Fears Starmer deal won’t stop China building rival military base on Chagos Islands

In County Durham, Danielle Massey was jailed for manslaughter after her baby son, Charlie Goodall, drowned in a bathtub while she played a cooking game on her phone. Massey pleaded guilty to manslaughter, admitting fault for the unstable bath seat and possession of cannabis. She claimed she left Charlie briefly unsupervised to get a towel and found him unresponsive upon her return, calling emergency services. Full Article

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is seeking assurances of continued military support from European leaders ahead of Trump's return to Washington, where he plans to prioritize Europe's role in backing Ukraine's defense and managing future cease-fire agreements. Zelenskyy has already met with French President Macron and is scheduled to meet with leaders from Germany, Italy, Poland, as well as European Council President Costa and European Commission President von der Leyen in Brussels to solidify allies' support and...

Your donation to The Independent helps support on-the-ground reporting on critical issues like reproductive rights and climate change. Trusted by Americans across the political spectrum, The Independent provides quality journalism without paywalls. Your support allows journalists to cover both sides of the story, ensuring that important information is accessible to all. Full Article

The UK government has announced plans to merge and eventually close down resettlement schemes for Afghans coming to the UK, citing the need for value for money and an end to endless processes. Defence secretary John Healey stated that the new single pathway will streamline the process, but no specific timeline was given for the closure. Refugee charity Safe Passage has requested more details to ensure the safety of Afghans who may be left in...

Belgian celebrity Zita Wauters, daughter of Valerie De Booser and Koen Wauters, was convicted of drink driving and driving an uninspected vehicle, resulting in a 10-day driving ban, a 480 euro fine, and a repeat practical driving test. The court criticized her for ignoring government warnings about drink-driving and stated she cannot safely drive yet. Wauters' case is part of a series of drink driving incidents involving Belgian VRT personalities, including Tom Waes and Ruben...

South Lakes Safari Zoo in Cumbria, branded the “worst in the UK”, will close at the end of December due to years of allegations of animal welfare failings and dangerous workplace conditions, including avoidable animal deaths and neglect. The zoo faced scrutiny following the death of a keeper mauled by a tiger in 2013, a hefty fine for health and safety breaches, and a report revealing 486 animal deaths in three years. Despite denying claims...