As Finland seizes Russian ship, Estonia launches naval patrols – POLITICO

Sir Keir Starmer faces backlash over proposed "tractor tax" as TUC general secretary Paul Nowak expresses concerns about the impact on family farms, urging the Labour leader to justify the controversial inheritance tax change. Nowak criticizes chancellor Rachel Reeves' tax plans, highlighting worries about small farmers and companies struggling with national insurance contributions. Tory MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown agrees with Nowak, warning of the potentially damaging effects of Labour's tax increases on family farms. Full...

New figures show that there are 74 assaults per day in jails in England and Wales, with a total of 26,912 assault incidents in 2023, including 3,205 serious assaults. Nearly 10,000 assaults were on staff, with 825 deemed serious. The most violent prison was HMP Wandsworth, where over half of the 1,044 total assaults were on staff. Full Article

Airline passengers at Gatwick, Heathrow, and Manchester airports faced severe delays and cancellations due to thick fog, with most flights delayed by over two hours. Manchester airport experienced significant delays, with flights to various destinations delayed by over four hours. Air traffic control provider Nats implemented temporary restrictions to ensure safety, working closely with airports and airlines to minimize disruption caused by the chaotic weather conditions. Full Article

Tim Darby, brother of murder victim Robert, accuses the justice system of failing as an "innocent man" remains imprisoned for 12 years following Robert's fatal stabbing in London. Jason Moore was convicted of the 2005 murder based on eyewitness identification, but Tim believes in his innocence and has been advocating for his release. In an open letter to authorities, Tim asserts that Jason's wrongful imprisonment dishonors his brother's memory and highlights systemic failures within the...

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has dissolved the Bundestag, setting the stage for early elections on February 23 following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition government, with the conservative CDU leading in the polls. The election campaign is heated, focusing on the struggling economy, migration, and the Magdeburg Christmas Market attack, with Germany's political future at a crossroads as the country faces a potential shift to the right or a more centrist path forward. Full...

Your support enables The Independent to cover important stories like reproductive rights, climate change, and Big Tech, with a commitment to factual reporting. Donations help fund journalists to provide balanced coverage and ensure quality journalism is accessible to all. A recent incident involving a suspicious item on a beach in Cumbria turned out to be a harmless loudspeaker, highlighting the importance of public safety measures in handling such situations. Full Article