Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
Thursday’s front pages lead with the news the Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor died at the age of 56. Her death comes just 18 months after her teenage son Shane took his own life. Many of the papers feature a large image of the hit-maker along with their tributes.
Sinéad O’Connor dies aged 56
The Metro leads on O’Connor’s death calling her a superstar. The paper also poignantly highlights how her death came just 18 months after her teenage son Shane took his own life.
Several of the tabloids make a nod to her famous song with their headlines. “Nothing compared” to Sinéad O’Connor says the Daily Mirror – which dedicates its entire front page to an image of the singer. A small space is left to report US actor Kevin Spacey was cleared in court of nine sex offence charges.
The Daily Star has a similar headline saying that “nothing compared” to O’Connor.
‘Damaging UK plc’
The Guardian also pays tribute to O’Connor. But its main story is about PM Rishi Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt being accused of “damaging UK plc” and failing to follow due process, amid concern over anonymous briefings that triggered the early-hours resignation of NatWest boss Dame Alison Rose
The Times’ lead reports thousands more violent offenders may be created by ministers’ failure to get children back to school after the pandemic. The front page pays tribute to Sinéad O’Connor and looks at her tragic and controversial life.
‘Bank accounts closed’
The i newspaper leads on business leaders demanding tougher banking controls amid claims thousands of accounts are being closed on flimsy grounds.
The Financial Times reports NatWest is struggling to contain the fallout from the Nigel Farage banking debacle. The paper says regulators have announced investigations and shareholders lashed out at the board.
NatWest is also the focus of the Telegraph – which says the bank is now facing an investigation into whether it broke the law over the Farage scandal.
