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 emailsThe FTSE 100 marched higher on Monday, ahead of a raft of key economic data and an expected interest rate cut by the Bank of England later this week.The FTSE 100 index closed up 102.28 points, 1.1%, at 9,751.31. The FTSE 250 ended 172.61 points higher, 0.8%, at 22,049.16, but the AIM All-Share ended down 2.13 points, 0.3%, at 749.23.In Europe, the Cac 40 in Paris closed up…

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 emailsLondon’s Winter Wonderland and Hamleys are set to be hit by sharp jumps in their property taxes from next year as UK Christmas attractions come under pressure from next year’s business rates overhaul.Analysis of official figures has shown that a raft of Christmas attractions, markets and destination-led retail will face increases in business rates payments from April.However, other major retail destinations and Christmas shopping locations, such as Harrods,…

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 emailsThe FTSE 100’s early promise faded on Friday amid downbeat economic growth figures and fresh US tech weakness.The FTSE 100 index closed down 54.1 points, 0.6%, at 9,649.03.It had earlier traded as high as 9,761.47.The FTSE 250 ended 24.45 points higher, 0.1%, at 21,876.55, and the AIM All-Share ended up 3.70 points, 0.5%, at 751.36.For the week, the FTSE 100 fell 0.2%, the FTSE 250 declined 0.9% and…

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 Kandi Burruss is no stranger to Broadway, but she’s still feeling the pre-show jitters.The Real Housewives of Atlanta alum is returning to theater as Angelique in the hit musical & Juliet, a jukebox musical that flips the script on the story of Romeo and Juliet.In the years since her 2018 Broadway debut as Matron “Mama” Morton in Chicago, Burruss has transitioned to a behind-the-scenes role as a…

Sign up to our free Brexit newsletter for our analysis of the continuing impact of Brexit on the UKSign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit’s impactSign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit’s impactIreland’s reliance on multinationals and international exports means “global shocks” pose “a great challenge for the Irish economy”, a new report has claimed.The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) study looked at what might happen with the Irish economy over the next decade.The think tank describes the outlook as “relatively favourable” but the report authors stressed it is…

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 emailsRetail representative groups are calling on the Finance Secretary to introduce a permanent business rate discount as they fear Scotland may become a “less viable” location to invest in.Twelve groups and industry bodies have jointly written to Shona Robison to demand a permanent business rates discount for all retail premises.The call comes ahead of the Scottish Government’s Budget in January and follows the introduction of a permanent business…

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 If you’re among the throngs of holidaymakers descending on New York to soak up the city’s festive charm, chances are a trip to the theater is on your list. Beyond the usual seasonal fare like the Radio City Christmas Spectacular or The Nutcracker lie a plethora of options to choose from, both on and off Broadway.It’s no secret that the Manhattan theaters are home to some of…

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 emailsAds for prostate supplements and home testing kits have been banned over concerns they could mislead vulnerable people or steer them away from appropriate medical advice.The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) banned ads for four supplement brands – Nutrisslim, Nutreance, Muxue Trade and Impact Herbs – for making claims that their products could treat medical issues such as enlarged prostate, urinary flow problems or prostate inflammation.None of the products…

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 emailsThe FTSE 100 started the week on the back foot, weighed by falls in Marmite owner Unilever, while in the US the battle for control of Warner Bros Discovery took another turn.The FTSE 100 index closed down 21.92 points, 0.2%, at 9,645.09. The FTSE 250 ended 142.67 points lower, 0.7%, at 21,921.28, and the AIM All-Share ended down 2.78 points, 0.4%, at 748.52.In London, trading was muted ahead…

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 If you’re among the throngs of holidaymakers descending on New York to soak up the city’s festive charm, chances are a trip to the theater is on your list. Beyond the usual seasonal fare like the Radio City Christmas Spectacular or The Nutcracker lie a plethora of options to choose from, both on and off Broadway.It’s no secret that the Manhattan theaters are home to some of…