I Just Found Out Where Black Pepper Comes From And I'd Never Have Guessed

Your support allows The Independent to cover important stories on reproductive rights, climate change, and Big Tech, providing in-depth investigations and documentaries. Donations help send journalists to gather facts from both sides of the story, ensuring quality journalism is accessible to all. Recent evidence suggests North Korea produced ballistic missiles used in Ukraine within months, highlighting illicit arms transfers and the urgent need for independent analysis. Full Article

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay shares his secret to the perfect Christmas pigs in blankets, using a glaze of honey, wholegrain mustard, and soy sauce for a crispy, flavourful finish. The sausages and bacon are cooked separately before being drizzled in the sauce and returned to the oven for a final basting. The make-ahead recipe can be prepared up to a day in advance, ensuring a stress-free festive meal with a delicious twist. Full Article

Police are searching for Australian waitress Jessica Parkinson, 29, who vanished from a south London hostel two weeks ago after sending 'out of character' text messages to friends. She was reported missing by her father on December 8 and failed to show up for work at Texas Joes, where she had been working for a year. Managers received cryptic messages from her, and she had been dealing with a stressful housing situation before disappearing. Full...

In February, Disney+ will premiere "Win Or Lose," a new Pixar series about a middle-school softball team preparing for a championship game. Voice actor Chanel Stewart, who is transgender, expressed disappointment after Disney removed a storyline involving her character's gender identity from the show. While her character will still be a part of the series, she will now be depicted as a straight cis girl, sparking discussions about representation and inclusion in media.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONFrGjdzhfs Full Article

House fires involving rechargeable electrical devices like vapes, laptops, and e-bikes are increasing in Scotland, with 26 incidents recorded last year compared to three in 2018. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to follow safety advice for these devices, including buying from reputable retailers, using approved chargers, and not charging in hallways or bedrooms. It is important to recycle damaged or old devices properly to reduce the risk of fire, and never...

Gavin & Stacey fans are eagerly anticipating the show's final episode airing on BBC One over Christmas, resolving the epic festive cliffhanger from five years ago. The characters' surnames, Shipman and West, are a nod to infamous British serial killers Fred and Rose West, as well as Dr. Harold Shipman, with the show subtly referencing these dark connections in its script. Additionally, Pete's surname in the show, revealed in the Christmas special, pays homage to...