1 hour ago Voices: What is the fairest way to tax property in the UK? Join The Independent Debate

Readers are divided over the fairness of proposed reforms to UK property taxes, debating whether they tackle unearned wealth or unfairly penalise ordinary homeowners

Society

3 h. ago Can a nation in crisis rely on the baby boomer generation to step up? I think the UK is about to find out | Phillip Inman

A raid on property wealth and pensions is being signalled by the Treasury, and it has sound reasons for doing just thatDear baby boomer, the government is coming for you and your store of wealth. The property and pensions built up over the past 40 to 50 years are, for the first time, in play. The triple lock on the state pension might be guaranteed, at least for the time being, but for the wealthier boomer, it looks like their private assets are being laid out on a chopping board, ready to be carved like a Sunday roast and fed to hungry government departments starved of funds for almost two decades.These are desperate times and taxing the wealthy is a desperate measure. No government wants to do it. If you tax the rich, they might fly away in their private jets. That’s happened in Norway, one of the few European countries to retain a wealth tax. It’s true that older middle-income voters are more likely to stay put, but they also have a tendency to vote with their self-interest in mi...

Events

4 h. ago In Norway we see ourselves as ethically virtuous – so why is our oil wealth enabling genocide? | Sindre Bangstad

With an election looming, will politicians finally listen to the majority of citizens, who want to divest from Israeli arms companies?Oil has made Norway extremely rich. We have the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund, which was established with petroleum revenues in 1990. Headed by the wealthy banker and art investor Nicolai Tangen, the Government Pension Fund Global (GPFG), has a current value of more than 20 239bn Norwegian kroner (£1.4tr). With holdings in about 8,500 companies in 69 different countries, it is the largest single investor in the world.Norway also purports to have a human-rights-based foreign policy, and the sovereign wealth fund is supposed to adhere to a set of ethical guidelines. Companies may be excluded if there is a risk that they contribute to or are responsible for serious human rights violations, or are involved in the sale of weapons to states that violate international law in armed conflicts. A Council on Ethics makes recommendations about exclusions ...

Politics

7 h. ago Trump has bought up $100 million in bonds from biggest companies including T

Presidents aren’t required to divest potentially conflicted assets, but most except for Trump have anyway

Politics

14 h. ago Crystal Palace, take heart: Conference League offers story of English success

While Oliver Glasner’s side have a clear shot at glory, the health of the competition as a whole is up for debateIt is hard to imagine Uefa will be spared the wrath of Selhurst Park when Crystal Palace begin Conference League life there on Thursday night. A red-letter event in the club’s history has been soured by their demotion from the Europa League and the sight of Norway’s cup winners, Fredrikstad, mid-table in the Eliteserien, lining up against Oliver Glasner’s players will hardly lend itself to a sense of glamour.For all the burning sense of injustice, there is a clear upside for Palace. They will probably never have a better chance of European success if history and raw numbers are measures to go by. Any Premier League club should start as hot favourites to win the continent’s third-tier competition, such is their financial advantage over all of the contenders. That status has been justified in two of its four editions and there is inspiration to be taken from the scenes of j...

Politics

16 h. ago Splitsville review – open marriage comedy is a silly, scrappy and sex

Dakota Johnson leads a raucous look at two couples exploring ethical non-monogamy in a messy yet entertaining rideIf you have spent any time on a dating app in hetero-world, you’ve probably encountered the type: enthusiastic, communicative, “partnered” with someone but “open” and very eager to talk about it. Or, rather, explain it – how it works, what the rules are, why it’s right for them. There is, of course, nothing inherently wrong with ethical non-monogamy – actually, there can be a lot right – nor should there be any universal expectations of romantic relationships besides mutual respect. But the reputation of ENMs in the straight dating world, however rightly earned, is suspect: expected condescension, mutually projected emotional superiority. Perhaps right in principle but also often annoying, and thus ripe for comedic skewering.Enter Splitsville, a new so-called “unromantic comedy” from longtime friends and writing partners Kyle Marvin and Michael Angelo Covino about a four...

