Farage insists crypto billionaire wants nothing for £9m donation to Reform

Plus: Four countries to boycott Eurovision 2026 after Israel cleared to compete

Friday, December 5, 2025 Good morning and welcome to your daily news briefing from The Independent.   Nigel Farage has insisted a Thai-based crypto billionaire wants nothing for a £9m donation to Reform UK, four countries are set to boycott Eurovision 2026 after Israel was cleared to compete, and Putin ordered the 2018 novichok poisonings in show of 'Russian power', an inquiry has found. Top stories 1 | Farage insists Thai-based crypto billionaire wants nothing for £9m donation to Reform Read more 2 | Four countries to boycott Eurovision 2026 after Israel cleared to compete Read more 3 | Putin ordered Skripal novichok poisonings in show of 'Russian power', inquiry finds Read more 4 | Zelensky's plane 'followed by military drones' before Dublin visit Read more 5 | Flu cases at record levels as 'tidal wave' of illness hits the NHS Read more Editors' picks Even tactical voting will not help Labour survive a Tory-Reform pact Jack Straw: Ukraine is changing the pattern of war in one of the key ways Why a war with Europe has never looked so tempting to Putin Your Views Your Views 'Therapy isn't just about feelings': Readers on why men fear help It is great that some men aren't troubled or don't need therapy (as yet). This is usually, largely, the result of having supportive conditions and being well resourced in their early to current lives, not due to any intrinsic superiority.   Person Get involved and share your views here. Don't forget to complete your registration You haven't completed your registration with The Independent. It's free, quick, and helps support our journalism while tailoring your experience. Register now to enjoy benefits including access to limited Premium articles, The Independent app, more than 20 newsletters and commenting on independent.co.uk. Complete your registration today to unlock access. WATCH  Stacey Solomon unveils giant Pickle Cottage Christmas decorations STAT OF THE DAY 50% An almost 50 per cent fall in the number of foreign nurses coming to work in the UK from April 1 to September "should sound alarm bells" with experts warning that stricter immigration rules could affect the NHS's ability to care for patients. Read more QUOTE OF THE DAY The deep state tried to destroy me but now I'm back and excited to launch this show Former Conservative leader Liz Truss is promising to defend Western civilisation and spark a "Trump-style counter-revolution" against attacks on the free world – in a new show on social media. Read more Other stories you might like Public 'left in dark' about impact of migration because of poor data I refuse to buy any more ugly Christmas party outfits Britain hit by freezing fog warning before nine-hour rain deluge forecast Get set for Christmas - 1 litre of Baileys Irish cream is just £10 at Amazon   The Nobody's Child sale has discounts of up to 40%. Join the conversation and follow us Download the free Independent app Please do not reply directly to this email   You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Evening Headlines newsletter.   To unsubscribe from The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here.   This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345 Read our privacy policy and cookie policy