Liverpool
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Man killed by falling tree as Storm Boelo leaves 160,000 properties without power
An amber wind warning will remain until Sunday evening as severe weather continues to batter the UK.
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Nicki Minaj shares Air Force One video as Trump hints at new press secretary
Nicki Minaj shared a video from aboard Air Force One, the US president's official aircraft, as Donald Trump departed for Port Huron, Michigan, on the midterm campaign trail. (October 25) The rapper publicly began supporting Trump in 2025 and was then welcomed to the White House in July 2026. White House director of communications Steven Chueng also shared a video of the singer on board the aircraft, as he teased she could be the president’s next press secretary. Sharing the video on X, he said: “I think we may have found the new White House Press Secretary!” The post comes after the White House announced Katie Zacharia was leaving the role last week, just days after taking up the post.
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Two men killed by falling trees as Storm Boelo batters UK with 84mph winds
Footage showed floodwater coursing through a Scottish town, while A roads were closed, train lines blocked and hundreds of thousands of homes were left without power
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Israel votes in first election since 7 October attacks and Gaza war
Israelis will head to the polls on Tuesday (27 October) in the first election since the 7 October attacks and subsequent wars in Gaza, Iran and Lebanon. Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a big challenge from former army chief Gadi Eisenkot, with neither expected to secure a parliamentary majority. But would a change in leadership bring peace in the region? Both candidates oppose an independent Palestinian state, and support continued Israeli security control over Palestinian territories. The Independent’s chief international correspondent Bel Trew reports.
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Storm Boelo: warnings in place in Scotland, Northern Ireland and north of England as high winds batter UK
Met Office reports gusts of 80mph in exposed coastal spots and advises people in affected areas to stay indoors
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Storm Boelo latest: Thousands without power as 80mph winds batter UK
Ferry and train services have also been halted as Storm Boelo hurtles towards UK bringing heavy rain and gales
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Storm Boelo: Travel disrupted and events cancelled as UK hit by wind and rain
Fresh deluge of wet weather comes after Storm Austen brought strong winds to many regions on Friday
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New clothing brand rooted in prophetic tradition launches in Bradford
A menswear brand rooted in prophetic tradition is making its mark on Bradford and the northern fashion scene.
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Defra ignores calls to relax controlled burning rules despite wildfires summit
Andy Burnham held a Wildfire Resilience Summit, but would not change the rules around controlled burning.
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North Yorkshire better prepared for next major wildfire, says mayor
NORTH Yorkshire would be in a much stronger position to tackle another major wildfire following lessons learned from the devastating Fylingdales blaze last year, Mayor David Skaith has said.
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Burnham suggests stocking up on tinned food and bottled water
The prime ministers says unexpected events seem to be becoming more common and it was wise to prepare.
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North Yorkshire better prepared for next major wildfire, says mayor
NORTH Yorkshire would be in a much stronger position to tackle another major wildfire following lessons learned from the devastating Fylingdales blaze last year, Mayor David Skaith has said.
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The great Ballon d'Or campaign - a race for football's biggest individual prize
The Ballon d'Or is football's greatest individual accolade - and the thirst to win it has grown in recent years.
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Why driving through floodwaters can be deadly – and when to turn the car around
In England alone, there have been several high-profile deaths in recent years
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White House ballroom construction progress seen in aerial footage
Donald Trump’s administration has released aerial footage showing the construction progress on the White House ballroom. Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino shared the video on X, which he said was filmed from Marine One during a flyover on the president’s journey to Joint Base Andrews. The original East Wing of the White House was demolished in October 2025 to make way for the 90,000-square-foot facility, proceeding without congressional authorization. Trump has defended the project, arguing it will offer a secure location for state visits, official ceremonies and inaugurations. In February 2025, the ballroom’s cost was estimated at $100m. The figure later rose to $250m and has since grown to $600m.
