Author: WTX News

Financial Times – UK and EU set to seal Brexit deal on bitter Northern Ireland trade dispute Summary of the front page The Financial Times reports that the prime minister is expected to unveil a Brexit deal between the UK and the EU, with officials from both sides saying the accord is “basically there now”. The paper says the number of MPs opposed to the deal could be limited to about 30, according to the PM’s allies. Elsewhere, the front page features an image of survivors sitting on a beach after a shipwreck killed at least 59 people off southern…

Daily Mirror – Act now … or millions face bills hell Summary of the front page The Daily Mirror’s lead reports a 20% rise in energy bills in April will tip 1.7 million more households into crisis. The paper says the government is urged to stop the £500m rise and maintain support payment. “ENERGY NIGHTMARE” is how the paper describes it. The paper carries a call from campaigners for the government to prevent an expected £500 rise in the typical annual energy bill from April. The paper says the increase will push an extra 1.7 million households into fuel poverty. The…

The Sun – Justice for Joanna Summary of the front page The family of murder victim Joanna Simpson will meet the justice secretary amid concerns that her killer could be released after serving just half of his sentence – that’s on the front of The Sun. The front page leaves room to report on Rishi’s Brexit deal – which is simply headlined as ‘EU deal is done’, Manchester United’s cup win and the latest from Dancing on Ice. Today’s top stories Like this article? Leave a comment UK National newspapers Previous Next

Daily Express – Rishi: This new Brexit deal is ‘best for Britain’ Summary of the front page The Daily Express leads with the new Brexit deal for Northern Ireland, as the EU’s Ursula von der Leyen is flying to Britain today. The paper quotes Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as saying the agreement is the “best for Britain”. The front page features a picture of a woman in snowy conditions – as the paper warns of a freezing March. Today’s top stories Like this article? Leave a comment UK National newspapers Previous Next

Today’s news summary – Paper Talk Monday’s front pages report on PM Rishi Sunak’s expected announcement of his Northern Ireland Brexit deal later today after securing the support of Eurosceptic MPs. Elsewhere, the newspapers report on a 20% rise in energy costs in April which will push 1.7 million more homes in crisis and Manchester United is pictured celebrating its Carabao Cup win after beating Newcastle FC 2-0 at Wembley. It’s Man U’s first silverware since 2017 and has marked a new start in the club’s history. The Red Devils’ performance has slowly improved since the introduction of new boss…

The inventor’s father served in the US Army as an atomic veteran during the Korean War.

Northern lights seen across UK in spectacular display On Sunday night, the northern lights were visible in southern England, an uncommon event. This beautiful phenomenon is produced by charged particles from a solar flare on the Sun that interact with the Earth’s atmosphere. The resulting displays of green and red hues can usually be observed in Scotland, but rarely in southern regions. However, sightings were reported in Cornwall, Kent, Norfolk, south Wales, and Northern Ireland on Sunday. The charged particles emit these colours as they interact with oxygen and nitrogen in our atmosphere, resulting in a magnificent display. If the…

At least 59 migrants killed in shipwreck off Italy A tragic incident occurred off southern Italy on Sunday as a boat sank in rough seas, resulting in the deaths of at least 59 migrants, including 12 children, with dozens more feared missing. The vessel was carrying people from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, and Iran and broke apart while attempting to land near Crotone. One of the deceased was a baby, and Italian officials believe up to 30 people may still be unaccounted for. While 80 people have been found alive, the exact number of those on the boat is unknown, with…

Today’s news summary – Paper Talk Many of Sunday’s newspapers feature ongoing negotiations for a new Brexit deal for Northern Ireland. New Brexit deal for Northern Ireland The Sunday Telegraph’s lead story suggests that Rishi Sunak plans to abandon Boris Johnson’s NI Protocol Bill, which grants the UK government the authority to annul portions of the existing agreement with the EU, as part of his new arrangement with Brussels. In his article for the paper, Sunak states that the bill was always a “last resort”. Meanwhile, the Sunday Times’ headline proclaims “I’m the PM who will get Brexit done,” and…

