In this issue

July 18, 2024

Starmer aims to rebuild UK and forge closer ties to EU

Sir Keir Starmer will fire the starting gun” on Britain’s new relationship with the EU today as he hosts fellow European leaders after reshaping the country’s destiny with his first King’s Speech.

2 mins

Changing the way we live over the next five years

There were a total of 40 bills included in yesterday's King's Speech, with some likely to have big impacts on the lives of UK citizens. Here are the key bills and what they could mean for you.

4 mins

A hole in the heart of plans.will hit 670,000 children

“Rebuilding our country will not happen overnight,” Keir Starmer said in his introduction to the King’s Speech yesterday. The challenges we face require determined, patient work and serious solutions, rather than the temptation of the easy answer.”

3 mins

Sunak has laid three bear traps for the government

Keir Starmer paused in the middle of his speech setting out the new government's legislative programme to say, almost as if he was surprised: \"In each of our exchanges since the election, the leader of the opposition has gone well beyond the usual standards of generosity and I thank him for that.\"

3 mins

What can the PM get from European leaders' meeting?

Another week, another huge international summit. After winning the general election, flying to Washington for the Nato summit and leading the debate on the King's Speech, Keir Starmer welcomes the prime minister of Ireland to Chequers and 45 European leaders to the European Political Community meeting at Blenheim Palace today.

3 mins

EU delays border checks for Britons again to cut queues

EU plans for more stringent post-Brexit checks on holidaymakers entering Europe from the UK have been delayed again with final plans also watered down over fears of long queues at borders.

3 mins

Covid inquiry to lay bare failures before pandemic

The UK government’s failures to properly prepare for a pandemic are expected to be laid bare today as the UK Covid-19 Inquiry publishes its first report.

3 mins

The secret to a longer life is ... switching off a protein

Scientists have invented a new drug that increased the life of mice by up to 25 per cent in results that could result in similar effects in humans. Researchers say the findings raise the “tantalising” prospect that the drugs could have a similar effect in elderly humans.

2 mins

Mini-heatwave to hit 30C before wet summer resumes

The UK is set to sizzle in a 30C mini-heatwave by the end of this week but forecasters have warned that sunseekers won’t have long to enjoy the weather.

1 min

Britons feared murdered in a targeted attack in Sweden

Two British travel agents, feared to be the two men found shot dead in a burnt-out rental car in Sweden at the weekend, have been pictured for the first time.

2 mins

Biden to self-isolate after testing positive for Covid

President cancels speech as calls for him to step aside grow

2 mins

Inside the unlikely romance of JD Vance and wife Usha

‘Hillbilly’ Vance faced culture shock at Yale but a whip-smart daughter of Indian immigrants inspired his political rise and nomination as Trump’s would-be VP, writes Sheila Flynn

7 mins

War crimes committed by Hamas, rights group finds

Human Rights Watch says 7 October slaughter of civilians was planned and not isolated acts’ in 236-page report

3 mins

Paris mayor goes in Seine to prove it's safe for Olympics.

The mayor of Paris has taken a swim in the Seine in a bid to prove that the waters are clean enough to host open-swimming events during the Olympic Games - which start in less than two weeks.

3 mins

Cyanide on teacups in Thai hotel suite where six died

Police have found traces of cyanide on teacups in a room at a luxury Bangkok hotel where six foreign nationals were found dead on Tuesday.

3 mins

Boris posing beside Trump betrays his utter irrelevance

I can't remember who said it, but now that we have more living former prime ministers than ever before, the phrase “There’s nothing so ‘ex’ as an ex-prime minister” keeps coming to mind.

2 mins

Why a second US civil war is closer than you think

Six years ago, writer Stephen Marche predicted a divided America would descend into internecine conflict by 2040. But with the attempt on Trump’s life in Pennsylvania last week, dark clouds are already gathering over the Republic

4 mins

Swift effect won't stop rate cuts, but service costs will

Taylor Swift is a peerless performer. This has made her an economic force as well as a musical one, which brings us neatly into the latest data on Britain's vexatious prices.

3 mins

FA seeks manager who can build on Southgate's work

The Football Association had a plan in place for Gareth Southgate’s departure months before Euro 2024, since it was widely expected, and there is a view in football that managers like Graham Potter have turned down other jobs in anticipation.

6 mins

'It seems to be that Red Bull are scared of Verstappen'

McLaren boss Zak Brown tells Kieran Jackson why he feels the need to call out Christian Horner’s team and why he believes trust is an invaluable part of a successful F1 unit

4 mins

Read all stories from The Independent

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The Independent has been at the frontline of journalism since 1986, with its mission to challenge and debate always ahead of its time. The Independent is free-thinking and free of bias in an increasingly fragmented world where communities locally, regionally and across continents are disenfranchised with traditional establishments. They want real facts and frank opinions delivered first-hand from a news source that is ready to stand for something, not everything.