The Taliban is on a “vengeful killing spree” against Afghans whose data was leaked from a British government database, the Daily Mail writes. The paper speaks to one Afghan soldier, now in Britain over fears of retribution from the militant group, who believes his brother was killed because the Taliban was aware of his affiliation to the UK.
Afghans whose data was leaked brought an average of eight family members with them to the UK, reports the Daily Telegraph. One Afghan brought 22 relatives who were initially rejected for asylum. They were subsequently accepted after the leak put them at risk of reprisal from the Taliban.
A report that Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has told Labour MPs to “focus on the party’s achievements” from their first year in office leads The Guardian. In an interview with the newspaper, Rayner said she was “not afraid” of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s “doom loop” on the economy is “leaving a toxic legacy” for the next generation, writes Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch in a front page editorial for the Daily Express.
A report that UK fuel duties will be frozen again this year in a “cost of living boost” leads the i newspaper. The chancellor’s decision comes despite her needing to fill a “growing hole” in Britain’s public finances.
The UK has sanctioned three units of Russia’s military intelligence agency – and 18 of their officers – according to The Times. The group, which includes the agents that planned the Salisbury Novichok attack, has been accused of “targeting Britain and the West” with assassination attempts, cyberhacking and sabotage.
The Duke of Sussex is “desperate” to mend ties with his brother, the Prince of Wales, reports the Daily Mirror.
Former Manchester City footballer Joey Barton is a “lionass”, the Daily Star writes, after he said the Lionesses were “crap at footie”.
Ian Huntley, who murdered 10-year-old schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in 2002, has been seen wearing a Manchester United shirt in prison, The Sun reports. The clothing is an apparent “sick reference” to his victims, who were wearing Manchester United shirts when they went missing.
The Financial Times leads with “landmark” US digital asset legislation that has pushed the value of the global cyrptocurrency market over $4tn (£3tn) for the first time.
