Your morning briefing: What you should know for Tuesday, May 25

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Minsk accused of playing ‘Russian roulette’ with journalist detention

Minsk has been accused of playing “Russian roulette” after a Ryanair flight was diverted and a prominent critic arrested in Belarus.

A special meeting of the EU Council was held on Monday evening with the 27 members states agreeing to ban Belarusian airlines from EU airspace and airports.

Speaking in the early hours in Brussels, European Council president Charles Michel said the events were “unacceptable, shocking and scandalous”.

It comes after Transport Secretary Grant Shapps instructed the Civil Aviation Authority to request airlines avoid Belarusian air space “to keep passengers safe”.

Journalist Roman Protasevich was on board a Ryanair flight from Athens to Vilnius when it was forced to change course to head for Minsk after a bomb scare, escorted by a MiG fighter jet.

Confusion as Government warns against travel in Indian variant hotspots

The Government has been accused of “incompetence” after advising against all but essential travel in eight areas of England where the Covid variant first identified in India is spreading fastest.

Officials said areas including Bolton, Leicester, Kirklees and the London borough of Hounslow were hardest hit and people there should not meet indoors.

People should avoid travelling into and out of the eight areas, with Bedford, Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley and North Tyneside also on the list.

People in the eight areas should also be tested twice a week, according to the Government advice.

The change to the guidance - which is not law - appears to have been made on Friday without an official announcement, prompting criticism from MPs.

Up to 8,700 patients died after catching Covid in hospital, data shows

Up to 8,700 patients have died after catching Covid-19 while in hospitals in England, according to a report of NHS data obtained under freedom of information laws.

Official figures provided by NHS trusts showed some 32,307 people had “probably or definitely” contracted Covid-19 while in hospital since March 2020, with 8,747 of them dying.

The Guardian reported that it received data from 81 of England’s 126 acute hospital trusts.

It said their FOI answers revealed that the 8,747 people who died were all in hospital for other medical treatment, such as to have an operation, for care after a fall or the flare-up of a serious illness.

UK to target India’s middle class and young people in trade deal

Ministers are set to target India’s middle classes and young people in a trade deal with a focus on whisky, British-made cars and services.

International Trade Secretary Liz Truss hopes to start talks over a free trade agreement with India in the autumn.

She has launched a 14-week consultation to gather views from the public and businesses before talks begin.

The Government said it wanted a deal to allow trading with India’s £2 trillion economy and 1.4 billion customers.

This would include removing tariffs of up to 150 per cent on whisky and 125 per cent on British-made cars, as well as a focus on industries such as science, technology and services.

Cheese photo enables police to track down and arrest drug dealer

Police were able to track down and arrest a drug dealer after he shared a photo of Stilton cheese.

Carl Stewart was identified by his fingerprints after police analysed the picture, which he had posted in an online chat.

The 39-year-old was jailed for 13 years and six months. He admitted at Liverpool Crown Court. conspiracy to supply heroin, cocaine, ketamine and MDMA.

Stewart, of Gem Street, Liverpool, was also sentenced for transferring criminal property.

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