Four people are fighting for their lives after a crowd crush at Brixton’s O2 Academy, the four boys who died in the Solihull frozen lake tragedy have been named and the ONS figures show Black Friday failed to deliver retail sales boosts.
Elsewhere: Harry and Meghan’s Netflix series, Elon Musk banning journalists’ Twitter accounts and Russia launching a fresh wave of strikes this morning, dominate the news.
Today’s Daily News | Solihull boys named, Crowd crush at Brixton gig, Black Friday poor sales, Russia’s fresh strikes across Ukraine
Read the full Daily News Briefing here
Four fighting for life after crowd crush at Brixton gig
Eight people are in hospital, four in critical condition following a suspected crowd crush during a concert at the Brixton O2 Academy in south London. Police were called to the gig of afro-pop singer Asake at around 21:35 GMT on Thursday. They were responding to reports of a large number of people trying to force their way into the venue. The gig was abandoned halfway through. Police have launched an investigation.
Read the story: Crush at Brixton Academy gig leaves four in critical condition
Black Friday fails to deliver boost
Official figures show retail sales fell last month after a poor Black Friday – which failed to give the expected boost to online trade. Sales volumes dropped 0.4% in November, much weaker than what was expected, as shoppers struggle with rising costs of living. “Retail sales fell overall in November, driven by a notable drop for online retailers, with Black Friday offers failing to provide their usual lift in this sector.”
Read the story: Black Friday fails to deliver expected retail sales boost
Russia launches fresh strikes across Ukraine
Russia has launched fresh strikes across Ukraine with the latest wave of missile and drone attacks this Friday. The capital Kyiv, Kharkiv in the north, Odesa in the south and the central city of Kryvih Rih were all targeted. Strikes on Ukrainian cities have intensified this week as Russia targets the country’s civilian infrastructure. It comes as the US prepares to send Patriot air defence missiles to Ukraine, a move that Russia will likely see as an escalation in the war.
Read the story: Russia launches fresh strikes across Ukraine
Landslide in Malaysia leaves 16 campers dead and many missing
At least 16 people have been killed following a landslide covered a campsite in Malaysia’s Selangor state, officials say. Many more people remain missing. There were hundreds of rescuers seen wading through mud on Friday morning, as they desperately try to find survivors. By Friday afternoon, authorities had rescued more than 60 people but 17 were still missing, they said.
Read the story: Landslide in Malaysia leaves 16 campers dead and many missing
What do the newspapers say?
Harry and Meghan’s Netflix show, the nurse’s strikes and the Solihull lake tragedy dominate the newspapers.
Senior Tories have called on the PM to work with the nurses on pay and to stop the strike madness. There are fears of a flu outbreak this winter, putting the NHS on high alert.
The four boys who died in the Solihull lake tragedy have been named. Images of the boys – aged between 6 and 11 – are splashed on several front pages.
