News & Politics
-
Video. Jonathan the tortoise, the world’s oldest living land animal
Video. At around 194 years old, Jonathan is the world’s oldest living land animal and the oldest tortoise ever recorded.
-
AI or ‘super intelligence’? Trump isn’t the only one who is confused
US President Donald Trump has declared that artificial intelligence should now be called “super intelligence”. Columnist Jacob Aron explains where that term came from and explores whether its many historical meanings apply today
-
County Durham mine water scheme now heats 750 homes with green energy
Hundreds of families in County Durham are benefiting from a pioneering green energy scheme that uses warm water from disused coal mines to heat their homes.
-
Much-loved Darlington steampunk festival cancelled for 2027 in 'sad' announcement
A much-loved steampunk festival bringing colourful costumes, traders and Victorian-inspired entertainment to a historic Darlington attraction has been cancelled for 2027.
-
Fighting Cock pub incident - Police launch investigation
Officers were called to The Fighting Cock pub, after a burglary was reported.
-
Why the search warrants were deemed unlawful and what happens next?
Special correspondent Lucy Manning explains why the Hight Court has ruled that search warrants used to search Mr Mountbatten-Windsor's home were unlawful.
-
What happened to the woman who beat Trump to the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize?
María Corina Machado was forced to flee her home country but has not been able to return despite the U.S. removing president Nicolas Maduro from power. Jessie Williams reports on her supporters’ hopes she will one day come back to lead them
-
Media attorneys ask court for help in preventing White House ban until legal case is resolved
An attorney for three news organizations is telling a federal judge that the Trump administration must be prevented from barring their reporters from the White House
-
The horrors in Ukraine seem to be fading from our front pages
ALL war is horrific. Perhaps in our love of war stories, of our brave men who fought in the first and second world wars, we glorify it, but the sheer horror of it is being felt on a daily basis by the civilians of Ukraine.
-
Farage opens door to Reform-Tories post-election pact
The Clacton MP said a pact before the next election is ‘extremely unlikely’, but added: ‘After an election, who’s to say?’
-
Outrage as Star Hobson’s mum Frankie Smith is released from prison on licence
An MP is incensed that Star Hobson’s mother has been released from prison six years after the toddler’s death.
-
Oil prices surge on worries of shipping attacks and Gulf of Mexico hurricane
The price of Brent crude oil increased by about 5% on Thursday to 105 dollars per barrel.
-
WTO raises merchandise trade growth forecast to 3.9% as AI boom offsets hit from Middle East
The World Trade Organization is sharply increasing its forecast for global merchandise trade growth this year to 3.9%
-
Schoolgirl told teacher 'Sir, I've been stabbed', court hears
The girl told police there was "blood all over my hands" following the attack, a court hears.
-
Tom Gordon MP writes to Government after official investigation triggered by allegations at Harrogate army college
Harrogate’s MP has signed a joint letter to the Defence Secretary outlining concerns over “incredibly serious” abuse allegations at army colleges and the terms of a new inquiry.
-
US newlyweds tour Croatia after fans photobomb their wedding shoot
It began with a hijacked wedding photo shoot and turned into a very unexpected but exciting trip across the world
-
Man detained in secure hospital after Shildon armed police stand off
A man in his 50s has been detained in a secure hospital after allegedly attacking police with a hammer before barricading himself inside a Shildon home.
-
Warrants used to search Andrew's homes were unlawful, court says
A criminal investigation into the former prince continues and police have retained material seized from his homes.
-
Israel’s downgrading of UK consulate aims to tighten its hold on Jerusalem
Consulate targeted in sanctions spat has unusual diplomatic status that clashes with Israel’s ambitions to fully annex the city
-
(S+) "Exploited State Secrets for Profit": German Intelligence Rocked by Espionage Arrest of Former Chief
The arrest of ex-BND chief August Hanning has sent shockwaves through the intelligence world. Yet Hanning’s dubious consulting work was no secret. Does German intelligence have a systemic problem?
-
Army identifies systemic failures behind DC midair collision and calls for safety fixes
A U.S. Army report has highlighted the many systemic breakdowns that led to last year’s midair collision between an American Airlines jet and a Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C.
-
Iran strikes tankers outside Hormuz in signs of expanding campaign
Two commercial vessels were hit within 24 hours — one off Qatar, the first attack in that area in six months, and one off Fujairah in the Gulf of Oman — as IRGC-affiliated outlets suggested Tehran had extended operations beyond the crucial strait.
-
Germany's fractious ruling coalition hails 'constructive' talks
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's fractious and increasingly unpopular coalition said Thursday they had held positive talks aimed at settling numerous disputes that have hampered their governing agenda.
