Browsing: What happened today?

Tuesday’s headlines are heavily focused on what’s happening outside our little island, with heavy coverage of the latest airstrikes in Ukraine and the group chat blunder from top US officials. 

A handful of headlines look ahead to Wednesday’s Spring Statement and continue to speculate on potential job losses and cuts to public spending. There is a handful of stand-alone stories on the front pages, covering domestic news.

A lot is happening this Monday morning with news across the UK being dominated by both domestic politics and international stories. The chancellor is making the headlines ahead of Wednesday’s Spring Statement, with the newspaper front pages speculating on what cuts are coming to public services. 

Protests across Turkey, US tariff backlash and Canada’s snap election are featured across the UK news this morning. 

Pope Francis is pictured on a handful of newspapers after he was discharged from hospital.

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.

What’s dominating the UK news today? From domestic politics to international war to a planned massacre in Luton to international football – there’s a lot happening today, so grab a coffee – here’s your daily news breakdown. 

Much of the UK media looks ahead at next week’s Spring Statement which is expected to reveal more cuts – it comes off the back of the government’s plans to slash benefits.

Triple murderer Nicholas Prosper has been sentenced to at least 49 years for killing his family. He had planned a school massacre in a bid to become famous.

An independent review on how gender and sex data is collected has led to several stories this morning as the data is assessed by the media.

The sunshine is here in the UK! Today could be the hottest day of the year so far – but don’t get use to it, rain is set for the weekend.

Donald Trump and his phone call with Zelensky is heavily covered in the UK media this morning.

What’s dominating the UK news today? From domestic politics to international war to England and Scotland’s upcoming football matches! Grab a coffee – here’s your UK news breakdown.

Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall outlined the £5bn package of welfare cuts, which has seen strong reactions from across the political spectrum, with charities and organisations also adding their opinions. 

A handful of UK front pages lead on Israel breaking the ceasefire in Gaza and heavily bombing the strip, killing more than 400 people including women and children. Online, many of the publications report on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s comments that the strikes were ‘only the beginning.’ 

The headlines dominating the UK news cover domestic and international politics, overnight terror in Gaza, protests over corruption and some lighter stories covering the upcoming Nations League matches and St Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Monday’s headlines are heavily dominated by politics with planned changes to the UK’s welfare system expected to be unveiled later this week. 

Many publications offer their assessment of the planned changes as Labour’s left prepares to mount a rebellion, and Conservative and Tory-supporting media praise the Labour government’s move. The exact details of the changes will be set out by Work and Pensions Secretary Liz on Tuesday.

Newcastle’s emphatic 2-1 win over Liverpool leads much of the English news as the Toons see their first silverware in 70 years and Eddie Howe becomes the first English manager to win an English cup since 2008.

Most of Friday’s front pages lead with the shocking news announced yesterday that the prime minister will scrap NHS England and bring it back under government control over the next two years. Many papers report on the amount of job losses the changes could see and how much cash that could free up.

On the international front, there’s room on almost all the front pages to reports that Russian President Vladamir Putin has agreed in principle to a ceasefire in Ukraine but has set out strong terms. He has also rejected having a direct phone call with Donald Trump, who has imposed more sanctions on Russia in a bid to get Putin to accept the US-proposed ceasefire deal.

Two stories dominate Wednesday’s front pages: the latest from Ukraine and the sentencing of Kyle Clifford.

Many of the tabloids choose to focus on Clifford, who was handed three life sentences with whole orders for the murder of his ex-partner, her sister and her mother. He was also found guilty of raping his ex-partner. The sentence means he’ll never be released from prison. The women were the wives and daughters of BBC horse racing commentator John Hunt, whose victim impact statement is quoted in many headlines this morning.

Manchester United’s new £2bn stadium is discussed on the front and back pages, as is Liverpool’s exit from the Champions League.

On the international front, a Ukraine- Russia ceasefire is on the table, awaiting Russia’s agreement, after peace talks involving the US in Saudi Arabia.

Trump’s ongoing tariff war with Canada also makes the front pages after he announced a 50% tariff on Canadian steel and aluminium. Trump’s announcements, which he’s since backtracked on, saw metal prices rise and the stock markets fall.

Tuesday’s headlines are dominated by the catastrophic collision in the North Sea, with detailed reports on the incident, rescue operation and environmental concerns.

As of this morning, fires are still burning, and one person remains missing.

Elsewhere, there’s coverage of other ongoing domestic stories, including the farmers’ protests and civil service cuts. Threats over AI and images of the Princess of Wales make several front pages.

The UK back pages cover last night’s Premier League match as Newcastle snagged all three points against West Ham.

The business newspapers focus on the stock markets as US recession fears sparked a market run-off.

Several papers report on the upcoming US- Ukraine talks being held in Saudi Arabia.

After a week of glorious sunshine across the UK, this mornings skies are grey and overcast but there’s no need to have a glum start to your week. Grab yourself a coffee, there’s a lot happening across the UK today from politics to the Premier League.

