'Losing battle to halt Russia's 'hybrid' war' and 'Oh chute!'

9 hours ago

News image — Defence officials tell the Financial Times that Europe is losing a "battle to halt Russia's 'hybrid' war" against the continent after the foiled Leipzig/Halle airport attack in Germany. They have called for it to "rapidly develop new methods to suppress Moscow's campaign against Nato member states or risk escalation". Also on the paper's front page, it reports that the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is on course to win a regional election. It says the right-wing AfD is projected to become the largest party in Saxony-Anhalt but is expected to fall short of a parliamentary majority.

"Europe is losing battle to halt Russia's 'hybrid' war, defence officials warn" reads the headline on the front page of the Financial Times. — Defence officials tell the Financial Times that Europe is losing a "battle to halt Russia's 'hybrid' war" against the continent after the foiled Leipzig/Halle airport attack in Germany. They have called for it to "rapidly develop new methods to suppress Moscow's campaign against Nato member states or risk escalation". Also on the paper's front page, it reports that the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is on course to win a regional election. It says the right-wing AfD is projected to become the largest party in Saxony-Anhalt but is expected to fall short of a parliamentary majority.

"'Weak' Britain a prime target for Russian sabotage attacks" reads the headline on the front page of the Daily Express. — The Daily Express also leads with Russian attacks, highlighting words from Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge who has said Britain is "weak" and a target. He has urged the government to increase defence spending.

"Oh chute!" reads the headline on the front page of The Sun. — The Sun carries the tale of a skydiver's "clash with fellow jumper" resulting in being "KO'd in mid-air". After she was in freefall for 10,000ft, Holly Wiffen "hit a tree which cushioned her landing" and survived. "Oh chute!" writes the Sun.

"Far right in Germany set for historic victory" reads the headline on the front page of the Independent. — The Independent's front page is taken up with the news of the "pro-Russian" AfD being "set for historic victory". A photo of US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff talking to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also makes the front page after the pair held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin the day before.

"Just 1% of asylum pleas are genuine, says insider" reads the headline on the front page of the Times. — An anonymous Home Office whistleblower has told the Times that "just 1% of asylum pleas are genuine". Speaking to the paper, he describes asylum seekers from some countries using the "same script" in "package claims".

"Labour 'chickens out' on curbing migrant rights" reads the headline on the front page of the Daily Mail. — The Daily Mail leads with a quote from Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp that Labour has "chickened out" over immigration reforms. Its front page also carries the mystery of "JK Rowling and the magically vanishing superyacht name", asking why the author is "hiding the name of her yacht?"

"Families scramble to secure Send plans ahead of ministers' reforms" reads the headline on the front page of the Guardian. — Ahead of reforms to special needs support, "families scramble to secure Send plans", according to the Guardian. It says headteachers have reported an "unreal" surge in applications for education, health and care plans (EHCPs).

"Scrap the triple-lock, businesses tell Healey" reads the headline on the front page of the Daily Telegraph. — A "prominent" business group has called for Chancellor John Healey to scrap the pension triple-lock to "help fix the ailing economy", according to the Daily Telegraph. This call from the British Chamber of Commerce comes ahead of the chancellor's "first major speech" on Monday in which Healey will outline his vision for the economy.

"A&E heroes under attack" reads the headline on the front page of the Daily Mirror. — The Daily Mirror headlines on a survey of A&E staffers, which has found 96% of emergency medics "have experienced violence or aggression at work". The NHS "heroes" are "under attack", it says.

"I was Reform attack victim" reads the headline on the front page of the Metro. — The Metro leads with a woman who says she was assaulted when protesting at Reform UK's annual conference. She has told the paper that audience members pulled her hair and the paper reports that a video from the conference shows another attendee hitting her with a walking stick. "Farage accused over conference chaos", the paper writes. The party's economic spokesman Robert Jenrick told Sky News: "'Boohoo… You take your chances if you go to a party conference and try and mess it up."

"Blunkett's plea to Burnham: Find the money to fund end-of-life care" reads the headline on the front page of The i Paper. — "Find the money to fund end-of-life care," is Lord Blunkett's "plea to Burnham", according to the i Paper. The "key ally" of the prime minister has joined a call to fill a £745m hospice funding gap, it writes.

"Harry & Meg school attack fears" reads the headline on the front page of the Daily Star. — The Daily Star leads on the security fears of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. It says there has been a "'lone wolf' danger warning" ahead of their children Archie and Lilibet's start at school in Britain.

The Daily Telegraph reports that the British Chambers of Commerce has called for the pension triple lock to be scrapped in a bid to help, what the paper refers to as, Britain's "ailing economy". The business group, which represents more than 65,000 firms, suggests the savings should be used to tackle youth unemployment.

The Financial Times carries a warning from intelligence officials that Europe is "losing the battle" to stop Russia's "hybrid" war against the continent. Experts say last month's failed drone attack on Leipzig airport should serve as a "wake up call". Moscow has denied any involvement.

"Just 1% of asylum pleas are genuine", is the headline on the front page of the Times. An anonymous whistleblower, described as a Home Office official, has told the paper that asylum seekers from certain countries are using the "same script". The Home Office says asylum claims are considered on an individual basis, and processes are in place to assess their credibility.

The i Paper leads on the former Labour cabinet minister Lord Blunkett, who's urging Andy Burnham to "find the money to fund end-of-life care". He's joined a call, backed by almost 300 MPs and peers, to boost funding for hospices, which are facing a £745m gap. The Department of Health has previously said it will continue to support hospices.

According to the Daily Telegraph the "scourge of the tennis influencer" will not be coming to Wimbledon. The All England Club is set to take a stand, after various distractions at the US Open. These have included people taking photographs using bright lighting, and too much noise during points, much to the annoyance of players.

And a couple of the papers report on a museum in the United States revealing its latest acquisition, red leather sofas once used by visitors to the National Gallery in London. The Daily Telegraph and the Times both say the pieces were sold after being deemed a fire risk, and difficult to clean. But it hasn't stopped the Wadsworth Atheneum in Connecticut proudly posting a photograph of its new furnishings, with the caption "your seat awaits".

'Losing battle to halt Russia's 'hybrid' war' and 'Oh chute!'

Daily Express

Daily Mail

Daily Mirror

Daily Star

Daily Telegraph

Financial Times

Guardian

Independent

Metro

Sun

The i

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