http://www.independent.co.uk/?service=Rss http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/valencia-value-villa-at-pound75m-1832064.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/valencia-value-villa-at-pound75m-1832064.html ]]> <p> Manchester United and Chelsea have been warned they will have to stump up £75m to land the services of David Villa. </p> European Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:17:39 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/too-few-funds-to-rebuild-iraq-inquiry-told-1832050.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/too-few-funds-to-rebuild-iraq-inquiry-told-1832050.html ]]> <p> Britain’s role in the reconstruction of Iraq after the 2003 invasion suffered from shortages of funding and staff that hampered attempts to restore order, senior Foreign Office officials have said. </p> Asia Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:39:33 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/dog-that-mauled-boy-to-death-was-illegal-1832021.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/dog-that-mauled-boy-to-death-was-illegal-1832021.html ]]> <p></p> <p></p> <p> The dog that savaged John-Paul Massey to death was an illegally-held pitbull-type dog banned for being too dangerous to keep, it was revealed today. </p> UK Politics Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:56:00 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/berbatov-flees-bulgaria-following-kidnap-threat-1832019.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/berbatov-flees-bulgaria-following-kidnap-threat-1832019.html ]]> <p> Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov was forced to flee his native Bulgaria after crime bosses threatened to kidnap his girlfriend and daughter, it has been reported. </p> News & Comment Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:48:24 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/doors-open-for-living-beach-hut-advent-calendar-1832018.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/doors-open-for-living-beach-hut-advent-calendar-1832018.html ]]> <p> One of the jolliest ways of celebrating the run-up to Christmas Day is opening the doors of your advent calendar. But there are no chocolate Barbies behind the one put together by the Beyond Church group in Brighton and Hove which aims to remind people of the true meaning of Christmas. </p> This Britain Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:48:22 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/switch-pmqs-so-mps-stay-around-longer-1832014.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/switch-pmqs-so-mps-stay-around-longer-1832014.html <p> The Commons Speaker, John Bercow, is pressing for Prime Minister’s Question Time to be moved from Wednesdays to Thursdays – or even to take place twice a week. </p> UK Politics Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:41:19 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/father-jailed-for-cruelty-to-children-1832013.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/father-jailed-for-cruelty-to-children-1832013.html <p> A "Jekyll and Hyde" father who was found guilty of a string of cruelty charges against his children was jailed for five years today. </p> Crime Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:31:24 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/a-flight-of-fancy--or-a-really-big-problem-1832010.html http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/a-flight-of-fancy--or-a-really-big-problem-1832010.html ]]> <p> This picture of an oversize man on an American Airlines flight has heightened the debate about obese passengers who cannot fit into economy seats. </p> News & Advice Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:52:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/mother-accidentally-smothered-baby-on-plane-1832011.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/mother-accidentally-smothered-baby-on-plane-1832011.html <p> Police were today investigating reports that a mother accidentally smothered her four-week-old baby daughter to death on a flight after she fell asleep while breastfeeding. </p> Home News Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:50:59 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/a-href-onclickoctopusmtopenflashwindowa09cb0922447402b9616d673837d3a24this1f18ba4898bd48c1b14a9a08dff37addreturn-falsevideo-demands-for-longdelayed-election-in-ivory-coasta-1832006.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/a-href-onclickoctopusmtopenflashwindowa09cb0922447402b9616d673837d3a24this1f18ba4898bd48c1b14a9a08dff37addreturn-falsevideo-demands-for-longdelayed-election-in-ivory-coasta-1832006.html Africa Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:28:57 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/drogba-rules-out-italy-switch-1832004.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/drogba-rules-out-italy-switch-1832004.html ]]> <p> Didier Drogba has no intention of leaving Chelsea for Italy despite admitting there had been past contact with both Milan clubs. </p> Premier League Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:21:59 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/uks-first-official-twitterer-appointed-1832003.html http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/uks-first-official-twitterer-appointed-1832003.html <p> A teacher has been appointed the country's first Twitterer-in-Residence by his home town. </p> News Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:18:42 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/hughes-defends-huge-agent-fees-1832002.