Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.

Number of city rail commuters in England and Wales passes pre-Covid levels
The number of rail passengers travelling into cities in England and Wales has now overtaken pre-Covid levels – but changing work and travel patterns have eased overcrowding since then, official statistics show. Almost 1.9 million people took...

‘10 busiest trains in England and Wales’ named as passenger numbers bounce back
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our...

UK tourists face new e-gate rules from August in major travel boost
UK holidaymakers are set for a smoother entry into Germany as the country agrees to let British tourists use e-gates at its airports from August, in what's being hailed as a significant improvement for travellers. The Cabinet Office, now under a...
UK inflation rises to highest since January 2024, renewing focus on BoE rate cuts
Britain’s annual rate of consumer price inflation unexpectedly rose to its highest in over a year at 3.6% in June, official figures showed on Wednesday, slightly dampening expectations for further cuts in Bank of England interest rates. June’s...

British grandmother Lindsay Sandiford faces death by firing squad in Bali over drug smuggling
British grandma Lindsay Sandiford has been confined within the walls of a prison on the island of Bali for the last seven years after being caught with $2.15 million worth of cocaine in her luggage in 2013, which she intended to smuggle into...

Britain and Germany sign largest cooperation agreement since the World War II
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz signed the largest cooperation agreement between countries since 1945 in London. It was called the "Kensington Treaty". This is reported by the BBC. Details of the agreement...

British motorists to see long-awaited sign changes on major A-roads and motorways in 'milestone' move
New data has revealed that businesses around the UK are set to benefit massively from new rules announced by Labour this week. In a massive boost for electric vehicles, the Government announced that a new EV grant would be introduced to help...

Scotland's airports criticised for rising drop-off fees
Drivers dropping off their loved ones at Scotland’s airports are facing rising charges. Edinburgh and Glasgow have both increased their drop-off fees by £1 and 50p respectively. In January, Edinburgh began charging £6 for ten minutes, equating to...

UK small business confidence holds firm despite cost challenges, SumUp report reveals
The study, which surveyed 750 small business owners and decision makers across the country, offers a snapshot of the resilience, challenges, and priorities driving the UK’s SME sector. Almost half (43%) of those surveyed reported stronger business...

UK FDI project numbers hit record low, while tech projects outpace other sectors
One year after the Labour landslide that promised to unleash growth in the UK economy, the latest figures on foreign direct investment (FDI) tell a different story. According to the Department of Trade and Business’s (DBT) latest report, FDI...

UK weather warning as Oasis fans prepare for huge storm ahead of Heaton Park gigs
Mad for it Oasis punters attending their last gigs at Heaton Park, Manchester, could be set for heavy rain and thunderstorms The band once known as ‘The Rain’ could see plenty of it as Gallagher brothers Liam and Noel continue their bonkers...

UK Weather: Oasis fans hit with huge storm warning ahead of Heaton Park concerts
Daniel Bird Assistant Celebrity and Entertainment Editor and Ryan Price 12:30, 17 Jul 2025Updated 12:30, 17 Jul 2025 Oasis fans attending the band's final two gigs at Heaton Park this weekend are being warned to prepare for heavy rain and...

British Touring Shakespeare brings enchantment and gothic thrills to Shropshire’s Soulton Hall
Carys Clempner, who plays Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and originally hails from Shropshire, said: “As a proud Shropshire native, I’m thrilled to return to my home county and visit Soulton Hall with A Midsummer Night’s Dream as part of...

UK economy sheds 41,000 jobs — is a recession coming?
A 149 bus passes through London’s financial district as job concerns grow. Credit :Sasaran Olteanu's Images via Canva.com The latest UK jobs data doesn’t indicate a collapse, but it does show a slow, steady decline in momentum. Figures released on...

Full list of UK areas affected by Met Office thunderstorm warning including Greater Manchester
Large parts of the UK and Ireland are set to be affected by thunderstorms over the next few days as several yellow alerts have been issued by the Met Office. A yellow thunderstorm warning is currently in place in Northern Ireland affecting areas...
Vintage performances for 50-somethings Lee Westwood, Phil Mickelson on Day 1 of British Open
PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland – How special, old boy, your name once again near the top of the famed yellow leaderboard here at the 153rd Open Championship? “Ohhhhh, yeah,” Lee Westwood said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Can’t beat seeing your...

PAF’s JF-17 Block-III arrives in UK for Royal International Air Tattoo 2025
A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) contingent has arrived in the United Kingdom to participate in the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) 2025, one of the world’s leading military airshows, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement...

Holiday win as Brits allowed to use e-gates again in another major EU country
Milo Boyd Digital Travel Reporter and Neil Lancefield PA Transport Correspondent 13:30, 17 Jul 2025 Germany is set to open its passport e-gates to some UK airline passengers by the end of August, cutting holidaymakers' queue times. This move will...

Major change UK travellers to Germany could face next month after landmark deal
Germany has agreed to allow some arriving UK airline passengers to use passport e-gates at its airports by the end of August, the Cabinet Office has announced. This will initially be available for frequent travellers. Access for all UK nationals...

Welsh Tories commit to building an M4 relief road in South Wales
We’ve just passed the six year anniversary of Labour’s decision to ditch building the M4 relief road, a disastrous decision that has fundamentally held back the Welsh economy ever since. The Welsh Labour Government scrapped their M4 relief road...