Several newspaper front pages feature an image of the man arrested in connection with the arson attacks in North London linked to PM Keir Starmer.
A 21-year-old Ukrainian national from Sydenham, southeast London is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Ben Roberts-Smith’s appeal against a ruling that he unlawfully killed four individuals in Afghanistan was unanimously rejected by a Federal Court panel in Sydney.
Friday’s headlines are dominated by the debate around legalising assisted dying in England and Wales (Scotland has its own separate bill). Politicians, health experts and scholars are offering their opinions ahead of Friday’s debate.
The bill passed the first stage of the Commons last November – but since then there have been dozens of amendments added by both sides. A vote to pass or reject the bill is not likely to take place on Friday, but rather in June.
UK businesses are calling on the government to reset relations with the EU ahead of a summit hosted in London next week. More than 400 UK firms have urged the government to take “practical steps” to reduce red tape, ease staff mobility, and coordinate on climate, defence and energy.
On the international front, there’s widespread coverage of the humanitarian crisis facing Gaza as Israel continues to block aid (including food) and continues to heavily bomb the strip. Donald Trump is concluding his tour of the Middle East where he has signed huge investment deals.
At least 80 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza as violence intensified and ceasefire talks stalled. Some local sources put the toll at over 120. The renewed assault follows Donald Trump’s regional tour, where he proposed turning Gaza into a “freedom zone” managed by the US — a revival of an earlier controversial plan that implied permanent displacement of Gaza’s population.
MPs are set to debate the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill again on Friday, following major amendments and months of committee scrutiny. The bill, first passed in November by 330 votes to 275, would allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales to seek assisted dying.
Chef Steven Smith suggests implementing deposits instead of minimum spends in restaurants to combat no-shows, which have greater financial repercussions.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has launched a criminal investigation into allegations of rape and sexual assault against music legend Smokey Robinson, with the Special Victims Bureau currently assessing the early stages of the probe.
Labour peer Harriet Harman criticises Sir Keir Starmer for dismissing Plaid Cymru’s Liz Saville Roberts during PMQs by saying “you’re rubbish” instead of clarifying his immigration policy.
Thousands of Ukrainian civilians have been abducted by Russian forces, with nearly 16,000 identified in a network of prisons, where they face inhumane treatment and torture.
Chris Brown has been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent following an alleged incident in London on 19 February 2023.
Prime Minister’s statement about Britain becoming an “island of strangers” has drawn criticism, evoking comparisons to Enoch Powell’s controversial rhetoric from 1968.
Chris Brown was arrested in Manchester on suspicion of grievous bodily harm related to an alleged bottle attack at a London nightclub in February 2023.
Sir Keir Starmer’s proposal for “return hubs” aims to facilitate the deportation of migrants who have exhausted all options to stay in the UK, though Albania has expressed reluctance to participate.
A senior Hamas official disclosed ongoing direct peace talks with the United States, expressing optimism that former President Donald Trump could facilitate a resolution for Gaza.
Victims’ watchdog Baroness Newlove expresses serious concerns regarding the government’s changes to prisoner recall release policy, questioning the early release of certain sexual and violent offenders.
Cliff Notes Cassie Ventura testified about multiple incidents of alleged violence by Sean "Diddy" Combs during their on-and-off relationship from 2007 to 2018. She reported a shocking early incident in 2007 where Combs hit her in the head, causing her to fall and suffer confusion over his anger. Ventura described a later incident where Combs confronted her at a hotel, leading to a physical altercation resulting in bruising. Diddy trial live updates: Cassie to be…
Warning exodus of migrant nurses could be devastating for Wales Wales Online says new UK immigration measures could accelerate “an exodus of internationally educated nurses”, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has warned. The body said it could have “potentially devastating consequences” for health and social care services in Wales. There’s coverage of Welsh rugby at a time of many changes.
Trump praises tough guy ex-terrorist as he lifts sanctions on Syria The Independent says Donald Trump shook hands with Syria’s Islamist ruler on Wednesday – the first encounter between the two nations’ leaders in 25 years and a potential turning point for Damascus as it struggles to emerge from decades of international isolation. The US president warmly greeted former al-Qaeda fighter Ahmed al-Sharaa in a historic meeting unthinkable only a few months ago.
End the Nakba: Workers unite in call for end to 77 years of Gaza catastrophe Daily Star reports workers across Britain are taking part in a day of action for Palestine tomorrow, demanding an end to 77 years of the Nakba or ”catastrophe” that saw hundreds of thousands of Palestinians expelled from their homes during the founding of the state of Israel. They also joined the growing calls for the British government and institutions to end…
Death Toll Rises: At least 60 people were killed in overnight airstrikes across Gaza, with heavy bombing reported for a second consecutive night.
Megxit pair’s Montecito invite: BECKXIT The Sun says Harry and Meghan are secretly supporting Brooklyn Beckham and wife Nicola Peltz amid their family row — and had them over for dinner last week. There’s coverage of the UK government’s plans to reduce jail time for some offenders to free up some space in prisons in England and Wales. The paper says prisons will run out of space by November.
Yet another Labour plan to go soft on criminals Daily Mail reports that despite promising to build three new prisons the Justice Secretary said it was not possible to ‘build our way out of the crisis’ and unveiled new rules that will see offenders serving sentences of between one and four years only returned to prison for a fixed 28-day period. Tom Cruise on the Cannes red carpet makes the front splash – as does coverage of…
UK government lawyers deny Gaza genocide The National says evidence “does not support” conclusions that a genocide has happened or is happening in Gaza, UK Government lawyers have reportedly argued – despite Labour Minister’s claims that any determination of genocide is for judges to decide. SNP MP Brendan O’Hara quoted the Labour Government’s lawyers in parliament, highlighting how they had undermined previous statements from the UK administration.
Bias Exposure Several of Thursday’s newspaper front pages lead on various stories regarding the latest in Gaza – most of the papers had gone to print before news of Israel’s overnight air strikes, which killed at least 50 people. Online, the coverage is much more thorough, with the latest from the strip. Daily Star End the Nakba: Workers unite in call for end to 77 years of Gaza catastrophe What the newspaper said Daily Star…
Several of Thursday’s newspaper front pages lead on the new government plans to address overcrowding in prisons in England and Wales. Yesterday, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced plans including early release and building new prisons.
