'Flee for your life'

The Independent's Morning Headlines email [View online]( March 31, 2023 [Morning Headlines]( 1 / [Afghan war hero: Moment my wife said ‘Flee for your life!’ and I began dangerous escape to UK]( The Afghan war hero [threatened with deportation to Rwanda]( has told how his wife begged him to flee and leave her behind while he made his perilous journey across five countries to reach the [UK](. The pilot, who served with distinction alongside British forces, spent months travelling by car, truck and boat to get to Europe, paying thousands of pounds to smugglers. His only possessions were his flight documents, proving his identity and the brave military career he had fought. He is now facing rejection by the Home Office after arriving in Britain on a small boat because there was no safe and legal route to escape the [Taliban](. The airman has [appealed directly to Rishi Sunak]( and his cause has been backed by [leading military figures]( and politicians including Labour leader [Sir Keir Starmer who called his plight a ‘disgrace’.]( The pilot, who is not named in order to protect his young family still in Afghanistan, said he was [speaking out on their behalf](: “All this that I am doing - I am doing it for them.”   2 / [Trump indicted on ‘more than 30 charges’ in Stormy Daniels hush money case]( ‘Using force on children in family groups may unfortunately be necessary,’ document says 3 / [Charles tells Ukrainian refugees ‘I’m praying for you’ during state visit to Germany]( Charles met families who escaped to Germany 4 /[Firefighters ‘acted out rape of female colleague’ amid widespread discrimination and harassment]( Star also worked with Camilla to help Battersea Dogs’ Home 5 / [UK agrees to join Pacific trade pact in post-Brexit deal]( The UK has agreed to join an Asia-Pacific trade pact that includes Japan, Mexico and Australia   The Big Question Why children’s birthday parties are making my life a living hell My phone pings. A new WhatsApp group flashes up on my phone: “Willow is turning four – princess party.” I put my head in my hands and groan. “Oh no, not another one,” I sigh. I’m a mum with two kids under the age of six, so my life these days is a non-stop children’s party. It doesn’t matter how much the parties cost, either – I don’t want to be trapped inside a church hall with a bouncy castle any more than at a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-themed birthday bash at a posh Mayfair hotel with valet buggy parking. These things are always a living hell, writes Charlotte Cripps. I’ve had some bad experiences. If you hear the dreaded words “Peppa Pig World” (£558.75 for a group of 15 at the weekend), you definitely shouldn’t drive to Hampshire for 70 exciting rides and attractions unless you want to be traumatised. When my youngest went to a party at the Holland Park Ecology Centre (£525 for a 2-hour party at the weekend), she came up in hives all over her body. At the trampolining chain Oxygen Freejumping (£239.50 for an hour-long party followed by pizza or hotdogs), I casually looked up at a tall tower and realised in horror that the child defying death in a bungee-jumping harness was my own six-year-old. In my opinion, children’s parties have gotten out of hand. That is why I’m putting my foot down and saying: “Enough is enough.” [For the full story click here >]( £99 £20 for 1 year ✓ Full access to Premium news analysis ✓ Advert-free reading across web and app ✓ The Independent Daily Edition newspaper ✓ Puzzles, virtual event tickets and more [SUBSCRIBE NOW](   Watch/ [Gramophone records found inside Nazi U-boat played for first-ever time]( NUMBER OF THE DAY £3,500 – The cost of everyday essentials have gone up by £3,500 over the last three years, Labour has said. Read more here]( Quote of the day “The sector cannot wait another day before it acts.” – [Discrimination](, [bullying]( and [harassment]( is rife in [fire services](, a watchdog has warned after uncovering incidents in which [firefighters]( “acted out a rape” and used the n-word. Inspector Roy Wilsher said the cases uncovered so far “could be just the tip of the iceberg”. [Read more here](     Other stories you might like [Drug dealing gunman guilty of murdering nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel in her home]( [Gwyneth Paltrow not at fault for ski collision, jury finds]( [Charles Bronson’s ‘son’ says they faked relationship for six years for publicity stunt](   Articles available exclusively to subscribers Mary Dejevsky - [Why the King’s address to the German parliament was so significant](   OTHER NEWSLETTERS YOU MIGHT LIKE [The Race Report]( The Race Report Fortnightly, 6pm (UK time) Written by Nadine White [Join now]( [The View from Westminster ]( The View from Westminster Every weekday, 6pm (UK time) Written by John Rentoul [Join now]( If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. [The Independent]( Join the conversation or follow us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( Download the free Independent app Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter. 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