2 h. ago Voices: ‘The system is broken’: Independent readers divided over plans for ‘postcode lottery’ energy pricing

Our community share their views on ‘zonal pricing’ for electricity – from concerns about a ‘postcode lottery’ and higher bills in the South, to the potential benefits for Scotland's renewable energy sector

Politics

19 h. ago Pope Francis mourners BANNED from taking pictures after outrageous behaviour

Mourners seeing Pope Francis lying in state have been banned from taking pictures after thousands of people held phones aloft while paying their respects to the pontiff at St Peter's Basilica

Events

21 h. ago Voices: Addiction, misinformation and bullying: Why Independent readers want phones banned in classrooms

With most Independent readers supporting a school smartphone ban, the overwhelming consensus was that phones are too distracting – though many believe deeper issues like parenting, education, and online safety must also be addressed

Events

28 h. ago Japanese city to restrict how old people use ATMs in bid to stop scams

Osaka, one of Japan’s hardest-hit regions by phone-based fraud, has become the first city to implement strict measures to protect the elderly

Politics

38 h. ago Phone ‘sim farms’ set to be banned in major UK scam crackdown

Home Office says recent data showed fraud now accounts for more than 40 per cent of all reported crime in England and Wales

Events

69 h. ago NHS gives deadline ending this week ahead of May Day bank holiday amid 'serious consequences' warning

Each bank holiday, the NHS 111 phone service sees huge increases in calls from people who need urgent help because they haven't met the deadline, said the health service

Events

2 d. ago Voices: ‘Church offers a sense of community’: Independent readers have their say on Gen Z’s turn to Christianity

Our community share their views on Gen Z’s growing interest in Christianity – from hope that young people are seeking meaning and community, to concerns over the rise of politicised religion and fear of faith being used for control

Politics

3 d. ago Voices: Should smartphones be banned in schools? Join The Independent Debate

Many schools and parents are pushing to ban smartphones for teens, arguing they're harmful to mental health and learning, while others see it as an oversimplified fix to deeper issues

Events

3 d. ago Last year, a town’s primary schools banned smartphones. This is what happened

Just under a year ago, headteachers at primary schools in St Albans told families their learning environments would be smartphone free and urged parents not to give their children the devices until the age of 14. Nearly a year into the experiment, Holly Bancroft explores the impact at one school

Events

4 d. ago Last year, an entire town’s primary schools banned smartphones. This is what happened

Just under a year ago, headteachers at primary schools in St Albans told families their learning environments would be smartphone free and urged parents not to give their children the devices until the age of 14. Nearly a year into the experiment, Holly Bancroft explores the impact at one school

Events

5 d. ago Phones have been banned at Brianna Ghey's school following her murder

It was hoped te measure at Birchwood would help curb bullying and improve students' mental health.

Events

5 d. ago Brianna Ghey's high school bans mobile phones following her murder with incredible results

Since September, students at Birchwood Community High have had to place their mobile phones in a lockable pouch at the start of the day.

Events

5 d. ago Brianna Ghey’s school says pupils ‘less stressed’ after mobile phone ban

Special pouches used to lock students’ phones during the day were introduced at Birchwood Community High School in September.

Politics

5 d. ago Brianna Ghey school's phone ban allows 'kids to be kids', says headteacher

Pupils at Birchwood Community High - where Brianna met her killer Scarlett Jenkinson - place their phones in a lockable pouch at the start of the day which does not open until home time

Politics

7 d. ago Voices: ‘Give councils more money’ Independent readers weigh in on Birmingham bin strikes

Birmingham’s bin strikes are widely seen as the result of decades of political neglect and a worsening funding crisis in local government

Events

8 d. ago DWP claimants to see huge change to services this week including Universal Credit

Job Centre Plus offices and phone lines will be closed on bank holidays, so claimants will not be open on Friday this week and Monday next week because of the Easter bank holidays

Politics

8 d. ago ‘How dare the US attack the UK’s free speech’ Independent readers call out trade deal demands

Our community share their views on the US trade deal ultimatum, from outrage at ‘JD Vance’s demand to scrap LGBT+ protections’ to calls for Keir Starmer to ‘defend British laws, not bow to US pressure’

Economics

9 d. ago People heading to the O2 Arena issued warning amid concert phone ban

People heading to the O2 Arena issued warning amid concert phone ban  News Shopper

Events

1 week ago Mobile phone ban helps top private school become first in Scotland to win prestigious status

Famous boarding school now drawing up plans to become a ‘research hub’

Politics

1 week ago ‘The plane I was supposed to be on passed above me’: Nima Bank’s best phone picture

Losing track of time at the airport made the Iranian-born photographer reflect on how we deal with setbacksNima Bank was meant to be on the plane soaring overhead in this image. Unfortunately, he had been daydreaming in Istanbul airport, enjoying a coffee, and lost track of time. Once he realised his error, and that he would be stranded in the airport for the rest of the day, he says, “I found myself contemplating how a single missed connection could alter a life’s entire trajectory. What new possibilities had this delay set in motion? Was it a loss, or a redirection toward something else?”The film-maker and photographer, originally from Iran, now living in Turkey, adds, “When the very plane I should have been on passed above me, it felt symbolic; like a reminder that movement, pause and change are all part of the journey.” Continue reading...

Politics