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Best of 2023

Year in review: Our pick of this year’s best Premium features, columns and essays

The war in Ukraine entered its second year and a devastating conflict between Israel and Gaza was unleashed, with no end in sight for either. But there was lightness elsewhere with the big screen Barbenheimer battle — and Elton John’s unforgettable Glastonbury swansong

Sunday 31 December 2023 01:30 EST
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(iStock/Getty/Netflix/Warner Bros)

January

‘The Independent’ raised the alarm about the deadly impact of ambulance and emergency care delays in January
‘The Independent’ raised the alarm about the deadly impact of ambulance and emergency care delays in January (PA)

February

Tetiana, whose son died fighting in Bakhmut, is hugged and comforted by a friend as they mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Tetiana, whose son died fighting in Bakhmut, is hugged and comforted by a friend as they mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (Bel Trew)

March

Suella Braverman attracted regular controversy over her language about immigrants. Rishi Sunak fired her as Home Secretary in November
Suella Braverman attracted regular controversy over her language about immigrants. Rishi Sunak fired her as Home Secretary in November (Reuters)

April

Boris Johnson’s reckless suggestion that the Irish border would not be a problem as he sought to ‘get Brexit done’ came close to causing irreparable damage to the Good Friday Agreement, according to the Independent’s Sean O’Grady
Boris Johnson’s reckless suggestion that the Irish border would not be a problem as he sought to ‘get Brexit done’ came close to causing irreparable damage to the Good Friday Agreement, according to the Independent’s Sean O’Grady (Getty/The Independent)

May

Phillip Schofield, who left ITV show ‘This Morning’ in May, admitted to lying about an affair with a young male co-worker
Phillip Schofield, who left ITV show ‘This Morning’ in May, admitted to lying about an affair with a young male co-worker (Rex Features)

June

Sir Elton John at Glastonbury this year. He said the set would be his last concert in the UK
Sir Elton John at Glastonbury this year. He said the set would be his last concert in the UK (PA)

July

The film ‘Barbie’ has been one of the unexpected cinematic hits of this year
The film ‘Barbie’ has been one of the unexpected cinematic hits of this year (Warner Bros)

August

Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Russian mercenary group Wagner, died in a plane crash in August two months after a mutiny by his forces in Ukraine threatened the authority of President Vladimir Putin
Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Russian mercenary group Wagner, died in a plane crash in August two months after a mutiny by his forces in Ukraine threatened the authority of President Vladimir Putin (Reuters)

September

Russell Brand denied allegations of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse made against the British comedian and actor earlier this year.
Russell Brand denied allegations of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse made against the British comedian and actor earlier this year. (PA)

October

Andrew Grice wrote for the Independent about the impossible hand dealt to Rishi Sunak that has set the Conservative Party up for general election oblivion
Andrew Grice wrote for the Independent about the impossible hand dealt to Rishi Sunak that has set the Conservative Party up for general election oblivion (Getty)

November

Diana, Princess of Wales (played by Elizabeth Debicki) and Dodi Fayed (Khalid Abdalla) in the sixth series of The Crown on Netflix
Diana, Princess of Wales (played by Elizabeth Debicki) and Dodi Fayed (Khalid Abdalla) in the sixth series of The Crown on Netflix (PA)

December

Shane MacGowan died on November 30, aged 65
Shane MacGowan died on November 30, aged 65 (PA)

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