In this issue

March 31, 2023

The Conservatives risk being left behind in the race for green prosperity

According to the energy secretary Grant Shapps, defiant fan of TikTok and a man with an unusual thirst for publicity, he is simply \"gradually doing things. I'm not some eco-warrior in this\".

4 mins

Afghan pilot urges Sunak to intervene over deportation

The Afghan war hero facing deportation to Rwanda after arriving in the UK on a small boat has directly appealed to Rishi Sunak to give him sanctuary in Britain. The air force lieutenant, who served alongside coalition troops, urged the prime minister to intervene in his case after finding no safe route to Britain from Afghanistan, where he had been in hiding.

3 mins

'I trusted the British forces'

Afghan pilot’s letter to the PM in full, as he asks to be allowed to stay in the country for which he risked his life

2 mins

Indo-Pacific trade pact to 'boost economy by £2bn'

Gains from deal expected to be dwarfed by Brexit costs

2 mins

Yousaf appoints first ever minister for independence

Humza Yousaf has appointed the Scottish government’s first minister for independence. Jamie Hepburn was announced on Wednesday in a government reshuffle. The post comes with a 98,000 salary.

2 mins

Ferrier's suspension could be good or bad for Johnson

Split in standards committee shows how desperate the SNP and the Tories are to avoid by-elections, says Sean O’Grady

3 mins

Charles: I'm praying for you he tells Ukrainian refugees

The King yesterday told Ukrainians I’m praying for you” after condemning the unimaginable suffering” caused by President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of their homeland.

2 mins

Harry returns to court in his battle over phone-tapping

Prince Harry has returned to court for his ongoing case against the publisher of the Daily Mail, just as his father Charles visits Germany in his first overseas visit as King. After missing the third day of the hearing, the Duke of Sussex reappeared at the High Court yesterday as his lawyers resisted an ambitious” and unattractive” bid by the publisher to end the legal action.

3 mins

'I still can't walk properly'

Almost five months after a gunman with an automatic pistol sprayed three bullets into his legs at a political rally, Pakistan’s ousted prime minister Imran Khan is back on the campaign trail. The former cricket superstar turned firebrand politician addressed a rally in Lahore on Saturday for the first time since November’s attack, with ever-present fears for his safety meaning he had to speak from behind a bulletproof screen.

6 mins

Pope Francis gradually improving, says Vatican

Pope Francis's health is improving after he was hospitalised with a respiratory infection and he has resumed working while treatment continues, the Vatican has said.

2 mins

Hunt is left in a muddle after the green subsidies debate

Jeremy Hunt says that Britain will not go \"toe-to-toe\" with the United States, which is about to destabilise world trade with $369bn (£298bn) of green subsidies in Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

2 mins

How Covid vaccines could help the fight against cancer

Pioneering research that gave us coronavirus jabs might lead to an immune system breakthrough, writes Sean T Smith

6 mins

Pension age decision put back till after 2024 election

A decision on whether to bring forward the date of an increase in the state pension age to 68 has been delayed by Rishi Sunak’s government until after the 2024 general election. Work and pensions secretary Mel Stride announced the delay in the Commons yesterday, when he told MPs a further review would be undertaken within two years of the next parliament.

2 mins

Peaty's pursuit of perfection takes toll on mind and body

In the summer of 2012, Adam Peaty had his lightbulb moment. He was a talented 17-year-old club swimmer at the time, and he was getting ready for a night out with friends when he saw one of his junior breaststroke rivals, Craig Benson, qualify for the semi-finals of the London Olympics on TV.

3 mins

Read all stories from The Independent

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