United KingdomOwnership & classification
Founded: 2010
Ownership
The i (iNews) is a British compact daily launched in 2010 as a concise sister paper to The Independent. Since November 2019 it has been owned by Associated Newspapers / DMG Media, the publishing arm of the Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT), which acquired the title for about £49.6 million. DMGT was taken private in 2021 and is ultimately controlled by the Rothermere family through Jonathan Harmsworth, the 4th Viscount Rothermere.
Funding
Funded commercially through cover-price sales, digital subscriptions (an iPaper paywall) and advertising, within the DMG Media stable. It receives no state or party money.
Affiliation & stance
The i positions itself as a politically balanced, broadly centrist daily aimed at giving concise, even-handed coverage, and it operates editorially separately from the Daily Mail despite the shared owner. Because it is privately and commercially owned by the Rothermere family's DMGT with no party or state control, it is INDEPENDENT (the site's INDEPENDENT/CENTER labels are reasonable, though its owner DMGT is otherwise associated with right-leaning titles).
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Center
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 262
70/100
Factual
62/100
Objective
417
Articles
417
reports
Top stories
Most covered right now
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Notorious Liverpool gangster killed in Holland nine years after 'committing a double murder' was shot dead while trying to collect a debt
Rapist who 'catfished' Muslim men on Snapchat and Grindr jailed
'Blinded' savers warned of £322-a-year loss
Three-year-old rescued and taken to hospital six days after Venezuela quake
Recent coverage
Putin 'is planning Polish incursion to test NATO's response'
An article from the Daily Mail reports that according to U.S.-based intelligence and Polish sources, Russia is allegedly planning a provocative military incursion into Polish territory to test NATO's response. The alleged operation could involve Russian troops crossing into Poland and targeting critical infrastructure with missiles and drones. Polish officials and security experts warn that such a provocation could be framed as a technical error or an emergency situation, potentially leading to a diplomatic crisis aimed at pressuring Western nations to reduce support for Ukraine. The plan is seen as part of Russia's broader strategy to gauge NATO's readiness and possibly exploit divisions within the alliance, particularly between Poland and its NATO partners. While the report cites multiple Polish and U.S. sources, it does not provide direct evidence or official confirmation of the planned incursion.
An American gets the maximum amount of recovery time at Wimbledon.
The article discusses the scheduling of the first-round doubles match at Wimbledon involving American tennis player Serena Williams and her sister Venus Williams against the Argentine-Colombian pair Solana Sierra and Camila Osorio. The match was initially scheduled for Thursday and Friday but has been postponed due to Serena's injury during her singles match. Tournament organizer Andy Murray (likely a misstatement, as Andy Murray is a British player, and the correct name might be someone like Ashley Barker or another official) stated they are giving Serena as much time as possible to recover. They ruled out postponing the match to later dates unless necessary for safety or tournament flow. The match is expected to take place on a larger court to accommodate the large crowd attracted by Serena and Venus, who are major stars. Serena returned to professional tennis after four years, but she lost her first singles match and injured her knee. She did not attend a press conference afterward due to health reasons and expressed her commitment to participating in the doubles event. Serena and Venus have won six doubles titles together, including a title in 2016.
Ukraine reports two dead after night attacks by Russia, with the death toll in Kiev rising to 30.
At least two people were killed and eight injured in Russian air strikes on the Sumy region and Kryvyj Rih in Ukraine during the night of Thursday to Friday, according to Ukrainian authorities. This follows a large-scale Russian attack on Kyiv earlier in the week which killed at least 30 people and injured around 100 others. In response to the attacks, Ukraine conducted missile strikes on Belgorod in Russia, causing a fire at an energy facility and killing one woman, according to Russian media. The overnight strike on the city of Romny in the Sumy region hit a residential building, killing two women and injuring a man, reported regional administrator Oleh Hryhorov via Telegram. Another seven people were injured in a missile strike on Kryvyj Rih, according to military city administrator Oleksandr Vilkul. In Kyiv, teams discovered three more dead bodies during the night, bringing the total number of victims to 30, according to Reuters citing Ukrainian health authorities. Kyiv's military administrator Tymur Tkačenko stated that the attack injured 99 people. Moscow claimed the extensive attack was a response to Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, including those carried
Putin’s desperation exposed as Russia tricks East Africans into fighting in Ukraine
The iPaper reports that Vladimir Putin's regime has allegedly trafficked young men from East Africa to fight in Ukraine, using false promises of employment or education. According to documents reviewed by the publication, Russian military officials have coordinated with recruitment agents and brokers in African nations to lure men aged 18 to 35 with fabricated opportunities. These individuals are then sent to the frontlines, often under temporary work or student visa statuses. Some recruits have reportedly been coerced into recruiting others through word of mouth. The UK's Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, condemned the practice as part of Putin's broader strategy to exploit vulnerable populations for military gains. Reports suggest over 2,965 African nationals have signed Russian military contracts, with at least 316 fatalities. Kenya's intelligence service estimates around 1,000 Kenyans have been recruited, based on security sources.
