News
All the latest as Russia launches ‘full-scale’ invasion of Ukraine
Boris Johnson has condemned the invasion as a ‘path of bloodshed and destruction’
Russia has launched a ‘full-scale’ invasion of Ukraine after President Vladimir Putin ordered a ‘specialised military operation’ in the Donbas region late last night.
Explosions and air raid sirens were heard across the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and other major cities following the announcement of the operation, with Putin saying in a televised address that the responsibility for bloodshed lies with the Ukrainian ‘regime’.
Putin also said his goal is to ‘demilitarise’ Ukraine rather than occupy, and warned other countries that any attempt to interfere with the Russian action would lead to ‘consequences they have never seen’.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned Putin’s ‘path of bloodshed and destruction’, and said in a statement that he had spoken to the Ukrainian president about the ‘next steps’.
His statement on Twitter read: “I am appalled by the horrific events in Ukraine and I have spoken to President Zelenskyy to discuss next steps.
“President Putin has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack on Ukraine. The UK and our allies will respond decisively.”
But what exactly does this invasion mean for the UK? And will it really lead to a so-called ‘World War 3’? Here’s everything you need to know.
Why has Russia invaded Ukraine?
While the whole situation is massively complex, the invasion boils down to President Putin wanting to assert his power over Ukraine.
Putin wants the neighbouring country to be under the same control as they were both part of the Soviet Union in the 20th Century.
Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014, where rebels backed by President Putin seized big swathes of the east. They have fought Ukraine’s army ever since.
Russia has also resisted Ukraine’s attempts to move towards both Nato and the EU, with Putin once calling Ukraine ‘a puppet of the West’ and saying it was ‘never a proper state’, according to The BBC.
How has the UK responded to the Ukrainian invasion?
Boris Johnson has made it clear that UK will not be sending troops to Ukraine if Russia launches a full-scale invasion – partly because Ukraine is not part of Nato – but will aid the European ally in different ways.
Throughout the last few weeks as Russian forces amassed the border, the UK responded by sending Ukraine ‘self-defence’ weapons.
These included anti-tank missiles that uses infrared guidance to hit tanks from the top and can be used against buildings and helicopters, and Next Generation Light Anti-tank Weapons (NLAW), which is launched on the shoulder and can be fired from confined spaces.
The UK is also providing intelligence to Ukraine, as are other Nato members.
Prior to this, Johnson attempted to engage Russia in ‘meaningful talks’ prior to the invasion, because ‘it’s far better to begin a discussion now than to have a catastrophe’.
When that failed, however, the government sanctioned five Russian banks and three ‘hit net wealth’ individuals. The Prime Minister is expected to announce more sanctions today.
The UK has sent a few military personnel to the nearby area, including around 350 Royal Marines from 45 Commando to Poland.
According to Sky News, the UK are also helping Ukraine manage Russian cyber attacks, which could lead to many Ukrainian deaths if key infrastructure is taken over by Moscow.
Why is the UK getting involved?
While the UK is on the other side of Europe to Ukraine and is no longer part of the EU, it is still an integral member of Nato which has a strong partnership with Ukraine, even though the country isn’t an official member.
The West has made it very clear that, in line with Nato values, it will back Ukraine in its fight for sovereignty.
Boris Johnson is hosting an emergency COBRA meeting today about the offensive from Putin, and will be announcing further sanctions on Russia.
News
Oasis announce huge reunion tour as Liam and Noel Gallagher ‘make peace’
The news we’ve all been waiting for!
After years of will-they-won’t-they speculation, Oasis are officially BACK together for a reunion tour.
The Gallagher brothers have put aside their differences in the name of music, making thousands of fans extremely happy in the process.
The band teased the news on their socials over the weekend, posting a video on Sunday morning with today’s date (Tuesday, August 27th) and the time 8am.
And now shows have been announced for multiple dates in the UK and Ireland, with tickets going live this Saturday, August 31st.
The legendary Mancunian rockers will take to the stage next summer, with gigs in Cardiff, London, Edinburgh, Dublin and, of course, Manchester.
