Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
Most of Thursday’s front pages are leading on the ongoing rescue mission to save the five men trapped on the Titan sub which was attempting to explore the wreck of the Titanic when it lost all contact.
Missing Titanic sub
Several of the papers look at how much time the rescue mission has left to find the missing sub. The Metro reports the sub’s oxygen is set to run out by 11 am UK time. “Prayers for Titanic miracle” reads the Sun, which also uses its headline to point out that time is running out. “The final hours,” the headline reads.
The Daily Express reports that a deep sea robot has been deployed to find the missing sub – and it can function at lower depths than the Titanic wreck. The paper says it is the sub’s “last chance of survival”. The Daily Mirror headline reports the families of those missing are “holding on to hope”
The Daily Star reports on “banging sounds” which were heard in the search for the sub. The front splash features a “rescue ship” and reports that an international mission is going on to save those lost.
The Daily Mail also reports on “banging sounds” heard in the area above the Titanic wreck – which is at a depth of 3,800m (12,500ft). Electromagnetic radiation, including radio and radar, are mostly useless underwater, but sound can travel fast over great distances. The front page notes the US Coastguard – who are leading the search – have said they still have hope.
‘Stubborn inflation’
Away from the missing sub, the UK economy is dominating the news. The Financial Times reports on tough decisions facing the Bank of England as “stubborn inflation piles pressure” on the bank to increase interest rates.
The i newspaper reports on deepening “mortgage pain” as the Bank of England’s expected interest rate rise “sparks new recession fears”. The assumption is that interest rates will rise by 0.25% to 4.75% today but some are suggesting they could go up to 5%.
The Times reports that Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s economic advisers “have turned on the Bank of England for its failure to curb inflation”, adding they have accused the institution of “exacerbating the mortgage crisis”.
Windrush 75
Several of the front pages mark the 75th anniversary of the Windrush generation.
To mark the 75th anniversary of arrivals into the UK from the Caribbean onboard HMT Empire Windrush, the Times showcases a colourised picture from the boat at Tilbury Docks on 22 June 1948.
The Guardian also marks 75 years since Windrush, pointing its readers to a special report on how Windrush shaped the lives of passengers’ grandchildren.