-
Republican states label abortion drugs as ‘public nuisance’ in effort to block access
Nearly half of US states have banned or severely restricted abortion access since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022
-
Video. Manny Pacquiao hosts Polish president Karol Nawrocki for Manila boxing workout
Video. Polish President Karol Nawrocki trains in Manila with boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, who now leads the Philippines’ National Anti-Poverty Commission.
-
Top bosses at Goldman Sachs to share bonus pot worth up to $500m
Eye-watering sum, to be split between 20 bankers, is one of the biggest payouts in the bank’s history
-
AI tool used in thousands of asylum claims failing basic accuracy tests
Exclusive: MPs, charities and rights group warn that accuracy should not be sacrificed for speed in ‘life and death’ asylum decisions
-
Israel promotes film that mimics NAZA documentary
Embassies post links to hastily produced online film echoing style of real Guardian documentary about mass killings of Gaza civilians
-
Thousands to march in Madrid after death of evicted pensioner Maricarmen
Rally to remember woman, 87, whose rent battle with investment firm triggered nationwide protests over housing crisis
-
We’ll protect Troubles military veterans, cabinet minister promises
Exclusive: Following revelations about the role of special forces in Northern Ireland as revealed in The Independent’s podcast ‘SAS: The Shadow War’, Sir Chris Bryant says his government is committed to protecting veterans
-
Trump says US will not resume military strikes on Iran before the Nov. 3 midterm elections
Trump says US will not resume military strikes on Iran before the Nov. 3 midterm elections
-
JD Vance wants to win over the manosphere by tackling ‘anti-male discrimination’
Manosphere figures and Republican insiders are divided over whether Vance, 42, is the right man for the job
-
Venezuela's ex-leader Nicolás Maduro charged with conspiracy to commit torture
The new accusations relate to the alleged torture of US citizens held in Venezuela while Maduro was in power.
-
Birmingham Airport unveils £2bn plan for 30 million passengers
The first stage of development, upgrading baggage systems and terminals, could start in 2027.
-
Why was the sign at the British consulate in East Jerusalem removed?
The consulate, first established in 1838, was set to be closed by the Israeli government in retaliation for UK sanctions.
-
Tonda Eckert: Southampton coach on Spygate experience
Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert says the Spygate scandal is an experience that has changed his life.
-
Video. “I settled eight wars”: Trump says he deserves Nobel Peace Prize
Video. Donald Trump says he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his efforts to resolve international conflicts.
-
Moscow’s secrecy about a suspected plague case follows a pattern from the Soviet era
The Kremlin has long maintained a culture of secrecy when it comes to controlling public information, especially involving accidents -- from industrial disasters to health emergencies
-
Mapped: Cost to rent a room across UK as average price hits record high
Renting in the capital is becoming impossible for many, experts warn
-
Dashcam captures moment police stop traffic on A1(M) near Darlington to sting BMW
This is the dramatic moment police brought traffic on the A1(M) near Darlington to a standstill after deploying a stinger device on a BMW.
-
Trump declares anyone who uses the term Artificial Intelligence to be ‘The Enemy!’
President’s latest outburst comes as his push to rebrand the emerging technology increasingly falls flat
-
Singapore Grand Prix: George Russell says he will take another grid penalty this season
George Russell says he will be taking a further grid penalty this season in addition to the one he has been hit with for the Singapore Grand Prix.
-
Plans to link wind farm powering 3m homes to East Durham coast advance
Seaham residents are being urged to share their views on a route to bring electricity ashore from a major wind farm.
-
Drought: groundwater levels in France remain very low
France's groundwater levels remain deeply worrying at the start of October: two-thirds of monitoring sites are below normal and 81% are still falling. The autumn recharge, vital to rebuild reserves, has yet to get under way.
-
Death of 87-year-old Maricarmen is reenergizing Spain's protests to stop evictions
María del Carmen Abascal had spent most of her life quietly residing in the apartment her family had rented decades before in downtown Madrid
-
Reform UK council leader: Vote of no-confidence call over 'invaders' comments
The Reform UK council leader said she believes there are people who are “invading our country”.
-
Strawberry farmer hopes steam holds the key to healthy soil and a better crop
California strawberry farmers have applied steam to fields as an alternative to chemical fumigants used to kill soil-borne diseases
-
RECAP - Road clears after A19 multi-vehicle crash near Seaham
Drivers are facing lengthy delays after a crash on the A19 near Seaham.
-
Curtis Flowers, a Black man whose death sentence was tossed by Supreme Court, dies in Mississippi
Curtis Flowers, a Black man who spent more than 22 years in prison and was on death row in Mississippi before the U.S. Supreme Court threw out his conviction and death sentence, has died
-
Astronaut Sophie Adenot returns to Earth after record space mission
Sophie Adenot left the International Space Station on Wednesday after an eight-month stay, the longest by a European astronaut, and splashed down on Thursday at around 5.30 pm with three fellow crew members.
