Friday’s headlines feature a real variety of domestic and international stories, from the ongoing Ukraine peace talks to the online safety bill.
The sun is out here in the capital, and the weekend is just around the corner, so grab yourself a coffee and let’s have a quick look at this morning’s bulletins.
PM stands by Zelensky amid Ukraine peace deal talks
PM stands by Zelensky and has refused to back the US-led Ukraine peace deal which would see Ukraine have to hand over Crimea to the Russians.
- The Daily Telegraph reports Prime Minister Keir Starmer has continued to offer his support for President Volodymyr Zelensky after the US proposed a peace plan that heavily favoured Russia – including giving away Crimea to Russia. The newspaper sees Starmer’s support as a direct challenge to “Trump’s peace plan.”
- The Times reports the UK is set to drop its plans to send thousands of British troops to Ukraine as the risks are “too high.” The paper says it is hoped a change by Britain and the EU in military support for Ukraine could result in Moscow moving its red lines to achieve a peace deal.
- The Guardian reports on US President Donald Trump’s rare outburst at the Russian president after Moscow launched a horrendous air strike that killed 12 people in Kyiv.
- The Financial Times sums up Trump’s rebuke as “Trump tells Putin to stop” saying he took to Truth Social to say: “I am not happy with the Russian strikes in KYIV,” adding: “Not necessary, and very bad timing Vladimir, STOP.”
- The Independent says “finally” Trump stands up to the Russian president – calling him out for massive missile and drone attack on Kyiv: ‘Let’s get the Peace Deal DONE!’
US tariffs latest as chancellor in Washington for a deal
After Donald Trump signalled that he might back down on the tariff war he started, the stock markets have calmed and talks of trade deals emerge. The UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves is in Washington this week attempting to secure a deal – but has vowed not to rush into anything and will continue to put Britain first.
- The FT reports China has told the US to “completely cancel all unilateral tariff measures” if Washington wants trade talks, in some of Beijing’s strongest comments on the deepening trade war between the world’s two economic superpowers.
- The Telegraph says the White House has hinted that a trade deal with South Korea is expected soon, and talks are progressing faster than expected.
- Reuters reports China called for all “unilateral” U.S. tariffs to be cancelled on Thursday, as signs emerged that the Trump administration may de-escalate its trade war with Beijing.
- The Independent says the chancellor has signalled that she is prepared to slash tariffs on US automobile imports to the UK in a bid to land a trade deal.
New online safety rules have been criticised
A little closer to home, the headlines are reacting to the new online safety rules with criticism saying the rules put tech firms ahead of the young people being harmed by content they see on social media.
- Metro criticises the new online safety rules as a “lost chance to stop tech firms killing our kids.” The rules are being accused of putting “reckless” tech firms and their profits ahead of safety.
- The Daily Mail reports campaigners of Ofcom’s long-awaited rules say they did not go far enough to protect young people and the new rules still leave children in danger.
- The Independent says Ofcom has insisted that the new online safety rules will force tech firms to change. The regulator has set out how websites and apps must protect children from harmful content, the paper adds.