Sunday Papers – Israel-Gaza ‘100 days of hell’ – the full perspective
Most of Sunday’s front pages continue their coverage of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East as they note the grim 100-day milestone.
Israel-Gaza war ‘100 days of hell’
The lead story in The Sunday Telegraph focuses on Lord Cameron’s remarks, highlighting the UK’s readiness to conduct further strikes against the Houthis. The foreign secretary emphasises Britain’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding freedom of navigation and emphasises a willingness to translate words into actions. Lord Cameron dismisses Houthi’s claims to link the attacks to “Israel and Gaza” as baseless.
The Observer reports on economists’ warnings about the Red Sea crisis potentially disrupting global economic recovery. The World Bank experts caution that an extended crisis could lead to increased inflation, energy supply disruptions, higher interest rates, diminished growth, persistent inflation, and heightened uncertainty. Government circles in London and Washington express concerns about potential negative impacts on Rishi Sunak and Joe Biden’s electoral prospects due to a slowing global economy.
The Sunday Mirror highlights a significant development in the Israel-Hamas conflict, commemorating it as a milestone. The front page features an image of a premature baby in a Gaza hospital incubator, symbolising “100 days of hell.” The paper underscores the infant’s precarious condition, attributing the risk to power cuts at one of the few operational hospitals in the area. A doctor notes the vulnerability of children who cannot be relocated despite the region being deemed a battle zone.
The Post Office scandal
The Post Office scandal is still a hot topic in the papers, with the Sunday Times reporting that Theresa May’s government ignored warnings about the Horizon IT system and pushed through a CBE for Paula Vennells.
The paper says that at least one member of the primary honours committee expressed reservations about the honour in 2018. The chair of the honours sub-committee, mentioned in the piece, denies dismissing concerns, and an anonymous source asserts that assurances regarding Vennells’ suitability for the award were provided by civil servants.
The Scottish Mail on Sunday leads with the findings of an opinion poll indicating a potential loss of 24 MPs for the SNP in the upcoming general election—more than half of its current representation. The paper characterises the survey as adding to the challenges faced by the “embattled” First Minister Humza Yousaf.
UK weather chaos
The Daily Star issues a cautionary report about the impending “Beast from the North,” forecasting a week of “ice chaos” in Britain. The publication anticipates widespread snowstorms and temperatures dropping to -13°C, urging preparedness for the wintry conditions.
THE SUNDAY PAPERS – REVIEWED AND SUMMARISED
The Observer – Red Sea crisis could shatter economic recovery hopes
The Observer carries a warning from some leading economists that the Red Sea “crisis” could “shatter” hopes of economic recovery around the world by reigniting inflation and disrupting energy supplies. Experts at the World Bank tell the paper that a prolonged crisis threatens to feed through into higher interest rates, lower growth, persistent inflation and greater uncertainty. The Observer says there is growing concern in government circles in London and Washington that a slowing global economy could harm Rishi Sunak and Joe Biden’s chances at the ballot box this year.
Sunday Mirror – 100 days of hell
A milestone in the war between Israel and Hamas is marked by the Sunday Mirror. It carries a picture of premature baby in an incubator in Gaza under the headline “100 days of hell”. It says the infant is “clinging to life” but close to becoming one of the war’s “tiniest victims” because of power cuts at one of the last working hospitals in the territory.
A doctor tells the paper that children there are too frail to be moved, despite the area being considered a battle zone.
The Sun on Sunday – Kyle Walker exclusive: I had to tell Kyle’s wife the truth
The Sun continues its coverage of an alleged affair between Manchester City player Kyle Walker and model Lauryn Goodman, who he is said to have fathered a second child with.
The paper has spoken to Ms Goodman, who says she took matters into her own hands and revealed the truth to Walker’s wife, Annie Kilner.
The Sunday Times – Vennells given CBE despite Horizon fears
The Sunday Times reports that Paula Vennells, Post Office chief executive from 2012 to 2019, was handed a CBE by Theresa May’s government despite concerns raised on the honours committee over the scandal. Ms Vennells said earlier this week she would hand back her honour following the backlash.
The paper says at least one member of the main honours committee questioned the wisdom of the honour in 2018. The article includes a denial from the chair of the honours sub-committee that he “brushed aside” concerns, and an unnamed source says assurances were received from civil servants about her fitness for the award.
The Sunday Telegraph -UK ready to strike Houthis again, says Cameron
The Sunday Telegraph carries Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron’s warning to Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The paper reports Lord Cameron as saying the UK is ready to strike again if the group continues targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea, one of the world’s most important trading routes.
In an op-ed for the paper, Lord Cameron writes the UK has sent an “unambiguous message” to the Houthis, who say they target ships linked to Israel as a show of support to Hamas. The UK and US say they are defending freedom of navigation.