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 emailsSign up to our free breaking news emails Asian stocks were lower Friday even after Wall Street set another record, as investors watched for signs of more U.S.-Iran talks and an extension of the ceasefire of the Iran war that is expiring next week.Oil prices fell Friday, while U.S. futures edged up modestly.Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 fell 1% to 58,930.87 after reaching an all-time high on Thursday. South Korea’s Kospi was 0.6% lower at 6,191.19. Hong…

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planetGet our free Climate emailGet our free Climate emailOil prices fell to around $94 on Thursday morning and Asian stocks climbed as optimism over a potential deal to end the Iran war and strong corporate earnings lifted markets across the region.Brent ‌crude opened 0.4 per cent lower at $94.55 a barrel after reports that Iran could consider allowing ships to sail freely through the Omani side of the Strait of Hormuz without risk of attack as part of proposals offered in negotiations with the United States.…

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture emailGet the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Controversial remarks made by actor Timothée Chalamet regarding ballet and opera have unexpectedly led to an “immediate boost” in ticket sales for the Royal Ballet and Opera (RBO), its chief executive has revealed.The Hollywood star faced a significant backlash after claiming that “no-one cares” about the art forms during a discussion about the future of cinema.Alex Beard, RBO chief, expressed gratitude for the actor’s comments, stating the…

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planetGet our free Climate emailGet our free Climate emailAsian stocks climbed to their highest level in six weeks on Wednesday and oil prices extended their decline below $100 a barrel after Donald Trump said US-Iran peace talks could resume in Pakistan within days, calming markets rattled by weeks of conflict-driven volatility.Mr Trump said negotiations could restart in the next two days after weekend talks collapsed, prompting Washington to impose a blockade on Iranian ports. Pakistani and Iranian officials also said that negotiations could restart.The signs of…

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture emailGet the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Kim Kardashian is making the leap from screen to stage by producing her first Broadway play.The Skims founder, 45, has joined the producing team for The Fear of 13, which is currently in previews and stars Tessa Thompson and Adrien Brody in both of their Broadway debuts. The play, written by Lindsey Ferrentino, centers around the true story of Nick Yarris, who was imprisoned on death row…

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 emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsAround 65,000 young people will be able to train to enter the defence, clean energy, digital and manufacturing industries under the latest round of Government investment into colleges.The Government will provide £175 million for 19 new Technical Excellence Colleges across the country to deliver training in sectors deemed important for the future of the UK.Minister for skills Baroness Jacqui Smith said the investment would help build a pipeline…

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture emailGet the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Paddington The Musical emerged as the undisputed champion at the 2026 Olivier Awards, sweeping multiple categories, while Rosamund Pike made a triumphant return to the stage after nearly 14 years to claim the coveted Best Actress prize.The beloved bear’s theatrical adaptation, staged at the Savoy Theatre, was crowned Best New Musical. Its cast also garnered significant recognition, with James Hameed and Arti Shah jointly winning Best Actor…

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the worldSign up to our free Morning Headlines emailSign up to our free Morning Headlines emailDomino’s is poised to launch a new range of thinner-crust, Italian-inspired pizzas, aiming to tap into the more premium end of the takeaway market and attract a wider customer base. The fast-food chain indicated this strategic shift responds to growing consumer demand for a “restaurant experience at home.”The forthcoming “Italiano’s” collection will feature five distinct pizzas, distinguished by their lighter base and sophisticated Italian-inspired toppings, including nduja, goat’s cheese, and a pesto drizzle.…

Stock markets are as turbulent as they have ever been. Those not used to seeing their wealth jump and plunge from day to day might well be wary of trying them out for the first time.But by investing for the longer term, investors who pick a stocks and sharesISA will almost certainly do better than those who play it safe by holding savings in cash – and they will never pay tax on any earnings.The average stocks and sharesISA account is worth over £65,000, significantly higher than the typical cash ISA, which holds less than £13,500.“With UK inflation elevated at…

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture emailGet the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Nick Mohammed has been faithful to the stage for a very long time; his helium-voiced comedy character Mr Swallow has been a fixture at comedy venues for 16 years. But he reckons he landed the gig hosting the Oliviers, the biggest night in theatre, because of a strong performance elsewhere: The Celebrity Traitors. There, he sleuthed his way to the end, almost taking down eventual winner Alan…