Author: News Desk

Monday’s main European headlines report on a variety of political stories from across the bloc. The biggest stories cover the severed undersea cable between Germany and Finland – believed to be intentional.

The latest from the war in Ukraine as the US permits them to use American weapons to strike inside Russia. It leads to many of the European nations pondering if Germany – Europe’s largest economy – will follow suit.

Many of the UK media already report the UK is set to follow Washignton’s lead and allow Ukraine to use British weapons.

Coverage of the EU vote on whether to suspend Israel talks over Gaza and the bloc’s plans to increase defence spending are two other huge stories dominating the European news this morning.

The French newspapers continue coverage of the horrific rape trial that has not only caught the country’s attention – but the world’s.

Spain continues coverage of the devastating floods earlier in the month and the devastation left behind.

The German press reports on the severed undersea cables calling it an act of sabotage and a “hybrid action”, without knowing who is to blame.

The G20 summit in Brazil also finds space across Europe’s biggest news media.

British Airways flights in chaos as another IT failure strikes Tens of thousands of British Airways passengers encountered long delays and possible missed connections after another major IT failure. On Monday evening passengers at London Heathrow Terminal 5, as well as airports abroad, say they have been told communications systems have failed. In one example, flight BA365 from Lyon to Heathrow remained on the ground in France for two hours 40 minutes, rather than the expected one hour. The three evening departures from Manchester to Heathrow all arrived at least two hours late, jeopardising connections to destinations such as Abu…

Starmer criticised for meeting China’s Xi as Hong Kong freedom protesters were being jailed Sir Keir Starmer has been criticised for meeting China’s President Xi Jinping just hours before 45 Hong Kong pro-democracy activists were sentenced for attempting to field opposition candidates in an election. Among those sentenced were Benny Tai, who was jailed for 10 years and Joshua Wong, sentenced to four years, for “subversion” after being involved in the “Hong Kong 47” group of activists and lawmakers. The imprisonments were the largest use of the authoritarian National Security Law brought in to clamp down on democracy in Hong…

Putin increases nuclear weapon threat as UK expected to sign off missile strikes Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a revised nuclear doctrine to lower the bar for future nuclear weapon use. The updated doctrine, first announced in September but signed by Putin this week, declares that an attack using conventional weapons by any nation that is supported by a nuclear power will now be considered a joint attack on Russia. It does not specify whether a joint attack will trigger a nuclear response. But the doctrine does declare that a massive aerial attack against Russia could trigger a nuclear…

Jeremy Clarkson warns inheritance tax ‘the end’ for farmers as thousands march in fury Jeremy Clarkson has urged the Labour government to “please back down” as he warned that the proposed inheritance tax hikes could be “the end” for farmers. He has joined farmers for a large-scale protest in London on Tuesday to urge the government to change course over its plans, which have been described as a “stab in the back”. First unveiled in chancellor Rachel Reeves’s Budget, the plans to impose inheritance tax on farms worth more than £1m have sparked fury among rural communities, who have contested the government’s assertion that small family farms will not be impacted…

Snow and ice warnings have been issued today as many Brits woke up to some wintery weather as the cold snap sets in. The conditions have led to school closures and travel disruptions.

A planned march to Westminster by UK farmers is set to take place today. Farmers are protesting the chancellor’s plans to impose inheritance tax on farms valued over £1 million. The government have called for calm, reminding the public that most farmers won’t be affected by the rule. TV star Jeremy Clarkson is expected to join the protest.

Many publications – online and in print – continue their coverage of Joe Biden’s policy shift allowing Ukraine to use American-made weapons to attack Russia.

Several newspapers ponder whether the UK and Germany will follow Washington’s decision. There is coverage of Moscow’s reaction to Biden’s decision, with the Kremlin calling it a major escalation in the war and noting that there will be consequences for the UK if it follows Washington’s decision. Donald Trump’s team have expressed their anger at Biden’s decision, accusing him of “launching a whole new war.” Trump – who takes office in January – has repeatedly said he will end the Russia-Ukriane war as soon as he’s in power, but he has not indicated any sort of plan.

There are also ongoing reports about a potential trade deal with the US, with several of the business newspapers suggesting it will be tough talks with the new US president. An expert has predicted that the UK will align with Brussels if a trade war breaks out between the US and China.

The editorials continue their coverage of the PM’s meeting with the Chinese president Xi – and what that could mean for Starmer’s relationship with Trump.

Rain, sleet and snow will linger across central parts of England and Wales this morning. Gradually turning drier this afternoon with some brightness and feeling cold. Snow showers continuing in northern Scotland. Windy around coasts. Tonight, wintry showers continuing in the north tonight, and around some coasts. Largely dry elsewhere with largely clear skies. Widespread frost and some icy stretches where showers fall.