Editorial 30.09.24
Monday’s UK newspaper front pages cover a wide variety of domestic and international stories. The most notable is the rising escalation in the Middle East as Israeli airstrikes hit Yemen and tanks began to build up on the Lebanon border.
A little closer to home, the Conservative Party leadership contest is in full swing, with many of the hopefuls reacting to the latest extreme comment from Kemi Badenoch.
Ongoing speculation over the upcoming October Budget continues to make the headlines as does previews of Boris Johnson’s book regarding his time in office.
Away from politics, a handful of tabloids lead with the latest showbiz news.
‘Israel targets Yemen in airstrikes whilst continuing attack in Lebanon’
‘Attacks on two fronts,’ the Guardian reports on Israeli attacks on Yemen and Lebanon.
The Guardian reports that Israel launched airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen on Sunday whilst also continuing its attack against Hezbollah in Lebanon. The paper notes both strikes came 48 hours after Israel assassinated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
‘Israel hits missile launchers, sea port and weapons supply,’ says the i newspaper.
The i newspaper reports Israel’s military claims it has hit missile launchers, a sea port and a weapons supply route in Yemen, as it sought to widen its attacks. The paper says Israel is continuing preparations for a possible ground invasion in Lebanon.
‘Hundreds on tanks on border as ground invasion looks likely,’ leads The Times.
The Times leads on the potential ground invasion saying hundreds of tanks massed near the the Israel-Lebanon border last night. The paper reports the US has called for restraint from both sides and warned Israeli PM Netanyahu that escalating the war will mean the 60,000 displaced Israelis won’t be able to return to their homes in the north.
‘More than 1,000 people killed in Lebanon,’ says the FT.
The FT says the Israeli offensive has killed more than 1,000 people across Lebanon in the past two weeks, according to the health ministry.
‘Israel ignoring pleas from the West,’ says The Metro.
The Metro calls it ‘Israel’s onslaught’ and its front page notes Israel is refusing to let up despite pleas from the West.
‘October Budget: Reeves to divert cash to NHS’
‘Chancellor to divert extra cash to NHS,’ leads the Mirror.
The Mirror leads on politics at home reporting Chancellor Rachel Reeves will divert extra cash into the NHS to repair years of damage under the Tory government. A treasury insider tells the paper Labour knows cutting NHS waiting lists is a “priority for people.”
‘Winter fuel cuts will leave 262,000 people in need of medical treatment,’ says the Express.
The Daily Express continues its coverage of the winter fuel cuts saying the measure will leave 262,000 pensioners in need of medical treatment at a cost of £169m a year to the taxpayer.
‘Macron wanted to punish Britain for Brexit,’ reports the Mail which quotes Boris Johnson’s new memoir.
The Daily Mail quotes Boris Johnson – via an extract from his memoir – in which he says the French president wanted to give Britain a “punishment beating” over Brexit. He claims President Macron was “weaponising” small boat crossings.
‘Kemi Badenoch comments draw backlash’
‘Tor split over maternity pay costs,’ claims the Telegraph.
The Daily Telegraph reports Tory leadership hopeful Kemi Badenoch has seen fellow candidates turn on her following her latest controversial comments. She suggested that regulation around maternity pay had gone too far and were tying businesses in red tape. The paper claims she has sparked a Tory split over maternity pay costs.
‘Badenoch criticised by fellow Tory leader hopefuls,’ says The Times.
The Times also features the story in a prominent place on Monday’s front page, saying her rivals “criticised her remarks calling for mothers to have ‘more personal responsibility’.”