Putin moves new nuclear-capable missiles to Europe's doorstep

Plus: 25,000 people left stranded amid Eurostar cancellations

Wednesday, December 31, 2025 Good morning and welcome to your daily news briefing from The Independent.   Vladimir Putin deployed nuclear-capable missiles in Belarus, some 25,000 people were affected by Eurostar cancellations, and divers recovered a body from an Essex Reservoir after a small plane crashed suddenly on Sunday. Top stories 1 | Putin raises stakes with nuclear-ready missiles at Europe's door Read more 2 | Thousands of Eurostar passengers face chaos as services cancelled Read more 3 | Divers recover body from Essex reservoir after plane crash Read more 4 | Britons to ring in the new year with snow, ice and gale-force winds Read more 5 | Nigel Farage racism claims have not harmed his reputation, poll finds Read more Editors' picks This 'drone attack' shows paranoid Putin will never be a peacemaker Eleven things you don't realise about Dubai until you've lived there Adam Ramsay Peaty has done the right thing in taking his wife's name Your Views Your Views 'Rip-off Britain': Readers clash over rise of illegal streaming I just gradually gave up watching sports – cricket, Six Nations and now the Tour de France – which is all very sad, and the impact on kids' participation if they can't see top-level sport is a worry. While piracy isn't right, if it forces a rethink to make sports more widely available, or persuades the likes of TNT to price more reasonably, that can only be a good thing.   OliEEE 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  Trump reacts to claims of drone strike on Putin's home STAT OF THE DAY 7% The number of UK adults reporting issues with high levels of carbon monoxide in their homes in the past year alone. Read more QUOTE OF THE DAY "Keeping the upper hand in an endless war is a good strategy for regime survival in Russia." Vladimir Putin has a careful balance to maintain to keep Donald Trump on side as a de facto partner in geopolitics without letting him end the war in Ukraine, argues Mark Almond. Read more Other stories you might like 20 TV shows everyone will be talking about in 2026 Mother reveals journey out of hell in northern Ethiopia in Tigray war Ricky Gervais lashes out at 'middle-class, elitist' critics Choosing The Independent as one of your preferred sources ensures that you'll see our coverage more prominently displayed in your searches. That way, you can be sure you're accessing the latest headlines from a trusted source. SOURCE PREFERENCES Don't miss today's deals on Amazon, featuring discounts on homeware, beauty, tech and more. 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