http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/?service=Rss http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/warders-sacked-after-female-beefeater-bullying-proble-1827368.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/warders-sacked-after-female-beefeater-bullying-proble-1827368.html <p> Two Yeoman Warders at the Tower of London have been dismissed following an investigation into allegations of harassment of the first female Beefeater, it was announced today. </p> Home News Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:04:37 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/storms-strand-wildlife-experts-on-island-1827276.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/storms-strand-wildlife-experts-on-island-1827276.html <p> A team of wildlife experts has been stranded on a remote island for more than two weeks because of extreme weather conditions, it was revealed today </p> Home News Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:39:53 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/jesus-may-have-visited-uk-1827263.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/jesus-may-have-visited-uk-1827263.html <p> A new film suggests that Jesus may have come to Britain, as described in the hymn Jerusalem, its director said today. </p> Home News Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:59:05 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/homeowners-on-alert-as-flood-waters-rise-1827170.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/homeowners-on-alert-as-flood-waters-rise-1827170.html <p> Homeowner across south Galway were on high alert today after flooding worsened overnight. </p> Home News Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:52:10 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/no-anthrax-threat-from-tube-station-work-1827257.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/no-anthrax-threat-from-tube-station-work-1827257.html <p> Building materials sent for testing after work at a Tube station did not contain any trace of anthrax, it was announced today. </p> Home News Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:46:24 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/rail-punctuality-reaches-autumn-record-1827171.html http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/rail-punctuality-reaches-autumn-record-1827171.html <p> Rail punctuality, badly hit by the recent floods, reached record autumn levels in the weeks before the storms, it was revealed today. </p> News & Advice Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:36:02 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/immigrants-jump-from-ferry-in-bid-to-enter-uk-1827108.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/immigrants-jump-from-ferry-in-bid-to-enter-uk-1827108.html <p> Illegal immigrants were feared to have jumped off a ferry today in stormy weather in a "desperate" bid to enter the UK. </p> Home News Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:24:44 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/union-calls-for-contaminated-station-to-be-closed-1827133.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/union-calls-for-contaminated-station-to-be-closed-1827133.html <p> A leading union today called for a busy Tube station to be closed after claiming it had possibly been contaminated with anthrax and asbestos. </p> Home News Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:57:22 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/fuel-bills-blamed-for-50-rise-in-winter-deaths-1826917.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/fuel-bills-blamed-for-50-rise-in-winter-deaths-1826917.html <p>The number of deaths during the coldest three months of the year were up almost 50 per cent on the previous year to 36,700, sending an extra 10,000 pensioners to early graves, new figures showed yesterday.</p> Home News Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/army-account-of-iraqi-deaths-questioned-1826924.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/army-account-of-iraqi-deaths-questioned-1826924.html <p>The British Army's account of the deaths of 20 Iraqis and the alleged mistreatment of nine others after a battle in southern Iraq has been questioned by a secret report.</p> Home News Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/baby-p-killer-in-appeal-against-rape-conviction-1826929.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/baby-p-killer-in-appeal-against-rape-conviction-1826929.html <p>One of the three people jailed over the death of Baby Peter claimed yesterday that he did not have a fair trial for the rape of a two-year-old girl. </p> Home News Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/war-widows-tribute-to-her-warrior-husband-1826925.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/war-widows-tribute-to-her-warrior-husband-1826925.html ]]> <p>The widow of an army bomb disposal expert killed in Afghanistan urged Britain and its leaders to recognise the sacrifice of soldiers as she buried husband yesterday. </p> Home News Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/river-death-woman-named-1826669.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/river-death-woman-named-1826669.html <p> A young woman believed to have been swept away by a storm-swollen river was named by police today. </p> Home News Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:48:40 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/uk-intelligence-knew-of-terror-suspects-torture-1826634.