Editorial 16 July 2024.
Tuesday’s newspapers mark a shift in coverage as most broadsheets cover the latest from the US presidential race – with a little UK politics on the front page.
The tabloids lead to the discovery of a body in the Jay Slater case. Though not formally identified it is believed the body is that of the missing 19-year-old Brit, with early theories being that he slipped into a ravine and died. The papers note that rescue workers had to use a helicopter to reach the ravine and it’s believed specialists found Slater’s possessions.
A handful of the front pages leave space to assess the England football team and whether Gareth Southgate will be replaced. The speculation around Southgate’s future dominates the back pages.
‘Trump picks his VP’
The latest from the US presidential race is heavily covered in the UK press this morning.
The Daily Telegraph leads with the news of Donald Trump’s vice-president pick. Trump chose Ohio senator JD Vance as his running mate, describing Vance as a “firebrand” and an “heir to the Make America Great Again movement.” The paper notes JD’s previous criticism of Donald Trump – who he called “cultural heroin” – but has since re-invented himself.
Vance notably was amongst those blaming Joe Biden’s rhetoric for the attempted shooting of Trump, the paper adds.
The Times reports on new polling which puts Trump ahead of Biden in seven key battleground states. The data suggests, since March, Trump has overtaken his rival in three swing states and increased his lead in the others. It adds the advantage is expected to widen following the assassination attempt.
The FT says shares in the group behind Truth Social – Donald Trump’s social media site – has lept more than 30% as traders reacted for the first time since the attack.
The i newspaper covers Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s call to Trump following the assassination attempt. The paper says the PM overruled his advisers, who suggested sending a note instead. The paper says the call was quickly accepted and lasted 10 minutes, with Trump congratulating Starmer on his win. The paper says the conversation represents the pair building “their new special relationship.”
The Guardian quotes the head of the government’s new defence review saying the UK and its allies are facing a threat from China, Russia, Iran and North Korea. Lord Robertson believes the UK has to be prepared to take on all four if necessary amid concerns that they are “increasingly sharing arms, components and military intelligence”.
‘Body found in Jay Slater case’
Many of the tabloids lead on the discovery of a body in Tenerife in the search for missing British teenager Jay Slater.
The Daily Express says dramatic footage shows rescue workers using a helicopter to reach a ravine where the body was discovered.
The Mirror describes the news as a “family’s worst nightmare.” The paper’s headline suggests the teenager had fallen into the ravine.
The Sun asks how cops had missed the body which was found in a ravine. Slater had been missing for 29 days before the discovery of a body.
‘A fall was likely the cause’ is the headline of the Metro that picks up on comments from local police.