Author: News Desk

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has backed the ICC’s issuing of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and his former defence minister, Yoav Gallant. The ICC says both men – alongside a Hamas leader who was killed in July – bore “criminal responsibility” for crimes during the war between Israel and Hamas. The court accuses Israel of using starvation as a war tactic and for intentionally targeting civilians.

Europe and the US have been split in their response to the warrant. European countries including Britain have said they respect the ICC decisions and note Netanyahu will be arrested if he steps foot into their countries. The Canadian prime minister also confirmed he will follow the ruling of the ICC. The US has backed Israel and called the warrant ‘outrageous.’

Tributes are continuing to pour in for ex-deputy prime minister John Prescott, who died aged 86.

Storm Bert dominates the UK news as the cold snap continues to bite the UK with snowy conditions coming and weather warnings issued for the weekend.

A cold and frosty start for many, with plenty of sunshine, especially for inland areas. Scattered wintry showers will continue to feed inland along windward coasts exposed to the brisk northwesterly wind. Showers will gradually fade during the evening, as cloud increases from the west. Turning increasingly unsettled overnight with heavy rain, proceeded by hill snow. Winds strengthening, with gales for some.

What’s on the front page of the Western Mail?Evil liar guilty of murderThe paper reports on a member of the wealthy family behind Peter’s Pies who has been found guilty of stabbing his best friend to death on Christmas Eve last year. Gatland won’t be leaving Wales Under-fire Wales boss Warren Gatland is the “world’s best coach” and going nowhere, according to assistant Rob Howley. Debate over Gatland’s position as Wales boss has intensified following a national record run of 11 straight defeats.Storm Bert triggers new warnings Storm Bert is the latest storm to hit Wales this year with a 24-hour weather warning…

What now, Keir? The front page of The National (Scotland) leads with an image of Benjamin Netanyahu following the ICC’s decisions to issue arrest warrants for the Israeli PM, his former defence minister Yoav Gallant and deceased Hamas commander Mohammed Deif. The ICC cites Israel’s use of starvation as a war tactic and its intentional targeting of civilians as the reasons for the issuing of the warrant. The paper says that following this major update – which PM Starmer says he backs – how can Britain justify selling arms to Israel?

What’s on the front page of the Scottish Herald? £2.8bn tax and wage bill could see care firms folThe Nuffield Trust said a rise in national insurance contributions and wage bills could see ‘swathes of the social care market collapsing’. Private and non-profit social care providers could be faced with increased costs of around £2.8 billion in the next financial year, according to analysis which warns of businesses potentially going bust.Sarwar scoops title The front page leads with a large image of Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar who has been awarded with the newspaper’s Scottish politics of the year. He is pictured…