Saturday’s front pages of UK newspapers feature a variety of stories, including the release of US hostages Judith and Natalie Raanan by Hamas and the implications of severe flooding caused by Storm Babet. The Times notes how US President Joe Biden praised the mediation efforts made by Qatar to secure the release of the hostages. Meanwhile, The Daily Telegraph reports on Downing Street’s consideration of a tax cut for five million high earners to win back Tory votes after losing two historically safe Conservative seats in by-elections.
The Scottish papers lead with the widespread destruction left by Storm Babet, which has claimed the lives of two people in recent days. Many residents have been affected by the severe flooding, and there are growing concerns about food supply in the North East region. The Scottish Sun reports the death of John Gillan, who was killed when a tree fell on his van during the storm, while the Daily Mail issues a second “risk to life” warning as unprecedented rainfall and high winds continue to cause mayhem in the North East.
The i reports on Qatar’s mediation of secret talks about the welfare and release of over 200 other captives currently held by Hamas. Additionally, the Glasgow Times runs a story about a woman trapped in Gaza while visiting relatives for the first time in six years. The paper carries her plea to the UK government to aid her return home.
Finally, The National covers how senior Scottish Labour figures have criticised Keir Starmer for “steamrolling over Scots democracy” regarding the UK party’s policy stance on a range of issues
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