers to the exhibition have reportedly surged due to online discussion about the controversy, turning the censorship into unintended publicity. Human rights groups have condemned the move.

“This intimidation reflects a coordinated effort to suppress artistic expression globally,” Roberto González from the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) said.

“For the Chinese Communist Party to go so far beyond its own borders to censor creative voices shows how much they fear the ability of artists to reveal the truths they seek to conceal.”

And Campaign for Uyghurs called the incident yet another example of “Beijing exporting censorship abroad, silencing art and activism that expose its human rights abuses”.

The Independent has approached the Chinese government, the Thai government and police, and the BACC for comment.

Crackdown on ‘honour’ crime to be launched by government

New measures will be introduced to crack down on so-called “honour-based” abuse, the government has announced.

Honour-based abuse (HBA) is motivated by the perception that a person has brought shame to themselves, their family or the community. Related crimes include female genital mutilation, forced marriage and murder.

In 2021, pregnant Fawziyah Javed, 31, died when she was pushed from Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh by her husband after she decided to leave the marriage.

New statutory guidance and a legal definition of honour-based abuse will be brought in to help combat the crime, the government has said.

The Home Office will pilot a study looking at how widespread this crime is, a community awareness campaign will be launched and teachers, police officers, social workers and healthcare professionals will receive more training under the new policies.

The measures have been backed by specialist organisations targeting honour-based abuse.

Yasmin Javed, the mother of Ms Javed, has also welcomed the changes.

“As Fawziyah’s mother, I am pleased that the government has listened to our calls for a statutory definition of honour-based abuse, and that this change has been made in Fawziyah’s memory,” she said.

“I hope that this will help many more people affected by HBA and ensure that the multiple perpetrators of this abuse are properly recognised and addressed.”

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “All forms of honour-based abuse are devastating crimes that can shatter lives. There is no ‘honour’ in them.

“For too long, these offences have often been misunderstood by professionals, resulting in victims not getting the support they deserve.

“Make no mistake – we will use everything at our disposal to make sure perpetrators face justice and victims are protected.”

Jess Phillips, minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls said: “These crimes can cause unimaginable, long-lasting physical and mental pain for their victims.

“They have no place in our society and we must do everything we can to put a stop to them.

“This starts with a clearer definition of the crime and guidance backed in law so that the government, law enforcement and the voluntary sector can work hand-in-hand to give victims the support they deserve.

“It is also vital that we understand the true scale and nature of these crimes in England and Wales.

“This will enable us and our partners to help make sure that more victims are protected and more perpetrators face time behind bars.”