CATEGORIES

How 'Funeral' cost Arcade Fire blood, sweat and tears

Mark Beaumont talks to members of the band about how the seminal album was shaped by death, near-fatal live shows and the Montreal music scene, 20 years since its initial release

'I realised he could kill me

After James Barr’s ex became abusive, the comedian ended up living in fear of his partner. He believes we need to talk more about domestic violence in the queer community

'I use my fuel allowance to go out for dinner at The Ivy'

As the backlash grows over the decision to cut the benefit for some pensioners, Zoe Beaty heads to Harrogate in Yorkshire where she nears two very different takes on Labour’s policy

Where's a warm winter trip outside the Schengen area?

A Brexit really does keep on giving, doesn’t it? The decision to leave the European Union was followed by the UK securing its status as a “third country”, alongside Paraguay and East Timor, thereby making British travellers subject to all kinds of red tape.

The thrilling tale of six days that changed Britain forever

Ben Macintyre’s unputdownable new book The Siege’ tells the story of an SAS op like no other, writes Robert McCrum

An event that ended an era

As Ben Macintyre’s gripping account of the Iranian embassy siege is released, former foreign secretary Jack Straw reflects on the impact of the crisis on our own special forces, and at how it laid the ground for the Iranian regime we know today

Mementoes of WWII camp victims returned to families

Stanislawa Wasilewska was 42 when she was captured by Nazi German troops on 31 August 1944 in Warsaw and sent to the women’s concentration camp at Ravensbrück.

Afghan embassy set to close after staff sacked by Taliban

Thousands of Afghans across the UK and Ireland face losing a crucial layer of support as the country’s embassy in London shuts down with staff having been told to apply for political asylum or prepare to leave Britain, Te Independent understands.

Why Harris reminded Us voters she is a gun owner

Kamala Harris made an admission that may have surprised some viewers of the presidential debate against Donald Trump: she is a gun owner.

Thin-skinned Trump took the Harris bait... and lost

‘She’s kicking his ass, one Republican consultant who used to work with Trump told Andrew Feinberg in the aftermath

Statue of Queen mocked for looking like Mrs Doubtfire'

A new statue of the late Queen Elizabeth II has been the subject of mockery and indignation – and even likened to movie character Mrs Doubtfire after its controversial unveiling.

Man with brain damage has murder conviction quashed

Oliver Campbell spent 11 years behind bars for fatal shooting

Anti-knife tsar awarded Met payout over strip-search

A government-backed anti-knife crime campaigner has won damages from the Met Police after being strip-searched by officers, The Independent can reveal.

Rioter's mum who went on Ibiza trip given £1,200 fine

Parent went on holiday when her son, 12, was due in court

Our technocrat PM seems to think he is above politics

Keir Starmer didn’t answer Rishi Sunak’s first question any of the three times he asked it.

New underground hospital 'saving lives' in Ukraine

Ukraine has built its first steel, underground frontline hospital in a bid to provide “critical” first aid to severely wounded soldiers.

Reeves warned tax rises may further damage growth

ONS reveals economy has stalled for second month in a row

Lammy criticises 'fascist' Russia and use of Iranian missiles 'changes debate'

The foreign secretary has warned the security of Europe is at stake as optimism grows in Ukraine that it will get the green light to fire long-range missiles into Russia.

Does Labour have any hope of fixing our broken NHS?

A special “rapid investigation” of the National Health Service was commissioned by the health secretary, Wes Streeting, shortly after he came to office in July, and it has now reported.

Tories have left the NHS in 'critical condition' says peer

Starmer says patients right to be angry’ over damning report

England's white-ball reset presents difficult challenge

The Bazball 2.0 white-ball venture has been confirmed for the start of 2025, but before that England take on Australia in a white-ball series packed into September.

Golden boots shine bright for Kane on winning night

He wore golden boots. And he has won them too of course. Three as the Premier League's top scorer, one for outscoring everyone else in a World Cup. It was a fitting way to mark Harry Kane's century of caps, though. Not the most fitting: that came after the presentations. England 2-0 Finland was Kane 2-0 Finland, a golden night for the golden boots.

Kane scores twice as he celebrates his 100th cap

As much as this match rightfully became about Harry Kane, there was something else it resembled as Lee Carsley’s England fluidly worked the ball to the centurion for his 67th and 68th international goals. It was like one of the top Premier League teams patiently moving a Championship side around until the gaps presented themselves.

Government in final stages of £500m Tata rescue deal

The government is working to finalise a rescue deal worth £500m for Tata Steel's Port Talbot plant this week, following the closure of its blast furnaces, according to reports. The package of support had been drawn up by the previous Conservative government.

Neil steps down as chair of Spectator after £100m sale

Political journalist Andrew Neil has resigned as chair of The Spectator after 20 years at the helm. Neil spoke of his great sadness” at stepping down after the immense privilege” of chairing the world’s oldest current affairs magazine. Financier and GB News investor Sir Paul Marshall becomes the 196-year-old magazine’s 14th proprietor.

Asos has revealed that fast fashion needs to slow down

The online retailer's new charge for serial returners has been met with uproar. But perhaps it should be a wake-up call if your cheap-clothing habit is that severe, writes Helen Coffey

Faulty connections make direct flights a good idea

\"The next SkyLine Shuttle will depart in zero seconds.\" That was one of many fibs I was told during a long, winding and annoying journey yesterday afternoon and evening from Tirana in Albania to London Heathrow.

TOE-TO-TOE COMBAT

It's hard to believe, but a small Derbyshire town has hosted one of the strangest competitive sports in the world for 50 years. Elizabeth McCafferty watches from the sidelines

Parents need to realise they play a role in kids' behaviour

We appear to be living in dark days for British children. Last month, a report by The Children's Society suggested that kids in the UK faced a \"happiness recession\".

Jeremy Kyle and shows like it demonised working class

In 2019, Steve Dymond appeared on The Jeremy Kyle Show, taking a lie detector test to prove to his ex-fiancee Jane Callaghan that he had not cheated on her. A week later, the 63-year-old was found dead at his Portsmouth home.