What the papers say: Thursday's front pages
By Jessica Coates, PA
A new poll showing a rise in support for Simon Harris and Fine Gael and a change to supports for asylum seekers lead the front pages of Thursday's papers.
The Irish Times lead with the results of their poll, which shows a jump in support for Simon Harris and Fine Gael, while Sinn Féin continue to drop and the approval for Mary Lou McDonald continues to decrease.
The Irish Examiner leads with the international policing operation gardaí were part of against leaders of the biggest drug trafficking network in the country.
The Echo leads with comments from the leader of the Cork Simon Community as homelessness is on the increase in Cork.
The Irish Independent reveals plans for asylum seekers who are working to pay for their own food and wifi.
The Irish Daily Mail leads with comments from Jack Chambers as he defends a tax break for those on 'gold plated pensions'.
The Irish Daily Mirror leads with Thomas "Bomber" Kavanagh and Liam Byrne, members of the Kinahan cartel, pleading guilty in the UK.
The Irish Daily Star also leads with this, and the clamodown on the 'the family' as gardaí seize €16 million with of their drugs.
British papers
Exploding walkie-talkies which killed 20 people and injured hundreds in Lebanon dominate Thursday’s front pages.
The Daily Mirror, Daily Express and The Sun all lead on the second wave of electronic device explosions.
Thursday's front page: Walkie-talkie bomb blitz https://t.co/6QjlBDTbNN#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/hDEZwFbXje
— The Mirror (@DailyMirror) September 18, 2024
Thursday's DAILY EXPRESS: Walkie-talkie blasts in second wave of attacks#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/uCvTVP4AwV
— Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) September 18, 2024
On tomorrow's front page: Radio 'bombs' sabotaged by Israel's spy agency kills 14 in new attack on terrorists https://t.co/cmb4uCJkPn pic.twitter.com/7BqrOas15M
— The Sun (@TheSun) September 18, 2024
The Times and The Daily Telegraph both report Israel has declared a “new phase” of its war against Iran-backed militants after the booby-trapped devices exploded.
The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph:
'New phase of Mid-East war after walkie talkie blitz'#TomorrowsPapersToday
Sign up for the Front Page newsletterhttps://t.co/x8AV4Oomry pic.twitter.com/3YBzim3HaK— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) September 18, 2024
Thursday's TIMES: 'New phase' in conflict as walkie-talkie blasts kill 20#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/64heBeUaTt
— Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) September 18, 2024
The Metro says Israel’s secret service is believed to be responsible for the explosives hidden in the devices sold to Hezbollah by a Hungarian firm.
Tomorrow's Paper Today 📰
SECRETS OF ISRAEL GADGETS BLITZ
🔴 First pagers explode, then radios as Hezbollah blasted #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/Sx1VXYeae3— Metro (@MetroUK) September 18, 2024
Meanwhile, The Guardian reports the latest round of deadly blasts bring fresh fears of escalating conflict across the Middle East.
Thursday's GUARDIAN: Fears of escalation as second wave of deadly explosions hits Lebanon#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/AW2wXPQWre
— Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) September 18, 2024
The Daily Mail carries an interview with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu where he accuses the UK Government of “undermining Israel” and slammed Labour’s “misguided” policies.
Thursday's DAILY MAIL: Labour has 'undermined' Israel, says Netanyahu#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/7DHA5Fun2F
— Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) September 18, 2024
The Financial Times focuses on the US Federal Reserve cutting benchmark interest rates by half a percentage point. This move marked the first easing cycle since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Just published: front page of the Financial Times, UK edition, Thursday 19 September https://t.co/FxJ1ddwnws pic.twitter.com/yiNkgKug5M
— Financial Times (@FT) September 18, 2024
The i’s front page leads on allegations surrounding a nursery firm started by Labour MP Jas Athwal.
Thursday's front page: Rouge landlord MP founded nursery firm accuse of child safety breaches #TomorrowsPapersToday
Exclusive from @BenGartside: https://t.co/79PNchMgSx pic.twitter.com/Mcd1WaITSK— The i paper (@theipaper) September 18, 2024
Lastly, the Daily Star concentratesWhat the on Sir Keir Starmer being gifted £100,000 worth of freebies since late 2019, dubbing him “King of the Cadgers”.
Thursday's front page: THE KING OF THE CADGERS#TomorrowsPapersToday #BuyAPaperhttps://t.co/mMEEEVE93w pic.twitter.com/Efk5aj1hUm
— Daily Star (@dailystar) September 18, 2024