PM Sir Keir Starmer’s meeting with Donald Trump dominates much of the UK’s news this Friday. The British Prime Minister met with the US president in what much of the media is dubbing a ‘White House summit’. To almost everyone’s surprise, the meeting appeared to go well, with a UK-US trade deal expected soon, the president backing the prime minister’s Chagos deal, and the president effectively ruling out a US backstop for Ukraine.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer held a “warm” phone call with the new US President Donald Trump. Trump is expected to visit Britain “soon” following their first conversation since the president’s inauguration. The paper says the prime minister became the first European leader to speak to the new US president since he was sworn in.

Britain is set to be hit with torrential rain and high winds as Storm Herminia rolls in. Yellow warnings for wind and heavy rain have been issued for much of Wales and southern England as Storm Herminia hits parts of the UK. The Met Office says Herminia – first recorded in Spain and France – brings with it the possibility of damage and disruption, days after Storm Éowyn left two people dead when it battered the UK and Republic of Ireland.

King Charles will become the first British head of state to visit Auschwitz when he tours the former Nazi concentration camp to mark the 80th anniversary of its liberation. The King will travel to Poland to join survivors and other dignitaries for a special service, at the end of which he will lay a light of remembrance to honour those who lost their lives.

Axel Rudakubana, 18, has been sentenced to 52 years behind bars for murdering 3 little girls and the attempted murder of at least 10 others at a dance class last year in Southport. The judge says it’s highly unlikely Rudakubana will ever be released. Rudakubana pleaded guilty on Monday to the murders of Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9, and Bebe King, 6. He also admitted to producing ricin, possessing terrorist material, and possessing a knife.

The Met Office has issued rare red weather warnings, meaning there is a danger to life, as Storm Éowyn batters the UK. The worst disruption is due to hit Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland, with gusts of up to 100mph (161km/h) expected in some coastal areas. Millions of people are being urged to stay at home and widespread travel disruption is expected, with some flights and ferry crossings already cancelled.

Prince Harry has settled his case with the owner of the Sun newspaper – News Group Newspapers (NGM). Harry reportedly received a £10+ million payout as well as an apology. The Murdoch-owned tabloid admitted it engaged in illegal practices to source stories about him.

The Southport killer is set to be sentenced today after pleading guilty to three counts of murder and terrorism charges – including making ricin. The 18-year-old is expected to receive a life sentence. An inquiry into the case began after it was revealed authorities already knew about Axel Rudakubana and he had been referred (but denied) to the government’s Prevent scheme – aimed at stopping people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

Leo Ross, 12, was stabbed to death on his way home from school in Birmingham yesterday. The country reacts to the news – amid fears of a growing knife crime crisis. A 14-year-old boy has been arrested.

Storm Éowyn is heading towards the UK with rare weather warnings being issued for Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland on Friday.

The prime minister delivered a speech yesterday, following the guilty plea of the Southport killer, saying he will introduce tougher measures for people trying to buy knives online. It was revealed Axel Rudakubana bought the knife he used to murder three young girls on online retail giant Amazon, despite being only 17.

Kyle Clifford has admitted to murdering his ex-girlfriend and her sister with a crossbow and their mother with a knife in an attack at the family home. Carol Hunt, 61, was stabbed to death and Hannah Hunt, 28, and Louise Hunt, 25, suffered fatal crossbow bolt injuries in Bushey, near Watford, on 9 July. Clifford, 26, from north London, changed his plea to the murders during an appearance via video link at Cambridge Crown Court.

The owner of the Sun newspaper has offered a “full and unequivocal apology” to Prince Harry for “serious intrusion” into his private life and agrees to pay him substantial damages. It settles a long-running legal battle between the prince and the newspaper group, moments before it was due to reach the High Court.

Tuesday’s news is dominated by the inauguration of Donald Trump and his first day as the 47th president of the United States. As soon as he returned to office he issued orders including withdrawing the US from the World Health Organization and declaring an emergency regarding the US-Mexico border. Many publications look at what sort of relationship the US and the UK will have over the next four years.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a public inquiry into the murder of the three little girls at a dance class in Southport last year. Axel Rudakubana pleaded guilty to their murders as well as attempted murder and terror-related charges including making ricin. Many news publications report he had planned to commit the UK’s first school massacre just a week before he murdered the children. Since his guilty plea, it has also been revealed that he was referred to a counter-extremism scheme three times.

The prime minister has said the state failed the victims and an inquiry will be held to understand how this happened.

The release of three Israeli hostages in Gaza dominates the UK news today. Israeli-British citizen Emily Damari was among those released. She lost two fingers during her 15-month ordeal. The ceasefire will also see much-needed humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip as well as the return of 90 Palestinian prisoners (mostly women and teenage boys).

The weekend’s Premier League action leads the social media trending stories for the UK as Manchester United and Spurs lose again and discussions of what keeps going wrong has begun amongst pundits and fans.

The long-awaited ceasefire in Gaza has come into force after a delay of nearly three hours, and thousands of Gazans are beginning to return home. The first three Israeli female hostages are expected to be freed later – Hamas has named them as 31-year-old Doron Steinbrecher, dual British-Israeli Emily Damari, 28, and 24-year-old Romi Gonen.

