âWalkie-talkie blastsâ and conflictâs ânew phaseâ
âFirst pagers explode, then radios as Hezbollah blastedâ says the Metro as it reports on a follow-up attack on the armed group. Walkie-talkies blew up, a day after pagers exploded in Lebanon. As of Wednesday evening, at least at least 20 people were killed and more than 450 others wounded in the dayâs attack.
The Daily Telegraph says Israel declared a new phase of war after it was accused of being behind the âwalkie talkie blitzâ. It reports hundreds of the devices began exploding during the funeral for Hezbollah fighters killed in the pagers attack. The paper adds Israelâs defence minister said the country was shifting its military focus towards the Lebanese border for a ânew phaseâ of the war launched following the 7 October attacks last year. A large picture of former First Lady Melania Trump is pictured, with the headline âIâm proud of my nude modellingâ.
A vehicle on fire in Beirut is the main picture on the front of the Daily Express. It reports radios, home solar systems and security locks also burst into flames yesterday during the attack. Ex-foreign secretary and Tory leadership contender James Cleverly is pictured. He says Sir Keir Starmer is to blame for the deaths of the 29 migrants who drowned in the Channel since he took power, the paper reports.
The Guardianâs main image is of relatives mourning at the funeral of a 10-year-old girl killed in Lebanon during Tuesdayâs pager explosion. Its lead report says international observers are warning the explosion of thousands of communication devices may constitute a war crime. It also quotes the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemning the attacks and calling for restraint from both Hezbollah and Israel.
The Times writes that Hezbollah, proscribed as a terrorist group by the US and UK, has vowed to get revenge on Israel and fired missiles into the country. The paperâs off-lead picks up on a BBC exclusive about the salary of Sir Keir Starmerâs chief of staff Sue Gray â who it was revealed is earning more than the prime minister. The paper reports that Ms Gray is facing a backlash over this.
âWalkie-talkie bomb blitzâ headlines the Daily Mirror. Meanwhile, Sean âDiddyâ Combs is also pictured as the paper reports on the âmurky world of Diddyâs partiesâ. The rap mogul is accused of kidnapping, drugging and coercing women into sexual activities, charges he denies.
The Sun writes âdeath by walkie talkieâ as it pictures a shattered device in a Lebanese street. The paper also reports Love Island contestants Joey Essex and Jessy Potts have split.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Israelâs prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Labour of undermining Israel and attacked the partyâs âmisguidedâ policies. It also pictures Sir Keirâs advisor Ms Gray who they call a âchampagne socialistâ.
The i says Labour MP Jas Athwal is a director of a nursery firm which has been criticised by Ofsted inspectors. It comes after the BBC revealed Mr Athwal was renting out flats with black mould and ant infestations.
The Financial Times reports companies will be able to keep new hires on probation for up to six months after a government compromise. Labour had made an election pledge to introduce basic individual rights from day one â scrapping the existing two-year qualifying period for protection against some forms of unfair dismissal and one-year wait for parental leave, the paper reports. The broadsheet leads on the US Federal Reserve cutting its interest rates for the first time in more than four yeas in an effort to support the economy.
The Daily Star superimposes the head of the prime minster on to a picture of the King. The paper says Sir Keir has received ÂŁ100,000 of âfreebies gifts and tickets⊠more than any other party leader in recent timesâ.