‘We see you’: Defence secretary’s warning to Putin after spy ship targets RAF

Thursday, November 20, 2025

Good morning and welcome to your daily news briefing from The Independent.

Defence secretary John Healey issues a warning to Vladimir Putin after a Russian spy ship operating on the edge of UK waters directed lasers at RAF pilots, Trump says he's signed bill to release Epstein files, and the French police plan to use nets to stop small boats 'risks turning Channel into a graveyard'.

Top stories

1 | French plan to use nets to stop small boats 'risks turning Channel into a graveyard'

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2 | Trump signs bill to release Epstein files

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3 | 'We see you': Defence secretary's warning to Putin after spy ship targets RAF

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4 | Reform councillor suspended over WhatsApp group that had post calling for 'mass Islam genocide'

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5 | Rapist ex-Met Police officer found guilty of sexually abusing girl

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Giveaway

The Independent is offering 10 pairs of tickets to a special screening of Death Sentence: The real cost of Trump's aid cuts on HIV at the Institute of Contemporary Arts – and one reader will also receive a free £60 membership.

The documentary, by chief international correspondent Bel Trew, shows the stark reality of life in Uganda and Zimbabwe, where people are dying because they cannot access medication and pregnant women fear infecting their babies. 

The World AIDS Day screening will be held on 30 November, followed by a panel with Bel, Christine Stegling of UNAIDS, Dr Charles Ssonko of Médecins Sans Frontières, Patrick Kinemo of MSI Tanzania and Lord Smith, Chancellor of the University of Cambridge.

To enter, simply email competitions@independent.co.uk with the answer to this question:

When is World AIDS Day?
A) 1 November
B) 1 December
C) 1 January
D) 1 February

Terms and conditions: The draw closes at 23:59 on Sunday 23 November. 18+ UK residents only. One entry per person. No cash alternative. Usual terms apply: independent.co.uk/rules

Editors' picks

'Expectations are too high': Readers on why they've giving up dating

Funny how all these amazing inventions that were meant to make our lives better have done the opposite. Time to move back to the 1990s.

Ditch your socials and get back to the pub, gigs and clubs. Speak to people in real life. Get drunk and have fun. Find someone with similar interests, move in together, have babies, get divorced, start again!

Get involved and share your views here.

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WATCH 

Donald Trump's five most controversial confrontations with journalists

STAT OF THE DAY

4 in 10

Israel-Palestine continues to divide the nation as almost half of Britons say they would consider ending a friendship over the issue.

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"At The Independent, we've always believed journalism should do more than describe the world – it should try to improve it.

This Christmas, we're asking for your help again as we launch our new campaign with the charity Missing People – the SafeCall appeal.

Every year, more than 70,000 children in the UK are reported missing. The misery that follows – for the child, for the family, for the community – is often hidden. Too many of these young people have nowhere to turn when they need help most. SafeCall will change that. Our goal is to raise £165,000 to help Missing People launch this new, free service – designed with the input of young people themselves – offering round-the-clock support, advice and a route to safety."

QUOTE OF THE DAY

I think Harry would probably be giggling, to be honest. But he would be super proud.

Charlotte Charles, the mother of Harry Dunn, has been received an MBE for her work campaigning for road safety. Harry, 19, was killed by a US citizen who was able to leave the UK under diplomatic immunity laws in 2019.

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The Amazon Kindle is currently reduced to just £70.

Wrap up a deal: Asket's recycled wool cardigan is on sale.

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