The Observer – Revealed: one in 100 police faced criminal charge in 2022 Summary of the front page One in 100 police officers in England and Wales faced criminal charges in last year, figures obtained by the Observer suggest. An investigation by the paper found the Police Federation received more than 1,300 claims for legal support from members facing criminal charges last year. The front page reports Sainsbury’s returns to being the Labour party’s top donor. Today’s top stories Like this article? Leave a comment UK National newspapers Previous Next

Sunday Mirror – Rishi: Please reunite my family Summary of the front page The Sunday Mirror features a plea from an 11-year-old Ukrainian boy to Mr Sunak, asking to be reunited with his dad who is working in England. The paper says the boy and his mother have been offered accommodation in the UK via the Homes for Ukraine scheme, but their case is among thousands caught up in Home Office Red Tape. An interview with Rita Ora also finds space on the front page. Today’s top stories Like this article? Leave a comment UK National newspapers Previous Next

Sunday Express – Crackdown on £40m migrant lawyers Summary of the front page The Sunday Express reveals details of a government crackdown on migrant lawyers suspected of “stringing out” asylum claims to maximise their own earnings. Using the phrase ‘activist lawyers’, it says several firms are being monitored for creating work for themselves. The president of the Law Society is quoted, responding that “law firms are rigorously regulated and held to high standards”. The Princess of Wales is also featured on the front page. Today’s top stories Like this article? Leave a comment UK National newspapers Previous Next

The Times – I’m the PM who will get Brexit done Summary of the front page The Times says in an exclusive interview with the Sunday Times, PM Sunak says the Brexit deal will finally “get the job done”, despite Boris Johnson and other critics claiming the agreement risks “civil war”. In an appeal to the eurosceptics in his party, the PM tells the paper the deal is not a threat to Brexit but about making sure “Brexit works in every part of the United Kingdom”. He is prepared to take on eurosceptics and unveil a new deal with the EU…

Metro – Seizer her salad Summary of the front page The Metro leads with the story of a shopper stopped from buying 100 cucumbers in a shop, as fruit and vegetable rationing spreads across Britain. It may be one of the supermarkets that has yet to impose official limits on buying certain fruit or veg items but the mass purchase proved enough for Lidl staff to step in and refuse the bulk purchase. “Seize her salad” is Metro’s witty summation of the scene. The front page reports on a competition to win a trip for two to Hollywood. Today’s top…

The Independent – The day that Britain turned into the (empty) basket of Europe Summary of the front page The Independent says Britain’s biggest supermarket has begun rationing fresh fruit and vegetables as a row erupted over shortages that have left shelves bare. Tesco has followed Aldi, Asda and Morrisons in introducing limits on items customers can buy. A shortage of tomatoes has widened to other fruit and vegetables due to a combination of bad weather and transport problems in Africa and Europe. The front page features an image of a famous painting – Portrait of Omai. Today’s top stories…

The Guardian – Alarm of rising tide of toxic ‘forever chemicals’ Summary of the front page The Guardian says pollutants known as “forever chemicals” have been found at high levels across the UK and Europe. These chemicals do not break down in the environment, accumulate in the body, and may be toxic. They are commonly found in consumer products, firefighting foams, waste, and industrial processes. In the UK, the highest level was detected in a discharge from a chemicals plant on the River Wyre near Blackpool. The front page pictures an image of the late musician David Bowie – a collection…

FT says the multinational tobacco company Philip Morris International says it would rather keep its business in Russia than sell it on stringent Kremlin terms. The paper says it highlights the challenges for companies trying to leave the country without taking a huge financial hit. The front page pictures an image of the late musician David Bowie – a collection of his handwritten lyrics, letters, sheet music, costumes, photography, music videos, album artwork and awards have been gifted to the Victoria and Albert Museum. The Financial Times – Philip Morris sees ‘no hope’ of deal to see Russian assets Summary…

