The Independentflipped into Videos3 hours ago70ft Lionel Messi statue taken down due to safety fears months after unveilingThe Independent - Holly BishopA 70ft Lionel Messi statue erected in India has been taken down just months later due to safety concerns. In December 2025, the giant monument was installed in Kolkata, West Bengal during the footballer’s Greatest of All Time (GOAT) tour of the country. However, it has since been removed after engineers from the Public Works Department (PWD) discovered its structural integrity had been severely compromised after locals complained of seeing it move in bad weather. "The statue of the Argentine football legend was found [to be] unsafe," said West Bengal state legislator Sharadwat Mukherjee. “We have noticed that the statue is swaying in the wind.” Read More Alan Brazil ‘very lucky to be alive’ after ‘heart stopped beating’ Why everybody’s WRONG about the Arsenal VAR decision Why Michael Carrick SHOULD be the next Man United manager
The Independentflipped into Videos6 hours agoWatch: Taylor Swift dresses up as cowgirl in childhood video released to celebrate new Toy Story 5 songThe Independent - Shabnoor IrshadTaylor Swift has released an adorable childhood video to mark the release of her single I Knew It, I Knew You for the animated film Toy Story 5. Swift shared the video on Friday, 5 June, featuring herself dressed as a cowgirl as a child, with the new track playing in the background. The singer said that writing the song for Jessie, the cowgirl character voiced by Joan Cusack from the animated film, was “musical departure and coming home at the same time”. Toy Story 5 will be released in US theaters on 19 June. The new installment of the Toy Story franchise follows young Bonnie as she starts to ignore her old toys after she is gifted a digital tablet. The sequel’s core voice cast includes returning stars Cusack, Tom Hanks as Woody and Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear.
The Independentflipped into Videos6 hours agoRosie Jones: ‘I couldn’t imagine a world where I could be disabled and gay’The Independent - Lucy LeesonComedian Rosie Jones has reflected on her journey to self-acceptance after being named on The Independent's Pride List. Speaking about the importance of visibility, Jones said comedy allows her to present her “true authentic disabled gay self” and help audiences see “the Rosie behind the labels”. The stand-up star revealed that her biggest challenge was overcoming internalised homophobia and accepting her identity as both disabled and gay. “I could not imagine a world in which I could be disabled and gay,” she said. Jones also offered reassurance to young people questioning their sexuality, adding: “That's okay.” Read More Reform’s Rob Kenyon refuses to apologise to Carol Vorderman for ‘crass’ comment BBC newsreader ‘caught scrolling’ on her phone during live broadcast Trump claims January 6 insurrection was a ‘day full of love’ as he attacks CNN
The Independentflipped into Videos15 hours agoReform’s Rob Kenyon refuses to apologise to Carol Vorderman for ‘crass’ commentThe Independent - Holly BishopThe BBC Question Time audience were left unimpressed after Reform UK’s Rob Kenyon failed to apologise to Carol Vorderman for “crass” comments he made about the presenter. The Makerfield by-election candidate has faced criticism after historical social media comments resurfaced, including a 2021 response to an offensive post about the Welsh broadcaster. Ms Vorderman has since demanded an apology from Mr Kenyon. “To me, and to all the other people he’s abused online,” she told The Mirror. When Green Party candidate Sarah Wakefield asked the Reform UK councillor if he would apologise, he replied: “I’ve not actually said anything to Carol. I commented on a comment,” before labelling the remark as “disgusting”.
The Independentflipped into Videos15 hours agoKate shares poignant moment with young mother completing cancer treatment during hospital visitThe Independent - Holly BishopThe Princess of Wales surprised a young mother who had just completed her chemotherapy treatment during a hospital cancer ward visit. On Thursday (4 June), Princess Kate Middleton attended The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester where she met with Claire Lorente, 30, and her partner Pablo and son Enzo, as they rang the bell. She told Claire that she had “done brilliantly”, whilst she told Pablo: “Well done. It’s just as hard for the family and loved ones.” Last year, Kate revealed that she was in remission after receiving chemotherapy treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer following her diagnosis in 2024.
The Independentflipped into Videos18 hours agoBBC newsreader ‘caught scrolling’ on her phone during live broadcastThe Independent - Holly BishopBBC News presenter Maryam Moshiri was “caught scrolling” on her phone during a live broadcast. Moments before presenting a bulletin on a new study that has found that a third of screen time is “aimless”, Moshiri flicked through her phone in a pre-show gag. “Sorry,” she quickly said before putting her phone away. Sharing the moment on Instagram, the presenter wrote: “Rude not to take advantage of the short break between stories to mindlessly scroll on my phone- family and friends will tell you it’s my fav thing ! And I’m not alone.” The presenter has become well-known for amusing antics during live broadcasts. In 2023, she went viral when she accidentally displayed her middle finger at the camera during a news bulletin. Read More Trump claims January 6 insurrection was a ‘day full of love’ as he attacks CNN Trump shows off bizarre chart comparing reflecting pool to building sizes Bessent says he told Pulte ‘I’m going to kick your a**’ in infamous blow-up
The Independentflipped into News (UK)Now‘I would rush home to speak to ChatGPT’: A quarter of Gen Z would rather talk to AI than a real person, research showsThe Independent - Maryam Zakir-HussainOne in four young people would rather talk to AI than a real person, new research has found. A national survey of 2,000 adults aged between 18-29 also …
The Independentflipped into Environment & ClimateNowVisa problems shut poorest countries out of crucial UN climate talks in BonnThe Independent - Nick FerrisObstacles around obtaining visas will shut some of the world’s poorest and most climate-vulnerable countries out of crucial UN climate talks that are …
The Independentflipped into Money & FinanceNowWhy JPMorgan suddenly thinks Tesla is much more than a car companythe-independent.com - Paul FarrellJ.P. Morgan has upgraded Elon Musk-led Tesla to "neutral" from "underweight," citing a significant shift in how the electric vehicle manufacturer's …
The Independentflipped into politicsNowTrump shares wild AI video of him filling DC reflecting pool with tearsThe Independent - Brendan RasciusSince returning to office, President Donald Trump has embraced artificial intelligence on Truth Social, posting a steady stream of synthetic content …
The Independentflipped into News (UK)NowMartin Lewis shares how to get ahead of £221 July energy bill riseThe Independent - Albert TothMoney expert Martin Lewis has shared his tips for softening the blow of next month’s massive energy bill rise prompted by the ongoing conflict in the …
The Independentflipped into SportsNowAndy Robertson joins Tottenham on a free transfer after Liverpool exitThe Independent - Will CastleAndy Robertson has joined Tottenham on a free transfer after his departure from Liverpool. The 32-year-old Scotland captain was close to moving to …