Rayner’s pitch to return under Burnham cabinet – and the role she’s tipped for
Angela Rayner, former deputy prime minister and housing secretary, has expressed interest in returning to her previous role under a potential Andy Burnham-led Labour government. In a speech at the London School of Economics, Rayner advocated for significant local governance reforms, echoing Burnham's 'devolution' agenda, which aims to transfer power and resources to local authorities. Her remarks closely mirrored those made by Burnham during a recent speech in Manchester, suggesting a strategic alignment between the two figures. This development occurs as Burnham positions himself as the likely successor to Sir Keir Starmer and finalizes his cabinet lineup. Rayner's position within Burnham's administration remains uncertain, with some reports indicating she may be sidelined while others suggest she is providing advisory support on devolution strategies. Despite not being part of Burnham's inner circle, Rayner is anticipated to hold a cabinet position. Her past resignation as deputy prime minister followed an admission of underpayment of stamp duty on a second home, though she was later cleared by HMRC.
Novak Djokovic’s new job could see his net worth rocket as tennis icon links up with millionaire
Novak Djokovic has taken on a new role as a strategic adviser for General Atlantic, a multi-billion-pound investment firm with significant interests in sports-related ventures. This comes ahead of Djokovic's participation in the Wimbledon tennis tournament, where he will face Wu Yibing. General Atlantic holds a minority stake in Grupo Aguilas, which owns Mexican football club Club América and the Azteca Stadium. The firm also invested in LiveMode, a Brazilian sports media and marketing agency linked to FIFA and UEFA. Djokovic's partnership with General Atlantic aims to leverage his influence to expand the firm's presence in the health and wellness sector. Both Djokovic and General Atlantic emphasized shared values such as discipline, long-term thinking, and perseverance.
Burnham aide’s lobby firm met government 38 times – but who did it work for?
openDemocracy reports that Flint Global, the lobbying firm led by Andy Burnham’s incoming chief of staff James Purnell, has engaged extensively with UK government officials across multiple departments over the past 18 months. The firm met with ministers, senior officials, and special advisers on 38 occasions, including high-profile figures like Jonathan Reynolds and Douglas Alexander. Despite this frequent engagement, Flint disclosed only two clients—British Standards Institution and Hellen Systems—in its quarterly lobbying registrations, raising concerns about transparency. The report highlights gaps in the UK’s lobbying regulations, which require registration only for direct communications with ministers or permanent secretaries, excluding broader interactions with officials. The article suggests these loopholes allow firms like Flint to operate with limited accountability.
Mahmood introduces radical reforms to asylum system including clampdown on modern slavery claims
UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has proposed significant changes to the asylum system, aiming to restrict asylum seekers' ability to remain in the UK based on family ties and limit modern slavery claims. The reforms include tightening the interpretation of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects private and family life, by limiting 'family' to immediate relatives like parents, spouses, or children under 18, with exceptions. Asylum seekers would be required to live with these family members if claiming they need to stay in the UK for that reason. Additionally, the legislation states that no weight should be given to private life or family connections built in the UK for those without legal status. The reforms also introduce a requirement for refugees to repay £10,000 to the Home Office once they begin working, mirroring a student loan model. Critics argue this could separate refugee families and increase uncertainty for vulnerable individuals. The bill also limits modern slavery support for those with criminal records and streamlines refugee status with humanitarian protection.