Several thousand Pro-Palestinian supporters have taken part in a demonstration in central London. The rally – the latest UK protest organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) since the war in Gaza began in 2023 – comes as Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire and hostage release deal.

TikTok has gone offline in the US, hours before a new law banning the platform was due to come into effect. A message appearing on the app for US users said a law banning TikTok had been enacted, meaning “you can’t use TikTok for now”.

A roundup of last night’s Premier League matches dominates the UK news. Arsenal threw away a 2-0 lead at home to draw 2-2 with Aston Villa, potentially throwing away any chances of winning the title. Liverpool beat Brentford 2-0 yesterday, going six points clear at the top of the table.

Hassan Sentamu, the 18-year-old who repeatedly stabbed schoolgirl Elianne Andam in a row over a teddy bear has been found guilty of her murder. Sentamu, now 18, admitted manslaughter, claiming he was not in control of his actions because of his autism but the jury, after deliberating for nearly 12 hours, did not accept this defence of diminished responsibility.

The murderer of schoolboy Jimmy Mizen has been recalled to prison after “shamelessly boasting” about his crime, the Probation Service said. Jake Fahri, then 19, was convicted of murder after he threw a large glass dish that shattered, severing an artery in the 16-year-old’s neck, at a bakery in Lee, south-east London, in 2009.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced plans for a nationwide review of grooming gang evidence and five government-backed local inquiries. She stopped short of launching a statutory national inquiry, as called for by the Conservatives and some Labour MPs, but this marks a clear shift in the government’s position.

Manchester United beat Southampton late on in last night’s Premier League match thanks to a really late hat-trick from Amad Diallo. Erling Haaland has signed a nine-and-a-half-year deal with Manchester City and Utd reject Napoli move for Garnacho.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves continues to face pressure despite the pound and the UK government borrowing costs showing signs of stabilising after a turbulent few days.

A man has been cleared of manslaughter after his partner’s suicide. Ryan Wellings was cleared of manslaughter but found guilty of assault and prolonged domestic violence.

British people who own homes in Spain (but don’t live there) could soon be facing taxes of up to 100% as part of plans being proposed in Spain to help tackle the country’s housing shortage.

The government is to set out plans to use artificial intelligence (AI) across the UK to boost growth and deliver public services more efficiently. The AI Opportunities Action Plan being announced on Monday will be backed by leading tech firms, which are said to have committed £14bn towards various projects, creating 13,250 jobs, the government said.

The pound has dropped to its lowest value against the dollar since November 2023 while government borrowing costs have continued to rise. The pound fell to $1.21 on Monday morning as the recent sell-off continued.

The prime minister is being urged to tighten the rules around donations to political parties as the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, attempts to interfere in British politics by making a $100 million donation to Reform UK.

Further reports suggest the Conservative Party are attempting to woo Elon Musk away from Reform and to the Tories by highlighting their ‘anti-woke’ credentials.

Musk has been vocal about foreign interference in American politics but seems to have no issue with interfering in other countries’ politics.

There is anger across the political spectrum this morning as the government has announced it won’t be compensating the Waspi women. Whilst it’s accepted that it would hit the taxpayer if the government did decide to compensate the women, it been widely highlighted that when in opposition Labour made it clear it would be prepared to write a cheque if they came to power.

There’s further coverage of Prince Andrew’s latest scandal as he’s been told to stay away from royal events this Christmas. It comes as another Chinese spy allegation emerges.

Yang Tengbo – also known as Chris Yang – has been named as the alleged Chinese spy who was close friends with Prince Andrew. PM Keir Starmer has played down allegations of a Chinese network of spies operating across Britain, and Andrew has been uninvited from royal events this Christmas.

Yang also had contact with two former British prime ministers – Theresa May and David Cameron. Allegations of spying have led for calls for Britain to reassess how it manages its relationship with Beijing.

Lucy Letby’s defence team is to seek a fresh appeal on the grounds that the chief medical witness for the prosecution changed his mind about how some of the babies in her case died. Letby’s barrister Mark McDonald said he would take the ‘exceptional, but necessary, decision’ to apply to reopen her case.

MPs are amongst those calling for the alleged Chinese spy – with close links to Prince Andrew – to be publicly named for security reasons. MPs are threatening to name the man as allegations raise “calls for caution.” Shadow home secretary Chris Philp and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage are amongst those calling for the alleged spy to be named.

It’s plunged the royals – and Andrew – into deeper crisis and amid another year of royal scandal, the firm is hoping Andrew steps out of the public eye this Christmas.

District councils could be abolished and more elected mayors introduced across England under new plans for a major redesign of local government. Ministers are set to publish a paper on Monday outlining plans for mergers in areas where there are currently two tiers of local authority – smaller district and larger county councils – in a bid to streamline services.

The government has approved the sale of the Royal Mail’s parent company to a Czech billionaire. The £3.6bn takeover by Daniel Kretinsky’s EP Group has been given the go-ahead after agreeing “legally binding” undertakings.