She described it as a “decisive moment in the history of freedom”. Liz Truss last night vowed that “desperate” Vladimir Putin would be defeated in Ukraine after the Russian president threatened nuclear war.
The Prime Minister said that 2022 was “the story of freedom fighting back”, as she made her first address to the United Nations General Assembly.
Ms Truss said Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine had been a “catastrophic failure” and condemned the Russian president for using “barbarous” tactics.
It came as five Britons held by Russian-backed forces in eastern Ukraine were released in a prisoner swap deal negotiated by Saudi Arabia.
In a televised address to the Russian people, Mr Putin made a clear threat to use nuclear weapons. James Rothwell explores what a “tactical” nuclear strike could look like.
After Mr Putin called up tens of thousands of extra troops, video footage showed crowds of protesters in Moscow shouting: “Send Putin to the trenches!”
One Russian army reservist spoke to The Telegraph anonymously about the bleak future he faces. And, as Kyiv accused Russia of new shelling, follow the latest in our live blog.
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Ms Truss held her first meeting as Prime Minister with Mr Biden, who told her: “You’re our closest ally in the world.”
The pair also discussed the Northern Ireland Protocol, which has plagued relations between the UK and Ireland since the signing of the Brexit withdrawal agreement, as it emerged Britain has set a six-month deadline to solve the impasse.
And deputy political editor Daniel Martin reports from New York that Sir Tony Blair has been secretly helping the government to put its case.
Your GP will see you within two weeks, says Coffey
GPs will be told to give an appointment to every patient who wants one within two weeks, with same-day slots for the most urgent cases, under pledges from Thérèse Coffey, the Health Secretary.
The new “plan for patients” will also name and shame practices with the longest waits, with a war on red tape to free up doctors to see patients.
Ms Coffey will today promise to be a “champion” for patients in a package that aims to enable an extra three million appointments a year.
But, as health editor Laura Donnelly reports, GP leaders accused her of “lumbering a struggling service with more expectations”.
Former health secretary Jeremy Hunt writes that the NHS is in good hands with no-nonsense Ms Coffey.
Andrew ‘plotted’ to stop Charles becoming King
They were united at their late mother’s funeral, but it has been long reported that Prince Charles and Andrew have rarely got on well. Now, new claims of royal infighting have been revealed.
In an exclusive book extract, Angela Levin tells how Andrew “had a treacherous request” for Elizabeth II – with the hope his elder brother would not become king.
Read about decades of royal rancour in our second extract from the new biography of the Queen Consort, which also reveals Camilla’s struggles.
Your View: Last week, we asked readers for their views on what the new King’s monarchy should be like. Here are some of the best responses.
Daily dose of Matt
Matt sees the funny side of Vladimir Putin’s macho posturing in today’s cartoon. For behind-the-scenes insight, sign up to Matt’s weekly newsletter.
Also in the news: This morning’s other headlines
Mini-Budget | Green planning laws will be ripped up by Liz Truss this week in a move that could see tens of thousands of homes built on protected land. Ministers have drawn up plans for new “investment zones” that will hand businesses tax breaks and encourage house building in areas of high economic growth. Whitehall sources said the zones would signal a move away from Boris Johnson’s “levelling up agenda”, which focused heavily on deprived areas in the North.
Around the world: Iran protests spread
A “police assistant” and several demonstrators have been killed during anti-government protests in Iran, according to officials and state media, as videos showed people flipping police cars and overpowering officers. Clashes between protesters and riot police spilled over into more than a dozen cities as the unrest entered a sixth day. Videos show protesters attacking police vehicles and surrounding officers, as the target of the protests extends beyond the mandatory hijab rules that sparked them.
Comment and analysis
Sport briefing: Wasps face administration
Rugby union is facing growing chaos, with Wasps looking to appoint an administrator – which could see them relegated – and Worcester given a Monday deadline to show evidence of a credible long-term financial plan. Wasps responded to a threat yesterday from HMRC of a winding-up order over unpaid tax by warning that they would apply for administration, raising the possibility of the club being automatically relegated from the Gallagher Premiership. Senior rugby writer Charlie Morgan says this is a crisis that the sport cannot ignore.
Editor’s choice
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Tall, strong and exceedingly fit | The secret art of being a royal pallbearer
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Fashion | How Kim Kardashian is bringing the sexy uplift bra back to life
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Heads you win | Gallery: Comedy Pet Photographer of the Year 2022 Awards
Business briefing: US rates at post-crisis high
The US Federal Reserve lifted interest rates to a post-financial crisis high last night as it warned of more painful increases to come in the fight against inflation. Jerome Powell, the Fed chairman, indicated that interest rates have only just reached levels in the US where they are starting to have a restrictive effect on prices. The 0.75 percentage point rise by the Fed will pile pressure on the Bank of England to follow suit today – with borrowers told to “buckle up” for more mortgage misery.
Travel: The Scottish rival to California
Perthshire is known as Big Tree Country for a reason. This beautiful swathe of Scotland contains more champion trees than any other region in Britain. Travel writer Mark Rowe explores the best areas to visit within the 200,000 acres of woodlands.
Tonight’s dinner
Meatballs in tomato sauce | A classic Italian street food recipe by Angela Hartnett – serve these meatballs on their own, in a sub, or with pasta.
And finally… for this morning’s downtime
The rise of Jiu-Jitsu | The “non-violent” martial art is a way of life for tough guys like Joe Rogan and Tom Hardy, who was this week pictured competing in Milton Keynes. Tom Fordy examines why Hollywood’s hardest men are addicted to the Brazilian combat sport.