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/hughes-defends-huge-agent-fees-1832002.html ]]> <p> Mark Hughes has defended the vast sums of money Manchester City have spent on agents over the past 12 months. </p> Premier League Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:18:27 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/obama-to-lay-down-afghanistan-exit-timetable-1831952.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/obama-to-lay-down-afghanistan-exit-timetable-1831952.html <p> Barack Obama will tonight confirm that the US is sending 30,000 more US troops to Afghanistan, to be deployed over six months, a senior administration official has told The Associated Press. </p> Americas Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:15:34 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/news/inconvenient-art-contemporary-artists-weigh-in-on-climate-change-1831975.html http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/news/inconvenient-art-contemporary-artists-weigh-in-on-climate-change-1831975.html ]]> <p> This is a telling moment for the Royal Academy to launch a large-scale exhibition looking at the impact of climate change on the work and practice of contemporary artists: the Copenhagen Climate Change summit is almost upon us and debate rages over how governments and individuals can effectively tackle the issue. </p> News Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:53:24 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/billionaire-brothers-lose-sark-reform-challenge-1831997.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/billionaire-brothers-lose-sark-reform-challenge-1831997.html ]]> <p> The billionaire owners of the Daily Telegraph newspapers lost their Supreme Court bid today to force the island of Sark to change its constitution. </p> Home News Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:49:06 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/canoodling-costars-the-hollywood-couples-that-met-on-set-1831991.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/canoodling-costars-the-hollywood-couples-that-met-on-set-1831991.html ]]> <p> Hollywood actors don’t need specialist dating agencies to snare an A-list mate - they just need to go to work in the morning. </p> Profiles Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:41:19 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/motorola-droid-set-for-december-7-uk-launch-1831993.html http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/motorola-droid-set-for-december-7-uk-launch-1831993.html ]]> <p> Of all the pretenders to the iPhone's crown, it is the Motorola Droid handset which has made the biggest impact, with sales of more than 800,00 racked up since the handset's release in the US on November 6. Now, the model previously dubbed too macho in appearance for the European market and passed up by major UK phone networks will see a release on this side of the Atlantic. </p> News Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:26:40 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/internationals/fifa-confirm-ireland-wont-be-in-world-cup-1831992.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/internationals/fifa-confirm-ireland-wont-be-in-world-cup-1831992.html ]]> <p> FIFA dashed any lingering Irish hopes of playing in next year's World Cup finals today by declaring it would be impossible to add a 33rd team to the tournament. </p> International Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:25:27 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/pete-doherty-sorry-for-singing-nazi-anthem-1831990.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/pete-doherty-sorry-for-singing-nazi-anthem-1831990.html <p> Singer Pete Doherty has apologised for offending festival-goers in Germany when he performed a Nazi-era rendition of their national anthem. </p> News Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:10:57 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/bordeaux-dismiss-chamakh-arsenal-transfer-1831987.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/bordeaux-dismiss-chamakh-arsenal-transfer-1831987.html ]]> <p> Bordeaux president Jean-Louis Triaud has rubbished reports Marouane Chamakh is set for a January move to Arsenal as a replacement for the injured Robin van Persie. </p> Premier League Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:05:27 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/autumn-rugby-internationals-dream-team-1831977.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/autumn-rugby-internationals-dream-team-1831977.html ]]> <p> The Independent's Chris Hewett picks his ultimate XV from this Autumn's internationals. </p> News & Comment Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:36:03 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/candlelit-vigil-for-g20-protest-victim-1831978.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/candlelit-vigil-for-g20-protest-victim-1831978.html <p> The family of G20 protest victim Ian Tomlinson will lead a candlelit vigil tonight to remember his death. </p> Crime Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:33:04 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/police-kill-coffee-shop-massacre-suspect-1831953.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/police-kill-coffee-shop-massacre-suspect-1831953.html ]]> <p> Police today shot and killed a man suspected of gunning down four police officers, a sheriff's spokesman said, a day after the man eluded police who had spent hours trying to coax him out of a house. </p> Americas Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:29:05 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/yorks-and-chelsea-building-societies-could-merge-1831976.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/yorks-and-chelsea-building-societies-could-merge-1831976.html <p> Two of the UK's biggest building societies are understood to be in talks over a possible merger, it was reported today. </p> Business News Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:23:23 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/police-payout-to-woman-over-rape-case-complaint-1831970.