“Is there any prospect of a universal winter fuel payment? Winter fuel reversal caused misery for millions, say Lib DemsThe Liberal Democrats have called for the chancellor to apologise to pensioners over the government’s winter fuel payment reversal. “But if we look at the cohorts particularly affected by changes in the winter fuel payments, we see no differential effects on their health outcomes over the course of last winter. Winter fuel payments ‘not universal’By Chris SmythWinter fuel payments will be restored this winter but wealthier pensioners will not get them, ministers have said. Winter fuel payments reinstatedThe chancellor previously limited winter fuel payments to recipients of pension credit MONKEYBUSINESSIMAGES/GETTY IMAGESThe level of the winter fuel payments means testing will increase this winter, the chancellor said.

He took Ecstasy and psychedelic mushrooms.”Over the weekend, Musk attacked the report from Kristen Grind and Megan Twohey, writing on X that “to be clear, I am NOT taking drugs! The New York Times was lying their ass off. I tried *prescription* ketamine a few years ago and said so on 𝕏, so this not even news. “Elon Musk is just lashing out because he doesn’t like our article. Musk appeared with Trump on Friday in an Oval Office press conference, sort of a swan song as the billionaire’s official government service came to an end.

Ukraine Hid Attack Drones in Russia. An analysis of videos and satellite imagery by The New York Times shows the extent of the attack. Seven strategic bombers appear to be completely destroyed, very likely four Tupolev Tu-22M and three Tupolev Tu-95 bombers. Babr Mash, via TelegramA screen recording from the Ukrainian’s pilot software shows a drone flying by two smoking Tu-95 bombers. Car tires — apparent defensive measures — are visible next to and on top of the wings of at least three of the damaged Tu-95 bombers.

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy noticeA Fox News host called out Elon Musk’s response to the New York Times report alleging drug use while the billionaire was working as Trump’s senior adviser at the Department of Government Efficiency. The Times report alleged that Musk was frequently using magic mushrooms, ecstasy, Adderall, and ketamine in amounts that caused him bladder issues. When asked about the report during an Oval Office press briefing on Friday, Musk questioned the newspaper’s credibility. Musk has previously admitted to using a "small amount" of ketamine to treat depression.

This includes a tougher pass rate on official assessments and stricter oversight of agents who recruit students overseas. Launched in 2021, the Graduate Route currently allows international students to stay in the UK for up to two years after graduation to work or look for employment. Under the new proposal, this period will be reduced to just 18 months.In addition, universities that enrol international students will be required to pay a new levy on tuition income from those students. Currently, most student and work visas require applicants to meet a B1 level of English. The UK is carving out exceptions for high-skilled sectors such as artificial intelligence, life sciences, and other innovation-driven fields.

The Times have named a number of domestic talents on Eddie Howe’s radar this summer. He is one of the few local journalists who has commented on our interest in Espanyol stopper Joan Garcia, with much of the noise coming from Spain. Hardy also reveals that Newcastle are determined to lower the age of their squad this summer, suggesting the majority of our summer signings will be aged 24 and under. Alongside Quansah (22), Ramsey (24), Trafford (22) and Rudoni (23), Marc Guehi (24) fits that bill, although The Times have stressed that Newcastle will not be spending £60m-plus on the Crystal Palace captain, who is now approaching the final 12 months of his contract. Newcastle attempted to replace him with Liam Delap, 22, but were beaten to a £30m deal by Chelsea.

A man, 28, and woman, 20, are thought to have taken Nitazenes, believed to be up to 500 times stronger than heroin, after partying at a south London nightclub during the Spring Bank Holiday weekend. Drug testing charity The Loop has suggested these pills contain Nitazenes, which can be '50 to 500 times stronger than heroin'. The pills taken by the users over the weekend had the number 80 on one side and possibly an 'OP' on the other, Ealing Council said. Synthetic drugs have already left many Brits incapacitated on the streets (pictured). Nitazenes could make it way, way worse.

