Voices

<p>Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said there will be no ‘two-tier’ system (Jordan Pettitt/PA)</p>

Mark Day

Rather than ending two-tier justice, Labour risks enshrining it in law

Anyone who values equality before the law should be deeply concerned, writes Mark Day. This decision could undermine wider efforts to address inequalities in the system, including for other protected characteristics

The disproportionality in our prison sentencing is a national scandal

<p>‘This week’s executive order may act as a double espresso for the coal industry’s short-term future, but I can’t see that energy high lasting much longer’</p>

The Eco Chamber

Coal is not clean, it’s not beautiful, and we don’t need it for AI

<p>The cost of renewing a British passport has jumped to £94.50 – a 25 per cent increase in two years </p>

Charlotte Cripps

I’m not the only British tourist with a passport horror story

<p>Keir Starmer meets British Steel workers in Appleby Village Hall near Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, on Saturday</p>

The Independent View

British Steel and the pragmatic case for public ownership

<p>‘You’d think weddings would be a great place for single people like me to meet people’</p>

Olivia Petter

This simple wedding hack would be a godsend for single guests like me

<p>‘Don’t go broke trying to look rich. It’s something my brother shared with me a couple of years ago when we were talking about the pressure to keep up with the people around you. And really, it’s a motto for life’</p>

The Money Column

How is social media influencing your spending habits?

<p>This week, Rosamund chooses her favourite wines to drink at Easter</p>

The Wine Down

Why not try these cracking wines this Easter?

<p>French president Emmanuel Macron is expected to recognise the state of Palestine – so why does Keir Starmer not do the same?</p>

Sir Vincent Fean

When Macron recognises Palestine, will Starmer follow suit?

<p>In Maga we trust: Donald Trump</p>

Jon Sopel

Magaland’s faith is being tested – maybe St Donald is human after all

<p>‘In recent years, white defendants have spent consistently less time in custody, on average, than all other ethnic groups combined for indictable offences’</p>

Andrew Neilson

The disproportionality in our prison sentencing is a national scandal

<p>The first of The Independent’s completed safe houses funded by the Brick by Brick campaign, which was launched in September 2024 </p>

The Independent View

Time to build a better future – Brick by Brick

<p>‘In Bangkok, Min Aung Hlaing may have posed in a suit and tie, instead of his usual army uniform bedecked with unearned medals, but he merits a convict’s attire’</p>

Benedict Rogers

Myanmar’s dictator posed in a suit. It should have been prison uniform

<p>‘Miliband may linger in Starmer’s cabinet as a green talisman, helping to keep Labour idealists from defecting to the Greens, or he may resign on a point of principle, helping Labour to appeal to Reform-minded voters’</p>

John Rentoul

The big loser from the collapse of British Steel is Ed Miliband

<p>Donald Trump and Laura Loomer pose at a golf event in August 2023: ‘In no rational world would any US president go within a million miles of someone like Loomer, far less invite her to the White House and listen to her advice’</p>

Terrifyingly, conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer has Donald Trump’s ear

<p>Chancellor Rachel Reeves has welcomed February’s 0.5 per cent growth in GDP (James Manning/PA)</p>

Strong GDP growth is unexpected good news – but there’s a ‘but’…

<p>Jeff Bezos has launched himself into space on his Blue Origin rocket</p>

I was a people pleaser, too – but going to space is a step too far

It’s easy to get caught up in a partner’s thrill-seeking needs – I should know, writes Charlotte Cripps. But saying ‘yes’ to such extreme activities doesn’t spice up a relationship; it only created a sense of resentment and disconnect in mine

<p>Squeaky blinders: rats during the Birmingham bin strike</p>

Rats! Why Angela Rayner must sort out Birmingham’s striking binmen

<p>‘In a week in which we have Trump’s crackers AI video, I would argue that a dog sound bath is the only sane response’</p>

As the world went Trump mad, I took my pet for a doggy sound bath

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