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/police-payout-to-woman-over-rape-case-complaint-1831970.html <p> A police force paid out £3,500 in compensation to a woman after she complained about the way a rape was investigated. </p> Crime Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:09:55 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/jd-wetherspoon-to-serve-up-10000-new-jobs-1831969.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/jd-wetherspoon-to-serve-up-10000-new-jobs-1831969.html <p> Pubs chain JD Wetherspoon said today that it would create 10,000 jobs over the next five years with the opening of 250 new pubs. </p> Business News Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:07:05 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/liam-gallagher-brands-noel-the-kevin-keegan-of-rock-1831968.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/liam-gallagher-brands-noel-the-kevin-keegan-of-rock-1831968.html ]]> <p> Liam Gallagher has levelled the ultimate insult at his Manchester City mad brother Noel, branding him the Kevin Keegan of rock. </p> News Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:00:34 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/ryanair-to-close-nofee-loophole-1831967.html http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/ryanair-to-close-nofee-loophole-1831967.html <p> Ryanair will charge passengers to book flights using a popular debit card from next year, ending one way of avoiding the fee for using a credit card. </p> News & Advice Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:00:09 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/internationals/brady-brands-blatter-an-embarrassment-1831966.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/internationals/brady-brands-blatter-an-embarrassment-1831966.html ]]> <p> Republic of Ireland assistant manager Liam Brady today claimed Sepp Blatter has become a "loose cannon" and "an embarrassment to FIFA". </p> International Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:57:09 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/schooltables/stats-primary-school-league-tables-2009-1831965.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/schooltables/stats-primary-school-league-tables-2009-1831965.html School Tables Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:56:02 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/tottenham-linked-with-pound10m-doumbia-1831964.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/tottenham-linked-with-pound10m-doumbia-1831964.html ]]> <p> Tottenham are planning a £10m bid for Ivory Coast striker Seydou Doumbia according to reports today. </p> Premier League Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:53:58 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/yaya-toure-wants-premier-league-switch-1831960.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/yaya-toure-wants-premier-league-switch-1831960.html ]]> <p> Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure has signalled his desire to leave European champions Barcelona. </p> Premier League Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:47:31 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/manchester-city-join-chelsea-in-hunt-for-aguero-1831954.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/manchester-city-join-chelsea-in-hunt-for-aguero-1831954.html ]]> <p> Chelsea have reportedly had a bid of £53m for Sergio Aguero turned down by Atletico Madrid. </p> Premier League Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:40:20 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/fifa-set-to-approve-extra-referees-1831951.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/fifa-set-to-approve-extra-referees-1831951.html <p> FIFA are tomorrow expected to finally dash the Republic of Ireland's hopes of playing in the World Cup but to approve Michel Platini's masterplan of having five referees at every match of next summer's finals. </p> News & Comment Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:29:50 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/peter-bills-all-blacks-send-message-to-world-rugby-1831950.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/news-comment/peter-bills-all-blacks-send-message-to-world-rugby-1831950.html ]]> <p> World rugby has waited all year - no, make that two years - for a blinding light of inspiration, a clarion call if you like from someone on how to play this game properly. </p> News & Comment Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:26:20 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/historic-victory-for-terror-suspects-over-secret-evidence-1831949.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/historic-victory-for-terror-suspects-over-secret-evidence-1831949.html <p> Two men suspected of terrorist-related activities today won a landmark High Court battle against the use of secret evidence by the Government to deny them bail. </p> Crime Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:25:31 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/corry-evans-rising-at-manchester-united-1831947.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/corry-evans-rising-at-manchester-united-1831947.html <p> Changing schools is a big enough upheaval for any 13-year-old. When that also involves moving lock, stock and barrel to a different country it brings even more concerns. </p> Premier League Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:23:28 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/totti-agrees-new-roma-contract-1831945.