Author: News Desk

The Metro calls the announcement a “shock”, saying the prime minister took aim at what he called the “flabby, unfocused” quangos. 

The Irish Times reports that a dissident republican feud has escalated as it emerges Óglaigh na hÉireann (ÓNH) has issued death threats.

The Scotsman says the chancellor’s move will help boost growth ahead of her visit to Scotland.

Putin: I will agree truce but only on my terms The Daily Express frames it as Putin wanting peace “but only on my terms” with the Russian leader saying “there are nuances” in response to a proposed temporary ceasefire. “I will agree truce but only on my terms,” reads the paper’s headline. Prince William and Princess Kate will be supporting different teams this Saturday as Welsh rugby takes on England. The killer of the teenager, Elianne has been sentenced to life for stabbing her to death.

The Daily Mail welcomes the news that the PM is to scrap NHS England with open arms, saying “patients to be put before NHS bureaucrats”.

Why I fell in love with Aston Villa The Sun front page leads with an exclusive interview with Prince William, who discusses his love for Aston Villa who are through to the quarter finals of the Champions League – where they’ll face PSG.

Most of Friday’s front pages lead with the shocking news announced yesterday that the prime minister will scrap NHS England and bring it back under government control over the next two years. Many papers report on the amount of job losses the changes could see and how much cash that could free up.

On the international front, there’s room on almost all the front pages to reports that Russian President Vladamir Putin has agreed in principle to a ceasefire in Ukraine but has set out strong terms. He has also rejected having a direct phone call with Donald Trump, who has imposed more sanctions on Russia in a bid to get Putin to accept the US-proposed ceasefire deal.

Cliff Notes – Economy finds reverse gear in January The Economy finds reverse gear in January it contracted by 0.1% in January 2025, contrary to expectations of a modest growth of 0.1%, primarily due to a decline in manufacturing output. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is facing significant challenges, including impending tax hikes and a £40bn bill from increased employer national insurance contributions, which threaten job security and economic stability. The Office for Budget Responsibility is expected to downgrade growth forecasts, as global economic uncertainties, including a trade war initiated by Donald Trump, loom large over the UK’s economic outlook. Economy finds reverse…

Top Democrat backs Republican bill to avoid government shutdown but warns that the bill gives Trump and Elon Musk more power to cut government services.

Cliff Notes – The Ähtäri council should arrest trustees Seven council delegates in Ähtäri have called for an emergency meeting to discuss the urgent need to arrest trustees involved in controversial loans. An internal audit has revealed secret decisions related to the borrowing of funds for the zoo’s Isopandas, prompting a pre-trial investigation by the police. The extraordinary council meeting is scheduled for next Monday at 5 pm, convened to fulfil municipal law requirements, despite the inability to address the alleged crimes at this session. In Ähtäri the council should arrest trustees for corruption, but it does not know who…