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/uk-intelligence-knew-of-terror-suspects-torture-1826634.html <p> Pressure for a public inquiry into alleged British collusion in the torture of terror suspects was raised today with the publication of a fresh report on the treatment of five UK nationals. </p> Home News Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:35:47 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/bridge-collapse-fears-as-rain-returns-to-cumbria-1826671.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/bridge-collapse-fears-as-rain-returns-to-cumbria-1826671.html <p> Heavy rain returned to flood-ravaged Cumbria today as fears grew over the future of a key bridge. </p> Home News Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:18:14 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/union-warns-over-tube-overtime-in-pay-row-1826592.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/union-warns-over-tube-overtime-in-pay-row-1826592.html <p> Union leaders will today consider calling an overtime ban among engineering and electrical workers on London Underground in a row over pay, which they warned would disrupt services. </p> Home News Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:03:00 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/arrest-halts-uda-factions-handover-of-weapons-1826622.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/arrest-halts-uda-factions-handover-of-weapons-1826622.html <p> The decommissioning of weapons by a UDA element in north Belfast has been halted following the arrest of leading loyalist Andre Shoukri on Sunday. </p> Home News Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:43:13 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/temporary-railway-station-for-floodhit-town-1826590.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/temporary-railway-station-for-floodhit-town-1826590.html <p> Network Rail (NR) is to build a temporary station to help ease the problem of people affected by the Cumbrian floods, it was announced today. </p> Home News Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:27:07 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/flood-victims-return-home-as-more-rain-is-forecast-1826443.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/flood-victims-return-home-as-more-rain-is-forecast-1826443.html <p> Residents of flood-ravaged Cumbrian towns were warned yesterday to expect further heavy rainfall of up to 4ins and possible flooding as they returned to their homes for the first time since the heaviest rain Britain has ever seen engulfed the region. </p> Home News Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/tornado-gales-and-more-storms-batter-britain-1826367.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/tornado-gales-and-more-storms-batter-britain-1826367.html <p> Extreme weather conditions battered England today. More heavy rain is forecast for flood-hit Cumbria, a driver was killed when a tree was blown on to his van in Sussex and a tornado hit Derby </p> Home News Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:03:18 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/cumbria-residents-return-to-devastated-homes-1826177.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/cumbria-residents-return-to-devastated-homes-1826177.html ]]> <p> Residents of a flood-ravaged town were allowed back into their homes and businesses today to begin the long process of cleaning up the damage. </p> Home News Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:00:48 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/leeds-bin-workers-end-11week-strike-1826311.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/leeds-bin-workers-end-11week-strike-1826311.html <p> A long-running strike by hundreds of council refuse collectors ended today after a deal to resolve a row over pay. </p> Home News Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:18:37 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/police-search-river-for-missing-woman-1826149.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/police-search-river-for-missing-woman-1826149.html <p> A search for a 21-year-old woman believed to have been swept away by a river swollen by recent storms will begin again today, police said. </p> Home News Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:36:27 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/now-the-expenses-spotlight-falls-on-britains-judiciary-1825915.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/now-the-expenses-spotlight-falls-on-britains-judiciary-1825915.html ]]> <p>Expenses claims by judges and magistrates have risen by £3m in the last two years, according to figures obtained by The Independent under the Freedom of Information Act.</p> Home News Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/after-the-floods-the-cleanup-operation-1825916.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/after-the-floods-the-cleanup-operation-1825916.html <p>It is an irony not lost on the residents of Cockermouth. Yesterday at seven o'clock should have been the moment when the BBC weather presenter Paul Mooney flicked the switch on the town's Christmas illuminations. Instead the centre remained cordoned off by police as further harsh weather hampered the clear-up effort and estimates of the financial cost of the floods rose to hundreds of millions of pounds.</p> Home News Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/money/spend-save/customers-in-line-for-bank-charge-windfall-worth-billions-1825924.html http://www.independent.co.uk/money/spend-save/customers-in-line-for-bank-charge-windfall-worth-billions-1825924.html <p>A landmark court ruling against high street banks this week could hand eight million bank customers windfalls worth billions of pounds.