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/totti-agrees-new-roma-contract-1831945.html ]]> <p> Francesco Totti has revealed he has finally agreed a new contract which is likely to see him end his career with AS Roma. </p> European Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:52:53 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/manchester-city-monitor-van-der-wiel-1831942.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/manchester-city-monitor-van-der-wiel-1831942.html ]]> <p> Holland defender Gregory van der Wiel is committed to Ajax despite being monitored by Premier League side Manchester City, according to his agent. </p> Premier League Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:45:48 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/families-concerned-over-sailors-held-by-iran-1831851.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/families-concerned-over-sailors-held-by-iran-1831851.html ]]> <p> The families of five British sailors being held captive in Iran spoke of their concern today after reports suggested the crew faced "serious" action if found to have had "evil intentions". </p> UK Politics Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:38:06 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/explosive-device-left-at-northern-ireland-police-station-1831936.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/explosive-device-left-at-northern-ireland-police-station-1831936.html <p> An explosive device was left outside a police station in Northern Ireland. </p> Crime Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:29:09 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/man-arrested-over-racial-abuse-of-darren-bents-mother-1831928.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/man-arrested-over-racial-abuse-of-darren-bents-mother-1831928.html ]]> <p> A man was arrested on suspicion of racially abusing the mother of Premier League striker Darren Bent, police said today. </p> News & Comment Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:07:30 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/xfm-names-songs-of-the-decade-1831907.html http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/xfm-names-songs-of-the-decade-1831907.html ]]> <p> The Killers' Mr Brightside has been named the greatest song of the decade by radio listeners. </p> News Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:50:30 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/big-brother-tops-internet-search-chart-1831885.html http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/big-brother-tops-internet-search-chart-1831885.html <p> Audiences have fallen and its days are numbered but Big Brother was the UK's most popular Yahoo! internet search of 2009, figures showed today. </p> News Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:45:54 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/sharp-shows-off-robotpowered-10thgen-lcd-plant-1831884.html http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/sharp-shows-off-robotpowered-10thgen-lcd-plant-1831884.html ]]> <p> Huge sheets of glass are guided by robotic arms, sliding and turning in a towering germ-free plant, the world's first making giant "10th generation" panels for flat screen TVs. </p> News Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:43:33 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/former-miss-argentina-dies-after-cosmetic-surgery-on-buttocks-1831883.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/former-miss-argentina-dies-after-cosmetic-surgery-on-buttocks-1831883.html ]]> <p> Former Miss Argentina, Solange Magnano, has died from complications after undergoing cosmetic surgery on her buttocks. </p> Americas Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:42:33 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/microsoft-plans-to-swat-google-with-newspaper-1831882.html http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/microsoft-plans-to-swat-google-with-newspaper-1831882.html <p> There's an intriguing idea floating around the media: Microsoft wants to undercut Google so badly in internet search that it might pay newspapers to withhold their content from Google. </p> News Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:41:46 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/bresnan-defends-twitter-use-1831875.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/bresnan-defends-twitter-use-1831875.html ]]> <p> Tim Bresnan will carry on "just being himself" with his Twitter updates - despite the raised eyebrows over some of his remarks to 'followers'. </p> Cricket Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:25:37 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/28-per-cent-of-11yearolds-miss-sats-targets-1831874.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/28-per-cent-of-11yearolds-miss-sats-targets-1831874.html ]]> <p> More than one in four 11-year-olds still fail to master the basics by the time they leave primary school, according to government performance tables published today. </p> Education News Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:22:29 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/guy-adams-paul-greengrass-walks-off-new-bourne-film-could-matt-damon-be-next-1831872.html http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/guy-adams-paul-greengrass-walks-off-new-bourne-film-could-matt-damon-be-next-1831872.html <p> The Bourne films represent one the most valuable franchises in Hollywood, with the last in the series making back $440m (four times its budget), at the box office alone. </p> News Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:22:08 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/lionel-messi-a-rare-talent-1831871.