Russian rebels claim Ukraine has 'violated' ceasefire with mortar shelling

The Independent's Morning Headlines email [View online]( February 17, 2022 [Morning Headlines]( 1 / [Rebels say Ukraine has ‘rudely violated’ ceasefire with mortar shelling]( Ukraine government forces have shelled areas within rebel-held territory to the east of the country, a breach of ceasefire agreements designed to bring an end to the conflict, according to Russian-backed separatist groups. Forces from the Ukrainian side were accused of using mortars, grenade launchers and a machine gun by the representatives of the would-be breakaway territory — the Luhansk People’s Republic — in the first reports of munitions being used in the conflict gripping Europe for more than a month now. “Armed forces of Ukraine have rudely violated the ceasefire regime, using heavy weapons, which, according to the Minsk agreements, should be withdrawn,” rebel representatives from the Luhansk in the Ukrainian-Russian ceasefire control group said, according to Russia’s independent news agency Interfax. 2 / [Prince Andrew agrees not to repeat claim he didn’t rape Virginia Giuffre after settlement, report says]( The agreement comes under the terms of a confidential settlement reached between the two parties, The Daily Telegraph reports 3 / [UK hit with power cuts and travel disruption ahead of incoming Storm Eunice]( The Met Office had issued an amber warning for strong winds covering central Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland and northern England 4 / [Boris Johnson’s Covid plan puts 500,000 ‘forgotten victims’ at risk, charities warn]( ‘There is no end in sight’: Immune-suppresed face anxiety as restrictions lifted 5 / [Supreme Court ruling on privacy for people under investigation ‘has far reaching implications’ for media]( Public interest matters will ‘go unreported’ after judges side against press The Big Question How is sexual violence and racist abuse thriving in the metaverse? Sexual harassment exists in all walks of life and the 3D virtual reality simulation that is the metaverse is no exception. However, experts warn the immersive, all-consuming nature of virtual reality means sexual violence has even worse repercussions than harassment in other digital landscapes. Here’s why. [Read the full story >]( Watch / [Jaguar pounces on swimming anaconda in savage attack]( NUMBER OF THE DAY 5,000 Badger cull areas were expanded by stealth and without consultation in England last year, leading to a surge in deaths, [conservationists say](. It’s estimated up to an extra 5,000 animals could have been killed. QUOTE OF THE DAY "Prince Andrew’s behaviour is as abominable as it gets." – We’re getting to the point where we just don’t want the royal family any more, [Tom Peck writes for The Independent’s Voices section]( Other stories you might like [Frank Pesce death: Top Gun and Beverly Hills Cop actor dies aged 75]( [Mudslides in Rio De Janeiro state, Brazil kill at least 58 people]( [Government rolls out ‘guidance’ on teaching racism in schools]( Articles available exclusively to subscribers Rob Merrick, The Independent: [How No 10 is testing out excuses to enable Boris Johnson to escape the Partygate scandal]( If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. [The Independent]( Join the conversation or follow us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Headlines_Masterlist_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our [privacy notice]( and [cookie policy](.