Daily Mirror – Facing Vlad’s killers Summary of the front page The Daily Mirror has an exclusive report on Wagner Group mercenaries who have been captured by Ukraine. The paper has been given access to interview members of the Wagner Group – a Russian mercenary organisation – who have been captured by Ukrainian forces. The Mirror says it believes it is the first time a British newspaper has interviewed captured prisoners from the Wagner Group. The front page leads with an unseen image of Princess Diana with Prince William when he was a toddler. Today’s top stories Like this article?…

Daily Express – Rishi launches crackdown on asylum seeker backlog Summary of the front page The Daily Express leads with news of the PM’s “crackdown” on the backlog of asylum seeker applications. Some 12,000 people from five nations – Afghanistan, Eritrea, Libya, Syria and Yemen – who applied before last July will now be considered for refugee status without face-to-face interviews. Instead, decisions will be made after they have filled out a 10-page Home Office questionnaire. The Daily Express reports that they are among 92,000 cases the Home Office aims to process by the end of the year in an…

Today’s news summary – Paper Talk Thursday’s front pages are dominated by news IS bride Shamima Begum is denied return to the UK after a court rejects her claim she was unlawfully stripped of her British citizenship. Elsewhere: David Bowie’s archive is donated to V&A to inspire the next generation and prime minister Rishi Sunak launches crackdown on the asylum seeker backlog, fast-tracking thousands of cases. Govt plan to reduce backlog of asylum seekers Several newspapers today report on the government’s plan to reduce the backlog of asylum seekers by eliminating interviews for migrants from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Syria, Yemen, and…

High profile detective shot by masked men in Northern Ireland named Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell, who was shot by masked men in Northern Ireland while off-duty, has been identified by the police. The attack occurred in Omagh, Co Tyrone, on Wednesday evening, in front of a group of young people he had been coaching at a sports centre. Mr Caldwell, a prominent officer who has led several high-profile investigations, including the Natalie McNally murder case, remains in critical but stable condition in hospital. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has launched an attempted murder investigation, with the New…

Thousands of asylum claims to be considered without in-person interviews The UK government has announced that it will consider the asylum claims of around 12,000 applicants from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Libya, Syria, and Yemen without face-to-face interviews. Instead, a 10-page questionnaire will be used to decide the cases, in an attempt to reduce the backlog of asylum claims. Applicants will need to complete the form and answer up to 40 questions in English, which must be returned within 20 working days. The Home Office has stated that criminal and security checks will still be conducted, and biometrics will be taken, but…

App to block abuse images gets £1.8m EU funding The EU has granted £1.8m in funding to a project developing a new app designed to reduce the viewing of child sexual abuse material online. The app, called Salus, uses artificial intelligence to identify and block harmful images and videos from being displayed on devices such as phones. It will be tested with volunteers who have sought help because they are drawn to illegal images and want to ensure they cannot act on their desires. The Protech project, a collaboration between EU and UK organisations, hopes that the app will combat…

Ukraine war: UN chief condemns Russian invasion ahead of anniversary Ahead of the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has denounced the incursion as a violation of international law and the United Nations Charter, calling it an “affront” to the global conscience. During a General Assembly meeting, Ukraine and its allies put forward a resolution calling for Russia’s immediate and unconditional withdrawal from Ukraine, which Guterres supported. The Kremlin, however, accused the West of seeking to defeat Russia at any cost, with its ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, claiming that the US and its…

Winter storm causing US chaos with blizzards and heat wave A severe winter storm is causing chaos across North America, with blizzards hitting several states and a heat wave affecting the southeastern parts of the US. Over 75 million people in 28 states have been issued with winter weather warnings as the storm spans across 1,300 miles from Nebraska to New Hampshire. Blizzards have resulted in the closure of schools and businesses in the Dakotas, Minnesota and Wisconsin, and residents in these areas are bracing themselves for up to 2ft (60cm) of snowfall, the most significant in 30 years. The…