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Lord Dave McCobb: 'It’s an outrage, and our part of Yorkshire deserves better'
Less than a minute will be shaved off rail journeys between Hull and Leeds following a £1bn investment in battery-electric trains, which could take until the end of 2034 to deliver, it has emerged.
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Prime Minister Andy Burnham to make surprise Channel 4 show appearance tonight
Prime Minister Andy Burnham will feature on Gogglebox tonight with the Mayor of Liverpool, Steve Rotheram.
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Are Man Utd the unmanageable club?
The cycle of doom that has engulfed every Manchester United manager since Sir Alex Ferguson now has Michael Carrick in its unforgiving grip, writes Phil McNulty.
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Edinburgh diners offered cashback at independent restaurants through new app
Edinburgh diners have a chance to get up to 100 cashback on meals at 35+ independent restaurants with Shuffle, a £2.99-a-month app.
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Frustration in East Yorkshire over rail connectivity needs to be addressed
Yorkshire has long been held back by poor public transport and the public here is not willing to accept token gestures to improve the network. The Government won’t get away with trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the electorate.
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Streeting tackled over ‘be-ready’ plan in Question Time ‘scaremongering’ debate
Wes Streeting defended the government’s campaign urging the public to prepare themselves for emergencies. The defence secretary told BBC Question Time that he wants people to be “alert but not alarmed”, adding there was a not a “specific thing” in mind when it comes to potential emergency incidents, but said the advice might help during power cuts or if a local shop is subject to a cyberattack. Put to him by an audience member that it could be “scaremongering” and push people towards panic buying like during the Covid-19 pandemic, he said: “We did have this debate though, just to reassure … because we want people to be alert but not alarmed, and the truth is we looked around the rest of Europe, ‘what are our friends doing across the continent?’ “They are way ahead of us on some of this stuff. So actually, my reaction as Defence Secretary wasn’t, ‘Is this the right thing to do?’ It’s ‘why haven’t we done this before, and why are we playing catch up compared to lots of other European countries’?”
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Streeting cites Churchill after Trump envoy calls Putin ‘humanitarian’
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said there is a “clear line between appeasement and a peace process” after Donald Trump’s chief negotiator on the Ukraine war described Vladimir Putin as a “humanitarian”. Speaking on BBC Newsnight on Thursday (22 October), the defence secretary said: “I understand when people are undertaking, you know, the path of diplomacy, that sometimes you might feel the need to be gracious to the host sitting in front of you. “But I’ve got to say there is a very clear line between appeasement and a peace process, we should be in no doubt that Vladimir Putin is a cold-blooded killer.” Asked if he was saying this is appeasement by the US, he said: “I’m saying don’t feed the crocodile”. The phrase refers back to a comment Winston Churchill made on neutral nations during the early stages of the Second World War, most commonly cited as “an appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last”.
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Fahnbulleh says she backs home secretary on migration after comments to journalists
Energy secretary says she "didn't get it right" over comments she made about a TV interview.
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Andy Burnham to become first prime minister to join Celebrity Gogglebox
Labour leader was filmed in 10 Downing Street alongside his old friend Steve Rotheram, the mayor of Liverpool
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Burnham to become first PM to appear on Gogglebox in episode filmed at No 10
The PM is heard having a long discussion about crisps in the trailer to the show, which is in aid of Stand Up To Cancer
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Blackpool, Sheffield, Milton Keynes and Wrexham shortlisted for UK city of culture 2029
Each place, selected from longlist of nine, will be given £125,000 to develop bids before winner is announced in new year
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Trump says Google refused request to rename Atlantic ‘American Ocean’
Donald Trump has claimed that Google has turned down his request to rename the Atlantic Ocean the “American Ocean.” The US president told supporters at a rally in South Carolina on Wednesday (21 October) that the company’s CEO, Sundar Pichai, had refused his suggestion. Trump says he called Pichai, who told him, "Oceans are different, sir. You know, they cover, they cover a lot of, they cover really a lot of countries." "So I'll probably pass... I think let's keep it the Atlantic Ocean, right? Pacific Ocean, we're gonna call it the American Ocean,” Trump added.
