A mix of stories lead Friday’s papers, but several preview the high-stakes summit between US President Trump and Russian President Putin. Trump is focusing on “economic incentives” ahead of talks with Putin, the Times reports, as the US president praised Russia’s “massive” oil and gas reserves. Trump has downplayed the meeting with Putin, saying a more important subsequent meeting would involve Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The Guardian leads with Trump’s comments that Putin is ready to “make a deal” at their Alaska meeting, but concerns linger over his suggestion that Moscow and Kyiv could “divvy things up”. The front page also features public remarks from the family of a Southport victim urging ministers against plans to disclose the ethnicity of serious crime suspects.
Comments from the head of Britain’s armed forces front the Daily Telegraph, with Admiral Sir Tony Radakin saying the West “must not be cowed by Putin”. His remarks in the paper, marking the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day), come ahead of the Alaska summit. “Putin doesn’t want a war with Nato because he would lose,” Sir Tony writes.
Tributes to World War Two veterans lead the Daily Express, which also marks the anniversary of VJ Day. The front page photo is of veteran Reg Draper, 100, who witnessed the formal surrender of Japan at the end of WW2. Heroes from the conflict “left us the example of how [freedom] can and must be protected”, the paper reports.
“Thank you” is the simple headline from the Daily Mirror, which also marks the 80th anniversary of VJ Day.
Annual costs for the “revolutionary fat jab” Mounjaro could triple to more than £2,700, Metro reports. The price hike comes after the US maker of the drug “bows to Trump pressure”, according to the paper. The US president has previously said Americans pay more for drugs and “subsidise the health care of foreign countries”. The paper is one of a few to feature details of Taylor Swift’s new album.
Fat jab price hikes also leads the Daily Mail, which reports that the annual cost of Mounjaro could increase by 170%. Pharmacy leaders are concerned that patients could now become “pawns” in wider disputes about the cost of medicines, the paper reports.
A migrant who “taunted Brits” was reported to police for creating TikTok videos telling men how to kill their estranged wives, the Sun reports. The man filmed the videos in Germany before paying smuggling gangs to transport him to the UK last weekend, according to the paper.
New data suggests that the number of people with non-dom tax status leaving the UK was in line with 2024 Budget forecasts, according to the Financial Times. The figures will be a “relief” for Chancellor Rachel Reeves after a series of “anecdotal” surveys had suggested her tax plans would trigger an exodus of wealthy people. A Labour crackdown on non-dom status is expected to raise more than £4bn in 2026-27.
Ministers are considering plans to increase tuition fees in line with the rate of inflation, the i Paper reports. Officials from several universities warn that universities “will go bust” without boosts to income, but the plans could face backlash from students, according to the paper.
“How dare Roo” is the lead for the Daily Star, which reports on footballer Wayne Rooney’s response to criticism by the minority owner of Birmingham City, Tom Brady. Rooney said it was “very unfair” for Brady to question his work ethic in a behind-the-scenes documentary.
