The Financial Times is among several papers leading on global markets “plunging” for a second consecutive day, following Donald Trump’s watershed tariffs’ announcement. China has “retaliated” with a 34% tariff on all US imports, while Washington’s beer tariff threatens 100,000 European jobs the paper reports.
China’s response tops the Times, with the paper describing the tariff hike as a “trade war.” Beijing accused Trump of “unilateral bullying,” the paper says, adding the FTSE 100 suffered its worst day since the Covid pandemic.
The i warns of “crisis talks” to safeguard the UK amid fears of global recession following Trump’s announcement. The front also teases a story health about secretary Wes Streeting urging GPs to prioritise elderly people over healthy young.
King Charles has been drawn into the “China Spy storm” the Daily Mail declares in its latest take on Prince Andrew’s involvement with an alleged Chinese spy. It follows the revelation of previously secret documents detailing his chief aide’s lack of faith in the prince’s reputation. Elsewhere, the paper reports on former comedian Russell Brand being charged with rape and sexual assault.
The Telegraph also suggests the King “held secret meetings” with Prince Andrew about his plans for a Chinese-backed fund involving the alleged spy. The paper quotes a statement from Dominic Hampshire, a senior adviser to the prince. Russell Brand is also pictured and a story about the FTSE 100’s fall since Trump’s tariff overhaul shares the front.
The Daily Mirror headlines on Brand’s rape charge. The former comedian and self-established wellness guru has been charged with rape, indecent assault and sexual assault – relating to four women – between 1999 and 2005. “What I never was, was a rapist,” he posted on X, the paper says. “I’ve never engaged in non-consensual activity.”
The Sun also splashes Brand’s case. The paper says it understands Brand, who is based in Florida, “will fly back” to London to face the allegations in court next month.
In royal news, King Charles is “raring to go” on a state visit to Italy after his “health scare”, the Daily Express reports. The King and Queen will be commencing an “historic” state visit to Rome just 10 days after the monarch was admitted to hospital with complications arising from his cancer treatment.
“Economic carnage”, is how the Times describes the fallout on global stock markets in response to US President Donald Trump’s tariffs. The paper says even gold – “usually considered a safe haven investment” – slumped in value. The Guardian reports the FTSE 100 in London had its worst week’s trading since late February 2020 “when anxiety about the Covid-19 pandemic was gripping the markets”.
The i paper Weekend says only JD Sports stock avoided a fall. The Daily Telegraph’s Matt cartoon nods to another row involving Trump. The caption alongside two people in Greenland reads: “If US stock markets keep falling, we might be able to buy America soon.”
Photographs of the former comedian and actor, Russell Brand, make almost all of the front pages after he was charged with rape and sexual assault. The Daily Mirror reports that the alleged attacks on four women date back to 1999. Mr Brand is due in court in London next month, and according to the Sun his lawyers are understood to have promised he will fly back from Florida to face the allegations. The Daily Star is among the papers to quote his denial on social media. “What I never was, was a rapist,” he says.
Reuters
Former comedian Russell Brand is due in court next month
The Daily Express reports the former Reform UK MP, Rupert Lowe, has had his personal gun collection seized by the police. The weapons were taken from his farm in the Cotswolds last month. Mr Lowe has vowed to clear his name and says he is co-operating with Gloucestershire Police.
“New royal bombshell”, declares the Daily Mail, as it leads on “the Chinese spy scandal engulfing Prince Andrew”. In what the Mail describes as an “extraordinary twist”, court papers show the Duke of York and a former aide were twice smuggled into Windsor Castle for talks with the King about the investment fund linked to an alleged Chinese spy. Sources quoted in the paper insist that at no stage did the King or his advisers give approval to the business opportunities that were being discussed.
Reuters