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Many of the papers focus on the government's strategic defence review. The Telegraph claims it's in "disarray", external because it says the defence secretary has "backtracked" on a pledge to boost military spending to 3% of GDP by 2034. Its leader column accuses ministers of "strategic delusion" - warning that "for 30 years, Britain has failed to match funding with geopolitical ambition". The front pages of the Times and the Telegraph include details of Ukraine's daring drone attack on Russian bombers yesterday. A study - suggesting that exercise is better than drugs to keep cancer at bay - is highlighted by the Guardian, external and the Times, external.

Live EventsBusiness-to-business ecommerce platform Udaan has closed a $114 million funding round led by existing investors M&G Prudential (UK) and Lightspeed Venture Partners, the company said in a press statement on Monday.The round, executed at a flat valuation of $1.8 billion, includes the previously disclosed $75 million infusion from the two investors, which founder and CEO Vaibhav Gupta had announced during a townhall earlier this year, as first reported by ET in February.Udaan’s valuation had dropped by 44% in 2023 to around $1.8 billion, down from its peak of $3.2 billion following a funding round in January 2021 .The company has not officially commented on its valuation.The Bengaluru-based firm said the fresh capital will be used to deepen its presence across key categories including fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and hotel, restaurant, and café (HoReCa) segments. Udaan also plans to expand its private label brands, especially in the staples category.“This capital raise will also fortify Udaan’s balance sheet, providing enhanced financial flexibility as the company advances toward its public market debut,” the company said in the statement.Gupta added that Udaan has been cutting costs aggressively.“We have reduced our Ebitda burn by 40% every year for the last three years and are on track to achieve full group Ebitda profitability in the next 18 months,” he said.In FY24, Udaan reported operating revenue of Rs 5,707 crore, showing flat growth amid major operational restructuring aimed at reducing losses.As ET reported earlier, the company restructured its debt late last year but still carries around $100 million in debt, with repayment timelines having been pushed out.

Long after the Trump administration is gone, there will still be a Harvard. But an America deprived of everything Harvard contributes will be far poorer and weaker. And it should find ways to have more diverse political representation among both students and faculty.But the Trump administration isn’t trying to fix Harvard. That leadership is under threat as never before: American universities, long leaders in basic and groundbreaking research, are falling behind. But like America, Harvard is worth fighting for.

However, if The Times report holds some weight, the British F-35A will also soon roar over the UK with air-launched nuclear bombs. At the time, the decision was formalized with the withdrawal of the WE.177 free-fall nuclear bombs, the last air-delivered nuclear weapons in the British arsenal. Nonetheless, the reports that have published details of the review do not mention that the air-launched nuclear capability is returning to Britain. The British Defense Secretary John Healey also refrained from commenting on the prospect of reintroducing air-launched nuclear weapons, instead reaffirming the Trident’s importance. “For over 70 years, our UK nuclear deterrent has been the ultimate guarantee of security in this country.

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“We are in a new era of threat, which demands a new era for UK defence,” he told MPs. The planned increase in defence spending was the biggest since the Cold War, said Sir Keir. A total unravelling of their strategic defence review because quite simply they haven't got a plan to fund it. Sir Keir added: "Third, we will innovate and accelerate innovation at a wartime pace, so we can meet the threats of today and of tomorrow, as the fastest innovator in Nato." Sir Keir also flagged up his aim to create a hybrid Royal Navy with greater use of AI, as well as creating a new Digital Warfighter Group with “appropriate recruitment and pay freedoms”.

Here is PA Media’s summary of some of the main points from the defence review. – Defence Secretary John Healey has pledged to “create a British Army which is 10x more lethal”, by combining capabilities with air-defence, long-range weapons and other technologies. – The National Security Council of ministers should review progress on the UK’s nuclear deterrent at least twice a year, the reviewers say. – Healey has pledged to create a new “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels that can patrol the North Atlantic. – As part of plans to increase innovation, defence experts should have faculty positions in partner universities from the 2026/27 academic year.