'Putin's Poodles': Reform UK MPs Criticised Over Commons No-Show

Your support helps The Independent cover important stories on reproductive rights, climate change, and Big Tech, providing factual reporting and in-depth analysis. Your donations enable journalists to report on critical issues from both perspectives, ensuring quality journalism is accessible to all. In related news, a federal judge has temporarily halted the Trump administration's plan to end legal protections for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans, citing potential harm to individuals, economic activity, and public health. Full...

Living with a partner who has experienced food poisoning has highlighted the prevalence of foodborne illnesses, affecting millions of people annually. According to NHS surgeon Dr. Karan Rajan, food poisoning can disrupt the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut, leading to immune system issues and chronic illnesses like diarrhoea and bloating. Severe cases can even result in the immune system attacking healthy cells, emphasizing the importance of food safety practices to prevent...

Women sexually abused by Mohamed Al-Fayed in France are fighting to change the statute of limitations, as their claims fall outside the 20-year limit. Kristina Svensson, Al-Fayed's former executive assistant, alleges multiple attacks between 1998-2000, hoping for justice against those who enabled his abuse. A legal battle is underway to extend the statute, with a decision expected on April 3, impacting other historic abuse cases like those involving Gerald Marie and Gerard Depardieu. Full Article

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer led a roundtable discussion at the Border Security Summit in London, unveiling £33 million in funding to combat illegal immigration and calling for international cooperation to tackle people-smuggling gangs. However, his announcements were criticized as "inhumane and ineffective" by Green Party's Carla Denyer and Reform UK's Nigel Farage, who accused Starmer of failing to address the root causes of illegal migration. The Conservatives also criticized Labour's approach, highlighting the cancellation...

Consumer advocacy publication Which? reports that Easter eggs are up to 50% more expensive this year, despite being smaller, due to a 16.4% rise in chocolate prices in the past year. The global cocoa crisis, with cocoa prices doubling since 2023, poor harvests in Ivory Coast and Ghana, and hedge fund speculation have contributed to the increase. Rising dairy costs, energy, transport expenses, and National Insurance hikes in the UK are also factors, with experts...

Netflix will be making the show "Adolescence" available to all secondary schools in the UK through Into Film+, accompanied by guides from healthy relationships charity Tender. The show, which addresses radicalization of a young boy by alt-right groups online, was supported by Keir Starmer and co-creators Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne. Thorne emphasized the importance of sparking conversations about online influence and violence among young people through the drama. Full Article