Latest news with #MI5
Times
2 hours ago
- Times
Britain's top IRA mole left more than £500,000 in his will
Britain's top spy inside the IRA is believed to have left more than £500,000 in his will, details of which were sealed for 70 years by the High Court this week. Freddie Scappaticci — who is suspected of have committed several murders while also spying for army intelligence as an agent codenamed Stakeknife — lived in England under MI5 protection for 20 years until his death in 2023. During that time he is known to have bought and sold houses for six-figure sums, and received substantial payouts after taking legal action against newspapers. A senior judge ruled this week that Scappaticci's will should be kept secret until 2095, a level of confidentiality previously made available only to senior royals, including Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.
Metro
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
TV series that's ‘better than Line of Duty' makes gutting announcement
The creator behind Apple TV Plus' hit spy thriller Slow Horses is exiting the show after five seasons, it has been confirmed. Will Smith, the mastermind behind the beloved Gary Oldman adaptation about a 'dysfunctional team of MI5 agents', has been writing and executive producing the Slough House series since season one. His acclaimed work has not only scored him an Emmy with more nominations in the pipeline, but Slow Horses also boasts an impressive 98% on Rotten Tomatoes. As such, not only has the show (also starring Jack Lowden and Jonathan Pryce) proved a mammoth success for the streamer, but it has been praised by fans for its speedy production. Three years after it first aired, fans are already looking towards the fifth season which comes out in September, with season six and seven officially on the way. Per Variety, season six, which has already finished filming, will be helmed by Gaby Chiappe (behind ITV's crime drama The Level) while All Creatures Great and Small creator Ben Vanstone will step in for season seven which rolls cameras this autumn. The publication added that Smith – who is also behind shows like Veep and The Thick of It – is not involved in these two seasons at all. It's all very reminiscent of BBC's hit thriller Killing Eve, which switched up showrunner every season to varying levels of success. Smith's next project will be adapting Andrew O'Hagan's Caledonian Road for the screen, which investigates class and wealth in modern-day Britain. Based on Mick Herron's bestselling espionage series, season seven already has a synopsis, despite the fifth not even being out yet. The official synopsis explained the new episodes would follow the conventional group trying to find and neutralise a mole at the heart of the British Government – in line with the plot of Herron's seventh novel Bad Actors. In a statement, Jay Hunt, creative director of Europe for Apple TV+ also confirmed Oldman's reprisal of his role as the unkempt and grumpy Jackson Lamb (who becomes a reluctant mentor to agent River Cartwright portrayed by Jack). He added: 'Slow Horses has won fans all over the world with its unique mix of self-deprecating British humour and high-octane action. 'I'm delighted viewers will have another season to enjoy Gary's magnificent performance as Jackson Lamb alongside the Slow Horses' slightly inept spycraft.' More Trending The show is also onboarding a new director with Ludwig's Robert McKillop. Each season contains six episodes and there's promise of even more seasons ahead with the author behind the novel series already working on the ninth book. Slow Horses is available to stream on Apple TV Plus. Season five hits screens on September 24, 2025. View More » Metro has reached out to Apple TV+ for comment. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: These are the 10 best sci-fi films of all time according to film lovers MORE: 7 films celebrating women in sport after the Lionesses win Euro 2025 MORE: 9 deliciously bleak films and where to stream them after 'soul-crushing' new horror
Times
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Times
Growing threat to Chinese and Russian dissidents ‘going unchecked'
Britain is failing to protect foreign dissidents seeking sanctuary in Britain from growing threats posed by China, Russia and Iran, MPs have found. In a report published on Wednesday, the parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights says that foreign governments are increasingly brazen in their efforts to intimidate and silence people on British soil. In the past year, the number of state-threat investigations run by MI5 has risen by 48 per cent and has included cases of coercion, online threats and physical violence. Since the start of 2022, there have been more than 20 life-threatening cases linked to Iran. Although Russia, China and Iran were cited as the 'most flagrant' perpetrators of transnational repression, the committee said it had received credible evidence that India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Rwanda, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates had also made efforts to target dissidents. Eritrea, a militarised one-party state on the horn of Africa, was accused of orchestrating a 'substantial' number of attempts to monitor and intimidate members of the diaspora. Among those who gave evidence was Chloe Cheung, 20, who this year became the youngest pro-democracy activist to be put on Hong Kong's wanted list when she was charged with offences under the national security law. Hong Kong's ruling executive, over which China exerts significant control, has issued a HK$1 million (£102,000) bounty for information leading to her arrest. Last week Britain agreed to reopen extradition arrangements with Hong Kong, which critics have said will embolden China's communist party and endanger those who oppose it. The report described China as the foreign state that was 'most comprehensive' in its transnational repression campaign. Cheung, who has lived in the UK since 2020, told The Times in January that she feared she would be kidnapped and taken to the Chinese embassy by those hoping to claim the bounty, or be targeted directly by embassy officials. 'They are trying to create an environment of fear, to tell other Hongkongers that they should be careful because they could target anyone,' she said. 'No matter where you are and who you are, they will chase us to the end of the earth.' Other witnesses to the committee described other tactics used by China, including surveillance, online harassment and threats against family members. Russia and Iran have tried to assassinate critics, most notably in the case of the Russian nerve-agent attack on Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Salisbury in 2018. Russia has also sought to silence journalists and activists through strategic lawsuits against public participation — known as Slapps — and Interpol red notices. Unlike Russia and Iran, China has not been put in the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme, which came into effect this month and is designed to track people in the UK who are working for hostile states. The report recommended China's inclusion in the enhanced tier, and said that its omission could undermine the scheme's credibility. Lord Alton of Liverpool, chairman of the committee, called for transnational repression to be prioritised in diplomatic relations and for more to be done to give support and protection to those most at risk. 'The UK should be a place of sanctuary and safety,' he said. 'However, we are concerned that there is a growth of foreign repression on UK soil that is going unchecked.' A Home Office spokeswoman said: 'Any attempts by a foreign state to coerce, intimidate, harass or harm individuals on UK soil are considered a threat to our national security and sovereignty, and will not be tolerated.'
