EU’s Erasmus scheme to reopen to UK students for first time since Brexit at cost of £570m

Local elections in the UK may face further delays as the government cites capacity issues among merging councils, with 63 council areas potentially postponing elections until 2027. This follows previous delays that pushed elections to May 2026, raising concerns about the democratic process.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a stark warning regarding the dire situation on the battlefield if European leaders do not approve the use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. The EU is currently deliberating on a $105 billion loan to sustain Kyiv's military efforts amid ongoing conflict with Russia.

Christian Turner has been appointed as the new UK ambassador to the United States, marking a significant achievement for the Sir Humphreys, a term often used to describe senior civil servants in the UK government, over political figures. This prestigious role is considered one of the most glamorous postings within the UK diplomatic service.

A UK doctor has warned that hunger strikers associated with Palestine Action are facing life-threatening conditions in prison, prompting hundreds of doctors, MPs, and citizens to urge the justice secretary for intervention. The situation has escalated as five prisoners have been hospitalized due to their ongoing hunger strikes, highlighting the dire circumstances they endure while awaiting trial.

The UK has appointed Christian Turner as the new ambassador to the US, succeeding Peter Mandelson. Turner brings nearly 30 years of experience from his work across Whitehall and the Foreign Office.

Farmers protesting against the EU-Mercosur trade deal clashed with police in Brussels, where they drove tractors into the city and faced tear gas as tensions escalated during an EU leaders' summit. The protests were fueled by fears that the trade deal would allow cheaper agricultural imports from Brazil, threatening local livelihoods.

Discussions at the EU summit in Brussels are focused on the potential use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, with Ukrainian MP Lisa Yasko emphasizing the significance of this decision for Europe's leadership role. She stated that the outcome of the evening could reveal whether Europe can act decisively or if fear of Russia will prevail.

The signing of the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement has been postponed to January, as announced by EU chief Ursula von der Leyen during a summit in Brussels. This decision follows demands from Italy and France for a delay, primarily to seek additional protections for their farming sectors, disrupting the European Commission's plans to finalize the deal this week.