In this issue

April 20, 2024

Fury over Sunak's plan to cut sickness benefits bill

Charities dismiss PM's 'moral mission' to reform system

4 mins

Does the PM have a point about 'sick note culture'?

The prime minister has provoked outrage from health charities and groups representing people with disabilities due to his proposed changes to eligibility for social security.

4 mins

Hunt weighs stamp duty cut before next general election

The chancellor is reported to be considering cutting stamp duty in a final autumn statement before the next general election. Jeremy Hunt has previously hinted there could be a further \"fiscal event\" before voters go to the polls in an effort to underline the Conservatives' tax-cutting credentials.

1 min

Truss accused of fabricating Rothschild quote in memoir

Former PM's publisher was reportedly forced to apologise

2 mins

Sturgeon breaks silence over SNP embezzlement

Husband was charged in connection with theft of party funds

2 mins

'Evasive' Johnson breached rules about hedge fund links

Former prime minister Boris Johnson has breached government rules by being “evasive” about his relationship with a company that set up a meeting between him and Venezuela’s president Nicolas Maduro, the business appointments watchdog has said.

2 mins

Police to review allegations against suspended Tory MP

Police say they are “reviewing” a plea to investigate claims against Conservative MP Mark Menzies, who is accused of misusing party campaign funds.

3 mins

Harry wins latest round in phone-hacking court case against The Sun publisher

Prince Harry has won the latest round of his phone-hacking case against the publisher of The Sun.

2 mins

Teacher admits to killing and burying her boyfriend

Fiona Beal hid body in garden and faked breakup, court told

3 mins

Women serving long prison sentences being failed by 'a system designed for men'

Women serving long jail sentences are being treated with programmes designed for violent male offenders and are punished when male prisoners misbehave, a damning new report has suggested.

3 mins

Byron's brutal takedown of wife and mother-in-law revealed in unseen letter

Lord Byron’s brutal takedown of his wife and mother-in-law has been revealed in a newly discovered letter that provides fresh insight into his burnt memoirs.

2 mins

Fears of escalation as Israel launches airstrikes on Iran

Western leaders urge calm as Tehran says drones intercepted

3 mins

What Israel's strike on Iran tells us about Netanyahu

The conflict between Israel and Iran, fought out often in secret and through proxies, has now erupted with Israel carrying out strikes deep inside Iran, six days after Tehran’s attack that used more than 350 drones and missiles. Explosions were heard near the central city of Isfahan, which has a large airbase, a major missile production complex and number of nuclear facilities.

3 mins

Final jurors selected for Trump hush-money trial

Attorneys for Donald Trump told a judge overseeing the former president’s hush money trial yesterday that Manhattan prosecutors are merely trying to “distract” jurors and “pile things on” by introducing evidence from his string of other criminal and civil cases.

3 mins

Why India's Muslims fear Modi winning a third term

As the country enters its election period, Muslims speak to Shweta Sharma about their growing fear of persecution after two terms of BJP government have seen a rise in polarisation

7 mins

Taliban approval dependent on women's rights, says US

The Taliban will not be recognised as the legitimate government of Afghanistan until it allows the full participation of girls and women in the wartorn country's society, the US State Department has said.

2 mins

Implosion experts Chelsea must find a Wembley way

The blue billion-pound bottle jobs return to the scene of the crime. Or one of the crimes, anyway. For Chelsea, a second visit of the season to Wembley is an unwanted reminder that they can snatch ignominy from the jaws of respectability, that they can seem embarrassing when they could otherwise be impressing. Sadly for them, it may not be necessary.

3 mins

The basement battle that exposes a relegation crisis

Everton and Nottingham face each other tomorrow in an unwanted 'points deduction derby', writes Miguel Delaney

6 mins

Barcelona stand in the way of perfect farewell for Hayes

Chelsea women in mouthwatering Champions League game

4 mins

Crucible faces hard choices as Saudi shadows lengthen

The tournament is not guaranteed to remain at the theatre in Sheffield, writes Luke Baker, as the game ponders its future

5 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.