Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has been forced into urgent talks with Washington after the US cut off intelligence-sharing, the Daily Telegraph writes. White House officials said the US would only lift the ban on sharing the data if they could “nail down negotiations” with Ukraine, the paper reports. It also carries the story that there are more female doctors than male doctors in the UK for the first time, marking a shift from a traditionally male-dominated profession.
The Guardian calls the decision to stop sharing intelligence with Ukraine “another serious blow” to Kyiv, after US President Donald Trump paused military aid. The White House has indicated both bans could be lifted if the peace talks progressed, it says.
The Times carries a warning from a Ukrainian MP that “more people will die” after the US cuts. It also picks up on changes to sentencing guidelines, set to take effect next month, under which it says ethnic minority and transgender criminals may be more likely to avoid prison. The guidelines would ask judges to consider whether an offender is from an ethnic, cultural or religious minority when deciding whether to impose a custodial or community sentence, it says.
The Daily Mail splashes on the planned changes to the sentencing guidelines, calling it a “New two-tier justice fiasco”. According to the paper, the Conservatives believe they could open the door to softer sentences for minorities, and risk making the courts “anti-white and anti-Christian”. Labour’s Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has called for the planned changes to be scrapped.
The Metro, along with several other papers, covers the conviction of serial rapist Zhenhao Zou at a London court. The 28-year-old PhD student was found guilty of drugging and raping 10 women and police believe there may be dozens more victims.
Five years on from the coronavirus pandemic, the Daily Mirror runs a tribute to NHS staff from the Prince of Wales. William praises their sacrifices and says “thank you” during an emotional visit to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, the paper says.
A “terrorist cop killer” is free to roam Britain’s streets, writes the Sun. It says Maksim Cela, 59, from Albania, has cost taxpayers tens of thousands of pounds fighting deportation, claiming he would be at risk from “rival mobsters” if sent home.
The I paper says benefit cuts are set to be bigger than Chancellor Rachel Reeves had promised. She is setting out plans to reduce welfare spending by more than the £3bn previously stated. She is “determined” to make savings rather than resort to significant tax rises, it adds.
Calls are mounting for the French to “turn Channel boats around”, reports the Daily Express. It says migrants were escorted to a British rescue ship from French waters.
Investors are betting on a “big boost” to Germany’s “ailing economy” as a result of a “historic” deal to fund military and infrastructure development, the Financial Times reports. Analysts believe the plan could boost economic growth to as much as 2% next year, the paper says.
The Daily Star brings the news that an “orange ball of fire” has been spotted in the sky. The arrival of some sun has prompted warnings from “fun-sponge forecasters… lecturing us about sunburn”, it complains.
Many of Thursday’s papers focus on the fallout of US President Donald Trump’s decision to halt intelligence-sharing with Ukraine.
The Guardian calls the measure a “serious blow for Kyiv” that will hinder “its ability to deploy long-range drone strikes effectively”. “US turns screw” is the headline in the Sun. It says America has hinted it will reverse the measure if Ukraine signs a mineral deal to pay back billions in military aid.
A Ukrainian MP tells the Times she cannot “imagine how many people will pay the ultimate price for the decision”. The Financial Times says the withdrawal of intelligence “shackles Kyiv’s hand in hitting back at Russians”.
“New two-tier justice fiasco” is the headline on the front of the Daily Mail. The paper has spoken to the shadow justice secretary, Robert Jenrick, about new guidelines in England and Wales on the treatment of defendants from minority backgrounds. He has accused ministers of “trying to play dumb” by distancing themselves from the measures – which were drawn up by an independent body. He says government officials attended meetings when the changes were decided.
The front of the Daily Express carries a picture which appears to show a French navy dinghy escorting a boat full of migrants into British waters. The paper says pressure is intensifying on the French government to stick to its word to intercept small boats crossing the channel. “Fulfil la promesse!” is the headline. In its editorial, the Express argues that “if the traffic was in the opposite direction, there would be outrage in Paris”. A UK government source says the home secretary is putting in “the work and graft” to tackle smugglers, and is “working closely” with her counterpart in France.
Reuters
The Prince of Wales with staff members during a visit to a hospital in Reading
The I paper says it has seen documents that reveal the chancellor has cut up to £1.4bn earmarked for modernising schools and hospitals to fund a pay deal agreed with trade unions. The paper has spoken to the shadow education minister, Neil O’Brien, who accuses the government of hoping “no one would notice”. NHS Providers, which represents hospital trusts, is quoted as saying “we need modern, safe places where staff can give patients first class care”. The department for health says the government’s “plan for change will get the NHS back on its feet”. An education spokesperson says some projects will be delayed, but denies that new school building has been affected.
Several papers carry pictures of the Prince of Wales during a visit to a hospital in Reading. The Daily Mirror says he honoured the sacrifice made by NHS staff during the pandemic. The Daily Telegraph says he has suggested that health workers should be given “enforced breaks” in their career to help prevent burnout. The paper says a “lighter” moment came when the Prince was invited to join a yoga class. The article says he told the instructor he could not bend and that he would “sit in a corner and talk while you’re contorting”.
Reuters
