Baku, Astana discuss transit of Kazakh oil through Azerbaijan

Former culture secretary Sir John Whittingdale believes the BBC licence fee is no longer sustainable and needs to be replaced by an alternative form of funding due to the rise of streaming services like Netflix and Amazon. As the Labour government prepares for the next charter renewal, options such as advertising or a modified licence fee are being considered, including potentially requiring non-BBC viewers of streaming services to pay the fee. A report from Defund...

The Independent relies on reader support to cover stories ranging from reproductive rights to Big Tech, producing impactful documentaries like 'The A Word'. Donations enable them to send reporters to cover critical issues and maintain access to quality journalism for all. Despite denials, talks on reparations for the slave trade were rumored, sparking debate over acknowledging colonialist harm and the UK's stance on reparations. Bell Ribeiro-Addy emphasized the importance of discussing historic crimes and working...

Health minister Andrew Gwynne has been sacked for alleged "antisemitic" and "racist" comments made in a WhatsApp group, including remarks about a pensioner constituent and Labour MP Dianne Abbot, as well as sexist comments about deputy prime minister Angela Rayner. The prime minister is committed to upholding high standards of conduct in public office and has taken action against Mr Gwynne, who has also been suspended from the Labour Party pending investigation into the comments...

Polling expert professor Sir John Curtice has confirmed the legitimacy and potential sustainability of Reform's surge in popularity, attributing it to Labour's significant decline in support. Questions are arising within the Conservative party regarding Kemi Badenoch's leadership and Rachel Reeves' handling of economic issues. Nigel Farage's Reform UK has been leading in recent polls, with Techne UK's tracker showing a tie between Labour and Reform at 25 percent, while FindOutNow placed Reform at 29 percent,...

Labour MP Blair McDougall has issued a warning to Sir Keir Starmer as they lead protests against the UK government approving a new Chinese embassy in London, citing concerns over human rights abuses in China and breaches of agreements. McDougall, along with other MPs, will protest the proposed building, questioning the government's relationship with China amidst growing tensions with the US. The previous Tory government had blocked the embassy on security grounds, but following a...

In Overpelt, shops collaborated with WICO Campus students and the local advisory board to assess accessibility for those with mobility issues, with early findings showing simple fixes can improve access. Compliant businesses will be featured on the “On Wheels” app, and the local government plans to expand the study to other village centres in Pelt to make shopping and dining easier for everyone. Full Article