Author: INDEPENDENT

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emails An Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza’s southernmost city killed at least nine people, six of them children, hospital authorities said on Saturday, as Israel pursued its nearly seven-month offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory.Israel’s war against the Islamic militant group Hamas has led to a dramatic escalation of tensions in an already volatile Middle East.The strike late Friday hit a residential building in the western Tel Sultan neighborhood of the city of…

Sign up to the Independent’s betting newsletter for the latest tips and offersSign up to the Independent’s betting newsletterWolves host Arsenal in a crunch Premier League fixture that will determine whether the Gunners can maintain their challenge for the title. A surprising defeat to Aston Villa last time out saw Arsenal drop below Manchester City in the table and Mikel Arteta’s side are now chasing the champions once again. With City in FA Cup action today, Arsenal have the chance to build some pressure and regain top spot should they triumph at Molinuex. The visitors will have to shake off…

Footage released on social media on Saturday 20 April appears to show huge explosions at a military base belonging to Iraq’s Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in Babylon, south of Baghdad.The cause of the blast hasn’t been confirmed.Footage from a car shows huge explosions in the distance from an ammunition depot inside the military base, followed by what appears to launch bright fragments into the sky and with huge smoke and fire.A statement from the Iran-backed PMF said “an explosion occurred at the headquarters of the Popular Mobilization Forces at the Kalsu military base”.One PMF fighter was killed and six…

Sign up to the Independent’s betting newsletter for the latest tips and offersSign up to the Independent’s betting newsletterEmma Hayes insists Chelsea have not overanalysed “world-class” Barcelona ahead of their Champions League clash on Saturday.Chelsea have travelled to Catalonia for the first leg of their semi-final 12 months on from the two clubs meeting at the same stage of the competition.Barcelona prevailed 2-1 on aggregate on that occasion before overcoming Wolfsburg in Eindhoven to lift the trophy for the second time in three years.Chelsea boss Hayes, speaking ahead ahead of this weekend’s first leg at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, said:…

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekdayYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Israel demonstrated its military dominance over adversary Iran in its apparent precision strikes that hit near military and nuclear targets deep in the heart of the country, meeting little significant challenge from Iran’s defenses and providing the world with new insights into both militaries’ capabilities.The international community, Israel and Iran all signaled hopes that Friday’s airstrikes would end what has been a dangerous 19-day run of strikes and counterstrikes, a highly public test between two…

Sign up to the Independent’s betting newsletter for the latest tips and offersSign up to the Independent’s betting newsletterPep Guardiola admits Chelsea’s former Manchester City starlet Cole Palmer has been one of the players of the season.The City manager has also revealed the 21-year-old England midfielder had been trying to leave the Etihad Stadium for two years prior to his £42.5million switch to Stamford Bridge last summer.Palmer, who was considered one of City’s brightest Academy products, has been Chelsea’s most influential performer since he moved south in search of more first-team opportunities.Palmer has scored 25 goals this season, 11 of…

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inboxGet our free Inside Washington emailThe city of New York is “crime-ridden and dying,” according to Donald Trump. He has called a criminal case against him a “mess,” the judge hopelessly “conflicted,” and the prosecutor a “thug.” The former president’s attorneys claim that the entire borough of Manhattan is “overwhelmingly biased” against him.But for four days, a few dozen of his fellow New Yorkers told him how they felt, to his face, and there was nothing he could do about it.A jury of…

Sign up to the Independent’s betting newsletter for the latest tips and offersSign up to the Independent’s betting newsletterFormer Wales winger Leighton James has died at the age of 71.James’ former clubs Burnley and Swansea – where he spent 13 years of a colourful 19-year senior career – were among those to pay tribute to a gifted player who won 54 caps for his country.“We are sorry to hear the news of Leighton’s passing,” Burnley chairman Alan Pace said of James, who had three spells at Turf Moor and scored 81 goals in 399 appearances for the Clarets.“He left an…

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekdayYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the USPrior to the shocking incident outside the New York courthouse, the man who set himself on fire was unknown to police.Max Azzarello, 37, had recently started posting anti establishment “conspiracy theories” online, including a lengthy article on Substack which blasted corrupt politicians, billionaires and even made reference to The Simpsons.The manifesto-style document warnedof an impending “apocalyptic fascist world coup.”At 1.30pm local time he entered a park outside the New York courthouse, where Donald Trump’s historic criminal…

Sign up to the Independent’s betting newsletter for the latest tips and offersSign up to the Independent’s betting newsletterJack Grealish does seem the sort to suffer from a crisis of confidence. The Brummie’s bubby persona can endear him, as well as making him the antidote to the some of the blander figures around. He has a relish for life, his enjoyment of playing football apparently only topped by the fun he evidently had celebrating Manchester City’s treble.But if Grealish’s frankness can form part of his appeal, and made it unsurprising that he readily admitted he had found this season tough,…