15 years after splitting, the band confirmed they would be back for 14 shows, saying: “The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised”.
The gigs will be Oasis’s ‘only shows in Europe next year’, with tickets on sale this Saturday at 8am in Ireland and 9am in the UK.
The Oasis 2025 tour dates in full:
July
4th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
5th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
11th – Manchester, Heaton Park
12th – Manchester, Heaton Park
19th – Manchester, Heaton Park
20th – Manchester, Heaton Park
25th – London, Wembley Stadium
26th – London, Wembley Stadium
August
2nd – London, Wembley Stadium
3rd – London, Wembley Stadium
8th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
9th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
16th – Dublin, Croke Park
17th – Dublin, Croke Park
You can grab your tickets HERE.
News
Stagecoach hiring over 100 new bus drivers for Bee Network with £31k salaries
Fancy a career change?
Stagecoach Manchester is hiring over 100 new bus drivers to work from its Oldham depot, following the second phase of the Bee Network launch in March.
You can apply for a range of roles, from positions with no experience required to fully qualified bus drivers.
Successful applicants will receive full training as part of the job, and trainees will get paid to train. Then after only 12 months’ service at Stagecoach, drivers can expect to earn up to £16 per hour, which equates to £31.6K per year, before overtime.
As well as that, drivers that already hold a PCV licence may be eligible to receive a £1,200 joining bonus.
Stagecoach
There’s also a host of other benefits available to all Stagecoach employees, like 28 days paid holiday, generous pension and free Stagecoach bus travel for successful applicants and a companion.
Rob Jones, Managing Director at Stagecoach Manchester said: “Expanding our offering in Oldham means we’ll be investing more in the economy and supporting our local community, as well as strengthening our workforce.
“Whether you’re looking for a career change or you’re a fully qualified, experienced bus driver, there’s a role for everyone here in Oldham.
“We’re looking for personable and dedicated drivers who are ready to help us build on the success of the Bee Network and connect the people of Oldham and Greater Manchester with the places and people that are important to them.”
Stagecoach
Phil Cornwall, bus driver at Stagecoach Manchester, said: “I’ve been a driver at Stagecoach for 25 years and I couldn’t recommend it more.
“From the perks to the people to the passengers, it really is a great place to work.”
To apply, head to the Stagecoach website HERE.
Two men have now been charged with murder, following the discovery of a human torso in Kersal Dale.
As well as that, more suspected human remains were also discovered this morning, Monday April 29th, in an alleyway close to the railway lines off Worsley Road, Eccles.
This follows earlier discoveries of human remains over the past three weeks, at Kersal Dale, Blackleach Reservoir and Colliery Wood, all in Salford.
Greater Manchester Police
Michal Jaroslaw Polchowski (25/04/1956) and Marcin Majerkiewicz (10/04/1982) both of Worsley Road, Eccles, have been charged with murder.
They are set to appear at Tameside Magistrates Court this afternoon.
While formal identification is still ongoing, the remains found at Kersal Dale are believed to be of a local man in his 60s. The remains found at the other three locations are still to be tested, but police are confident they belong to the same victim.
ACC Sarah Jackson said: “We have had large numbers of officers, staff and specialists working diligently on this investigation over the last three weeks. It has been very much a large, collective effort, with the victim and family at the heart of it from the outset.
“We have specially trained officers deployed to support the family as they come to terms with this tragic news. They are aware of this morning’s further discovery and will continue to be kept up to date with how we are progressing.
“Despite the charges brought today, our work is far from over.
“The scenes we already have established in Bury and Salford will remain in place for much of this week whilst our searches and enquiries continue. Local officers will continue to patrol the impacted areas to provide reassurance.
“We will continue following every line of enquiry to recover and reunite the victim with his family, bringing a dignified end to this terrible scenario.
“I’d like to thank the communities of Salford and beyond for their cooperation throughout this investigation. I know this incident has come as a shock, and the support we’ve had from those in the area is very much appreciated.”
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