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/lionel-messi-a-rare-talent-1831871.html ]]> <p> When Pep Guardiola took over from Frank Rijkaard at Barcelona 18 months ago, Lionel Messi's favourite local steakhouse in the city's affluent Sarria-Sant Gervasi neighbourhood was right at the top of his 'to do' list. </p> News & Comment Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:21:32 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/carol-vorderman-backs-fights-against-power-pylons-1831870.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/carol-vorderman-backs-fights-against-power-pylons-1831870.html ]]> <p> Television presenter Carol Vorderman has backed a campaign to stop a 400,000-volt overhead power line being put up near her countryside home. </p> News Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:20:29 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/redknapp-eyes-manchester-united-scalp-1831869.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/redknapp-eyes-manchester-united-scalp-1831869.html ]]> <p> Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp insists the time has come for his team to start winning on their travels against the big-four teams, starting with Manchester United in the Carling Cup quarter-final tonight. </p> FA & League Cups Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:19:52 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/messi-scoops-ballon-dor-award-1831868.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/messi-scoops-ballon-dor-award-1831868.html ]]> <p> Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi was awarded the 2009 Ballon d'Or, French magazine France Football said today. </p> News & Comment Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:16:11 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/lampard-hails-chelsea-trio-1831867.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/lampard-hails-chelsea-trio-1831867.html ]]> <p> Frank Lampard has named Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka as the three players who have helped Chelsea impress this season. </p> Premier League Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:13:25 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/benzema-in-car-crash-following-el-clasico-1831597.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/benzema-in-car-crash-following-el-clasico-1831597.html ]]> <p> Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema reportedly escaped unharmed from a minor car accident on his way home from his team's 1-0 defeat to Barcelona last night. </p> News & Comment Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:00:54 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/redbulletin/shaun-white-is-already-the-biggest-name-in-snowboarding-and-now-hes-aiming-to-raise-the-bar-even-higher-1831863.html http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/redbulletin/shaun-white-is-already-the-biggest-name-in-snowboarding-and-now-hes-aiming-to-raise-the-bar-even-higher-1831863.html ]]> <p> It isn’t hard to pick Shaun White out from the small coterie of pro-snowboarders being ushered through the entrance of Burton’s flagship SoHo outlet in New York. While the others, all branded hoodies, oversized jeans and retro sneakers, are ushered quietly to a table at the back of the store to take their places for a signing session, White’s entrance is a little less low-key, a little more Hollywood. </p> Red Bulletin Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:59:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/restructuring-plan-fails-to-lift-dubai-stocks-1831861.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/restructuring-plan-fails-to-lift-dubai-stocks-1831861.html <p> Dubai stocks hit a second day of turbulence today despite a restructuring plan from its debt-engulfed investment arm. </p> Business News Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:27:49 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tories-and-labour-clash-over-marriage-policy-1831858.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tories-and-labour-clash-over-marriage-policy-1831858.html <p> David Cameron accused Labour of "pathological" opposition to supporting marriage as he pledged a Tory government would reward every wedded couple through the tax system. </p> UK Politics Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:56:56 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/house-and-home/property/house-prices-rise-for-seventh-month-1831853.html http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/house-and-home/property/house-prices-rise-for-seventh-month-1831853.html <p> House prices rose for the seventh month in a row during November but there are further signs that the pace of the recovery is beginning to ease, figures showed today. </p> Property Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:45:28 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/cousins-extradited-over-cyprus-death-crash-1831852.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/cousins-extradited-over-cyprus-death-crash-1831852.html <p> Two cousins are on their way to Cyprus today after they were extradited to serve three-year jail terms for killing a motorcyclist. </p> Europe Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:42:48 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/aston-villa-potential-transfer-targets-1831552.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/aston-villa-potential-transfer-targets-1831552.html ]]> <p> After an indifferent start to the season, Aston Villa have kicked into gear and are again pushing for a top-four finish. </p> Transfers Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:01:46 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/features/the-ten-best-underwear-1831603.html http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/features/the-ten-best-underwear-1831603.html ]]> <p> Chosen by Harriet Walker </p> Features Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:06 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/killer-syndrome-the-aids-denialists-1831610.html http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/killer-syndrome-the-aids-denialists-1831610.html ]]> <p>A middle-aged man walks into an East London café and apologises for being late. With his clipped hair and bus-driver's uniform of thick overcoat, shirt, and branded tie, he looks like any other public service employee. But soon he delivers a speech of startling ferocity against the medical establishment.