Thursday briefing: How pay erosion and job shortages pushed doctors to strike again amid winter flu surge

In today's newsletter: The government's clash with resident doctors has hardened into one of the most bitter public-sector disputes since austerity began

Good morning. The moment of crisis" for the NHS that led Keir Starmer to warn resident doctors not to strike this week is already upon us as a winter flu epidemic sweeps the country, having started weeks earlier than usual.

Yet, despite the warnings, Tuesday's last ditch talks between the government and the British Medical Association, representing 55,000 of 70,000 resident doctors in England, failed to reach agreement over pay and jobs.

UK news | Police in London and Manchester have pledged a further crackdown on pro-Palestinian demonstrations on anyone chanting the words globalise the intifada" or holding a placard with the phrase on it.

Trade policy | Ministers and senior MPs have warned that the UK's agreements with Donald Trump are built on sand" after the Guardian established that the deal to avoid drug tariffs has no underlying text beyond limited headline terms.

Ukraine | The UK has given its final warning to Roman Abramovich to release 2.5bn from his sale of Chelsea FC to give to Ukraine, telling the billionaire to release the funds or face court action.

US news | Nick Reiner, who has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the killing of his parents, acclaimed actor and director Rob Reiner and photographer Michele Singer Reiner, made his first appearance in court on Wednesday.

Sextortion | The parents of a 16-year-old who took his own life after he fell victim to a sextortion gang on Instagram are suing Meta for the alleged wrongful death of their son, in the first UK case of its kind.