Monday morning news briefing: Car ploughs into parade

It was the moment a Christmas parade turned deadly. At least five people have been killed and 40 others injured after a speeding vehicle ploughed into groups of people in the US state of Wisconsin last night.

Video showed a red SUV hurtling towards the crowd (below) in the town of Waukesha, suburban Milwaukee.

Among those hit were youngsters waving pompoms and a group of "Dancing Grannies".

One woman screamed "Oh my God!" repeatedly and a father talked of going "from one crumpled body to the other".

An officer fired shots at the vehicle in an attempt to stop the carnage. Police said a "person of interest" was in custody. US Correspondent David Millward has the latest updates.

Rage across Europe as Covid rules trigger riots

Europe is facing an increasingly violent backlash against fresh Covid restrictions imposed to deal with a record number of new cases on the Continent, as a fifth wave spreads at "lightning speed". Riot police used water cannons and tear gas as peaceful demonstrations turned ugly in Brussels last night, when tens of thousands of protesters marched through the streets. Demonstrators smashed the glass at the entrance to a European Commission building after young men in hoods attacked police vans with baseball bats. View pictures and videos. It came on another night of disorder in the Netherlands over the introduction of new coronavirus restrictions, after police opened fire on the crowds. As Joe Barnes reports, there were also violent scenes in Austria, Italy, Croatia, Denmark and Switzerland amid clampdowns by European governments on civil liberties to curb a steep increase in the number of infections that are putting healthcare systems under strain.

As Europe endured fresh violence, Sajid Javid, the Health Secretary, insisted no such measures were necessary in Britain - saying he hoped people can "look forward to Christmas together". He played down the likelihood of tougher curbs being introduced in England as he highlighted the "one big difference". Mr Javid also said booster vaccinations are now being considered for all adults. Meanwhile, experts have warned that the hidden backlog of NHS patients will surge because the Government is set to miss its target to recruit 6,000 more GPs.

Adele puts Spotify in a spin over album 'shuffle'

Spotify is changing - thanks to Adele. The music superstar has persuaded the streaming giant to remove "shuffle" as the default option on albums as she says "our stories should be listened to as we intended". The 33-year-old singer's fourth studio album, 30, was launched on Friday to widespread critical acclaim. Read our five-star review. It came ahead of her concert at the London Palladium being aired on ITV last night, in which Ed Power says Adele "sang like a turbocharged diva".

Today's political cartoon

View today's cartoon by Blower as he covers the Government's approach to tackling the Channel migrant crisis. Matt is away.

Also in the news: Today's other headlines

Royals | The Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William are reportedly threatening to boycott the BBC over a refusal to let them see a documentary about the Royal family's relationship with the media. The three households have united to complain amid fears that tonight's programme will repeat claims about Princes William and Harry. It came as pictures showed Her Majesty attending what is believed to be the first royal double christening, despite recent concerns for her health.

• Interview | UK will be dealmaker again, says trade chief

• Pensions | Private school's teachers to vote on first national strike

• India | 'Dead' man found alive after night in mortuary freezer

• Eddie Redmayne | 'Taking transgender role was a mistake'

• Striking bronze | Teenager's 'once in a lifetime' hoard of axes

Around the world: Russia 'set to invade Ukraine'

Russia is preparing to invade Ukraine at the beginning of next year with far greater force than anything seen in the conflict to date, according to Ukrainian military intelligence. The Kremlin had sent 92,000 soldiers to its western border and could launch a multipronged offensive in January or February, Ukraine's intelligence chief said. As Jorg Luyken reports, it is feared the assault would include airstrikes and amphibious assaults.

Comment and analysis

• Nick Timothy | Woke narrative on racism is counterproductive

• Tim Stanley | The Rittenhouse case proves the US has lost the plot

• Lucy Burton | Corporate green preaching is drowned out by jets

• Jane Shilling | Antidote to Black Friday? Pop into a charity shop

• Reader letters | Tories will be punished for not acting on migration

Editor's choice

1. Christmas charity appeal | The inside story of the search for an Alzheimer's vaccine

2. Midlife fitness | 'I might be 50, but my body age is 35 and I'm about to row the Atlantic'

3. Money Makeover | 'Is my £47k salary enough for my partner to stop work and raise our son?'

Sport briefing: Pochettino's United interest

Mauricio Pochettino would be open to taking over as Manchester United manager next summer after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's sacking - should he leave Paris St-Germain. After finally dismissing Solskjaer yesterday in the wake of a wretched 4-1 defeat at Watford, United are looking to bring in an interim manager until the end of the season. Oliver Brown says Pochettino is the ideal person to revive the club's fortunes. Who is most at fault for the sacking? Read our player-by-player verdict.

Business briefing: Watchdog cries for help

The City regulator is seeking Bitcoin experts to train its staff over fears money launderers and terrorists using cryptocurrencies are steps ahead in the fight against financial crime. The Financial Conduct Authority is spending £500,000 on consultants to provide access to a platform that analyses blockchain data and to coach officials about how they can spot criminals transferring money via decentralised financial networks.

Tonight's dinner

Roasted tomato and red pepper risotto | A quick dish by Olivia Andrews that is packed with vegetables. View the recipe. For more, try our Cookbook newsletter.

Your daily travel inspiration

Magical Murcia | In addition to its gorgeous coastline and near-year-round sun, the region of Murcia is now hailed as a fabulous foodie corner of Spain. Chris Leadbeater explains how it became a gourmet hotspot.

And finally... for this morning's downtime

How breathwork went mainstream | It is a trend that has gained even more traction in the wake of the pandemic. Gavin Newsham speaks to the experts, who explain the benefits of the "mini-tranquiliser" - for everyone from marathon runners to asthmatics.