</p> Spend & Save Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/cumbria-flooding-prompts-bridge-safety-checks-1825805.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/cumbria-flooding-prompts-bridge-safety-checks-1825805.html <p> Urgent safety review of Cumbria's 1,800 bridges under way today as 50mph winds are forecast. </p> Home News Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:22:53 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/iraq-war-report-details-appalling-failures-1825804.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/iraq-war-report-details-appalling-failures-1825804.html <p> A leaked government report on "lessons learnt" after the Iraq war reveals "appalling" failures that left the British Army ill-equipped for battle and the subsequent occupation, it was reported today. </p> Home News Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:19:30 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/new-law-saves-86-victims-from-forced-marriages-1825392.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/new-law-saves-86-victims-from-forced-marriages-1825392.html ]]> <p>The girl was 12 when she was "married" to her 16-year-old cousin. Her "husband" then raped her, with the approval of her father, his brother and sister-in-law. It sounds like a horror story from the past in some remote part of the developing world. It happened last year, in London.</p> Home News Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/army-faces-new-inquiry-on-iraq-torture-deaths-1825548.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/army-faces-new-inquiry-on-iraq-torture-deaths-1825548.html ]]> <p>An announcement this week of a new public inquiry into fresh allegations of torture against British troops will heap further pressure on the British Army and the Government regarding abuse in Iraq.</p> Home News Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/the-land-of-mud-and-destruction-1825550.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/the-land-of-mud-and-destruction-1825550.html ]]> <p>People in Cumbria woke in misery and under threat of more rain today. Strong winds and heavy rains were sweeping across the region last night, causing rivers to rise again in an area that had been praying since Friday that the worst of its flooding was over. </p> Home News Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/exscientologist-sues-the-cult-for-loss-of-girlfriend-and-business-1825557.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/exscientologist-sues-the-cult-for-loss-of-girlfriend-and-business-1825557.html ]]> <p>A businessman is suing the Church of Scientology for hundreds of thousands of pounds, claiming that he lost his girlfriend and business after she became indoctrinated by the controversial self-styled church.</p> Home News Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/peer-calls-for-radical-steps-to-reduce-rapes-1825555.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/peer-calls-for-radical-steps-to-reduce-rapes-1825555.html ]]> <p>Rapists will continue to walk free from British courts in the future, the peer leading a government review of sex crime admitted this weekend. </p> Home News Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/asbestos-a-shameful-legacy-1825554.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/asbestos-a-shameful-legacy-1825554.html ]]> <p>They called it "the Barking cough". First it began like any other: a tickle in the chest and slight pain on breathing. Then, within a matter of months, the sufferer was in agony, gasping for air and eventually suffocating to death as a vicious cancer attacked their lungs waiting for the final lingering, inevitable end which might not come for decades.</p> Home News Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/brown-visits-flood-devastation-region-1825188.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/brown-visits-flood-devastation-region-1825188.html <p> Prime Minister Gordon Brown arrived in Cumbria today to see flood damage and meet people affected by the record breaking rainfall in the area. </p> Home News Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:18:18 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/the-biblical-deluge-that--broke-all-the-records-1824328.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/the-biblical-deluge-that--broke-all-the-records-1824328.html ]]> <p> Emergency services were today readying themselves for more heavy rain after England's wettest day on record claimed the life of a "heroic" policeman and left thousands of others counting the cost of flooded homes and businesses. </p> Home News Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:14 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/flood-chaos-for-some-people-everything-has-gone-1824926.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/flood-chaos-for-some-people-everything-has-gone-1824926.html <p>They knew the rain was coming in Cockermouth but nobody could have guessed how much and just how quickly it would fall. Yesterday, as the waters began to recede from the worst flood in memory, a thick layer of sludge coated the outsides of the pastel-coloured shops in the Georgian market square. Here, where a young William Wordsworth first mused on daffodils and the beauty of the Lakeland scenery around him, nature had shown a different more brutal face on Thursday night.</p> Home News Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/authorities-powerless-to-prevent-this-disaster-1824928.