‘There has never been a more dangerous time to take drugs’: The rising threat of synthetic opioids

British conman Robert Hendy-Freegard, subject of a Netflix documentary, has been sentenced to six years in a French prison for injuring two police officers. Found guilty of posing as a spy for MI5 to defraud victims, he fled police questioning in Creuse, France, where he illegally bred dogs under a false name. Previously sentenced to life in 2005 in London for theft and deception, Hendy-Freegard's decade-long charade involved manipulating multiple unsuspecting individuals. Full Article

The Independent relies on reader support to cover stories from reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, ensuring unbiased reporting without paywalls. Ed Miliband has shifted his stance on the Heathrow runway expansion, now supporting the government's plans despite previous environmental concerns and opposition from within the Labour Party. The project aims for construction to begin by the end of this parliament, increasing flight capacity from 480,000 to 720,000 per year, with financing through...

The UK government has ordered Apple to grant access to users' encrypted files under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, sparking concerns about privacy rights. The Home Office requested a broad ability to view encrypted material, rather than access to specific accounts, but has not confirmed the existence of the order. Apple has emphasized privacy as a fundamental human right and stated that its current setup prevents anyone, including Apple, from accessing user data, with the...

Grenfell Tower, site of Britain's worst residential fire post-World War II, will be demolished due to a lethal combination of negligence and cost-cutting. Families of the victims are divided on the decision, with some wanting justice before demolition and others acknowledging the necessity. The government plans to preserve parts of the building for a future memorial, while facing debate over the significance of the tower as a crime scene and the need for closure in...

Friedrich Merz is Germany's likely next chancellor, but the formation of a coalition government with his conservative alliance is uncertain after Greens candidate Robert Habeck expressed doubts due to Merz's acceptance of far-right support in parliament. Merz's decision triggered backlash from center-left parties, leaving the SPD and Greens as potential coalition partners, but the Greens may refuse to work with Merz if he continues to align with the AfD, potentially complicating coalition negotiations and Merz's...

Masked phone-snatching gangs utilizing 70mph e-bikes are driving a surge in mobile thefts across the UK, with over 225 phones stolen daily. London is the epicenter of the crime wave, recording 65,600 thefts last year. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has pledged to crack down on the issue, announcing increased police powers and calling for improved mobile device security measures from tech companies. Full Article