The Independent - October 18, 2024

In this issue

October 18, 2024

Cabinet in revolt as Reeves plans 'huge' spending cuts

Rayner among those protesting at 20%’ slash to departments

3 mins

How to handle your savings ahead of this year's Budget

Reports that tax breaks could be cut have led to chunks of retirement pots being withdrawn before the chancellor’s statement. Howard Mustoe asks if the panic is justified

3 mins

'Disgraceful' mental health claims in Badenoch leaflet

Tory leadership candidate Kemi Badenoch has been accused of endorsing “disgraceful” and “wrong” claims about mental health.

2 mins

Payne's cause of death revealed in initial autopsy

Liam Payne died of multiple traumatic injuries caused by falling from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, police said yesterday as the One Direction singer’s family said they were “heartbroken” by his death.

3 mins

Wealth gap rises by nearly 50% in less than a decade

The wealth gap between the richest and poorest in the UK soared by nearly 50 per cent in less than a decade, as stalling wages and rising asset values fuelled inequality at the height of austerity, new analysis suggests.

3 mins

New test for prostate cancer could save more Black lives

A new at-home spit test for prostate cancer could allow thousands of men to receive earlier diagnoses – including Black men who were previously excluded from such tests.

3 mins

Tory councillor's wife jailed for stirring up racial hatred

The wife of a Conservative councillor who used social media to stir up racial hatred against asylum seekers on the day of the Southport attacks told a WhatsApp user she would “play the mental health card” if she was arrested.

2 mins

Second refuge to be built as campaign smashes target

The Independent is thrilled to announce that its target to raise £300,000 to build a safe home for domestic abuse survivors has been smashed – and that all new donations will be put towards a second house.

4 mins

Independent's Sengupta wins Edgar Wallace Award

Late war reporter honoured for excellence in journalism

2 mins

Architect of 7 October raid killed in Gaza, Israel says

Yahya Sinwar, Hamas chief and Israel’s most wanted man, is said to have been killed in a chance encounter with troops

6 mins

Does Sinwar's death mean Israel's war in Gaza is over?

For years before he rose to become overall leader of Hamas this summer, Yahya Sinwar had consolidated his power, giving him outsized reach compared to other commanders.

3 mins

US stealth bombers strike Houthi bunkers in Yemen

US B-2 stealth bombers have been used against the Iran-backed Houthis for the first time in an escalation of Washington’s response to attacks on shipping in the Red Sea that serves as a message to Tehran.

2 mins

Zelensky tells EU and Nato to back his 'victory plan'

Ukraine president pushes for invitation to military alliance

2 mins

Payne drew the short straw in One Direction; now we'll never know the real him

In and out of the boy band, Liam Payne struggled to find a defining identity, writes Mark Beaumont. His life now cut tragically short, the singer is likely to remain elusive forever

6 mins

Greatest sequel of all time?

Once described as having an overstuffed plot’, Back to the Future 2’ is now up there with the second Terminator’ and Godfather’. Geoffrey Macnab goes back to see what changed

7 mins

True story of the killer who appeared on a dating show

Netflix film Woman of the Hour’ is based on the life of serial killer Rodney Alcala, a man who was invited on a gameshow for primetime television and won. Words: Annabel Nugent

8 mins

MG dismiss dip in demand for EVs as its sales surge

Carmaker MG has insisted that a drop in electric car interest is “short term” as sales of its vehicles surged last year in the UK.

2 mins

We can't stand Musk but he astounded us all this week

I have a confession to make: for a brief moment this week, I became a fully paid-up Elon Musk fanboy.

3 mins

Saka chasing down the most elusive and weirdest record

With seven assists in as many matches to start the Premier League, is the single-season target of 20 within his reach?

4 mins

Who has taken pole as US politics enters the F1 world?

Election hopefuls are using the sport to promote campaigns

4 mins

Read all stories from The Independent

The Independent Newspaper Description:

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.