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/authorities-powerless-to-prevent-this-disaster-1824928.html ]]> <p>The calamity which has befallen Cockermouth and Workington offers a grim lesson for flood defence planners: there is only so much you can do. </p> Home News Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/the-office-christmas-party-is-cancelled-1824936.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/the-office-christmas-party-is-cancelled-1824936.html ]]> <p> Two years ago they would have been dancing until dawn, having sunk a three-course dinner and magnums of vintage champagne. Now workers in Britain's formerly booming banks are having to dip into their own pockets to fund their Christmas parties. </p> Home News Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/bank-loses-appeal-over-wheelchair-access-case-1824937.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/bank-loses-appeal-over-wheelchair-access-case-1824937.html <p>The Royal Bank of Scotland has lost its appeal over a ruling that it failed to cater for the wheelchair access needs of a disabled teenager who was awarded £6,500 damages. </p> Home News Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/rain-clouds-usually-leave-as-quickly-as-they-arrive-but-not-this-time-1824929.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/rain-clouds-usually-leave-as-quickly-as-they-arrive-but-not-this-time-1824929.html <p>Weather experts talk about a moving "conveyor belt" of rain when describing Britain's continuous exposure to weather systems as they roll in from the North Atlantic. But the conveyor belt of rain over north-west England and southern Scotland over the past three days got stuck over the hills of Cumbria and southern Scotland.</p> Home News Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/doctor-accused-of-sex-with-suicidal-patient-1824724.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/doctor-accused-of-sex-with-suicidal-patient-1824724.html <p> A French doctor accused of having sex with a suicidal patient during a night call to her home has been struck off, the General Medical Council (GMC) said today. </p> Home News Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:26:02 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/shoplifter-fails-to-halt-deportation-to-us-1824716.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/shoplifter-fails-to-halt-deportation-to-us-1824716.html <p> The High Court has refused to halt the deportation of a US citizen who fears he could spend at least 17 years in jail - and possibly life - if found guilty of shoplifting electric toothbrushes. </p> Home News Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:20:04 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/cumbria-deluge-breaks-historic-rainfall-record-1824353.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/cumbria-deluge-breaks-historic-rainfall-record-1824353.html <p> The unprecedented downpour over Cumbria was the highest level of rainfall measured in the country since records began, forecasters said today. </p> Home News Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:05:37 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/brief-respite-before-more-rain-sweeps-in-1824548.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/brief-respite-before-more-rain-sweeps-in-1824548.html <p> Parts of Cumbria worst hit by floods will get some respite from the rain tonight but more bad weather is expected over the weekend, a forecaster said. </p> Home News Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:47:13 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/britain-knew-cia-tortured-detainee-1824117.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/britain-knew-cia-tortured-detainee-1824117.html ]]> <p>Britain knew that American agents were using barbaric torture techniques on terror suspects, including British resident Binyam Mohamed, it emerged yesterday. Secret reports sent between MI5 and the CIA in 2002 reveal that the American security services were using torture practices which included waterboarding, facial slaps and stress positions.</p> Home News Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/chaos-as-a-months-rain-falls-in-24-hours-1824119.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/chaos-as-a-months-rain-falls-in-24-hours-1824119.html ]]> <p> Fears were growing for the lives of hundreds of people trapped in the Cumbrian town of Cockermouth last night, as rampant floods tore through the town sparking a major overnight rescue operation. </p> Home News Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/tube-workers-start-voting-on-strike-action-1823674.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/tube-workers-start-voting-on-strike-action-1823674.html <p> The threat of disruption on London Underground came closer today when workers started voting on strikes in four separate disputes, while union leaders released the timetable for a Tube-wide industrial action ballot over pay. </p> Home News Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:03:15 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/rain-batters-britain-with-more-forecast-1823570.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/rain-batters-britain-with-more-forecast-1823570.html ]]> <p> Heavy rain battered parts of Britain overnight as householders were warned of a high risk of flooding today. </p> Home News Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:22:40 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/secret-evidence-blow-hits-guantanamo-seven-1822987.