Author: News Desk

Lazio have sacked Juan Bernabè, the man who was in charge of their eagle mascot, after he posted videos and pictures of his penis following an operation ‘to increase sexual performance’. The Serie A club released a statement on Monday conveying their shock over the incident and apologising to their fans that their iconic eagle, Olimpia, will not be around for a few games after its handler was axed. The statement read: ‘SS Lazio Spa, shocked to see the photographic and video images of Mr. Juan Bernabè and to read the statements that accompanied them, announces that it has interrupted,…

Mark Selby was in sparkling form as he demolished Ali Carter 6-1 at the Masters on Monday and old rival Ronnie O’Sullivan could scarcely have been more impressed. The four-time world champion made breaks of 62, 108, 93, 126 and 53 in a brilliant display to book a spot in the quarter-finals where he will play Mark Allen or Si Jiahui. The Jester from Leicester won the British Open in September but had been a little quiet since then until he won a Championship League group last week and looked good doing it. O’Sullivan was blown away by his performance…

Declassified documents reveal MI5’s secret tips for tailing a suspect Do not use false beards, carry plenty of spare change for the tube, and if you have to tell a taxi driver to “follow that cab”, be prepared to give him a big tip. That was the advice issued to rookie MI5 “watchers” whose job it was to covertly follow and report on suspected enemy agents. The guidance is contained in a booklet issued to all new recruits to the Security Service during the Second World War. Declassified documents reveal MI5’s secret tips for tailing a suspect https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/declassified-documents-mi5-recruits-tips-b2679034.html

Just Stop Oil activists deface Charles Darwin’s grave inside Westminster Abbey Two Just Stop Oil activists have been arrested after they defaced Charles Darwin’s grave in Westminster Abbey. Police led the two protesters away after they used chalk spray to write “1.5 is Dead” on the naturalist’s grave at around 10am on Monday. The group said the graffiti was a reference to the news that the planet has experienced the first year in which temperatures have exceeded the target of limiting global warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial times. Just Stop Oil activists deface Charles Darwin’s grave inside Westminster Abbey https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/just-stop-oil-charles-darwin-grave-westminster-abbey-b2678491.html

Will the Brexit headache ever end? Join our exclusive panel as we discuss five years of Britain outside the EU Nearly five years have passed since the UK left the European Union, yet Brexit remains a central and divisive issue in British politics. But what have we learned from Brexit? And how are its consequences continuing to shape the UK’s future? Join The Independent’s chief political commentator John Rentoul as he hosts an engaging panel discussion that will explore these questions and more, reflecting on the ongoing impact of Brexit and its long-term effects. Will the Brexit headache ever end?…

Who could be in the running to replace Rachel Reeves as chancellor? Who could be in the running to replace Rachel Reeves as chancellor?  In football manager parlance, the dreaded vote of confidence from the club chairman often shortly precedes an inevitable sacking. So when Keir Starmer said on Monday he has “full confidence” in his beleaguered chancellor Rachel Reeves, tongues started wagging on her future. It was noticeable that the prime minister had to be asked twice before he answered the question, and he avoided saying her job was guaranteed until the next election while on camera. Only three…

The average property value increased by £2,400 last year. But where was it the most? Where in the UK homes are increasing and decreasing in value the most  More homeowners have seen their property increase in value last year, compared with 2023, according to latest calculations. Around half of UK homes increased in value by 1% or more in 2024, Zoopla estimated. Whilst 2024 saw a broad recovery of house prices, around a third of homes recorded price declines of 1% or more last year, equating to just over nine million properties. Just under six million homes last year recorded…

UK must do more to lead innovation in bio-tech sector, Lords committee says The UK has already lost its position as a world-leader in certain scientific innovations and technologies, and is in “severe” danger of slipping further behind without urgent action, a House of Lords report has warned. The cross-party Lords Science and Technology Committee said the UK must do more to boost innovation in the area of engineering biology to prevent it from entering a “doom loop” where foreign competitors leapfrog British efforts. The report follows an eight-month inquiry into engineering biology, an emerging area of science which uses…

The impeachment trial of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol began Tuesday, as the Constitutional Court reviews his failed attempt to enforce martial law. Yoon, who was impeached after attempting to halt a parliamentary vote by military force, has evaded arrest and was absent from the trial’s brief opening session. Impeachment trial of South Korean President Yoon begins

More than 100 AI trials to boost small-business productivity launched Some 120 projects trialling how AI could help small businesses be more productive have been launched by the Government in its first wave of initiatives to use the technology to boost the economy. The projects include an AI tool that can predict potholes before they appear, another which can anticipate where mould is likely to grow in buildings and another being trialled at a bakery aimed at cutting food waste. Each of the projects will receive a share of £7 million in Government funding to help test the AI technology.…