The Independent - December 04, 2024

In this issue

December 04, 2024

Reeves won't rule out more tax rises despite CBI pledge

As PM shifts focus from growth to higher living standards

3 mins

Trump's tariffs would 'hit UK trade as hard as Brexit'

Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs could hit UK trade with the US as badly as Brexit affected trade with the EU, a leading think tank has warned as campaigners call for Sir Keir Starmer to protect the UK by urgently rebuilding ties with Europe.

4 mins

Will Starmer oversee the return of the Elgin marbles?

The Elgin marbles, now officially known as the Parthenon marbles, are in the news yet again. Government sources have been briefing that there have been high-level discussions with the Greek government about a possible return to their country of origin, ie Greece. The Greek prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has arrived in London for talks with Keir Starmer.

3 mins

Gaffe-prone Davies steps down as Welsh Tory leader

Andrew RT Davies, the gaffe-prone leader of the Welsh Conservatives, has stepped down. He said he was leaving his position “with regret” and conceded that as a “substantial minority” of his party did not support him, his position was “untenable”.

2 mins

Wallace comments made me end career, says Sykes

An alleged remark made by Gregg Wallace to Melanie Sykes made her quit television \"once and for all\", she says.

2 mins

Husband of Lady Gabriella took own life, inquest hears

Lady Gabriella Kingston’s husband took his own life after suffering an adverse reaction to an antidepressant medication prescribed by his doctor, a coroner has ruled.

4 mins

Plans to add 20,000 prison places running £4.2bn over budget and five years late

Government plans to expand the prison estate by 20,000 new cell spaces are running five years behind schedule and will cost £4.2bn more than first forecast, a damning report by the spending watchdog has found.

3 mins

South Korean leader calls off martial law after uproar

MPs vote against decree as violent protests outside National Assembly turn to celebration following reversal by president

3 mins

PM could lose another EU ally in knock to Brexit reset

Sir Keir Starmer looks set to lose another key ally in a blow to his plans to reset the UK’s post-Brexit relationship with the European Union.

2 mins

Taliban bars women from being trained as midwives

Women in Afghanistan have been banned from training to become midwives in the latest crackdown unveiled by the Taliban.

2 mins

Who cares who has the Elgin marbles? Let them go on loan

After a series of \"private meetings\" between the UK and Greece this week, prime ministers Keir Starmer and Kyriakos Mitsotakis were to meet in London yesterday to discuss the future of the Elgin marbles.

3 mins

EU or the US? Starmer has no choice but to pick a side

The prime minister opened his Mansion House speech on foreign policy with another of his over-emphatic declarations.

2 mins

Jaguar's 'woke' rebrand is shocking - an unalloyed win

The \"pink flamingo\", as I think it should be nicknamed, has landed. The new Jaguar concept car was fittingly unveiled in Miami, a typically moneyed export market.

3 mins

Boys will be boys - what matters is how we react

We call them 'bros' and criticise their behaviour. But is it that simple? Steve Biddulph, an expert on raising boys, thinks it is something deeper and tells Lorraine Candy that we need to look at our own behaviour before criticising theirs

9 mins

JINGLE BELL FROCK

It might be December but that doesn't mean your outfit has to compete with the Christmas tree. Olivia Petter is here to help you ace office party season dressing - minus the sequins

5 mins

Labour says the railways can only get better. We shall see

A week is a long time in the Department for Transport (DfT).

3 mins

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE

Mocked for her weight, talent and 'poshness', a decade of fame for Keira Knightley has been trial by media. As 'Black Doves' hits TV, Katie Rosseinsky says enough is enough

7 mins

'The people brought it back'

Gala's Eurodance classic 'Freed From Desire' is everywhere, from football matches to protests. She tells Kevin EG Perry about the song's meaning and her fight to reclaim her work

4 mins

Journalists set to strike over proposed sale of Observer

Journalists at two national newspapers are launching a 48-hour strike today in protest at the planned sale of one of the titles. Members of the National Union of Journalists NUJ) at The Guardian and The Observer are walking out for the first time in more than 50 years.

2 mins

Why Shein is no worse than some firms listed in London

The fashion retailer has been attacked for using forced labour and tax dodging. But, says James Moore, the LSE is full of firms despoiling the planet. Where do we draw the line?

3 mins

The Arsenal model United must follow under Amorim

In preparing for Arsenal's fixture against Manchester United, Mikel Arteta faces a problem. He must try to anticipate what Ruben Amorim might do, which is difficult when the United squad are still in the early stages of adapting to the manager’s approach.

4 mins

Young Lionesses dominate with win over Switzerland

Grace Clinton’s early finish proved the winner as England concluded 2024 with a 1-0 victory over Switzerland in a friendly at Bramall Lane.

2 mins

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