'US troops gather in Gulf' and 'Strictly No Baftas'
The US military build-up in the Gulf, raising the possibility of Donald Trump escalating the Iran war, is featured in several papers. The i Paper says 3,000 airborne troops are being deployed, with US Marines expected to arrive on Friday. However, the "decision to put boots on the ground in Iran" is still undecided, the paper adds.
Paratroopers are "poised to go to the Gulf", the Guardian reports, as talks remain ongoing between the US and Iran. According to Donald Trump, Washington was in "very good talks" with Iran to end the war, the paper says. Meanwhile, "Iranian barrages targeted Israel, Gulf Arab states and northern Iraq", the paper says.
The Times also leads on airborne units being deployed to the Middle East. The paper claims the US president's sights are potentially set on Kharg Island, "the oil-exporting hub on which the Iranian economy relies". About 3,000 troops based at Fort Bragg in North Carolina "can deploy anywhere in the world within 18 hours", it adds.
Accusations against National Savings and Investments of "short-changing bereaved families by losing track of investments, delaying payouts and withholding premium bond prizes", is the focus of the lead story in the Daily Telegraph. Elsewhere is a photograph of HMS Dragon personnel arriving in the Eastern Mediterranean to defend Cyprus from Iranian attacks.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has warned the UK's middle class will foot the bill for any energy bailouts aimed at helping lower income households, the Daily Mail reports. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has pledged to help those who need it most if energy bills spiral due to the US-Israel war with Iran.
The Independent leads with the "£370m price of Trump's war", following on from Rachel Reeves announcement, which the paper says did not outline the government's exact plans to help millions struggling with rising fuel costs.
Volkswagen is reportedly in talks with Israel's Iron Dome maker to "shift from cars to defence", the Financial Times reports. Volkswagen may "start producing missile defence systems instead of cars" at one of the German group's factories to help save the company from massive job losses, according to the paper.
The Daily Express leads with Reform's demands for the UK's arrangement with France to deal with Channel migrant crossings to be scrapped. The party wants ministers to cancel the "monstrous" deal and for Paris "to return" £700m, the paper says.
Metro highlights a "hero hospital patient" who helped stop a potential terrorist attack at a maternity unit and who has been awarded the George Medal for his courage. Nathan Newby spoke and hugged the "lone wolf" terrorist, who had a pressure cooker device with 10kg of explosives, while at St James's University Hospital, Leeds, in January 2023, it reports.
Similarly, the Daily Mail pictures Nathan Newby on its front page, noting he gave a "would-be bomber" a cuddle and chat, which ultimately stopped an attack. Newby will be presented with the George Medal for bravery on Wednesday.
"Rip-off" World Cup replica shirts have caused upset among England fans because of their £90 price tag, the Daily Star reports. The Fifa World Cup is set to kick off in June this year.
And Strictly Come Dancing "has been sensationally snubbed" after failing to receive a single nomination at this year's Baftas, the Sun reports. It's the first time in eight years that the BBC One's flagship show missed out on a nomination in the Entertainment category, the paper says.
