Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
Many of Monday’s front pages lead with images of stranded holidaymakers as they desperately try to escape the wildfires in Rhodes. Wildfires on the Greek island have led to evacuations of hotels and travel chaos as people scramble to find transport and shelter. Splashed across most of the papers are images of smoke-filled skies and raging flames.
Rhodes wildfires
“Hell on Earth,” is the Daily Express headline. The paper says terrified families have had to abandon their belongings in the dash for safety. It quotes a mother saying: “I thought I was going to die.”
“Rhodes on fire,” says the Metro which points out that many tourists have “trekked miles to safety in just flip flops and swimwear” as they try to leave the island.
The Daily Telegraph reports the PM is putting pressure on travel firms to make sure tourists can return to the UK.
A tourist who escaped the flames tells the Daily Mirror “it was horrific,” whilst another in the Sun compares the scenes to “the end of the world.” The paper’s headline reads: “Run for your lives” – it’s what tourists were told when the fires began engulfing hotels.
The i contrasts the Rhodes wildfires with the UK government’s environmental policies – which it says Rishi Sunak is “reconsidering.” Tory Sir Robert Goodwill tells the paper, “What’s happening in southern Europe” shows “we don’t have time” to ease green policies.
Spring General Election
The Guardian reports senior Tories are urging the PM to call an election in the spring next year. They believe May 2024 could be an “economic sweet spot providing the best window for damage limitation.” It says they think waiting until the winter of 2024 could mean “an even bigger wipe-out” for the party.
The Financial Times reports the heads of the UK’s biggest banks are being asked to explain how they will ensure customers’ accounts aren’t closed for their political views. The paper says it has seen a draft letter, in which the Treasury says bans must make sure “that customers can access payment accounts without fear of being de-banked for their lawful expression.”
The Daily Telegraph claims three more financial institutions are being investigated over claims they closed customers’ accounts because of their views.
