Met Office issues woolly jumpers alert as Arctic blast brings plummeting temperatures

UK house prices reached a new record average high of £299,138 in January, with a 0.7 per cent month-on-month increase. Annual growth slowed to three per cent, the slowest rate since July 2024, following a market-wide decrease in December. Halifax's head of mortgages, Amanda Bryden, noted the recovery as a positive sign, despite affordability challenges, with strong demand for new mortgages and growth in lending. Full Article

Merz expressed disapproval of interference in Germany's elections by individuals in Trump's circle, amidst accusations of election interference and extremism normalization. Additionally, he emphasized Germany's resistance to potential tariffs on European goods by the U.S., stating Europe would retaliate if necessary. Concerns were also raised regarding U.S. support for Ukraine, with Merz aiming to convince the U.S. government of the importance of backing Ukraine, highlighting the need for an open discussion with Trump. Full Article

Yellow cold health alerts have been issued across the UK as a cold snap approaches, with warnings in place for the northeast, southwest Yorkshire, and the southeast until Tuesday. The colder weather may increase healthcare service use by vulnerable individuals, with temperatures dropping to -7C in some areas. Despite predictions of rain, sleet, and some snow, the Met Office does not anticipate significant disruptions, with drier conditions expected further west and north. Full Article

Your support helps The Independent to report on critical issues like reproductive rights, climate change, and Big Tech, providing unbiased coverage. Kosovo goes to the polls in a parliamentary election to test Prime Minister Albin Kurti's popularity, with Vetevendosje! expected to lead but coalition government likely. The EU and US are urging Kosovo to engage in normalization talks with Serbia to ease tensions and promote integration paths. Full Article

According to a recent study by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), up to 70% of tasks in computer-based jobs could be transformed or replaced by AI, with jobs in project management, marketing, and administrative support being the most affected. The report highlights the need for greater government intervention in AI policy to address the implications of powerful AI, rather than just focusing on accelerating AI uptake and safety. The study found that AI...

A new study from Kings College London reveals that a third of people believe asexuality can be “cured” through therapy, highlighting misconceptions around the sexual orientation. Asexual individuals, who experience little to no sexual attraction, face ignorance and intolerance about their orientation, with 26% of respondents believing they just haven’t met the right person yet and 11% denying the existence of asexual people. Asexual activist Yasmin Benoit, a co-author of the study, expressed that these...