The Irish Sun
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Halle Berry, 58, channels famous Bond Girl role as Jinx as she strips off to a bikini on holiday
HALLE Berry looked sensational at 58 as she stripped to a bandeau bikini on holiday. The Hollywood star chose a cream two-piece with black trim, with the bottoms tied high on her hip, as she strolled in the sunshine at the Colorado River. 7 Halle Berry showed off incredible bikini body in a cream two-piece on holiday Credit: Instagram 7 She was chaneling her role as Bond girl Jinx from the Die Another Day flick Credit: Handout 7 She was seen exploring Lake Powell on a boat Credit: Instagram Halle's swimwear flashed her glowing tan and rock hard abs, with the actress adding extra glam to her look with a gold pendant necklace and patterned headscarf. She went make-up free and left her caramel-colored locks in natural waves as she posed at the equally impressive surroundings of Lake Powell, a reservoir in Utah and Arizona. After posing in front of a huge rock she hopped on a boat to explore the waters further. Her look oozed Bond girl glam, chaneling her role as Jinx in 007 flick Die Another Day. read more halle berry The character, full name Giacinta Johnson, was a national security agent and particularly known for one scene where she emerged from the sea in a orange halterneck bikini. She starred alongside Pierce Brosnan in the 2002 flick and slept with the MI5 agent. The Bond movies are famed for their array of Bond girls including Halle , Ana de Armas, Ursula Andress and Barbara Bach and super villains such as Blofeld. Halle shot to fame in the 80s and started off her career as a model, but later got into acting. Most read in Celebrity Back on her sunny holiday, the X Men star then covered up her bikini in a striped shirt before she shouted "I love you" into the vast canyon space, before hearing her voice echo around her. Halle Berry, 58, bounces on trampoline in just a cheeky swimsuit as she's sprayed with a hose Just last month, Oscar winner was on holiday with Van Hunt in Switzerland when she decided to show off her moves in a different white two-piece. Yet as she swirled around to Van Hunt's new track, the bikini bottoms fell off to the floor. The screen star also Halle Berry Movies Since her start in Hollywood in 1989, Halle Berry has appeared in several iconic films. Halle's list of films includes: The Flinstones (1994) Why Do Fools Fall In Love (1998) Monster's Ball (2001) Die Another Day (2002) Gothika (2003) Catwoman (2004) X-Men (2006, 2014) Perfect Stranger (2007) Movie 43 (2013) The Call (2013) Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017) John Wick: Chapter 3 (2019) Moonfall (2022) The Mothership (2023) The Union (2024) OFF SCREEN she got candid on Jenna & Friends on the Today show - and dished out details on her love life. The Catwoman actress revealed that Van has already proposed to her - wanting to make her 'Mrs Halle Van Hunt.' But the star, who's walked down the aisle three times before, didn't say yes just yet. 'So I put out the proposal, and it's still on hold as you can see,' Van said, as Halle laughed. 'It's just out there floating. You know, maybe you can encourage her.' Explaining her hesitation, Halle admitted it comes down to her history with marriage. 'Well, I've been married three times,' she said. 'Van has been married once, and so no, we don't feel like we have to get married to validate our love in any way. We don't.' Still, she hinted a wedding could happen but only on their terms. 'But I think we will get married just because, out of the people I've been married to, this is the person I should have married,' she added. Halle shares daughter Nahla, 17, with ex-boyfriend Gabriel Aubry, and son Maceo, 11, with ex-husband Olivier Martinez, to whom she was married from 2013 to 2016. She was also previously married to baseball star David Justice from 1993 to 1997 and singer Eric Benét from 2001 to 2005. 7 Halle later covered up in a striped shirt and bandana as she explored the canyons Credit: Instagram 7 The reservoir is in Utah and Arizona Credit: Instagram 7 Halle recently suffered a rare bikini blunder in a white two piece Credit: Instagram 7 She starred in 2022 flick Die Another Day with Pierce Brosnan Credit: Rex
Scottish Sun
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Halle Berry, 58, channels famous Bond Girl role as Jinx as she strips off to a bikini on holiday