Photo of Andy Burnham edited to include several women wearing Islamic dress
On 1 July 2026, Full Fact reported that an image circulating on social media showing Andy Burnham, the newly elected MP for Makerfield, standing next to several women wearing Islamic dress had been edited. The article states that the image was altered to include women in hijabs and niqabs who were not present in the original photograph posted by Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell on 22 June. The original photo showed Burnham with Powell and Jessica Morden during his return to Parliament. The edited image removed these two women but kept other figures like Chancellor Rachel Reeves and former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner in their positions. Other unedited photos from the same day show Burnham with Labour colleagues from different angles, confirming there are no authentic images of him with a group of women in Islamic dress in the foreground. The article highlights the importance of verifying images before sharing them on social media, noting that similar fake images of Burnham have circulated previously.
Devastated Jack Draper withdraws from Wimbledon with emotional statement
British tennis player Jack Draper withdrew from Wimbledon 2026 due to a recurring injury in his serving arm, ending his participation before the tournament began. This follows the withdrawal of another top British player, Emma Raducanu, within days. Draper, who reached the US Open semifinals in 2024 and achieved a career-high world ranking of four in 2025, has struggled with multiple injuries over the past year. Despite recent improvements at the Eastbourne event, he was unable to compete at a Grand Slam this year. Draper expressed disappointment over the situation, emphasizing the significance of playing at Wimbledon for a British player. He also criticized the current state of men's tennis, citing concerns about athlete workload and performance demands.
Man Utd insiders ‘bewildered’ by Kobbie Mainoo’s lack of England minutes
The article discusses concerns within Manchester United about Kobbie Mainoo's limited playing time for England during the current tournament. Despite being considered a potential solution to England's midfield issues, Mainoo has not received significant minutes. Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, and Jude Bellingham have been starting regularly, but their performances have shown signs of inconsistency, particularly in composure and control of games. Gary Riley, a former scout of Mainoo, highlights his calm demeanor and consistent approach to every match, which could be crucial for England's success. Mainoo's previous performance at Anfield in December 2023 demonstrated his ability to handle high-pressure situations, suggesting he could still make an impact in the tournament.
Half of government should be female, Labour women tell Burnham
Female Labour MPs are urging Andy Burnham, the potential new leader of the UK Labour Party, to ensure a 50:50 gender balance in his government if he becomes prime minister. A draft letter from the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party (WPLP) highlights concerns about misogyny and a 'boy's club' culture within the party, arguing that Labour must lead by example in promoting gender equality. The letter calls for significant changes, including a female deputy prime minister, a dedicated role for women's issues, and strict measures against bullying and online abuse targeting women, especially those from ethnic minorities. The WPLP also criticizes past leaderships for sidelining women's voices and emphasizes the need for transparency in decision-making processes. While Burnham has expressed support for addressing these issues, there are concerns that male candidates may dominate key positions, such as chancellor and chief of staff.
What is Keir Starmer’s plan to increase UK defence spending and is it affordable?
Sir Keir Starmer's government has announced plans to increase UK defense spending, aiming to allocate an additional £1 billion to modernize the armed forces and ensure national security. The Defense Investment Plan (DIP), delayed due to internal disagreements over funding levels, has faced criticism from former defense secretary John Healey, who argued the proposed funding falls short of what is needed to address immediate threats. While the government aims to reach 3.5% of GDP for defense by 2035, current projections show spending increasing only to 2.68% by 2030. This decision follows geopolitical tensions, including the war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East, as well as efforts to strengthen NATO ties and reduce reliance on U.S. support. Critics, including former defense officials like George Robertson and Malcolm Rifkind, argue that the current plan lacks sufficient investment and suggest reallocating funds from welfare or raising taxes to meet defense needs.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided
England’s mayors should be given sweeping new powers, says devolution expert
Calls for Burnham advisor to be barred from water rescue plans over lobbying link
England captain Ben Stokes announces shock retirement from international cricket
When you're entitled to stop working if it's too hot - according to legal expert
Ben Stokes deserved so much better than this
Trump is presenting his most brazen set of ‘alternative facts’ to date
Drinks breaks are the World Cup’s biggest scandal
Grenfell survivors embrace firefighters at emotional anniversary march