Politics

16 h. ago Google Gemini upgrades add more autonomous AI to phones and watches

From anticipating useful data from your digital life to improving your photography, chatbot makes advancesGoogle’s latest Gemini AI upgrades attempt to anticipate what useful information you made need from your life to address a potential issue, make you to better photographer or become your personalised health and sleep coach.Shipping on the just-announced Pixel 10 Android phones, the new Magic Cue feature enables the chatbot to comb through your digital life and pull up relevant information on your phone just when you need it. Continue reading...

Technology

16 h. ago Google launches Pixel 10 with AI tools that anticipate users’ needs

Gemini’s new Magic Cue feature allows chatbot to scan digital life and pull up relevant informationGoogle’s latest Gemini AI upgrades attempt to anticipate what useful information you made need from your life to address a potential issue, make you to better photographer or become your personalised health and sleep coach.Shipping on the just-announced Pixel 10 Android phones, the new Magic Cue feature enables the chatbot to comb through your digital life and pull up relevant information on your phone just when you need it. Continue reading...

Politics

19 h. ago Kneecap rapper brands terror charge 'distraction to genocide' as he bids for criminal case to end

Hundreds of Kneecap supporters turned out for the hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court

Events

21 h. ago Crown Prince Haakon breaks silence after stepson Marius Borg Høiby was charged with four counts of rape

The future king of Norway, Crown Prince Haakon, spoke to Norwegian outlet NRK after his stepson, Marius Borg Høiby, was charged with four counts of rape and 28 other crimes on Monday.

Politics

22 h. ago NYX launches new Wednesday makeup range with a 'mysterious' colour

To celebrate the new season of Wednesday launching on Netflix, NYX has launched a brand new makeup collection that includes a 'mysterious' £9 colour-changing lip oil

Politics

22 h. ago NYX's new Wednesday range features a 'mysterious' £9 colour changing lip oil

NYX has just dropped its new Wednesday collection to mark the brand new season of the hit Netflix show, and it includes a ‘mysterious’ £9 colour-changing lip oil

Economics

22 h. ago New plans to help unemployed and disabled Scots find and stay in work

Three pilot projects will share £228,000 of Scottish Government funding to enable people with diverse needs.

Politics

23 h. ago Hosting this bank holiday weekend? Waitrose Cellar's 25% off wine deal is back

SHOPPING: The Waitrose mix-and-match offer enables you to save a whopping 25 per cent when you buy six or more bottle of wine and champagne over £6.

Economics

23 h. ago Common kitchen ingredient 'may reduce cholesterol and help heart health'

Ginger is not only a zesty addition to both sweet and savoury dishes, but boasts a wealth of medicinal properties, including the ability to slash cholesterol levels and support heart health among others

Events

23 h. ago NATO war planes scrambled for second day after latest Russian attack on Ukraine

The attack on oil and port facilities in Izmail, Odesa, was less than one mile from NATO territory.

Events

23 h. ago Home Bargains slashes £28 night oil for 'deep, restful sleep' to £2

The discount retailer has reduced the price of the 'replenishing' and 'restoring' £28 oil

Economics

24 h. ago NATO scrambles war planes for second day following devastating attack on Ukraine

The attack on oil and port facilities in Izmail, Odesa, was less than one mile from NATO territory - and has cast major doubt on Vladimir Putin's commitment to securing peace in the region

Events

25 h. ago Paul Weller sues accountant firm for 'discriminating against him' after it stopped working with him 'for saying Israel is committing genocide in Gaza'

Paul Weller, 67, filed the discrimination suit against Harris and Trotter after the business cut ties with him after 30 years in March, according to a pre-action letter.

Economics

28 h. ago Europe’s rich are watching Norway’s election debate on wealth taxes

Changes to taxation are at the heart of the centre-right’s attempts to retake power in Norway

Politics