Today’s news summary – Paper Talk: Mary Earps wins SPOTY
Various stories dominate Wednesday’s front pages, but most splash images of England goalkeeper Mary Earps winning the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award.
Mary Earps wins SPOTY
Mary Earps winning the BBC Sports Personality of the Year is covered extensively across the front pages.
The Guardian describes her as “England’s Number 1 World Cup star”. For the Daily Express, she is “Mary, Queen of SPOTY”. “In safe hands,” declares The Daily Mirror.
Pressure on Israel grows
The Guardian’s lead story is on the rising pressure on Israel for a ceasefire, as the Gaza death toll approaches 20,000. There has been a wider spread of backlash from the international community in recent weeks. Israel’s military attributes civilian casualties to Hamas, accusing them of using Gazans as human shields.
The lead story in The Times issues a caution that the elderly will face the impact of Christmas strikes, as junior doctors in England initiate a new walkout. Age UK and other groups express concerns about the safety of elderly patients in hospitals during the strikes.
The Daily Telegraph reports on US officials outlining plans for military strikes against Houthi sites in Yemen, responding to Houthi attacks on Israeli-linked cargo ships. The situation prompts a rise in crude oil prices, affecting consumers, and potential delays in Christmas deliveries from Asia as ships divert around the Cape of Good Hope.
The Daily Mirror features the assisted dying debate following Dame Esther Rantzen’s BBC interview. Her family supports her call for a parliamentary vote on legalising assisted dying, while her daughter expresses horror at the idea of her mother going to Switzerland’s Dignitas clinic alone.
The i reports security concerns raised by British intelligence officers about a penthouse overlooking MI6’s London headquarters, owned by Russians, providing an “unimpeded view” of UK spies.