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       1. Ukraine crisis: Joe Biden prepares troops to face down Russian invasion threat

       Joe Biden, the US president, was preparing to send thousands of US troops to eastern Europe and the Baltic states on Monday to deter a Russian invasion of Ukraine.

       Amid growing tension, the Pentagon announced that 8,500 US-based soldiers were on “heightened alert” for deployment in the region after weeks of restraint. Read the full story.

       2. Birthday party was held for Boris Johnson at Downing Street during Covid lockdown

       Boris Johnson attended a birthday party thrown in his honour in Downing Street during the first Covid lockdown, despite social gatherings indoors being banned.

       The event took place at around 2pm on June 19, 2020, with a birthday cake presented to the Prime Minister and attendees singing “happy birthday”, according to ITV News. Read the full story.

       3. Lord Agnew’s parting shot at No 10: ‘It could cut tax by 1p if it took Covid loan fraud seriously’

       Downing Street could cut 1p off income tax if it tackled Covid fraud properly, Lord Agnew of Oulton said on Monday as he dramatically quit the Government.

       The peer called Downing Street’s handling of Covid business loan fraud “schoolboy” as he resigned as a minister to the Treasury and Cabinet Office while speaking in the Lords. Read the full story.

       4. From me to you: John Lennon’s son to auction off Beatles mementoes as NFTs

       Beatles superfans might jump at the chance to buy John Lennon’s coat or the handwritten song notes for Hey Jude, even at a price of $70,000 (￡51,000).

       However, an upcoming Beatles auction does come with an important catch. None of the items themselves are actually for sale. Read the full story.

       5. More than 1.5m people were wrongly told to shield from Covid-19, expert suggests

       With Plan B coronavirus restrictions coming to an end on Wednesday, the clinically vulnerable may be understandably nervous about emerging back into society.

       Although the shielding programme officially ended on September 15 last year, many have continued to exercise caution, and government guidance still encourages mask wearing and social distancing at home, and among family and friends. Read the full story.

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