1. Britain faces recession and 10pc inflation as interest rates rise
The Bank of England has warned that Britain is on the brink of a recession as the country is battered by a cost of living crisis that has sent inflation surging to a 40-year high.
Andrew Bailey, the Bank's Governor, said that sharply rising energy prices will inflict "hardship" on millions of consumers as it increased interest rates to 1pc, their highest level since 2009.
2. Sweden’s Covid death rate among lowest in Europe, despite avoiding strict lockdowns
Sweden’s death rate during the Covid pandemic is among the lowest in Europe, despite the country refusing to impose strict lockdowns, according to new figures from the World Health Organisation.
The UN health agency released estimates of excess deaths - people who died directly and indirectly from Covid - showing the pandemic had wrought a “staggering toll” worldwide, with 14.9 million fatalities, three times higher than fatalities officially reported.
3. France didn’t tell Britain about secret ‘kill switch’ in Falklands Exocets, admits official
France refused to tell Britain how to stop Exocet missiles during the Falklands war because it did not want to hand "the keys to the safe" to a rival in the arms trade, a former French defence official has admitted.
Pierre Razoux said the French had a defeat device that could "kill" an incoming missile, but Francois Mitterrand, the then president, would not share it with Britain.
4. The Queen to attend State Opening of Parliament – with ‘tweaks’ for her comfort
The Queen intends to play her full constitutional role at the State Opening of Parliament, even as she signals the end of an era by stepping back from hosting her Buckingham Palace garden parties.
The monarch hopes to read her customary speech to open Parliament on Tuesday, as aides insert "tweaks" to the traditional ceremony for her comfort.
5. Ukraine war could turn into Russia’s Vietnam, says Ben Wallace
قال وزير الدفاع إن الحرب في أوكرانيا قد تكون فيتنام الروسية إذا تحولت من "مستنقع إلى هزيمة".
وقال بن والاس إن ضغوط العمل خارج حدودها والخسارة المحتملة للدعم الشعبي في الداخل يمكن أن تؤدي إلى "انهيار" فلاديمير بوتين، على الرغم من نشر أسلحة أكثر تقدما بكثير من أوكرانيا.