The Papers: Starmer's scramble after 'Albania snub'

The fallout from Albania's rejection of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's migrant woody dominated Friday's papers. The Times reports that aft Albania's rejection, Britain is poised to participate talks with up to 9 countries astir plans to deport asylum seekers. Sharing the apical slot is simply a photograph of the Ukrainian fishy charged with arson implicit attacks astatine properties linked to the PM.

The Daily Mail says the PM has been "left squirming by Albania farce" and sums up the failed woody arsenic a "humiliation" for Starmer arsenic his program to nonstop asylum seekers to the Balkans "imploded connected unrecorded TV". Elsewhere, the insubstantial besides touts an exclusive into the however Brooklyn Beckham and his woman "bonded with Sussexes implicit dinner".

"UK scrambles for caller migrant woody successful Balkans aft Albania snub" reads the header connected the one Paper. It reports the PM is expected to statesman talks contiguous with countries thought to see Bosnia, Serbia and North Macedonia, which could enactment arsenic instrumentality hubs for failed asylum seekers from the UK.

"Children to beryllium taught to amusement immoderate grit" leads the Daily Telegraph arsenic the acquisition caput Bridget Phillipson and the wellness caput Wes Streeting penned a communicative calling for children to beryllium prepared for life's "ups and downs" successful schools. Alongside, a ample photograph of the "Ukrainian charged implicit Starmer firebombs" besides dominated the beforehand page.

Britain's system has expanded astatine its fastest gait successful a twelvemonth successful the archetypal quarter, the Financial Times reports. The insubstantial calls it "a boost to Labour" earlier immoderate interaction from US President Donald Trump's tariffs. "Lost millions" successful an arms woody that near Ukraine exposed besides took apical spot.

UK ministers program to usage caller powers to artifact bosses Thames Water bosses from taking bonuses worthy hundreds of thousands of pounds, the Guardian reports. Britain's biggest h2o institution admitted this week they were successful enactment for "substantial" bonuses linked to an exigency £3bn loan. Elsewhere, "Zelenskyy sends squad for talks successful Istanbul" with Russia is besides prominent.

The Metro leads with "Staggering outgo of payment fraud assertion clangers" arsenic much than £9bn of taxpayers' wealth has been overpaid successful benefits, mostly done fraud. Sharing the beforehand leafage is Tom Cruise's latest Mission Impossible film, hailed arsenic "impossible to resist" adjacent if the "script's a spot silly".

"Taxigate" looms ample connected the Sun's beforehand leafage arsenic it scores an exclusive interrogation connected the quality betwixt Foreign Secretary David Lammy and a cab driver.

The Daily Mirror asks "do you cognize what happened to Maddie" arsenic it promotes its exclusive interrogation with the main fishy successful the Madeleine McCann case. The insubstantial sums up his effect with "a smirk, but nary reply".

The Daily Express says "Mum deserves 'peace of mind' successful close to dice fight" arsenic Rebecca Wilcox urges MPs to backmost Dame Esther's telephone for assisted dying choice. Sharing the apical spot, an update connected the King's wellness accidental Charles is connected "better side" of crab battle.

"Her Maj Yappy and Glorious" reports the Daily Star arsenic it reveals Queen Elizabeth has been talking to Fergie from beyond the sedate done her corgis. The Duchess of York says "I'm definite it's her" erstwhile the dogs "go woof woof".