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/secret-evidence-blow-hits-guantanamo-seven-1822987.html <p> Britain’s security services should be able to withold evidence from claimants in civil court cases, the High Court ruled today. </p> Home News Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:45:36 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/floods-precede-more-severe-weather-1822867.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/floods-precede-more-severe-weather-1822867.html <p> Heavy rain caused flooding in parts of the country today as more severe weather was predicted for the days ahead. </p> Home News Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:11:19 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/pound3m-lottery-jackpot-prize-unclaimed-1822736.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/pound3m-lottery-jackpot-prize-unclaimed-1822736.html <p> Players of the National Lottery were today being urged to check their tickets after a Halloween night jackpot prize of £3,204,588 still remained unclaimed. </p> Home News Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:37:12 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/final-flypast-raf-pulls-out-of-northern-ireland-1822707.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/final-flypast-raf-pulls-out-of-northern-ireland-1822707.html <p> Nine Puma helicopters disappear into the skies as the last RAF squadron based in Northern Ireland flies out of Aldergrove for the final time. </p> Home News Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:21:19 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/trust-faces-prosecution-over-mothers-death-1822701.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/trust-faces-prosecution-over-mothers-death-1822701.html <p> A Swindon hospital trust faces prosecution over health and safety breaches linked to the death of a mother who had just given birth. </p> Home News Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:34:31 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/police-budgets-to-be-cut-by-20-per-cent-says-senior-officer-1822397.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/police-budgets-to-be-cut-by-20-per-cent-says-senior-officer-1822397.html ]]> <p>One of Britain's most senior police officers has proposed widespread mergers of the country's police forces in what would be the biggest shake-up of policing in a generation.</p> Home News Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/so-i-called-her-dumb-blonde-and-decorative-thats-not-an-insult-1822399.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/so-i-called-her-dumb-blonde-and-decorative-thats-not-an-insult-1822399.html ]]> <p>Joking about dumb blondes, topless women and sex is a perfectly reasonable way to behave at work, a wealthy financier has insisted. </p> Home News Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/inspectors-condemn-filthy-and-squalid-unit-1822410.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/inspectors-condemn-filthy-and-squalid-unit-1822410.html <p>Conditions at a youth prison were condemned in a report yesterday as "filthy and squalid".</p> Home News Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/straw-had-no-rational-reason-not-to-free-biggs-1822193.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/straw-had-no-rational-reason-not-to-free-biggs-1822193.html <p> Justice Secretary Jack Straw was accused today of allowing politics to cloud his judgment over the release of Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs. </p> Home News Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:31:54 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/jobcuts-council-holds-conference-at-spa-resort-1822192.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/jobcuts-council-holds-conference-at-spa-resort-1822192.html <p> A local authority planning hundreds of job cuts organised a £28,000 conference for headteachers at a luxurious spa resort, it emerged today. </p> Home News Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:29:20 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/fears-for-households-as-inflation-rises-1821991.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/fears-for-households-as-inflation-rises-1821991.html <p> A first rise in inflation in seven months during October today prompted fears of more pain ahead for household finances hit by recession. </p> Home News Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:26:09 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/named-and-shamed-uks-worst-stations-1821928.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/named-and-shamed-uks-worst-stations-1821928.html ]]> <p> The 10 worst railway stations in the country were named and shamed in a report out today. </p> Home News Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:44:42 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/thousands-of-voter-details-on-stolen-council-laptop-1821853.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/thousands-of-voter-details-on-stolen-council-laptop-1821853.html <p> A laptop computer containing personal data on more than 14,000 voters has gone missing from the offices of a local authority, it emerged today. </p> Home News Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:43:57 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/we-did-it--to-avenge-our-fallen-comrades-1821726.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/we-did-it--to-avenge-our-fallen-comrades-1821726.html ]]> <p>A former soldier who had kept his silence for six years broke ranks yesterday to accuse his superior officer and former comrades of the brutal beating and torture of Iraqi prisoners which ended in the killing of an Iraqi civilian.