A mix of stories are making Thursday’s front pages. The Guardian leads on US President Joe Biden’s declaration of support for Israel as concerns grow in Washington that Iran will carry out a “significant” strike on Israel in retaliation for the bombing of a consular building in Damascus. Pictured underneath is Jessica Ennis-Hill winning gold at the 2012 Olympics, illustrating a story about cash prizes for Olympians this year.
The Daily Telegraph also leads on Joe Biden’s commitment to Israel amid fears of an Iranian retaliatory strike. The paper reports that any strike could escalate the conflict in the Middle East into a broader war. Pictured beside the US report are Labour frontbenchers Rachel Reeves and Angela Rayner as the paper covers tensions over tax returns between Labour and the Conservatives.
Continuing on the theme of domestic politics, the Daily Express splashes on Rishi Sunak’s election promise of cutting NHS waiting times. The paper reports that a “radical shake-up” involving new “same-day units” is having a positive impact on some hospitals.
“Sickness claims rise hits Tory heartlands,” the Times reports. Affluent, safely Conservative areas of the UK are not exempt from a jump in the number of people claiming sickness benefit payments last year, the report says. The Times also features Joe Biden on its front page, reporting that the US president is considering dropping charges against Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.
Developments in the case of Caroline Flack feature on the front page of the Daily Mirror. A police watchdog has urged the Met to investigate why police contested initial advice from the Crown Prosecution Service not to charge Flack as her mother vows to continue her quest for truth
The Sun leads on police preparing for animal rights protesters at the Grand National this weekend. It reports that a “ring of steel” will be set up around the venue to prevent “invading” activists. The tabloid also features a new image of actress Isla Fisher without a wedding ring, after her split from husband Sacha Baron Cohen was announced on Instagram last week.
The Daily Mail’s lead story reports that Royal Mail is investigating instances of counterfeit stamps being sold by legitimate vendors to unwitting Britons, who are subsequently being stamped themselves with fines. Beside that is a story reporting that the former prime minister Harold Wilson had an affair with an aide 22 years his junior during his second term in Downing Street.
Thursday’s Financial Times leads with an unexpectedly high US inflation rate. It has caused those watching the markets closely to lose confidence in the possibility of a cut in the next US Treasury announcement, it reports. Beside that story is an image of Palestinians in Gaza praying by the ruins of a mosque, accompanying a story about sombre Eid reflections.
The i leads with a Labour plan to fix failing bus services by effectively nationalising them. Sticking with the transport theme, it also reports the looming closure of a factory that had been earmarked to build high-speed trains.
A tragic case of substance abuse leads the Metro on Thursday. It reports that an inquest heard how a student was inhaling multiple bottles of laughing gas per day in the time leading up to her being admitted to hospital.
