Author: News Desk

Israel strikes Assad’s military 480 times as Iran’s ayatollah blames US for fall of regime Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said Iran had evidence that the toppling of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was a result of a plan by the US, Israel and one of Syria’s neighbours that he did not name. His intervention on Wednesday came as Israel said it launched more than 480 airstrikes against military facilities across Syria, destroying the Syrian navy and targeting weapons stockpiles and strategic infrastructure.

Luigi Mangione latest: UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect ‘considered bombing Manhattan’ Luigi Mangione is said to have considered using a bomb in Manhattan in his alleged plot to kill the UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson, sources say. A “to-do list” found inside a spiral notebook was apparently gleaned along with the shooting suspect’s 262-page manifesto, a ghost gun and false ID cards upon his arrest at an Altoona, Pennsylvania McDonald’s on Monday. Mangione, 26, reportedly decided against using the bomb as it “could kill innocents” and instead opted for a more targeted approach, allegedly musing what could be better “to kill the…

Israel has confirmed it carried out attacks on Syria’s naval fleet, as part of its efforts to neutralise military assets in the country after the fall of the Assad regime.

There are reports that Syrian migrants are attempting to return home despite the uncertainty of what lies ahead for Syria. European nations – including Britain – have paused Syrian asylum claims as they await to see how the new direction the rebels take the country in.

The man accused of shooting dead healthcare insurance CEO Brian Thompson in New York jostled with police and shouted at reporters as he was bundled into court on Tuesday. More details have emerged about the killing, as well as a reported manifesto. Luigi Mangione is attempting to fight extradition to New York City and is reportedly planning to plead not guilty.

Arne Slot’s side have made a dream start in Europe this season and, winning at Girona on Tuesday night, have all but skipped the play-off round and secured a spot in the Champions League last 16.

Another dry day for most, though the odd shower in the far southeast. Rather cloudy, though brighter across Scotland after a cold and chilly start with a widespread frost. Some freezing fog will prove rather stubborn to clear in places. Tonight: Mostly cloudy across England and Wales with an increasing risk of some light drizzle in the east. Variable amount of cloud elsewhere with some clear spells with a frost developing.

Summary of the Independent Newspaper The Independent front page this morning – summarised The front page of The Independent reports from Assad’s slaughterhouse jail to the morgue piled up with mutilated bodies, desperate Syrians search for family members who disappeared under a despot’s brutal regime. It has been 10 years since Morhaf Safi, a young Syrian man, left home to buy a suit for his wedding and never came back. Ten years since his family in the capital, Damascus, have had any contact with him. Ten years since his older brother, Abdulsafer, 38, last saw his face. Then on Tuesday,…

Summary of The Guardian Newspaper The Guardian page this morning – summarisedThe Guardian front page leads with reports that air attacks hit hundreds of sites including naval fleet and missile stores.Israeli warplanes have intensified an air offensive in Syria, striking hundreds of military targets and destroying entire squadrons of fighters, radar and missile systems, missile stores and much of the small Syrian navy.The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said late on Tuesday that it carried out more than 350 strikes over the previous 48 hours, hitting “most of the strategic weapons stockpiles” in Syria to stop them from falling into the…

Summary of The National Newspaper The National front page this morning – summarisedThe National front page this morning reports Labour’s leadership of Edinburgh City Council has been branded “undemocratic” and “weak” with the party now making up less than a sixth of the chamber.Cammy Day resigned as council leader on Monday after he was accused of sending sexual messages to Ukrainian refugees.Prior to him quitting his role he had been suspended from the Labour Party following the allegations, which were revealed in the Sunday Mail over the weekend.This now means the Labour group in Edinburgh are running the council with…

Summary of Western Mail Newspaper Western Mail front page this morning – summarisedNHS news leads the front page of the Welsh newspaper Western Mail. The Welsh Government has published its spending plans for the next financial year, promising more money to every single government department compared to last year. The spending plan, known as the draft budget, lays out how ministers plan to distribute the £26bn spending Welsh Government is responsible for.All departments including health, education and rural affairs, will receive increases in both revenue and capital funding with the Welsh Government pledging it will allow “substantial investments in the school…

Summary of The Irish News Newspaper The Irish News front page this morning – summarisedThe front page of The Irish News reports on a sex offender who targeted girls online across the UK – now jailed for 27 years.A prolific sex offender from Northern Ireland, who posed as a teenage boy on Snapchat and Instagram to trap his child victims, has been sentenced to 27 years in prison.David John Andrews, 55, was told at Downpatrick Crown Court that he would serve a minimum of 13 and a half years, after which parole commissioners would determine when he can be released.Police…

Summary of the Metro Newspaper Metro front page this morning – summarisedThe front page of the Metro leads with the accused killer of US healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Luigi Nicholas Mangione made his first court appearance yesterday – and had a fiery exchange with reporters. Luigi Nicholas Mangione arrived yelling in court for a hearing on the murder of UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson and left pouting.Wearing an orange jail jumpsuit, Mangione, 26, shouted and struggled with police officers who led him to the Blair County Courthouse on Tuesday afternoon for his extradition hearing.One photo showed two cops restraining Mangione against a brick…