The Independent

Over the next three years 35,000 families will need to start repaying their Child Benefit as frozen tax thresholds drag them into being classed as high earners. Here's what you need to know

Explaining the pension superpower you need to know about, but less than a third of us understand.

DUBLIN — The Dublin Unified School District (DUSD) and the Dublin Teachers Association (DTA) have reached an impasse after months of contract negotiations, prompting mediation through the California Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 6.PERB is an independent state agency under California’s Labor and Workforce Development Agency …

DUBLIN — The Dublin Unified School District (DUSD) and the Dublin Teachers Association (DTA) have reached an impasse after months of contract negotiations, prompting mediation through the California Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 6.PERB is an independent state agency under California’s Labor and Workforce Development Agency …

In 2025 £5.8 billion was poured into Premium Bonds. But are they really the right home for your cash?

Netflix has released a new documentary examining the rise and influence of Jodi Hildebrandt, a therapist in Utah who was arrested for child abuse in 2023.In a September interview with The Independent, Hidebrandt’s niece, Jessi, shared how difficult it was to speak publicly about the mistreatment they endured from their …

Frozen thresholds, inflation and increased tax rates all mean people can end up paying more without doing anything differently.

The holidays have a way of pulling cooks back to themselves. No matter how many services they’ve run or awards they’ve collected, this is the time of year when even the most accomplished chefs reach for dishes that feel personal.For some, that means baking something sweet and deliberately unfussy; for …

Finding a tax-efficient home for sizeable cash savings is becoming trickier. One option is the offset mortgage.

Practically across the street from the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace and a 10-minute walk to Victoria Station and its many transport links, you’re in the heart of London here. It ensures proximity to some of the city’s most popular sights – Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park and Westminster Abbey. And …

How many pensions have you got? A generation ago it was two or three. Today, many rack up that number before 30.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is keen to point out that she hasn’t raised taxes for working people, but we’re all paying more tax.

Boris Johnson was branded a “coward” as it emerged he could face legal action over the failures during the pandemic that led to 23,000 excess deaths – as families who lost loved ones to Covid call for him to be barred from public life.After the Covid inquiry found that thousands …

From unrivalled nature and wildlife to breathtaking landscapes and community spirit, discover why Costa Rica is the holiday hotspot of the moment....

Nia Sioux of Dance Moms fame has told The Independent how the reality show’s network, Lifetime, allegedly chose not to air some of her former dance teacher’s more egregious comments.Sioux, whose real name is Nia Sioux Frazier, appeared on all seven seasons of the reality series from 2011 to 2017 …

DUBLIN — IKEA no longer has plans to open a store on Martinelli Way in eastern Dublin.Years after purchasing city-ap­proved property, the company has decided to sell the 28-acre parcel, citing a shift toward developing smaller-format stores and repurposing vacant retail spaces, according to city officials.The Swedish housewares giant said …

I’ve long been fascinated by Route 66 – the freedom, adventure and hope it represented in its heyday, and the heritage, passion and nostalgia it reflects today...

DUBLIN — Dublin police shut down the Royal Novelties and Smoker Friendly smoke shops Sept. 29 after discovering the sale of illegal tobacco products.Roughly 4,100 units of contraband were seized in the raids, resulting in nearly $200,000 in fines, according to Dublin Police Services (DPS).No arrests had been made as …

PLEASANTON — The Pleasanton Unified School District (PUSD) on Oct. 15 unveiled a new athletic field at Pleasanton Middle School, hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony with community leaders in attendance.The project is part of the district’s first phase of Measure I bond-funded middle school upgrades. The athletic field portion is fully …

If you live with your partner, you might assume your assets will automatically go to them if you die. But think again.Under intestacy laws, cohabitees have no right to inherit – and looming inheritance tax (IHT) changes could leave grieving families with even bigger bills.One survey by national will-writing campaign …

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed a “productive” call with European leaders on Friday, hours after the Ukrainian leader met US President Donald Trump at the White House.

DUBLIN — Dublin police shut down the Royal Novelties and Smoker Friendly smoke shops Sept. 29 after discovering the sale of illegal tobacco products.Roughly 4,100 units of contraband were seized in the raids, resulting in nearly $200,000 in fines, according to Dublin Police Services (DPS).No arrests had been made as …

DUBLIN — BART completed the installation of new fare gates at all 50 of its stations four months ahead of schedule. The $90 million project, part of a system-wide modernization strategy, improves accessibility, safety and the efficiency of proper payment.BART representatives and city leaders marked the milestone with a ribbon-cutting …

PLEASANTON — A new mock CVS store at Valley Village High School is giving students with intellectual disabilities real-world experience in retail and customer service.The Skills Lab, run by Pleasanton Unified School District’s (PUSD) WorkAbility Program in partnership with CVS Health, provides students with intellectual disabilities hands-on retail experience while …

PLEASANTON — Limitless Axes & Ales has closed its Pleasanton location at 1808 Santa Rita Road after almost five years. Its Brentwood and Stockton axe-throwing venues will remain open.Owned by Michael and Brook Hill, the business operated in the Valley Plaza Shopping Center. The Hills will continue running Limitless Escape …

TRI-VALLEY — The Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department (LPFD) hosted its annual Sept. 11 remembrance ceremonies last week, honoring victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks alongside local police officers and community members.Police personnel joined firefighters at the cities’ 10 stations to reflect on courage, honor resilience and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.The …

PLEASANTON — Limitless Axes & Ales has closed its Pleasanton location at 1808 Santa Rita Road after almost five years. Its Brentwood and Stockton axe-throwing venues will remain open.Owned by Michael and Brook Hill, the business operated in the Valley Plaza Shopping Center. The Hills will continue running Limitless Escape …

PLEASANTON — PRIMM Boutique, a boho-style clothing store, recently closed its downtown pop-up at 400 Main Street after the city ordered its original location at 520 Main Street to shut down due to structural concerns.Owner Marissa Ringman is relocating the business to Paso Robles, a city in San Luis Obispo …

An NHS healthcare assistant who successfully shed six stone on Mounjaro has said rising costs of the medication will mean she’ll have to undertake additional shifts. Carly Stokes, 40, from Colchester, Essex, reached a peak weight of 14 stone (88.9kg) in 2021. Standing at 5ft 2in, she attributed this to …

The natural world really puts on a show when we leave the environment untouched – and if there’s a country which knows this more than most, it’s Costa Rica...