Several newspapers reported on tensions in the Middle East on Wednesday after British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urged Iran to “refrain” from attacks on Israel. During a phone call with Sir Keir, the Metro reports, new Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told the British prime minister that Iran had the “right” to “retaliate.” Fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East have grown following the recent assassination of senior Hezbollah and Hamas leaders.
The Daily Mirror says the Middle East is “on the brink” and warns British citizens living in Israel to “prepare to flee”. The newspaper quotes a statement from Downing Street saying ministers are “working to plan for all scenarios to ensure the safety of British citizens” as tensions rise.
A possible plan to evacuate British citizens from Israel is also featured on the front page of the Daily Express, but the headline focuses on the “victims of a billion pound state pension injustice”. The paper writes that tens of thousands of married female pensioners have “not received any payments” from the state and have yet to receive compensation. Campaigners say it would be “outrageous” to deny them compensation.
According to the Daily Telegraph, the number of children claiming disability benefits has risen by 40%. Citing figures released by the Department for Work and Pensions, the newspaper says that claims related to conditions such as ADHD and autism have risen by 200,000 “since lockdown”. The newspaper’s front page also features a picture of Brad Pitt and George Clooney drinking coffee in bed in an interview for GQ.
The Daily Mail is reporting on “work-shy Britain” after Chancellor Rachel Reeves promised action to tackle the “unemployment crisis” in her autumn budget. Labour was urged to “get its act together” as unemployment is at a “12-year high”. The newspaper’s front page also features a picture of Taylor Swift as the star has arrived in London for three shows at Wembley.
The Financial Times is reporting on Starbucks’ new boss after the previous boss was fired in response to “falling sales” and “pressure from activists.” Shares in the coffee chain rose 30% following the announcement, the newspaper writes – while shares in Chipotle, where Starbucks’ new boss has submitted his resignation, fell more than 10% in New York trading.
In a special report, the Guardian remembers the 50 women who have lost their lives this year. “For each of their deaths, a man has been accused,” the newspaper writes, adding that in Britain a woman dies every three days “at the hands of a man.” The newspaper’s front page headlines “Cheapflation” and refers to a new study by the Institute for Fiscal Studies, which found that Britain’s poorest households were hit hardest between 2021 and 2023.
The i newspaper has an exclusive story about Elon Musk’s social media platform X, formerly Twitter. The newspaper says major companies were “shocked” to learn that their ads on X were appearing “alongside far-right content,” including news stories about “racist content and misinformation about the UK unrest.” The newspaper also has an exclusive story on its front page about “Prince William’s secret car showroom that makes £800,000 a year.”
“Get your clothes on!” cries the Daily Star in its top story, pointing to a poll that found people don’t like “exhibitionist types” walking around topless in public in the heat. The paper says some think the practice should be banned, while others are calling for fines to be introduced.
