Today’s news summary – Paper Talk: UK forces not ready for Russia war
There’s a variety of mostly domestic news stories on Sunday’s front pages.
UK forces not ready for Russia war
“Hollowed-out forces not ready for war with Russia” screams the headline in The Sunday Telegraph, echoing the concerns highlighted by the Commons Defence Committee, a sentiment shared by The Sunday Express and Sunday People.
According to The Telegraph, Nato nations are under a three-year warning to brace for a potential Russian offensive. In a peer-on-peer conflict, the UK’s capabilities are projected to be exhausted after just two months. Meanwhile, the Express reports that eight out of 10 individuals fear the onset of World War Three in this decade, with nearly half advocating a return to some form of national service.
The Sunday Times features an interview with Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron, who acknowledges the assets in place to keep Britain safe but expresses anxiety over the ongoing war in Ukraine. Drawing parallels with the 1930s, Lord Cameron emphasises the need for the UK to demonstrate its commitment to supporting Ukraine with weapons and replenishing its own stocks.
Northern Ireland historic moment
“Stepping into history,” declares The Observer, capturing the image of Michelle O’Neill, Sinn Fein’s new first minister in Northern Ireland. This historic moment is also spotlighted on the front pages of The Sunday Times and The Independent on Sunday.
Investigating a drug rehab centre in Sussex, The Observer reveals striking similarities between the Narconon clinic and the Church of Scientology. Patients and staff allegedly undergo repetitive drills, resembling obedience training. Despite being listed in an NHS directory, Narconon denies following a religious doctrine, asserting that the drills have saved lives. The Department for Health and Social Care refrains from commenting on the matter.
The Sunday Mirror reports a Conservative trade minister’s pledge to support the tech firm owned by Rishi Sunak’s wife during a trip to India. The Department for Trade insists such interactions are part of its efforts to promote the UK as an investment destination. The Sunday Mirror calls on Sunak to address what it perceives as a conflict of interest.
In The Telegraph, former home secretary Suella Braverman criticises churches for alleged support of fake asylum claims. She contends that individuals, like the suspects in the Clapham chemical attack, manipulate the system by converting to Christianity. The Church argues that vetting asylum seekers is the responsibility of the Home Office.
The Sunday People challenges the suspect’s conversion claims, reporting that the local diocese has found no evidence of the referee he supposedly used to prove his switch of religions.
Finally, The Sun on Sunday’s lead story reveals Kate Garraway’s return to present Good Morning Britain less than a week after her husband Derek Draper’s funeral.