Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
There’s a variety of stories dominating Wednesday’s front pages. One of the most popular is that British police have ‘major security concerts’ over surveillance equipment supplied by Chinese companies.
Elsewhere, the UK military insists it is ready to lead the response to Russian attacks against any Nato ally, senior healthcare sources reveal the real cost of NHS strikes and the latest from the search for missing Nicola Bulley.
UK daily newspaper headlines
The Times leads with Sir Keir Starmer, who writes in the paper, giving an ultimatum to hard-left MPs to back him or quit the party. Labour is about to be taken out of “special measures” over antisemitism by the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The paper says it’s a significant moment for the party to distance themselves, and Starmer, from Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership.
The Daily Mail leads on a warning that the UK should worry more about Chinese CCTV cameras 6ft over their heads than spy balloons high in the sky. The Guardian leads on the same story, with the headline “Beijing could use police cameras to spy on Britain.”
The Financial Times highlights fears by western intelligence officials that Russia is massing aircraft within striking distance of Ukraine – an indication, it says, that Moscow is preparing to use jets and helicopters to support its stuttering land offensive.
The Daily Telegraph reports that Nato and France are “concerned” about UK military cuts – and quotes a French MP saying Britain’s forces have been depleted because it has given weapons to Ukraine from its active stock. But sources insist the French have not raised any concerns with the government, the paper adds.
The Express quotes a British military chief who says “we can stand up to Putin” – and that UK troops are ready and able to lead the response if Russia attacks any Nato ally.
The Independent leads on the “real” cost of NHS strikes: 10,000 people waiting 18 months for surgery and 140,000 appointments cancelled. It says senior sources say the prolonged walkouts, coupled with unprecedented demand for emergency care, mean key targets are likely to be missed.
Whilst the Sun leads with the “twist” in the search for Nicola Bulley, with police being handed a “mystery ‘stained’ glove” found in the field where she was last seen. The paper includes a picture of the blue right-handed glove, which it says was found on a fallen tree branch.