</p> Features Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/triplets-three-times-the-charm-1831613.html http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/triplets-three-times-the-charm-1831613.html ]]> <p>I am sitting on the living-room floor with three babies dotted around me. Six blue eyes are focused on me intently. They seem to be waiting for me to do something. I stick ABBA Gold into the CD player and fast- forward to "Take A Chance on Me". Three mouths open into huge smiles. I get up and start to dance. The babies all start to waggle around too. Encouraged, I throw in a few wild Saturday Night Fever moves. </p> Features Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/bridget-riley-new-paintings-wall-paintings-gouaches-1831615.html http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/bridget-riley-new-paintings-wall-paintings-gouaches-1831615.html ]]> <p>It is roughly 100 years since abstract painting started, and for some people it has had its day. In the middle of the 20th century it ruled the world. It was the inevitable and final state of art. But then, inevitably, it proved not so final. We could look at abstraction from the outside, and see it as something rather odd. Why this solemnity about shapes and colours? Why this obsession with purity?</p> Features Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/reviews/design-real-serpentine-gallery-london-1831617.html http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/reviews/design-real-serpentine-gallery-london-1831617.html ]]> <p>The Serpentine Gallery exists to show off art. Art, as we all know, is perfectly useless. It exists to be admired. Now, all of a sudden, the Serpentine Gallery has had a change of heart. It has hired a curator with a mesmerisingly unpronounceable surname, Konstantin Grcic (I hear the man who is making a podcast for The Guardian first asking how the name is pronounced, then taking several runs at it, falling back, and running again), to assemble a show of 46 objects which are useful. What is more, these particular objects are examples of their kind. There are variants upon them everywhere that we look. I am sitting on one of them now. Yes, everywhere we turn our heads these days there is a bed, a child's bicycle, a plastic chair, the arm of a wind turbine flailing the air.</p> Reviews Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/reviews/the-priory-royal-court-london-1831619.html http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/reviews/the-priory-royal-court-london-1831619.html <p>Your aim is to start the New Year without the usual hangover of regret, shame, and weakness of will and armed with a more lucid and limber approach to your love life. One solution might be to have yourself cryogenically suspended between Boxing Day and 2 January. It would be a less risky strategy than that adopted by Jessica Hynes' nervy, depressive Kate, a loser who is behindhand on the full-length book and the biological clock fronts and who forms the suffering centre of this entertaining, if faintly hollow tragicomedy by Michael Wynne. For an away-from-it-all alternative celebration of the incoming year, she has hired a Gothic pile and invited a bunch of chums. The pile is even called The Priory, the very name which conjures a rich person's media-genic clinic.</p> Reviews Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/last-nights-television--mouth-to-mouth-bbc3-life-bbc1-1831621.html http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/last-nights-television--mouth-to-mouth-bbc3-life-bbc1-1831621.html <p>There are sound Darwinian reasons for supposing that the further one penetrates the depths of the oceans the more exhilarating the species and organic matter one discovers will be. This is not just because of the intrigue of unchartered waters, or those glorious moments when hitherto unobserved life passes from the sphere of the unknown to the known. Rather, it is because the further from the surface you go, and the further from the consoling provisions of air and land, the harder you must strive to survive. And in the grand sweep of Darwinian logic, that means evolving in crazier and more beautiful fashions.</p> Reviews Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/subtle-changes-at-the-vampa-make-a-world-of-difference-1831640.html http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/subtle-changes-at-the-vampa-make-a-world-of-difference-1831640.html ]]> <p>This week, the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington, London, throws open its 10 Medieval and Renaissance galleries after almost seven years of refurbishment, which has cost in excess of £31m. Almost a third of this sum has come from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and much of the rest from the private sector. With almost 1,800 works on display, this is museum remaking on a grand scale. Are the results equal to the ambition?</p> Features Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/clegg-denies-uturn-over-mansion-tax-1831639.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/clegg-denies-uturn-over-mansion-tax-1831639.html <p>Liberal Democrat leaders beat a hasty retreat yesterday from controversial plans to impose a "mansion tax" on the owners of £1m homes.</p> UK Politics Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/jobless-to-get-help-for-own-businesses-1831638.