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HALLE Berry looked sensational at 58 as she stripped to a bandeau bikini on holiday. The Hollywood star chose a cream two-piece with black trim, with the bottoms tied high on her hip, as she strolled in the sunshine at the Colorado River. 7 Halle Berry showed off incredible bikini body in a cream two-piece on holiday Credit: Instagram 7 She was chaneling her role as Bond girl Jinx from the Die Another Day flick Credit: Handout 7 She was seen exploring Lake Powell on a boat Credit: Instagram Halle's swimwear flashed her glowing tan and rock hard abs, with the actress adding extra glam to her look with a gold pendant necklace and patterned headscarf. She went make-up free and left her caramel-colored locks in natural waves as she posed at the equally impressive surroundings of Lake Powell, a reservoir in Utah and Arizona. After posing in front of a huge rock she hopped on a boat to explore the waters further. Her look oozed Bond girl glam, chaneling her role as Jinx in 007 flick Die Another Day. read more halle berry BOTTOMS UP! Watch hilarious moment Halle Berry, 58, suffers bikini malfunction dancing The character, full name Giacinta Johnson, was a national security agent and particularly known for one scene where she emerged from the sea in a orange halterneck bikini. She starred alongside Pierce Brosnan in the 2002 flick and slept with the MI5 agent. The Bond movies are famed for their array of Bond girls including Halle, Ana de Armas, Ursula Andress and Barbara Bach and super villains such as Blofeld. Halle shot to fame in the 80s and started off her career as a model, but later got into acting. Back on her sunny holiday, the X Men star then covered up her bikini in a striped shirt before she shouted "I love you" into the vast canyon space, before hearing her voice echo around her. Halle Berry, 58, bounces on trampoline in just a cheeky swimsuit as she's sprayed with a hose Just last month, Halle suffered a rare bikini blunder while dancing to her boyfriend's music. Oscar winner was on holiday with Van Hunt in Switzerland when she decided to show off her moves in a different white two-piece. Yet as she swirled around to Van Hunt's new track, the bikini bottoms fell off to the floor. The screen star also bounced on a trampoline in a swimsuit in another cheeky snap. Halle Berry Movies Since her start in Hollywood in 1989, Halle Berry has appeared in several iconic films. Halle's list of films includes: The Flinstones (1994) Why Do Fools Fall In Love (1998) Monster's Ball (2001) Die Another Day (2002) Gothika (2003) Catwoman (2004) X-Men (2006, 2014) Perfect Stranger (2007) Movie 43 (2013) The Call (2013) Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017) John Wick: Chapter 3 (2019) Moonfall (2022) The Mothership (2023) The Union (2024) OFF SCREEN she got candid on Jenna & Friends on the Today show - and dished out details on her love life. The Catwoman actress revealed that Van has already proposed to her - wanting to make her 'Mrs Halle Van Hunt.' But the star, who's walked down the aisle three times before, didn't say yes just yet. 'So I put out the proposal, and it's still on hold as you can see,' Van said, as Halle laughed. 'It's just out there floating. You know, maybe you can encourage her.' Explaining her hesitation, Halle admitted it comes down to her history with marriage. 'Well, I've been married three times,' she said. 'Van has been married once, and so no, we don't feel like we have to get married to validate our love in any way. We don't.' Still, she hinted a wedding could happen but only on their terms. 'But I think we will get married just because, out of the people I've been married to, this is the person I should have married,' she added. Halle shares daughter Nahla, 17, with ex-boyfriend Gabriel Aubry, and son Maceo, 11, with ex-husband Olivier Martinez, to whom she was married from 2013 to 2016. She was also previously married to baseball star David Justice from 1993 to 1997 and singer Eric Benét from 2001 to 2005. 7 Halle later covered up in a striped shirt and bandana as she explored the canyons Credit: Instagram 7 The reservoir is in Utah and Arizona Credit: Instagram 7 Halle recently suffered a rare bikini blunder in a white two piece Credit: Instagram
