Author: News Desk

CCTV shows Sara Sharif’s family at Heathrow Airport hours before schoolgirl found dead at home CCTV footage of Sara Sharif’s family at Heathrow Airport in the hours before the schoolgirl was found dead at their home has been shown at her murder trial. The 10-year-old’s father Urfan Sharif, 42, stepmother Beinash Batool, 30, and uncle Faisal Malik, 29, are accused of carrying out a campaign of abuse culminating in her killing on 8 August last year. All three deny murder, with Batool and Sharif blaming each other for the violence in the family home in Woking, Surrey, and university student…

‘He’s been punished enough’: Family’s plea for IPP prisoner who set himself alight under indefinite jail term A prisoner who set himself alight in his cell after serving 12 years for stealing a mobile phone under an indefinite jail term is still fighting to be moved to a hospital. Thomas White has developed severe mental health problems in prison as he languishes under a since-abolished imprisonment for public protection (IPP) sentence. Earlier this year, the father of one set himself alight in his cell in desperation as he lost hope of ever being freed. Two medical reports shared with The Independent this summer laid bare…

Reeves gives Labour post-Budget poll boost despite £40bn tax row Labour has seen its poll rating rise to its highest level in almost a month despite Rachel Reeves delivering one of the most contentious Budgets in recent history. According to this week’s Techne UK tracker poll for The Independent Labour has gone up a point to 30 per cent, its highest since 4 October when it was on 31 per cent. The leaderless Tories, who will announce their replacement for Rishi Sunak on Saturday, remained at 24 per cent, while Nigel Farage’s Reform UK lost a point to drop to…

Friday’s front pages continue to cover the reaction and fallout from the Budget delivered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves on Wednesday. Several papers lead to a rise in the cost of government borrowing amid investor concern about levels of government debt.

Elsewhere, there’s a dash of international coverage on the UK front pages this morning, with images of the floods in Spain making several splashes. There are also reports on the upcoming US election as Kamala Harris and Donald Trump try to win over the swing states in the final stretch of the campaign.

Harris and Trump trade barbs as election race enters final stretch With less than a week until the US presidential election, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have ramped up their rhetoric. Harris criticised Trump for his recent remark at a rally where he pledged to “protect” women “whether the women like it or not,” calling it “very offensive” and emblematic of his outdated attitudes. Harris argued that such misogyny is unacceptable in modern America, as both candidates seek to sway voters in crucial swing states. Trump, meanwhile, continued his focus on anti-immigration themes during a speech…

Boeing increases pay offer in attempt to bring an end to seven-week strike Boeing is attempting to resolve a seven-week strike by offering workers a 38% pay increase over four years. The proposal, endorsed by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), will be put to a vote on Monday. The strike, involving over 30,000 workers, began on September 13 and has significantly impacted production, contributing to a financial crisis for Boeing. Previously, workers rejected offers that included a 35% raise. This new deal also features a $12,000 bonus, up from $7,000, and changes to retirement plans. The…

Biggest typhoon in 30 years hits Taiwan Typhoon Kong-rey, the biggest storm to hit Taiwan in nearly 30 years, made landfall on the island’s eastern coast, forcing schools and workplaces to close and disrupting daily life. The typhoon struck with winds exceeding 200 km/h, comparable to a Category 4 hurricane, before weakening to a moderate typhoon by evening. Authorities reported at least one death—a woman killed by a falling tree—and over 70 injuries. Power outages affected half a million households, and severe winds and rain hindered emergency response efforts in areas like Hualien County. The storm’s arrival is unusual for…

Botswana ruling party booted out of power after 58 years Botswana’s ruling party, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), has been voted out after 58 years in power. Early election results show the BDP secured only one parliamentary seat, while the opposition coalition, the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), led by human rights lawyer Duma Boko, has won 20 seats. The UDC is projected to surpass the 31-seat majority needed to form the government, positioning Boko to become the next president. The Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF), supported by ex-president Ian Khama, won five seats, and the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) claimed…

Spain flood death toll passes 150 Spain is facing its deadliest flooding disaster in decades, with at least 158 confirmed deaths as heavy rains and flash floods devastated parts of the country. The hardest-hit area was Valencia, which recorded 155 deaths, while casualties also occurred in Castilla-La Mancha and Andalusia. Rescuers, including 1,200 workers supported by drones, continue efforts to locate survivors as more rain looms. The floods, triggered by an extraordinary weather event known as gota fría (cold drop), brought a year’s worth of rainfall to the town of Chiva in just eight hours. Scientists link the intensity of…

Prince William’s awkward interaction with homelessness campaigner in moving documentary – latest news Prince William confronted by founder of The Big Issue in awkward interactionGet the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the worldSign up to our free Morning Headlines emailPrince William faced an uncomfortable moment during the premiere of his documentary, Prince William: We Can End Homelessness, which aired its first part last night.In the film, the Prince of Wales, 42, was confronted by Lord John Bird, founder of The Big Issue, who challenged him to address the “failed thinking” surrounding homelessness.Lord Bird bluntly stated he…