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Scotland risks losing investment over rates burden, boss of leading jeweller warns
ROX managing director Kyron Keogh warns Scotland risks losing investment to England amid concerns over business rates
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Tour de France 2027 UK stages in detail: Where will you stand?
The full route for the 2027 Tour de France is announced in Paris, with street-by-street details of the six stages in the UK revealed.
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Calls to cut DWP State Pension Age to 65 to free up jobs grow
The campaign wants the state pension age reduced to 65 for everyone, and is close to the threshold for parliamentary debate.
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Calls to cut DWP State Pension Age to 65 to free up jobs grow
The campaign wants the state pension age reduced to 65 for everyone, and is close to the threshold for parliamentary debate.
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Fury of French youth explodes across borders: Bel Trew unpacks the chaos
Battles near the Louvre, graffiti over Place de la République, protests along the Champs-Élysées, and shopkeepers trying to fight off looters and plumes of tear gas. Long-standing fury from youth in France has exploded into these fiery scenes. Rage has spread across borders, with protests erupting in Italy, Spain, Portugal and Albania. Why is this happening, and what does it mean? The Independent's Chief International Correspondent unpacks the chaos as more protests are planned.
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Trump’s special envoy tells Vladimir Putin he is a ‘humanitarian’
Steve Witkoff, the United States’ special envoy, lauded Russian autocrat Vladimir Putin as a “humanitarian” for releasing a “wrongfully detained” American as Moscow continued bombing civilians in Ukraine. “You talk so much about my president, President Trump, being a humanitarian. You are a humanitarian also, sir, and I salute that, I commend you, and I thank you again,” said Witkoff in a clip posted by Russian state media as he met with Putin in St Petersburg. Witkoff is continuing attempts to bring Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table, after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday (October 20). On Wednesday, Russia released 74-year-old teacher Stephen James Hubbard, who had been held for four years over claims he was a Ukrainian mercenary. Russia has continued its bombing of Ukraine, killing 328 civilians in September alone.
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Why Manchester City fans boo the Premier League and Champions League anthems
The cacophony of boos that greet the Premier League and Champions League anthems before kick-off have now become a fixture at Etihad Stadium.
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Race for crucial midterms attracting vast sums of money on both sides
Billionaire Michael Bloomberg is spending $80m to help Democratic candidates, while Trump has promised Republicans $400m
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Strictly Come Dancing star set for exciting new career move away from BBC show
Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas is reportedly set to appear as a judge on Dancing With The Stars.
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In The Room
France is reeling after a weekend of unrest that escalated dramatically. Hundreds of thousands marched peacefully, but elsewhere shops were looted, cars burned, police attacked and public buildings set alight. What began with schoolchildren furious about missing teachers, crumbling classrooms and a system they believe is failing them quickly became something much bigger. People of all ages joined demonstrations driven by anger over the cost of living, deteriorating public services and a future that feels increasingly out of reach. With France approaching a presidential election, the unrest exposes a deeper political crisis. But this is not just a French story. Across Europe, established parties are struggling to retain the confidence of increasingly disillusioned electorates. And Britain has experienced its own moments when public anger has spilled into violence. Helen MacNamara, who was inside government during the 2011 riots and has attended countless COBR meetings, examines what happens when governments begin to lose control of the streets, and what France's crisis might tell us about the pressures building closer to home. New episodes of In The Room come out weekly. Listen to the latest on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or watch on YouTube.
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Tommy Robinson voicemail left on Daily Mail journalist’s phone played in court
Audio of a voicemail Tommy Robinson left on a Daily Mail journalist’s phone has been played to jurors at Southwark Crown Court. The 43-year-old, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is on trial for allegedly harassing journalists Jacob Dirnhuber and Andrew Young, causing them fear of violence, in August 2024 after they worked on a story about him while he was on holiday in Cyprus. The voicemail, released by the Metropolitan Police and played in court on Tuesday (20 October), was left on Ted Verity’s phone. It said: “If it’s legitimate journalism then expect me to come knocking,” adding: “I’ve already located every f****** one of you.” Mr Yaxley-Lennon entered not guilty pleas to two charges of harassment causing fear of violence in July last year.
