Author: WTX News Editor

Today’s news summary – Paper Talk Tuesday’s front pages lead on an investigation by Parliament’s watchdog into Rishi Sunak’s possible failure to declare an interest. According to The Daily Telegraph, government guidelines to be issued soon will not require single-sex schools in England to accommodate transgender pupils. The paper reports that headteachers and governors have expressed concern about potential discrimination claims if they reject transgender pupils. Just Stop Oil protest Several newspapers showcase pictures of…

I’m trying the laser loved by Gwyneth Paltrow and Kim Kardashian, here’s what I think so far The Metro says I was buzzed to get the LYMA Laser and try it out. With such a hefty price tag and the promise of miracles at a cellular level, I was excited to see what it could do for me. Firstly, you should know that I’m not someone who likes a lot of faff and preening. I…

Hunt for kidnapped NZ pilot leaves one dead in Papua An Indonesian soldier has been killed in an attack by rebels while searching for a New Zealand pilot who was kidnapped in the Papua region. Rebels claimed that nine soldiers were killed, while the Associated Press cited military sources saying the death toll at six. The troops were searching for Phillip Mehrtens, who was taken hostage in February, and were attacked while near a separatist…

Ukraine war and Vladimir Putin critic jailed for 25 years Vladimir Kara-Murza, a critic of Russia’s Vladimir Putin, has been sentenced to 25 years for charges related to his criticism of the war in Ukraine. He has denied all charges. He was found guilty of treason, spreading “false” information about the Russian army, and being affiliated with an “undesirable organisation”. Kara-Murza holds both Russian and British citizenship and is a former journalist and politician. He…

The Guardian – 250,000 children denied NHS help for mental health issues Summary of the front page The Guardian reports that capacity issues within the health service have meant that 250,000 children with mental health problems in Britain have been denied help by the NHS as it struggles with a drastic increase in cases. The paper’s main image shows a worshipper praying at an Orthodox Easter Sunday service – which falls a week later than…

Metro – NHS private ambulance cost £1m a week Summary of the front page The NHS is spending “£1m a week” on private ambulances, according to Metro. The front page reports the health service is spending more than £1m a week on private ambulances to attend emergencies, such as road traffic accidents and strokes. The article quotes a member of the health union Unison as saying the measure is due to a lack of long-term…

Daily Express – Nurses warn strikes could last all year Summary of the front page The Daily Express leads with the Royal College of Nursing warning walkouts may continue until Christmas The front page leads on comments made by the head of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), who said the nurses’ strike could last until Christmas. The paper also quotes “Downing Street sources” as saying there’s no chance of an end to the deadlock…

Daily Mirror – Vapes sold illegally to kids Summary of the front page The Daily Mirror leads with an exclusive investigation into vapes being sold to a 13-year-old girl from various different shops. The paper’s investigation found that almost half of the 16 shops it tested in Manchester sold nicotine vapes to a girl aged 13, which is illegal. The paper quotes a campaigner as saying: “It’s the Wild West out there.” Today’s top stories Like…

The Sun – The hundred grand national Summary of the front page The Sun says a 21-year-old student invested £3,400 in Corach Rambler – and after the horse won the Grand National, the paper says he’s now pocketed £100,000. The front page features an image of Bukayo Saka after Arsenal threw away a 2-0 lead to end the game 2-2 against West Ham. The league leaders have damaged their chances of winning the Premier League title…

SpaceX set to fly giant Starship rocket system SpaceX, founded by billionaire Elon Musk, is set to launch its Starship rocket, which is the most powerful rocket ever built.  The rocket is almost 120m tall and is designed to have nearly double the thrust of any rocket in history. It will be launched on Monday from Boca Chica in Texas on an uncrewed demonstration, aiming to send the upper stage of the vehicle almost one…

Sudan death toll nears 100 as fighting rages and hospitals run short of supplies Fighting between Sudan’s army units and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has left at least 97 people dead and hundreds more injured, according to the doctors’ trade union. The violence broke out on Saturday over disagreements on integrating the RSF into the military, as part of a transition towards civilian rule after a 2021 military coup. The RSF is led…

Melbourne overtakes Sydney as Australia’s biggest city Melbourne has surpassed Sydney as Australia’s most populous city for the first time in more than a century due to a boundary change. The new city limits now include the area of Melton, where populations have rapidly grown. According to the latest government figures from June 2021, Melbourne’s population is 4,875,400, which is 18,700 more than Sydney. However, when taking into account the functional areas of the greater…

