The Independent
i Newspaper
 
TheIPaper
The Independent around the web
A high proportion of businesses say that job-seekers lack basic literacy and numeracy

Andreas Whittam Smith: The jobless are our own fault, not anyone else's

A high proportion of businesses say that job-seekers lack basic literacy and numeracy

Andreas Whittam Smith: It's not just the borders agency that is unfit for purpose

Our politicians don't lack brainpower or ability. But what they do lack are knowledge and training

The two important control mechanisms are active shareholders and perceptive regulators

Andreas Whittam Smith: Capitalism does not have to be this greedy

The two important control mechanisms are active shareholders and perceptive regulators

Andreas Whittam Smith: Bankers are to blame for this mess. And they still don't get it

They are no more likely to agree to reform than the Mafia. Waste no time asking them to. Just do it

Andreas Whittam Smith: Western nations are now ripe for revolution

If there is going to be a revolutionary outburst, you do not get much warning. Writing of the European revolutions of 1848, for instance, one historian recently noted: "At the beginning of 1848 no one believed that revolution was imminent." Now the reason I have gone back to accounts of 1848 is because this date has kept popping into my head as protests against contemporary capitalism have spread round the world.

Andreas Whittam Smith: Death by drone is swift and efficient – it's also murder

We need to start worrying about drone proliferation. More than 40 countries now have the technology. It’s not as if you can flee from drones

Andreas Whittam Smith: Failed by the very people who are there to protect us

One disobliging story of police failings follows another... Yvette Cooper has done a good thing in setting up an independent review of the force

Andreas Whittam Smith: What's cheap, cheers you up – and could be killing you?

Trans fats have disappeared from the New York restaurant table. This is the sort of action food manufacturers are going to have to learn to live with

Andreas Whittam Smith: Germany has shifted and default is now inevitable

Its agreement with Greece to restructure its economy so that it could grow and repay its debts - thus preserving the euro - has frayed to breaking point

Andreas Whittam Smith: Our legacy of 9/11 was a dictatorial and dysfunctional government

The reason why half the Cabinet didn’t know it was at war was that the Iraq engagement was being run exclusively by Downing Street

Andreas Whittam Smith: A compelling truth revealed in the pages of a French thriller

In this contemporary French thriller, <i>Dans L&rsquo;Ombre</i>, the intimate workings of politics are explained much better than by conventional analysis

Andreas Whittam Smith: Murdoch's unique way of doing business won't change

The 'don't ask, don't tell' culture permeates his operations. When things get tougher, the Murdoch technique is to try denial, or throw the police off the scent

Andreas Whittam Smith: As contagion spreads, we must not take our eyes off Greece

The amount owing must be written down to a level that the borrower could deal with, if given enough time. The creditor is part of the solution as well as the debtor

Andreas Whittam Smith: Bullies and cowards who have killed a newspaper &ndash; for nothing

I believe that Rebekah Brooks, James Murdoch and even Rupert Murdoch himself will find themselves in court

Andreas Whittam Smith: If we don't act now, worse will follow

There are similarities with the Italian mafia. Unchecked, News International's illegal practices would grow

Day In a Page

The 50 best gadgets

50 Best Gadgets

The hottest hardware for your Christmas wish list 
Top 10 paid iPhone apps

Top 10 paid iPhone apps

We run through the top applications downloaded for Apple's iPhone over the last week.
Chefs’ classics: Britain’s top cooks and restaurateurs reveal their brilliant new versions of comfort dishes

Chefs’ classics: Comfort dishes

Britain’s top cooks and restaurateurs reveal their brilliant new versions
Vintage chic: The best Christmas wines

Vintage chic: The best Christmas wines

Get prepared for the festive season with Anthony Rose's guide
Meals on Wheels: Has top-quality home-delivery dining finally arrived?

Meals on Wheels: Home-delivery taste test

Tracey MacLeod dines in in style during a Week of Eating Lazily
Best restaurants of 2011: John Walsh picks this year's most memorable dining destinations

Best restaurants of 2011

John Walsh picks this year's most memorable dining destinations
The pud, the bad and the ugly: 15 Christmas puddings are put to the taste test

The pud, the bad and the ugly

Christopher Hirst puts Christmas puddings to the taste test
Lawrence judge's fury at magazine article

Lawrence judge's fury at article

'Spectator' may face contempt charges over piece written by Rod Liddle
Robert Fisk: The Arab Spring has given Turkey a voice. Don't mess with it

Robert Fisk

The Arab Spring has given Turkey a voice. Don't mess with it
What price the new democracy? Goldman Sachs conquers Europe

What price the new democracy?

Goldman Sachs conquers Europe
Just the tonic for British gin

Just the tonic for British gin

Native juniper berries are being saved from extinction
The food critics, the restaurateur and a spat that left a nasty taste

Food wars

The critics, the restaurateur and a spat that left a nasty taste
Offal is back in vogue but should we tuck in to intestines, spleen and testicles?

Food: Pig's testicles anyone?

Offal is back in vogue but and nothing is off-limits
Good brews bible: The Oxford Companion to Beer encourages people to take ales more seriously

Good brews bible: The Oxford Companion to Beer

Its editor is encouraging us to take ales more seriously
Sweet sensations: Happiness is a warm sponge

Sweet sensations: Happiness is a warm sponge

The rewards are as good for your soul as for your taste buds