</p> Home News Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/relatives-hear-evidence-at-nursing-home-blaze-inquiry-1821739.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/relatives-hear-evidence-at-nursing-home-blaze-inquiry-1821739.html <p>Relatives of elderly residents who died in a fire at a care home have been giving evidence at a fatal accident inquiry into the tragedy.</p> Home News Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/footsie-climbs-to-14month-high-1821688.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/footsie-climbs-to-14month-high-1821688.html <p> London's stock market recovery continued apace today as a 1.6 per cent gain took the FTSE 100 Index to a new 14-month high. </p> Home News Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:30:05 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/rail-increases-fare-or-unfair-1821679.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/rail-increases-fare-or-unfair-1821679.html <p> Here are some exmplaes of nex year's rail fare increases: </p> Home News Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:47:53 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/iraq-abuse-was-widespread-says-convicted-exsoldier-1821658.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/iraq-abuse-was-widespread-says-convicted-exsoldier-1821658.html <p> The only soldier convicted over the death of Iraqi hotel worker Baha Mousa today described widespread abuse of prisoners by British troops - including an officer. </p> Home News Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:14:19 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/rail-companies-accused-of-hiding-increases-1821505.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/rail-companies-accused-of-hiding-increases-1821505.html <p> Rail fares will see their lowest annual increase since privatisation next year, but that will not spare some passengers from price hikes of as much as 15 per cent, Britain’s train companies have revealed. </p> Home News Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:00:39 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/number-of-prisoners-let-out-overnight-soars-1821363.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/number-of-prisoners-let-out-overnight-soars-1821363.html <p> The number of prisoners who are allowed out of prison overnight has trebled as the Government tries to ease overcrowding in jails, the Conservatives said today. </p> Home News Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:27:54 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/renouncing-islamism-to-the-brink-and-back-again-1821215.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/renouncing-islamism-to-the-brink-and-back-again-1821215.html ]]> <p> Ever since I started meeting jihadis, I have been struck by one thing – their Britishness. I am from the East End of London, and at some point in the past decade I became used to hearing a hoarse and angry whisper of jihadism on the streets where I live. Bearded young men stand outside the library calling for "The Rule of God" and "Death to Democracy". </p> Johann Hari Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:35 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/energy-firms-to-be-forced-to-help-the-poor-1821218.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/energy-firms-to-be-forced-to-help-the-poor-1821218.html <p> Energy suppliers will be forced to help poor people struggling to pay their fuel bills for the first time under new proposals to be announced this week, The Independent has learnt. </p> Home News Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:25 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/baha-mousas-killer--to-speak-at-inquiry-1821254.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/baha-mousas-killer--to-speak-at-inquiry-1821254.html <p>The only soldier to be convicted in relation to the death of the Iraqi hotel worker Baha Mousa is to give evidence at a public inquiry in London today.</p> Home News Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/darling-fsa-to-curb-banker-bonuses-1821177.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/darling-fsa-to-curb-banker-bonuses-1821177.html <p> City regulators are to be given new powers to stop bankers receiving bonuses that "would cause instability" to the financial system, Chancellor Alistair Darling said in a newspaper interview Sunday. </p> Home News Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:35:05 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/pm-to-apologise-for-child-migrants-1821176.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/pm-to-apologise-for-child-migrants-1821176.html <p> Prime Minister Gordon Brown is reportedly planning to apologise for the UK's role in sending thousands of its children to former colonies in the 20th century. </p> Home News Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:32:13 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/dozens-injured-at-birmingham-jls-christmas-lights-gig-1821173.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/dozens-injured-at-birmingham-jls-christmas-lights-gig-1821173.html <p> At least 60 people were injured on Saturday in a crowd surge at a concert organised to mark the switching on of Birmingham's Christmas lights in the city centre, emergency services said. </p> Home News Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:39:52 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/strong-winds-replaced-by-heavy-rain-1821169.