The Observer – NHS crisis deepens as nurses plan ‘mega-strike’ Summary of the front page The Observer’s main image shows one of the protesters at the Grand National being carried away by police, although its main story focuses on what the paper says is a deepening crisis within the NHS, reporting that the Royal College of Nursing – the largest nursing union in England – will ballot its members on whether to join a “mega strike”…

The Sunday Telegraph – ‘Deadly’ smart motorways scrapped Summary of the front page Forgotten among much of the Grand National coverage is the winner – Corach Rambler, who was ridden by Irish jockey Derek Fox. The Sunday Telegraph’s main image shows Fox celebrating on his horse, while reporting that “hypocritical” activists failed to stop the race. The paper’s main story focuses on news that the government has scrapped plans to build 14 new smart motorways…

The Sunday Times – Breast cancer surgeon: 650 deaths under the spotlight Summary of the front page The lead image on the Sunday Times also shows a protester being carried away by police at the Grand National, while its main story focuses on news that the deaths of 650 patients of a surgeon who conducted “hundreds of unnecessary and inappropriate operations” are being investigated. The paper’s cartoonist Nick Newman marries two of the main stories…

Sunday Mirror – Corona – nation heroes Summary of the front page The Sunday Mirror leads on the King’s coronation next month, saying thousands of NHS workers have been invited to the event “as a mark of the nation’s profound gratitude”, but adds they are still not seeing a pay rise. The paper’s take on the Grand National saga is that it was “Paintree”. Today’s top stories Like this article? Leave a comment UK National…

Today’s news summary – Paper Talk Sunday’s front pages cover a variety of topics, including the controversy surrounding Saturday’s Grand National – notably when animal rights activists were able to get on to the course at Aintree. Over 100 protesters were arrested. Another lead for the papers is the deepening crisis within the NHS, reporting that the Royal College of Nursing – the largest nursing union in England – will ballot its members on whether…

Japan vows G7 security boost after smoke bomb Japan’s Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, has pledged to improve security measures as foreign ministers from G7 nations visited the country following an apparent smoke bomb attack on him. The PM was attending a public event on Saturday when an object was thrown at him, followed by a loud bang and smoke. He was unhurt and was immediately evacuated. A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of obstruction…

Dozens of civilians dead as power struggle rocks Sudan More than 50 people have been reported dead in Sudan as a result of clashes between the military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group.  The fighting erupted over a disagreement regarding the proposed transition to civilian rule. Both the army and the RSF claimed to have control of the airport and other key sites in the capital city of Khartoum, where heavy gunfire was…

Former Indian politician shot dead on live TV Atiq Ahmed, a former Indian politician convicted of kidnapping, was shot dead alongside his brother while under police escort and speaking to reporters in Prayagraj, India.  Three men posing as journalists quickly surrendered after the shooting. Video footage showed Ahmed and his brother in handcuffs speaking to journalists seconds before being shot. The three suspected assailants arrived on motorcycles, and a policeman and journalist were also injured.…

Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby were swiftly left speechless after Iris divulged some rather private details about their time together – in the bedroom.

The Guardian – Senior Tories turn against Braverman’s racist rhetoric Summary of the front page Senior members of the Conservative Party are turning against the home secretary, according to The Guardian. Top Tories have accused Suella Braverman of using “racist rhetoric” to further her own leadership ambitions, the paper reports. The front page has a large black-and-white image of fashion designer Dame Mary Quant, who died yesterday aged 93. The paper also reports the US…

Metro – Farewell, Ms Miniskirt Summary of the front page The Metro leads on the death of fashion designer Mary Quant at the age of 93. Dubbing her Ms Miniskirt, the paper describes her as a British fashion icon. The front page tribute to Dame Mary Quant says her “era-defining” designs “made the Sixties swing”. The paper also carries an interview with actors Nicholas Hoult and Nicolas Cage, who star in the new Dracula film…

Financial Times – EY warns UK arm of fresh cutbacks after failure to split Summary of the front page The Financial Times leads on the news that bosses at Ernst & Young have warned partners a fresh wave of cost-cutting and staff departures are on the way as the professional services partnership attempts to address “inefficiencies” in their business. Elsewhere, a striking black-and-white image of Ms Quant sits atop the Financial Times, alongside a headline that…

Daily Mirror – Rapists get his hands on £7m lotto jackpot Summary of the front page The Daily Mirror leads on the news that a convicted rapist has been given access to a £7.2m Lotto jackpot he won in 2004 after a lengthy legal battle. There is another exclusive in the Daily Mirror, this time about the convicted rapist Iorworth Hoare who the paper says has been granted access to the fortune he won in…