US Edition
Good evening. Snow could hit London later this week, as Sadiq Khan issues a “severe weather emergency protocol” for the capital.
Elsewhere, a second member of the Royal family involved in an alleged racism scandal has been named in the Dutch edition of a new book by Omid Scobie, who denies naming any individual.
Sadiq Khan declares ‘severe weather emergency’ as snow could reach London
Snow could hit London later this week, as Sadiq Khan issues a “severe weather emergency protocol” for the capital. The Met Office has said that up to 3cm of snow could fall inland in parts of the UK, with “higher routes” of north-east Scotland expecting up to 5cm. The United Kingdom and Ireland are receiving a blast of air from northern Scandinavia, resulting in a cold snap for many in the north.
Twelve-year-old freed Israeli hostage forced to watch Hamas massacre videos
A 12-year-old Israeli hostage was beaten and forced to watch videos of Hamas terrorists massacring civilians, his family has claimed. Eitan Yahalomi was also among abducted children who were threatened by men with rifles when they cried, the relatives said. With more than 60 of the estimated 240 hostages now freed, details are emerging of the intimidating and spartan conditions in which they were held for weeks.
Live updates: 10-month-old hostage is dead, Hamas claims
Second ‘royal racist’ named in Dutch version of Omid Scobie’s Endgame
A second member of the Royal family involved in an alleged racism scandal has been named in the Dutch edition of a new book by Omid Scobie, who denies naming any individual. Endgame has been pulled from the bookshelves in the Netherlands after it named two members of the Royal family said to have been involved in a conversation about the skin colour of the Duchess of Sussex’s baby.
Evening Briefing: Today’s essential headlines
Snowdonia tragedy | Four teenagers drowned after the vehicle they were travelling in left a road in North Wales, a coroner has said.
- Politics | No 10 hits back at EC president
- Tax | Kaye Adams defeats HMRC in nine-year tax fight
- I’m A Celeb | Farage clashes with rival over ‘doing a black accent’
- Gaza | Families reveal what life was like in Hamas captivity
- Russia | Tourists may be forced to sign pro-invasion ‘loyalty agreement’
Pictured: Barclays closes branch – and tells customers to use van in graveyard
Barclays customers in Hove will have to do their in-person banking from a van in a local graveyard as the bank closes its last branch in the area next week.
Battle Lines Podcast | ‘Europe and the Middle East, if one sneezes the other catches a cold’
In this bonus episode of Battle Lines, Sophia Yan brings us her interview with Lebanon’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Abdallah Bou Habib. They discuss how the war in Israel and Gaza is impacting his country and the wider region, and what role the US and Britain has to play in resolving the conflict.
Comment and analysis
- Anne-Elisabeth Moutet | France could be on the brink of civil war
- Patrick O’Flynn | Poor Ursula needs Britain to save the EU. No thanks
- Allison Pearson | The M&S Christmas advert is a shocking celebration of selfishness
- Ross Clark | Climate virtue signallers are set for humiliation – just ask Sir Richard Branson
- Matthew Lynn | Pensioners are owed a lockdown thank-you. It’s time to scrap Net Zero
World news: Russian general blown up by landmine on front line
A Russian general has reportedly been blown up by a landmine along the front line in Ukraine. Major General Vladimir Zavadsky, deputy commander of the 14th Army Corps, was said to have stepped on the explosive on Tuesday.
Feature of the day
Where do you rank in the 2024 holiday rich list?
From a private jet around the Med to a tour of India’s Golden Triangle – see where your combined household income will take you next year.
Business news: Scrap pension triple lock to pay for net zero, Hunt told
Jeremy Hunt should scrap the pension triple lock to pay for net zero policies, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development has said. The Paris-based organisation said as high interest rates erode public spending, the Government should look for ways to free up cash and reduce the UK’s debt pile by scrapping costly policies such as the state pension triple lock.
Live business news: Biden spending binge triggers fastest US growth in two years
Editor’s choice
The Couple Next Door | I had a night of passion with another married couple and now I want to do it again
Money | Le Creuset is in trouble. Aga sales have slumped. Is the middle-class kitchen dead?
What to read | The best crime books of 2023, from Mick Herron to Robert Galbraith
Sport briefing: Today’s essential headlines
- Football | Var for Newcastle handball penalty stood down
- Rugby | Farrell to take a break from international rugby
- Ryder Cup | Donald to stay on as Europe captain for 2025
- Andy Burnham | Premier League hit back over Everton allegations
- Rugby | The England player campaigning on behalf of XL Bully dogs
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Three things for you
- Money | How to get by on the state pension
- Business | Why Britain’s mini-nukes dream is hanging by a thread
- Fashion | The power trousers that will transform your winter wardrobe
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