Russia could be planning a chemical or biological weapon attack in Ukraine – and “we should all be on the lookout”, the White House has said. Press secretary Jen Psaki said Russia’s claims about US biological weapon labs, and chemical weapon development in Ukraine, were preposterous. She called the false claims an “obvious ploy” to try to justify further premeditated, unprovoked attacks. It comes after Western officials shared similar concerns about fresh attacks. They said they were “very concerned” about the risk the war could escalate, and particularly the possibility of Russia using non-conventional weapons. This most likely refers to chemical weapons although the term also covers tactical (small-scale) nuclear weapons, biological weapons and dirty bombs. “We’ve got good reason to be concerned,” said one Western official. They said this was partly because of what had been seen in other places where Russia has been engaged – notably Syria where chemical weapons were used by its allies.(BBC)…[+]

It is a bizarre case that has been making international headlines. A man was arrested on a Covid ward in a Glasgow hospital and accused by the US authorities of being a fugitive who faked his own death to evade justice. They say Nicholas Rossi is suspected of a number of sexual assaults and is wanted to face a rape charge in the state of Utah. But the man at the centre of the extradition process claims it is a mistake and is challenging them to prove his identity. When I interviewed him at the BBC’s Pacific Quay in Glasgow, he was in a wheelchair, his voice competing against the hiss of an oxygen mask. He says he is not Nicholas Rossi – the man the Americans want to extradite on a rape charge in Utah. In fact, he claims he has never even been to America.(BBC)…[+]

The director of hit superhero film Black Panther was mistaken for a bank robber as he tried to take money out of his own account in the US, a police report has revealed. Ryan Coogler was briefly arrested after trying to withdraw $12,000 (£9,100) from the Atlanta bank in January. The teller had reportedly told her boss she suspected an attempted robbery after misinterpreting the situation. Mr Coogler told US outlet TMZ the “situation should never have happened”. However, the 35-year-old said Bank of America had since “worked with me and addressed it to my satisfaction and we have moved on”. According to the police report, which was obtained by the entertainment website, Mr Coogler – reportedly wearing a covid face mask, as well as sunglasses and a hat – handed the teller a withdrawal slip with a note saying he wanted $12,000 from his checking account. The note also asked for the money to be counted somewhere else, ending “I’d like to be discreet”. He also showed identification. The New York Times reported that he told police he was paying for a medical assistant who worked for his family and sought discretion over safety concerns due to the cash amount he requested.(BBC)…[+]