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/jobless-to-get-help-for-own-businesses-1831638.html <p>Unemployed people will get more Government help to start their own businesses under plans to move Britain "from recession to recovery" to be set out by ministers next week.</p> Home News Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/virginia-ironside-being-sent-away-to-live-with-boys-is-no-preparation-for-adult-life-1831637.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/virginia-ironside-being-sent-away-to-live-with-boys-is-no-preparation-for-adult-life-1831637.html <p>To any woman who's been involved with a man who had the misfortune to be sent away to public school, Professor Leonard's research will come as no surprise. Because we can assume that, since there aren't that many all-boy day schools, and that most boarding schools are private, the men in question are those creatures who have been sent away from home far, far, too young for there not to be some sort of damaging impact on their mental health.</p> Commentators Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/why-singlesex-schools-are-bad-for-your-health-if-youre-a-boy-1831636.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/why-singlesex-schools-are-bad-for-your-health-if-youre-a-boy-1831636.html ]]> <p>You might have thought that boys brought up in a single-sex environment would find relationships with girls difficult to handle.</p> Education News Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/john-curtice-now-cameron-has-reason-to-worry-1831635.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/john-curtice-now-cameron-has-reason-to-worry-1831635.html <p>Despite all Labour's travails, there have always been doubts about the strength of the Conservatives' electoral prospects. It has never been clear that the party had "sealed the deal" with the electorate. </p> Commentators Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/uk-heading-for-a-hung-parliament-poll-shows-1831634.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/uk-heading-for-a-hung-parliament-poll-shows-1831634.html ]]> <p>Britain is on course for a hung parliament after the general election amid growing optimism about the economy, according to the latest ComRes poll for The Independent.</p> UK Politics Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/wheeled-into-court-to-hisses-from-accusers-1831633.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/wheeled-into-court-to-hisses-from-accusers-1831633.html ]]> <p>He is alleged to be the last Nazi mass murderer ever likely to stand trial but John Demjanjuk cut a strange and pathetic figure as he was wheeled into a heavily guarded Munich courtroom on a hospital bed to face charges of complicity in the murder of more than 29,000 Jews during the Second World War.</p> Europe Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/david--cesarani-justice-will-not-be-served-by-this-trial-even-if-he-is-found-guilty-1831632.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/david--cesarani-justice-will-not-be-served-by-this-trial-even-if-he-is-found-guilty-1831632.html <p>John Demjanjuk, currently being tried for war crimes in Munich, is accused of having served as a guard at the Sobibor death camp, where at least 167,000 Jews from Poland, the Netherlands and France were murdered in 1942-43. The evidence against him was strong enough to secure his denaturalisation and deportation from the United States. German prosecutors are convinced they can prove he was at the camp and complicit in the killing of at least 29,000 Jews. But even if he is found guilty, will the trial deliver anything approximating to justice?</p> Commentators Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/snp-makes-the-case-for-scottish-independence-1831649.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/snp-makes-the-case-for-scottish-independence-1831649.html ]]> <p>Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond set out on the road to fulfilling his lifelong political ambition yesterday by launching a White Paper that he hopes could lead to a referendum delivering full independence from Westminster possibly as early as next year.</p> UK Politics Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/melting-ice-sheets-threaten-defences-1831648.html http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/melting-ice-sheets-threaten-defences-1831648.html <p>Sea levels could rise by as much as 1.4 metres (4.6 feet) by 2100 – more than twice previous estimates – according to new studies showing that one of the Antarctic's massive ice sheets is more vulnerable to melting than previously thought.</p> Climate Change Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/the-mysterious-dr-foster-1831647.html http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/the-mysterious-dr-foster-1831647.html <p>Who is this Dr Foster, the source of the weekend's headlines about the NHS? He seems to be saying that the elaborate system for inspecting hospitals that was set up – and recently reformed – by the Government is failing to spot some pretty obvious examples of bad medicine. </p> Health News Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/features/now-the-whole-of-britains-a-stage-1831646.html http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/features/now-the-whole-of-britains-a-stage-1831646.html ]]> <p>The Plymouth theatre-goers turned up despite the deluge of rain outside. For some it was their second or third visit. Others had driven from neighbouring towns to catch it while they could. Two and a half hours later, rapturous applause broke out across the auditorium as the cast of The Pitmen Painters took a bow. </p> Features Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/debut-novelist-wins-major-literary-award-1831645.html http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/debut-novelist-wins-major-literary-award-1831645.html ]]> <p> A writer has beaten literary heavyweights to win a prestigious award for her debut novel. Evie Wyld, 29, from south London, is this year's winner of the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize for her book After The Fire, A Still Small Voice. </p> News Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/students-should-study-more-academic-subjects-1831644.