Starmer and Macron vow to put Ukraine ‘in strongest possible position’ before Trump becomes president

The Bank of England is expected to lower the UK's base interest rate from 4.75% to 4.5%, the lowest level in over 18 months, in an effort to boost the economy and provide relief for mortgage holders. This move comes after inflation unexpectedly fell to 2.5% in December, signaling a need for further stimulus to encourage spending and economic growth. The rate cut is anticipated to impact borrowing costs, particularly for mortgage holders with tracker...

The UK's base interest rate is expected to drop to its lowest level in over 18 months, with analysts predicting a cut from 4.75% to 4.5% by the Bank of England in its upcoming announcement on Thursday. This decrease is seen as a positive development for mortgage holders, as the base rate influences borrowing costs, including tracker mortgages. The potential rate cut comes amidst falling inflation rates and economic stagnation, with hopes that lower interest...

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is planning to tighten migration rules, requiring migrants to demonstrate a longer commitment to the UK before qualifying for indefinite leave to remain, from 5 to 10 years. Legal migrants must prove they have been "net contributors" to the economy for the past decade, covering their and their children's costs, while illegal migrants will be automatically disqualified from obtaining indefinite leave to remain, even if recognized as refugees. Full Article

Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have been advised by energy experts to prepare for potential cyber incidents, with Estonia especially emphasizing their seriousness by removing VPN access for external companies. Lithuania has implemented additional measures like anti-drone systems and physical barriers to safeguard their energy infrastructure, as Joe Marshall from Cisco's Talos division warns of Russia's capabilities to meddle in power grids. The Baltic states are gearing up for any worst-case scenarios, with a focus on...

Pets at Home has introduced the world's first meat-based dog treats made with cultivated meat called "Chick Bites," combining plant-based ingredients with lab-grown chicken to eliminate the need for animal raising and slaughter. The lab-grown chicken, developed by Meatly from a single egg cell sample, provides essential amino acids, fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins crucial for pet health while retaining the taste and nutritional value of traditional chicken breast. The UK approved Meatly's chicken for...

Your support of The Independent helps fund ground reporting on critical issues like reproductive rights, climate change, and Big Tech. Donations enable journalists to provide unbiased coverage for all Americans, regardless of political affiliation, without paywalls. A new report from the Resolution Foundation reveals ethnic minority families in the UK face higher housing costs and poorer living conditions, potentially due to discrimination and disparities in homeownership rates. Full Article