Ex-Tory MP joins Ukraine’s foreign legion to aid fight against Putin

Bridget Phillipson, Labour's education secretary, will introduce a new era for school standards by replacing single-word judgments with more detailed report cards, aiming to raise expectations of school leaders and break the link between children's background and success. Ofsted's new school inspections will grade schools across nine areas using a colour-coded five-point scale, with ratings ranging from "causing concern" to "exemplary", starting to be rolled out in September and fully introduced in November. Phillipson vows...

Tony Martin, the farmer who shot and killed teenage burglar Fred Barras on his Norfolk farm in 1999, has passed away at the age of 80. Martin, who was initially convicted of murder but later released on manslaughter charges, sparked a national debate on self-defense rights and vigilantism. The incident raised questions about the boundaries of protecting one's home against intruders and divided public opinion on Martin's actions. Full Article

The Independent relies on donations to support their reporting on critical issues like reproductive rights, climate change, and Big Tech, providing in-depth coverage and analysis without paywalls. Four University of Essex students tragically died in a car crash in Colchester, identified as Makyle Bayley, Eva Darold-Tchikaya, Anthony Hibbert, and Daljang Wol. The police are investigating the incident and ask for any information or footage related to the crash, while the university community mourns the loss...

German officials, including Scholz and Kukies, express concerns over tariff barriers and urge calm in response to Trump's actions, while Italian Foreign Minister Tajani emphasizes the need for dialogue to protect EU companies. European Parliament committee chair Lange criticizes Trump's tariffs as unlawful, calling for the defense of EU economic interests, as Polish Prime Minister Tusk reassures citizens about various global issues. Verhofstadt denounces the tariffs as harmful to both the U.S. and its allies,...

The European Union has warned of a firm response if US President Donald Trump proceeds with imposing tariffs on EU imports, citing unfair trade practices. Trump has expressed his intention to target the EU due to trade imbalances and grievances about VAT and market access issues. Trump's tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China have already sparked tensions and retaliation in transatlantic trade relations. Full Article

Sir Keir Starmer is under pressure to agree to a youth free-movement deal with the EU as Tory MPs and peers call for the agreement, ahead of PM Johnson's meeting with EU leaders. However, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper opposes the scheme, citing concerns about increasing net migration. The European Commission is pushing for the deal, which would allow 18 to 35-year-olds to move and work freely between the UK and EU, but Johnson has repeatedly...