A frosty and perhaps icy start for most on Thursday with sunshine and wintry showers in areas exposed to the northwesterly wind. Cloudier in the southwest with outbreaks of rain and hill snow moving through. Rather breezy. Wintry and blustery showers continue in the north of the UK, but drier with clear skies further south, and a widespread frost developing away from any coasts.
International news continues to dominate the UK newspaper front pages this morning as events across the Middle East continue to unfold as do updates into the shooting death of American healthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
In domestic news, the government has plans to open 14,000 more prison places and government departments have recommended a pay rise of 2.8% for millions of public sector workers including teachers, NHS staff and senior civil servants next year.
Last night’s Champions League matches make the back pages with Liverpool’s 1-0 win – continuing their perfect start to the campaign – leading most sports pages.
The i newspaper reports on strikes against Syria’s naval fleet by Israel and Kurdish positions in the north of the country by Turkey, saying there is a “new turmoil” in the Middle East.
The Times says Israel bombed hundred of weapons of silos, warplanes, and tanks, quoting the Israeli military saying it wanted to stop the equipment “falling into the hands of terrorist elements”.
Israel has acknowledged that some of its troops have moved beyond a UN buffer zone on the Syrian side of the border but insists it does not intend to march on Damascus, the paper says. The Israeli PM is quoted saying Israel will “do what is necessary to ensure our security.”
The Guardian’s front page quotes Israeli military spokesperson Lt Col Nadav Shoshani as saying “We are not involved in what’s happening in Syria internally,” he says. “We are not a side in this conflict and we do not have any interest other than protecting our borders and the security of our citizens.”
The Daily Mirror says rebels in Syria are drawing up a hit list of people who tortured and killed the Assad regime. The paper says up to 157,000 people might have disappeared after being detained by government forces and bounties are being offered for their capture.
The Metro leads with the latest in the Brian Thompson killing. The paper says the man accused of killing the US healthcare CEO, Luigi Mangione, 26, was arrested at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania. Mangione was found with a three-page handwritten document saying: “I apologise for any strife and trauma, but it had to be done”, the paper says.
The Guardian notes Mangione is expected to plead not guilty and will continue to fight extradition to New York.
The Independent reports on Luigi Mangione’s fiery court appearance, noting he shouted to reporters – “It’s completely out of touch and an insult to the intelligence of the American people and their lived experience!” – as police dragged him into court.
Liverpool kept up their unbeaten run with a 1-0 victory over Girona on Tuesday. Real Madrid beat Atalanta 3-2 away despite Kylian Mbappe’s injury. Both Paris Saint Germain and Aston
Refugees displaced by Syria’s long civil war are starting to return home following the dramatic fall of former president Bashar al-Assad. The overthrow of Assad by Islamist rebels has intensified
Syria’s new transitional prime minister, Mohammed al-Bashir, has called for the nation to “enjoy stability and calm” following the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad. Bashir, a former leader in the
A fast-moving wildfire dubbed the Franklin Fire has forced thousands of Malibu residents, including actor Dick Van Dyke and singer Cher, to evacuate as flames swept through the affluent Los
Luigi Mangione, 26, accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, protested his extradition to New York during a Pennsylvania court hearing. Mangione, an Ivy League graduate, shouted phrases like “completely
Former South Korean Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, embroiled in a controversy over a failed attempt to impose martial law, has reportedly tried to take his own life, according to officials.
Heathrow predicts Christmas travel boom
Adidas Confirms Raid of German Locations in Connection With Investigation on Imports
Despite the “doom and gloom” narrative and post-Budget fears looming over the UK’s start-up ecosystem, the country still holds its ground at the forefront of global innovation.
At least that is the view of Ashish Patel, managing director at Houlihan Lokey’s Capital Market Group, who says that a rise of international investment into UK start-ups this year is indeed a sign of good fortune.
While referencing the success of “landmark deals” across a variety of sectors this year, including AI firm Wayve’s $1bn (£787m) raise for self-driving cars, biotech start-up Nuclera’s $75m (£59m) for protein discoveries, and fintech Monzo’s additional raise of $430m (£338m), Patel’s argument becomes clear.
“Following the global investment declines of 2022, investment in UK-based businesses is picking up,” Patel says.
https://www.cityam.com/uk-start-ups-punch-above-their-weight-and-its-being-noticed-worldwide/
Business optimism fell at its fastest pace in over three years following October’s Budget, a new survey shows.
BDO’s latest business trends survey, which collects and regroups data from the UK’s main business surveys, showed that corporate confidence fell to its lowest level since January 2023.
The optimism index dropped 5.8 points to 93.49 in November, which was the largest monthly fall since August 2021.
The drop in confidence reflects the anticipated effect of the Budget, as businesses brace for the impact of the national insurance hike and the increase to the minimum wage from April next year.
Business confidence drops at fastest pace for over three years
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