Today’s Daily News | UK weather warning, Birmingham lake tragedy, strike and travel chaos, Italy shooting leaves three dead
Today’s news is dominated by the tragedy near Birmingham, as four children remain in hospital after falling into an icy lake. Britons woke up to snow and ice this morning and are being warned of travel disruptions. The government is to chair an emergency COBRA meeting to prepare for a winter of disruptions as many sectors prepare to strike.
In international news: Iran has executed a second man involved in the mass anti-government protests. Elon Musk is rolling out the blue-tick feature for Twitter after a disastrous start and three victims named in the Italy cafe shooting.
Birmingham lake tragedy: Children in critical condition
The four children who were rescued from an icy lake near Birmingham remain in critical condition in hospital. Some reports suggest two children were playing on the ice in Babbs Mill Park, Kingshurst when they fell in and two other children attempted to rescue them. “There are no updates. They were all in critical condition when they arrived in hospital.” The Met Office has issued a warning about icy rivers during the UK’s cold snap. “While frozen rivers and ponds can be fascinating, they can be dangerous and a hazard to life.”
Read the story here: Children fall into icy lake remain in critical condition
UK weather warning: Snow and ice cause chaos on the roads, rail and air
Many Britons woke up this morning to see a blanket of snow and ice. The Met Office has issued warnings of ice, fog and snow for much of the UK. Temperatures fell well below freezing overnight and combined with wintry showers it has created icy conditions. Railways are severely disrupted and airports have been forced to close their runways. Travellers have been told to check their travel plans before setting off.
Read the story here: UK weather: Snow and ice cause travel disruptions
Government holds COBRA meeting ahead of winter strikes
The government will chair an emergency COBRA meeting this morning to discuss how they will deal with the many strikes planned for December. The strikes are set to take place across a number of sectors and will likely cause massive disruptions. The industrial action is over pay and conditions, unions are calling for their members to be paid in line with rising costs.
Read the story here: Government hold emergency Cobra meeting amid winter strike chaos
Three women killed in Rome cafe in Italy shooting
Three women – one a friend of Italy’s new prime minister, were killed in a cafe in Rome when a man opened fire. Four others were injured. Those inside were meeting as part of a local block’s residents’ committee. The killings are not believed to be politically motivated but instead likely to be part of an ongoing residents dispute. The shooting suspect is 57 years old and has been arrested.
Read the full story here: Three women killed in Rome cafe in Italy shooting
Twitter’s blue tick feature launches after chaotic start
Twitter’s controversial blue tick feature will be rolled out on Monday after its disastrous first attempt in November. The blue tick had been used as a verification tool for high-profile accounts but Elon Musk believed that to be unfair. The first roll out was stopped after people started impersonating high-profile people and companies. There are fears the new feature will lead to misinformation spreading on Twitter.
Read the full story here: Twitter’s blue tick feature launches after chaotic start
What do the newspapers say?
Monday’s newspapers are dominated by the news that four children are fighting for their lives after being rescued from a frozen lake.
Other stories include England returning home after being knocked out of the World Cup by France, the upcoming strikes and what it means for Christmas and the government’s plans for military personnel to act as strikebreakers and the government’s refusal to engage in pay talks with nurses.
