In this issue

February 18, 2022

Biden Accuses Russia Of ‘False Flag' Attacks To Justify Ukraine Strike ‘Within Days'

A series of missile and artillery attacks in Ukraine are “false flag operations” carried out by Russia in preparation for an invasion of the country by Vladimir Putin, western leaders have claimed – in a volatile day of bitter accusations and counter recriminations.

4 mins

Russians Linked To Kremlin And Money-Laundering ‘Own £1.5bn Of British Property'

British property worth £1.5bn has been bought by Russians accused of corruption or with alleged Kremlin links, according to new figures. Anti-corruption campaigners have unveiled research showing that 28 per cent of that property is in Westminster, with Kensington and Chelsea another hotspot.

1 min

‘Danger To Life' Warning As UK Braces For New Storm

Hundreds of schools have closed and the army has been placed on standby as the UK prepared yesterday for what could be the worst storm in 30 years.

2 mins

British shark attack victim fought to protect marine life

A British swimmer killed in a rare shark attack in Sydney, Australia, “loved the water” and spoke out on the need to protect marine life.

1 min

Publish evidence before ending virus self-isolation rules, says nursing union

The government needs to publish compelling evidence before ending the country’s Covid self-isolation requirement, the Royal College of Nurses (the RCN) has said, describing the move as “a big leap in the dark”. A survey of NHS leaders has also found that nearly 80 per cent of senior staff do not believe that free Covid tests for the public should be scrapped.

2 mins

Covid Air Purifiers Promised For Schools Still Undelivered

The government has still not delivered the 7,000 air purifiers it promised to help make schools Covid-safe, ahead of pupils returning from their half term break. During the Christmas holidays ministers said the machines would be sent to schools to help improve ventilation in classrooms, but hundreds are still missing in action.

2 mins

Rees-Mogg: No evidence Brexit is damaging trade

Minister dismisses figures that show £20bn export drop

2 mins

Afghan refugees could face ‘hostile environment' rules within days after visa delays

Afghan refugees in the UK will fall under the Home Office’s “hostile environment” regime within days after delays issuing new visas, lawyers are warning.

2 mins

‘Shoot first': Labour deputy reveals strict terror stance

Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner has said Britain’s terror police should “shoot first” and “ask questions second”, as the party sets out its credentials on law and order.

2 mins

Met deletes ‘unacceptable' tweet deriding Sadiq Khan

The Metropolitan Police has admitted it was “unacceptable” for one of its official accounts to tweet criticism of London mayor Sadiq Khan following a row over its outgoing commissioner Dame Cressida Dick.

3 mins

Neil launches libel case against Arcuri over tweets

The former BBC and GB News presenter Andrew Neil has launched defamation proceedings against Jennifer Arcuri, the American businesswoman who claims she had a four-year affair with Boris Johnson, following a spat on Twitter.

2 mins

‘Attritional' Post Office had deliberate policy of blame

Inquiry hears how staff were targeted over missing money

3 mins

Eden Project co-founder is sorry for Cornwall remarks

The co-founder of the Eden Project has apologised for comments he made about Cornwall after labelling “quite a few” of the locals as “tossers” while defending his friend Rick Stein.

2 mins

Judge: Trump must testify in New York investigation

A judge has ruled that President Donald Trump as well as his children Donald Trump Jr and Ivanka Trump must testify in an investigation into his business practices being conducted by the New York attorney general’s office.

2 mins

Children detained in Iraq for links to Isis, warns UN

More than 1,000 children are being detained in Iraq on national security-related charges, some due to suspected links with Isis, according to a United Nations report which says the number of detained minors has increased significantly in recent years.

2 mins

Thousands apply for Saudi female train drivers job ad

A job advert to recruit 30 female train drivers in Saudi Arabia has attracted 28,000 applicants, highlighting the scale of pentup demand as the conservative kingdom opens up more opportunities to women.

1 min

World news in brief

At least 104 dead in landslide

3 mins

How Nick Clegg mastered the art of failing upwards

There is a very good documentary on BBC iPlayer at the moment called The Decade the Rich Won. It explains how the very wealthiest “made out like bandits” in the years following the 2008 financial crisis, while everyone else was hit with brutal austerity.

3 mins

Will I face a flight surcharge if the price of fuel takes off?

BA Holidays does not state the right to surcharge in its terms and conditions, which means it cannot apply them 

1 min

Steady but unspectacular

The pastel palette of Metronomy’s Nineties indie-style release Small World fails to connect with the mainstream that the band wants to break through to

2 mins

Soaring costs add to higher prices for household staples

KitKat and Nescafe maker Nestle has increased prices of its goods and warned of more rises on the way. Another company behind well-known household brands, Reckitt Benckiser, said it too was being forced to hike prices to reflect its soaring costs.

2 mins

Cost of living rises for 76% of people since start of year

More than three in four adults in the UK have seen their cost of living increase since the beginning of the year, according to new data. The Office for National Statistics said 76 per cent of those questioned between 3 and 13 February reported a rise in the cost of living over the past month.

1 min

Business news in brief

Ocado reveals tie-up with French partner Casino

2 mins

PSG offer to make Mbappe world's highest-paid player to block Real Madrid move

Kylian Mbappe is considering a proposal from Paris Saint-Germain to make him the highest-paid player in world football. The French club realise the importance of the 23-year-old to their project, as perhaps the best player in the world for the next decade, and are willing to offer the sort of contract not yet seen in the game.

2 mins

Read all stories from The Independent

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