Wednesday, January 05, 2011

The Independent - UK RSS Feed

The Independent - UK RSS Feed

Lib Dem support hits all-time low

Posted: 04 Jan 2011 04:00 PM PST

Support for the Liberal Democrats has slumped to its lowest level since the party was formed in 1988, according to The Independent's "poll of polls".

Mongolian spy 'lured to UK to be arrested'

Posted: 04 Jan 2011 04:00 PM PST

A senior member of the Mongolian security services was lured to Britain so he could be arrested and jailed under a European Arrest Warrant, his lawyer said yesterday.

New media give popular protest a fresh voice

Posted: 04 Jan 2011 04:00 PM PST

When Tory advisers opened their newspapers yesterday to find a picture of George Osborne styled as the Dickensian pickpocket the Artful Dodger, they would have been forgiven for thinking that the advert was the latest attack from the Labour Party.

Sale of human organs should be legalised, say surgeons

Posted: 04 Jan 2011 04:00 PM PST

Leading surgeons are calling for the Government to consider the merits of a legalised market in organs for transplant. A public discussion on allowing people to sell their organs would, the doctors say, allow a better-informed decision on a matter of such moral and medical significance.

Why George's ski trip was just the start of the slippery slope

Posted: 04 Jan 2011 04:00 PM PST

Even for his natural allies, the Chancellor's £11,000 Swiss ski break was a little much to stomach. Like an excess of cheesey fondue followed by an ultra-cold lager, the Chancellor's apparently care-free vacation has provoked some unpleasant après-ski indigestion. But while the general secretary of the Unite union might be expected to attack Mr Osborne's "outrageous" holiday as "graphic proof that we're not all in this together", even the Taxpayers' Alliance has said that the sight of such fun could be judged "highly insensitive", given the backdrop.

102-year-old man held on DNA database

Posted: 04 Jan 2011 04:00 PM PST

A man who is 102-years old is the oldest person to have his DNA stored on the national database.

Hague packs off British ambassadors – for lessons in the art of diplomacy

Posted: 04 Jan 2011 04:00 PM PST

British embassy staff around the world are to get "diplomacy lessons" – or training in the pursuit of excellence – in extensive reforms being carried out by the Government, The Independent has learnt.

For richer, but not necessarily for poorer – pre-nups to become law

Posted: 04 Jan 2011 04:00 PM PST

Spectacular divorce battles like that which ensued after the break-up of Sir Paul McCartney and the model Heather Mills, costing the former Beatle £24.3m, are expected to be consigned to history after the Law Commission produces its long-awaited report on "pre nup" agreements next week.

Family devastated by music executive's boat death

Posted: 04 Jan 2011 09:17 AM PST

The family of a senior music executive are "devestated" after he died when a boat carrying six passengers capsized.

Under-fire George Osborne defends 'necessary' VAT rise

Posted: 04 Jan 2011 08:48 AM PST

Chancellor George Osborne has been accused of treating people "like fools" by claiming today's VAT hike will hit the rich hardest.

Public warning of big freeze deliberately delayed to spare Met Office 'embarrassment'

Posted: 04 Jan 2011 07:21 AM PST

The Met Office warned the Government that the start of this winter would be "exceptionally cold" but did not immediately inform the public.

Foreign Office accused of luring suspect to UK

Posted: 04 Jan 2011 06:14 AM PST

A senior member of the Mongolian security services was lured to the UK so he could be arrested and jailed under a European Arrest Warrant, his lawyer said today.

Celebrities join campaign to find missing teenager

Posted: 04 Jan 2011 06:11 AM PST

Celebrities have used Twitter to publicise an online campaign to find a missing teenage girl who vanished three weeks ago.

Political wrangling over control orders intensifies

Posted: 04 Jan 2011 05:37 AM PST

Political wrangling over control orders intensified today as another senior Tory backed the controversial system.

Joanna Yeates murder police launch Facebook plea

Posted: 04 Jan 2011 04:41 AM PST

Detectives investigating the murder of Joanna Yeates launched a national campaign on Facebook today to appeal for witnesses.

Cloud hides eclipse from most of UK

Posted: 04 Jan 2011 03:16 AM PST

Dense cloud cover disappointed most British sky-gazers hoping to catch a glimpse of a partial solar eclipse today.

Man threatened with £1000 fine over missing cat posters

Posted: 04 Jan 2011 02:27 AM PST

A pet owner was warned he could be fined £1,000 after he put up missing cat posters in his local neighbourhood.

Scheme to help victims of anti-social behaviour

Posted: 04 Jan 2011 01:33 AM PST

Too many victims of anti-social behaviour have slipped through the cracks and a new approach is needed to protect vulnerable people, the Home Office said today.

Criminals with drinking problems 'need more help'

Posted: 04 Jan 2011 01:31 AM PST

Offenders with drinking problems do not get enough support to turn their lives around, a report found today.

Rail passengers urged to protest over fares

Posted: 04 Jan 2011 01:30 AM PST

Rail passengers were urged today to take action in the fight for fairer train fares.

posted by Greg Shaw at Wednesday, January 05, 2011