The Times

Poland voted yesterday in the first round of presidential elections

Poland's presidential elections could herald a sea change in Polish politics

Conflicting accounts of the Round Table Talks in 1989 have divided Polish politics ever since

What it's like to sit down with the moustachioed hero of Poland’s uprising against communism

An exclusive interview with Lech Walesa (w Oliver Moody)

Trump bestows gift of political survival on Polish president (w Oliver Moody)

US in “intensive talks” on extended military presence in Poland (w Oliver Moody & Bruno Waterfield)

Poland begins strategic dig through the Vistula Spit, despite opposition from green activists

Polskie Radio 3 faces an exodus of talent and a boycott by musicians

A once-hallowed institution of the equine world is fighting for its reputation

As global lockdown brings the art world to a halt, Norman Miller finds out what happens next.

Children’s lives are being put at risk by a dangerous new trend for inhaling illegal cannabis vapes, many laced with the “zombie” drug Spice. Pupils have collapsed in schools and been taken to hospital after using the vapes, which can be bought online for just £15. Many are unaware the vaping fluids they have bought also contain toxic chemicals and Spice. Young people are attracted to vaping drugs partly because the e-cigarettes are small, almost odourless and easily hidden.

Luo Daiqing, 20, was detained in July after returning to China from the University of Minnesota.

China has conducted the first sea trial of a new combat drone boat known as the Jari.

A respiratory virus that has killed three people and spread to four Asian countries can be passed between humans, China has warned after the number of cases tripled.

Footage of a pig being bound to a bungee rope and then pushed off a 68-metre tower at Meixin Red Wine Town in southwest China, triggered outrage online.

Fears are growing that the outbreak of a deadly new respiratory virus in China is much bigger than first thought.

Poland’s state broadcaster launches series challenging judges’ verdicts

Tsitsipas lost his temper and accidentally hit his dad with his racket, left, which prompted a telling-off from his mum, right ATP TOUR TV There is something reassuring about the racket-smashing fury of Stefanos Tsitsipas. His achievements, aged 21, are enviable: ATP World Tour finals champion, world No 6, three times a victor over Roger Federer. For all that, the Greek is similar to many people in at least one regard — if he misbehaves, his mum will lay down the law. After losing a tie-break

African grey parrots appear to voluntarily help other parrots, even when there is no clear benefit to themselves

Astronomers have redrawn the map of the Milky Way, overturning a 150-year-old theory of the structure of our corner of the galaxy

For those getting cold feet about peer-to-peer lending there are alternatives.

Judges who query PiS' judicial overhaul could be sacked or fined

Switchcraft comments on the role of fintech in helping vulnerable consumers...

Carpets cover the old stone floor to help acoustics at St Matt’s A church’s plan to attract younger people by changing its name from St Matthew’s to St Matt’s has upset regular worshippers. The move by the church in Exeter was part of a £1.3 million marketing exercise by the Church of England led by Holy Trinity Brompton in west London. It was hoped that a name change, new logo and social media presence would appeal to the 30,000 students in Exeter and lift its congregation from as little as

Teenagers in Hong Kong are applying for places at Taiwanese universities as fears grow that they could be blocked from studying at home if they are linked to the pro-democracy protests. Hong Kong is officially part of China, under the “one country, two systems” framework; Taiwan is self governing, but is claimed by China as sovereign territory.

China is expanding its coal power infrastructure despite pledges to curb carbon emissions. Analysis reveals that the amount allocated to large infrastructure projects by Beijing has doubled this year, with airports and high-speed rail lines among 21 schemes allocated a total of £83.9 billion.

Uighur women have been coerced into appearing in fashion shows and beauty pageants to make them “look more Chinese”, according to a research paper into a government initiative. About a million Uighurs and other Muslims are held in detention camps in Xinjiang but some women who live outside the camps have been encouraged to take part in fashion shows and “longest-hair competitions” organised by the Chinese government under its Project Beauty initiative.

A brutal hammer attack on a prominent Hong Kong activist has raised fears that gangs backed by Beijing are trying to stop pro-democracy demonstrations by targeting protest leaders for “political assassination”. The last time Beijing faced a mass uprising on Chinese territory, in Tiananmen Square in 1989, it sent tanks to crush dissenters. Today, in Hong Kong, with the world watching, protesters claim different tactics are being employed.

There were chaotic scenes in Hong Kong’s parliament yesterday, with members dragged out by security guards after heckling Carrie Lam with demands for an inquiry into a brutal attack on a prominent protester. Hong Kong’s chief executive was forced to abandon the territory’s legislative council chamber for a second consecutive day.