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/strong-winds-replaced-by-heavy-rain-1821169.html <p> The weekend will continue to be a washout for much of the country, with heavy rain likely to follow the gale-force storms which have ripped across many areas. </p> Home News Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:21:57 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/afghanistan-iiosi-readers-have-their-say-1820864.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/afghanistan-iiosi-readers-have-their-say-1820864.html ]]> <p><b><i>IoS</i> readers: 'I am distraught at the loss of soldiers, the cost and the lack of an exit strategy'</b></p> Home News Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/war-in-afghanistan-not-in-our-name-1820949.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/war-in-afghanistan-not-in-our-name-1820949.html ]]> <p>Seven out of 10 Britons back <i>The Independent on Sunday's</i> call for a phased withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan as a landmark report by Oxfam this week exposes the real human cost of the war.</p> Home News Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/homecomings-fit-for-heroes-the-plight-of-britains-veterans-1820958.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/homecomings-fit-for-heroes-the-plight-of-britains-veterans-1820958.html ]]> <p>The sombre procession of six coffins, draped in Union flags, along the streets of Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire on Tuesday was yet another reminder of the human cost of the war in Afghanistan. Each contained the body of a British soldier killed there the previous week. </p> Home News Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/british-soldiers-sexually-abused-us-claim-iraqis-1820973.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/british-soldiers-sexually-abused-us-claim-iraqis-1820973.html ]]> <p>Disturbing graphic allegations of sexual and physical abuse of Iraqi civilians by British soldiers are among 33 new torture cases being investigated by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).</p> Home News Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/in-a-recession-they-shoot-horses-dont-they-1820968.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/in-a-recession-they-shoot-horses-dont-they-1820968.html ]]> <p>Hundreds of horse owners may have their mounts shot this winter as the recession hits owners who can no longer cope with the financial burden of feeding and stabling.</p> Home News Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/childrens-rights-being-systematically-breached-1820965.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/childrens-rights-being-systematically-breached-1820965.html <p>England is "systematically" breaching international human rights laws protecting children, according to a damning new report released by a coalition of Britain's biggest children's charities to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.</p> Home News Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/baby-rb-dies-peacefully-in-his-parents-arms-1821073.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/baby-rb-dies-peacefully-in-his-parents-arms-1821073.html <p>Baby RB, the severely disabled child whose father fought a High Court battle to prevent doctors turning off his life support, has been allowed to die, it was announced yesterday. </p> Home News Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/coast-ravaged-by-worst-storm-of-the-year-1820732.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/coast-ravaged-by-worst-storm-of-the-year-1820732.html <p> Coastal regions in southern Britain were lashed by strong winds, lightning and driving rain today, with top wind speeds reaching 100mph. </p> Home News Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:12:09 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/ministry-of-defence-investigating-fresh-iraq-abuse-claims-1820724.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/ministry-of-defence-investigating-fresh-iraq-abuse-claims-1820724.html <p> Some 33 allegations of abuse involving British soldiers who served in Iraq are being investigated, the Ministry of Defence said today. </p> Home News Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:45:41 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/royal-navy-witnessed-somali-pirates-kidnap-british-couple-1820543.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/royal-navy-witnessed-somali-pirates-kidnap-british-couple-1820543.html ]]> <p>The kidnapping of a British couple by Somali pirates was witnessed by the crew of a Royal Navy ship who held their fire while the hijackers escaped, it emerged yesterday.</p> Home News Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/britains-abu-ghraib-did-britain-collude-with-us-in-abuse-of-iraqis-1820545.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/britains-abu-ghraib-did-britain-collude-with-us-in-abuse-of-iraqis-1820545.html ]]> <p> Claims that British soldiers recreated the torture conditions of Abu Ghraib to commit the sexual and physical abuse of Iraqi civilians are being investigated by the Ministry of Defence. </p> Home News Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/how-will-the-deal-really-affect-the-operations-of-our-national-airline-1820554.html http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/how-will-the-deal-really-affect-the-operations-of-our-national-airline-1820554.html ]]> <p>The company letterhead will show an address in Spain – but in reality the whole outfit will be run from London, and you'll be the dominant player. It's a takeover rather than a merger, isn't it?