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UK gives green light to controversial North Sea gas project
The Shell Group, one of the project's co-developers, predicts the field can produce around 6.5% of the UK’s gas production at its peak.
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'It is deeply concerning' - Bradford being one of hardest places to grow up in
The other areas in the bottom ten are Middlesbrough, Hounslow, Nottingham, Halton, Peterborough, Leicester, Liverpool, Sunderland and Medway.
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Man ordered to pay more than £2,000 for act after getting parking ticket
A man was ordered to pay £2,270 in fines and costs after he threw a parking fine notice on the ground in Cornwall. Stephen Lang, of St Martins Crescent, Camborne, was found guilty of littering at Exchequer Quay car park in Penryn on 20 November 2025. The court heard that the 58-year-old was issued with a penalty charge notice after his vehicle was found parked outside a marked bay. Lang approached the officer and challenged the notice before removing it from the vehicle and throwing it to the ground. The officer picked up the notice and placed it back on the vehicle before Lang removed it again and threw it in her direction. Lang was issued with a £250 Fixed Penalty Notice for littering, which he failed to pay despite a reminder. He was ordered to pay a £250 fine, £1920.90 in costs and a £100 victim surcharge.
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Albanian police deploy water cannons as protests hit seventh day
Albanian police deployed water cannons as protests continued into their seventh day on Monday (19 October). Officers responded with tear gas after demonstrators hurled rocks at them. Protesters also attacked government buildings and lit fires. Violence has erupted after high school and university students mobilised in a broader anti-government movement calling for prime minister Edi Rama to resign. It comes as thousands of rioters in France were arrested during the weekend’s widespread protests, with justice minister. Violence has also been seen in other parts of Europe, with similar incidents in Belgium and Italy.
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How to watch Liverpool vs Villarreal: Live Streams, Team News & TV Channels for Champions League 2026/27
The Reds will seek to maintain their perfect record in Europe this season
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Democrat zings Hegseth when asked if she’ll quit drinking if elected
The Democratic candidate who went viral for her “drunk” and belligerent local TV interview took a shot at Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after being asked if she’d quit drinking if she were elected. Jaime West, who is running for a seat on the Fayette County Council in Indiana, appeared on Piers Morgan Uncensored, where she claimed she drank only three beers before her now-infamous appearance, during which she warned Republicans, “we have guns too.” When Morgan asked if West would quit drinking if her long-shot bid for the council seat was successful, she replied, “I don't know. Why don't you ask Pete Hegseth, who is drinking whiskey as he's running an illegal war?” Morgan and guest Ben Ferguson pointed out that Hegseth had vowed not to drink during his time in Trump’s cabinet.
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Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr back new Beatles attraction
The surviving Beatles have welcomed plans for an immersive visitor experience in Liverpool.
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The ‘hardest places to grow up’ in England laid bare in landmark report
Children’s Commissioner for England Dame Rachel de Souza warned of a ‘state of emergency’ in certain communities
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We’re not backing away from Jackdaw and Rosebank decisions, says Andy Burnham
The PM was speaking during a visit to Motherwell.
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Government being ‘cautious’ about public announcements on Jackdaw and Rosebank
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander also dismissed John Swinney’s claim GB Energy has so far done ‘absolutely nothing’.
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A greater part of Andy Burnham’s credibility rests on delivering better railways for the whole of the North - Andrew Vine
The dismal saga of let-downs over better transport for Yorkshire has now become so long that I’ve lost track of just when the various promises were broken.
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How do we support ketamine users when their needs are so different?
For the last two years Megan has been in agony and unable to stand straight because of her ketamine use.
