Editorial 11 April 2024

Thursday’s front pages feature a variety of stories. Several papers cover the US President’s comments that Israel has America’s “ironclad” support amid fears of a retaliatory attack from Iran – after an Israeli strike killed 7 Iranians in an attack on a consular building.

Various UK domestic topics make up the rest of the papers, from claims China are flooding the UK with fake stamps in an attempt to destabilise the UK economy, Labour’s plans if they win the next UK general election make a couple of the papers, and the tabloids feature plenty of celebrity gossip on their front pages.

‘Biden offers Israel ironclad support amid fears of attack’

The Guardian leads on Joe Biden’s declaration of support for Israel as concerns grow in Washington that Iran will carry out a “significant” strike in retaliation for the bombing of a consular building in Damascus, that killed 7 Iranians. It adds that they fear a strike could come in the form of a direct missile launch from Itan rather than a proxy such as Hezbollah.

The Telegraph says foreign embassies in Israel have begun evacuations in anticipation of an Iranian attack in the coming days. The front page notes Joe Biden has warned Iran not to attack Israel.  The paper reports that any strike could escalate the conflict in the Middle East into a broader war.

‘China flooding UK with fake stamps’

The Daily Mail lead reports thousands of fake stamps are flooding the UK, leading to a rise in complaints from customers, who are having to pay penalties to collect their post. The paper points the finger at China. 

The Telegraph says MPs and experts called the fakes an “act of economic warfare” done with “tactic approval” of the Chinese Communist Party. Speaking to the paper, the Post Office Minister, Kevin Hollinrake, says he expects Royal Mail to investigate how the counterfeits entered the supply chain. 

The i newspaper leads on UK politics, saying a plan by Labour to allow for failing bus services in England to be brought under public ownership. It is understood the initiative would allow local authorities to take over struggling firms and would be introduced in the first term of a Labour government. 

Away from UK politics, domestic stories dominate the tabloids too. 

The Sun says “ring of steed” reporting police are planning “one of the biggest-ever Grand National crackdowns” to stop what it calls “idiot” animal rights protesters disrupting the racing festival. 

The Daily Mirror leads on Caroline Flack – the TV presenter who committed suicide in 2020. The paper says the police watchdog has urged Scotland Yard to reopen its investigation into its assault case against Flack.