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The Independent

The Independent

PM will ‘never out-Farage Farage’, union boss warns

Sir Keir Starmer has been warned Labour's shift to the right to combat the rise of Reform UK is “utterly doomed” and won’t help the party keep power at the next election, with union leaders cautioning the prime minister against “selling out” his principles.

4 min  |

December 26, 2025

The Independent

Starmer needs to tell a better story about Labour

In his Christmas message to the nation, Sir Keir Starmer asks people to “get back in touch with those who might find the time of year difficult. Check in on a friend or a relative who you haven't heard from for a while. Reach out. It can make a huge difference.”

4 min  |

December 26, 2025
The Independent

The Independent

THE BOXING DAY QUIZ

As we come close to wrapping up another year, it's time to pull yourself away from the Boxing Day buffet and test yourself to see how well you kept up with the events that defined 2025.

4 min  |

December 26, 2025
The Independent

The Independent

The sequel no one wanted

This week's 'Battle of the Sexes' is a far cry from Billie Jean King's trailblazing match 50 years ago – an unwanted sequel that's a giant leap backwards for the sport, says Flo Clifford

4 min  |

December 26, 2025
The Independent

The Independent

King praises 'courage and sacrifice' in annual message

The King has used his Christmas message to urge the nation to “never lose sight” of the Second World War values of “courage and sacrifice” and community spirit.

4 min  |

December 26, 2025
The Independent

The Independent

Zelensky appears to wish death to Putin in message

Volodymyr Zelensky has appeared to wish for the death of Vladimir Putin in a Christmas message after Russia continued to bombard Ukraine with missiles and drones.

2 min  |

December 26, 2025
The Independent

The Independent

One in three Labour voters believe Starmer should quit

Sir Keir Starmer faces a potential revolt by Labour supporters after more than a third said the party would have a better chance of winning the next election if he were replaced, according to a poll for The Independent.

2 min  |

December 26, 2025
The Independent

The Independent

‘It feels like the country has taken a big step backwards’

In April, the UK’s highest court ruled that the legal definition of awoman should be based on biological sex. Nicole Wootton-Cane speaks to five transgender Britons about how the decision has affected their lives

5 min  |

December 26, 2025
The Independent

The Independent

'He was and is a bit of an enigma. Almost unique'

A new Channel 4 documentary attempts to shed light on the most tumultuous period of David Bowie's long and varied career. Roisin O'Connor

4 min  |

December 26, 2025
The Independent

The Independent

'I'm not going anywhere, really. Apart from oblivion

The 'Horrible Histories' and 'Here We Go' actor Jim Howick talks to Ellie Harrison about British comedy, breaking the fourth wall on TV and why the BBC is worth fighting for

5 min  |

December 26, 2025
The Independent

The Independent

UK accused of breaking aid promise to Sudan's refugees

The UK has been accused of backsliding on a promise to provide significant foreign aid to the Sudanese people blighted by civil war, after support reaching neighbouring South Sudan, which is hosting huge numbers of refugees, was slashed.

6 min  |

December 26, 2025
The Independent

The Independent

Cue action: any player can succeed in any given week

The era of a single player dominating appears to be over

4 min  |

December 26, 2025

The Independent

Shock poll: one third of Labour voters say Starmer should quit

The prime minister faces a potential revolt by Labour supporters after more than a third said the party would have a better chance of winning the next general election if he were replaced, according to a poll for The Independent.

1 min  |

December 26, 2025
The Independent

The Independent

How to make Christmas magical as a single parent

Like anyone else, Christmas for me comes in multitudes: something I look forward to and dread in equal measure. Being a single parent or co-parent at this time of year means double the work and double the effort to keep everyone’s spirits high and cheerful (and double the stress when things go wrong).

4 min  |

December 26, 2025
The Independent

The Independent

What happens if you miss a connecting train at York?

Ask Simon Calder

1 min  |

December 26, 2025
The Independent

The Independent

Pope deplores Gaza cruelty in first Christmas address

Pope Leo XIV used his inaugural Christmas Day sermon to remember the people of Gaza, who he said have been “exposed for weeks to rain, wind and cold”, saying that the world’s numerous conflicts can only be resolved through genuine dialogue.

1 min  |

December 26, 2025
The Independent

The Independent

How children of divorce can have a drama-free December

Like many children of divorce, my parents' separation happened when I was too young to have any say over where I spent Christmas.

3 min  |

December 25, 2025
The Independent

The Independent

Epstein files link Andrew to second wealthy sex offender

The FBI sought to interview Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as part of an investigation into a second wealthy sex offender, the latest release from the Epstein files has revealed.

4 min  |

December 25, 2025
The Independent

The Independent

Million more documents could be linked to Epstein

Over a million more documents “potentially” tied to the Jeffrey Epstein case have been uncovered, and it may take weeks to release them all, DOJ officials admitted on Christmas Eve.

2 min  |

December 25, 2025
The Independent

The Independent

A slice of festive whimsy

'Finding Father Christmas' is an unusual blend of detective thriller, grief memoir and science lesson

2 min  |

December 25, 2025
The Independent

The Independent

Palestine Action protesters pause prison hunger strikes

Two protesters in jail for alleged offences relating to the Palestine Action group have paused their hunger strike due to their deteriorating health.

2 min  |

December 25, 2025
The Independent

The Independent

Homebuyers promised zero energy bills for 10 years

Tens of thousands of future homeowners could soon benefit from a scheme that would eradicate their energy bills, as Octopus Energy collaborates with a number of housebuilders to deliver savings.

2 min  |

December 25, 2025
The Independent

The Independent

The year's ultimate fighters

As the year of UFC action ends, here are the fights, fighters and finishes that stood out

8 min  |

December 25, 2025
The Independent

The Independent

Rocket strikes, prayer and nightly calls from the Pope

As the only Catholic church in Gaza prepares for Christmas, its priest tells Bryony Gooch how his dedicated parishioners have maintained their faith in the face of Israeli destruction

3 min  |

December 25, 2025
The Independent

The Independent

I've given festive gifts a miss for years - you should try it

The tree is up, the tinsel is shimmering under flashing Christmas lights, and the big day is just around the corner.

3 min  |

December 25, 2025
The Independent

The Independent

THRILLS AND CHILLS

A recurring dream is the theme of this year's BBC Christmas ghost story, written by Mark Gatiss. It's another triumph for a series that started over 50 years ago

3 min  |

December 25, 2025
The Independent

The Independent

I wondered what happened to my bully - so I called him

As antisemitism grows virulently around the world, Jonathan Margolis reflected on the persecution he suffered at school, especially from one tormentor. So he tracked him down

6 min  |

December 25, 2025
The Independent

The Independent

'I actually screamed. I was so, so thrilled. I just thought that's such a genius idea'

The Irish actor Philippa Dunne reveals to Hannah Ewans the secrets behind the festive episode of the BBC's 'Amandaland' and what it was like acting with the two iconic 'Ab Fab' actors

5 min  |

December 25, 2025
The Independent

The Independent

What is the secret to being understood everywhere?

Q You travel all over the world, doing things most travellers wish they could, many times off the beaten track, travelling on local buses, hitching rides and so on.

1 min  |

December 25, 2025
The Independent

The Independent

Aviation revelation: the 10 most popular routes in 2025

And the journey with most passengers is... a domestic link in South Korea, from a secondary airport

3 min  |

December 25, 2025