</p> News & Advice Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/oil-firm-guilty-over-buncefield-1820613.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/oil-firm-guilty-over-buncefield-1820613.html <p>Oil giant Total UK has admitted three charges relating to the explosions that destroyed the Buncefield oil depot in Hertfordshire four years ago. At the Old Bailey yesterday the firm pleaded guilty to two health and safety offences and one of polluting water.</p> Home News Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/battered-child-wins-compensation-from-threeyearold-1820612.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/battered-child-wins-compensation-from-threeyearold-1820612.html <p>A child who was battered with a car jack by a three-year-old has won compensation in a landmark ruling which could "open the gates" to a host of claims.</p> Home News Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/cnn-heroes-award-nominees-announced-1820309.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/cnn-heroes-award-nominees-announced-1820309.html ]]> <p> Betty Makoni knew it was time to leave Zimbabwe when a gang of masked youths stormed into her home armed with machetes and threatened to kill her for “causing them problems”. For much of the past decade she had been helping thousands of young girls rebuild their lives after being raped because of the commonly held but tragically erroneous belief among many men in southern Africa that sex with a virgin will cure HIV. </p> Home News Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:20:03 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/city-broker-loses-discrimination-case-1820190.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/city-broker-loses-discrimination-case-1820190.html <p> A City broker who said her boss likened his job to running a brothel has lost her claim for discrimination. </p> Home News Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:28:33 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/britain-braced-for-a-battering-as-storm-brews-off-coast-1820177.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/britain-braced-for-a-battering-as-storm-brews-off-coast-1820177.html <p> The weekend will be washed out by the worst storm of the year so far, with gale-force gusts and heavy rain on its way, forecasters warned today. </p> Home News Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:54:13 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/boy-wins-right-to-compensation-1820136.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/boy-wins-right-to-compensation-1820136.html <p> The mother of a young boy who was hit 11 times with a car jack by another three-year-old boy today said she has won the right to compensation. </p> Home News Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:47:00 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/driver-shortage-disrupts-rail-services-1820133.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/driver-shortage-disrupts-rail-services-1820133.html <p> Rail services on busy routes north and south of London were badly affected again today by a continuing train driver shortage. </p> Home News Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:35:53 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/improvements-pledge-as-government-takes-over-rail-route-1820132.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/improvements-pledge-as-government-takes-over-rail-route-1820132.html <p> The Government today promised improved services on a key London to Scotland rail route which it will take back into public ownership from midnight tonight. </p> Home News Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:33:22 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/british-gas-profits-soar-ndash-but-prices-remain-high-1819917.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/british-gas-profits-soar-ndash-but-prices-remain-high-1819917.html ]]> <p>British Gas is on course for soaring returns from its 15 million household energy customers this winter, with profits expected to rise by 43 per cent to £541m, its owner Centrica told investors yesterday.</p> Business News Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/female-red-arrow-is-cleared-for-takeoff-1819919.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/female-red-arrow-is-cleared-for-takeoff-1819919.html ]]> <p>When Kirsty Moore decided she wanted to follow in the footsteps of her father, an RAF squadron leader, the force did not think women should be allowed anywhere near fast jets.</p> Home News Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/gender-pay-gap-falls-to-an-alltime-low-1819625.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/gender-pay-gap-falls-to-an-alltime-low-1819625.html ]]> <p> The gap between the pay of men and of women has fallen to an all-time low, according to the Office for National Statistics. </p> Home News Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:54:05 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/worldwide-recordbreaking-mania-strikes-1819480.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/worldwide-recordbreaking-mania-strikes-1819480.html ]]> <p> More than 200,000 people around the world came together today to break some wacky and wonderful records on the fifth annual Guinness World Records Day, which commemorates the day in 2004 when Guinness World Records became the world's bestselling copyright book. </p> Home News Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:41:05 +0000