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/students-should-study-more-academic-subjects-1831644.html <p> All students should study at least five academic subjects up to the age of 16, claims a report. The findings, published by influential think tank Reform, warns that England is "unique" among developed nations in the "narrowness" of its expectations of pupils at 16. It says there is a perception that some pupils are unable to cope with academic study, which does not exist in other nations. </p> Education News Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/scenes-were-faked-for-bbc-daytime-shows-1831643.html http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/scenes-were-faked-for-bbc-daytime-shows-1831643.html <p>media The BBC Trust ruled yesterday that there had been "serious and repeated" breaches of editorial guidelines in a number of its daytime shows, including faked scenes.</p> News Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/tb-may-have-killed-jane-austen-1831642.html http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/tb-may-have-killed-jane-austen-1831642.html <p>Novelist Jane Austen may have died from tuberculosis rather than Addison's disease as is widely believed, an expert said yesterday.</p> News Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/floods-threaten-tewkesbury-again-1831641.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/floods-threaten-tewkesbury-again-1831641.html ]]> <p>Last month was one of the wettest Novembers ever recorded in Britain, weather forecasters said yesterday, as they warned of an impending cold snap which is likely to bring snow.</p> Home News Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/michael-mccarthy-will-history-see-this-as-a-turning-point-for-climate-change-1831674.html http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/michael-mccarthy-will-history-see-this-as-a-turning-point-for-climate-change-1831674.html <p> History is only patterns, patterns we impose with the benefit of hindsight on the chaotic flow of human events, and these patterns are eminently fallible, even reversible. Was the French Revolution a Good Thing? Absolutely, for generations of French Marxist intellectuals; then along comes someone like Simon Schama to argue persuasively in <i>Citizens</i> that it was not such a good thing at all. </p> Climate Change Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/schools/lucy-hodges-the-perils-of-singlesex-education-1831673.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/schools/lucy-hodges-the-perils-of-singlesex-education-1831673.html <p>The findings we report on today – that boys in single-sex schools finish up as emotional cripples, unable to handle relationships with women in later life – add to the growing weight of evidence against single-sex schooling. We have known for a while that boys do better academically when educated with girls, presumably as girls have a calming influence. Now comes the killer fact – that co-ed schooling enables them to lead happier lives and to stay married to the same woman (assuming that makes for happiness).</p> Schools Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/michael-brown-tory-toffs-and-the--return-of-class-warfare-1831672.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/michael-brown-tory-toffs-and-the--return-of-class-warfare-1831672.html <p>This week David Cameron celebrates his fourth anniversary as Tory leader and is now probably just 22 weeks from becoming Prime Minister. True, the polls last week showed a Tory wobble, although the latest YouGov poll in marginal seats suggests that the Tories are at last scoring where it matters – in the marginal seats in the Midlands and the North. </p> Commentators Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/thomas-sutcliffe/thomas-sutcliffe-no-dignity-in-this-pretence-of-unity-1831671.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/thomas-sutcliffe/thomas-sutcliffe-no-dignity-in-this-pretence-of-unity-1831671.html <p> You probably – you poor dupe – have always believed that the Nazis were violently intolerant of homosexuality. But Scott Lively, author of The Pink Swastika, would like to put you right. In his book, Lively argues that far from being anti-gay many of the leaders of the party – including Adolf Hitler – were homosexual and that their sexual preferences directly contributed to Nazi atrocities. </p> Thomas Sutcliffe Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/lord-rees-the-curiosity-of-our-founders-will-inspire-us-for-centuries-more-1831670.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/lord-rees-the-curiosity-of-our-founders-will-inspire-us-for-centuries-more-1831670.html <p>Back in the 1660s, the Royal Society's founders met regularly to discuss scientific ideas and perform experiments – experiments with air pumps, trials of different poisons on animals, improvements to gunpowder and to pendulum clocks. And sometimes rather gruesome experiments in which the blood from one dog was transfused into another. </p> Commentators Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/live-scores--leave-here--never-delete-968107.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/live-scores--leave-here--never-delete-968107.html Football Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:40 +0100