Month: March 2025

The prime minister and his plans for British military deployment in Ukraine dominate several newspaper front pages this morning and still find space on the websites – though much has been pushed further down to cover the massive fire at Heathrow Airport and the ongoing travel chaos. 

The papers report the prime minister has stepped up plans for a 31-nation military force to provide security guarantees to Kyiv.

The prime minister is having a change of heart regarding putting boots on the ground in Ukraine and instead favours air and sea support.

The country’s defence secretary has warned Britain will not shy away from using nuclear weapons that could do ‘untold damage’ if UK troops are attacked.

The UK’s headlines report Heathrow closed all day due to a nearby fire at a substation. The airport has warned there will be “significant disruption” over the coming days and has told passengers not to travel “under any circumstances” until it reopens. 

This is a developing story and does not feature on the front pages but is heavily dominating online news websites. 

You won’t be surprised to see that the tabloid media uses more biased headlines, whilst the broadsheets offer more factual and less emotive language in their headlines.

There is a variety of stories dominating the UK headlines this Friday from the chaos at Heathrow Airport to Nicola Sturgeon cleared in the SNP embezzlement case – there’s a lot happening today, so grab a coffee – here’s your daily news breakdown. 

The UK’s busiest airport, Heathrow, will be closed all day on Friday after a fire at a nearby electrical substation that supplies it with power. The airport has warned there will be “significant disruption” over the coming days and has told passengers not to travel “under any circumstances” until it reopens. 

The former first minister Nicola Sturgeon has been cleared in the police investigation into the funding and finances of the party she led – the SNP. Her husband, who is separated from Sturgeon, has appeared in court charged with embezzlement. Murrell, who had been SNP chief executive since 1999, resigned in March 2023 amid a row over party numbers.

Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon has been cleared of any wrongdoing in Police Scotland’s investigation into the SNP’s funding, expressing relief at the outcome.

Clean-up efforts are urgent as billions of plastic pellets, known as nurdles, are scattered across England’s east coast following a ship collision near Grimsby.

Ousted Reform MP Rupert Lowe criticises Nigel Farage after leaked WhatsApp messages reveal Farage’s disdain for Lowe’s recent critical interview, calling him “disgusting” and “contemptible.”

Tom Ford, an Olympic gold medallist, is barred from competing for Cambridge in the Boat Race due to eligibility criteria, making him the fourth rower to face this issue.

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aiming to dismantle the Department of Education, although congressional approval is required for complete closure.

David Norris, one of Stephen Lawrence’s killers, reportedly accepted his presence at the murder scene but denies wielding the knife, according to the Parole Board.

The EU’s new defence strategy underscores the necessity for enhanced military capabilities, driven primarily by Russian aggression and the complex global security landscape, with an aim to bolster defence readiness by 2030.

U.S. District Judge Jeb Boasberg has demanded clarification from the Trump administration regarding their failure to comply with a court order that temporarily halted deportation flights to El Salvador. The judge’s order was issued amid concerns over flights transporting Venezuelan immigrants identified by the administration as gang members.

Cliff Notes – Heathrow Airport closes due to nearby fire Heathrow Airport is closed for the entirety of Friday due to a significant fire at…

Flight disruptions are affecting numerous passengers, as Heathrow Airport was closed unexpectedly, leading to the diversion of at least 120 flights, including one carrying Sarah Gough’s parents.

Cliff Notes – Is the EU preparing for war The French government plans to distribute a “survival manual” to households, advising residents on preparations for…

Cliff Notes – NASA reveals what’s next for astronauts NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams returned to Earth after spending over nine months on…

Our picks of tonight’s must-watch TV tonight in the UK from the Nations League to the hot new Netflix comedy The Residence.

The UEFA Nations League is back in action tonight with the first leg of the playoffs – which will see Scotland take on Greece (BBC iPlayer) and the first leg of the quarter-finals.

Labour Minister Luke Pollard dismissed claims that the government is “centre right,” asserting that recent cuts aim to enhance work opportunities and bolster defence funding.

The front page of the Daily Mail this morning 20/03/2025: