Newspaper review: Starmer's six pledges and Slovak PM shot

Sir Keir Starmer's promises include economic stability and cutting NHS waiting times

Stories on the front pages of Thursday's newspapers include the latest on Slovakian PM Robert Fico who was shot several times on Wednesday in what was described as a politically motivated attack.

The Daily Mail says there are fears Russian President Vladimir Putin will exploit the attack to destabilise Slovakia.

Elsewhere in political news, "My six fixes for Britain", is the headline on the Daily Mirror which leads Sir Keir Starmer's main priorities for a Labour government. In a letter to the paper's readers, he says they'll be choosing between - as he puts it - Tory decline and a changed Labour Party that will roll up its sleeves, do the hard graft, and deliver a decade of renewal for Britain.

The Times says the Labour leader's six-point plan echoes the five pledges made by Tony Blair, before he won the 1997 general election.

In other domestic news, the Daily Telegraph accuses NHS managers of destroying the careers of whistleblowers who raise concerns about patient safety. NHS England says it has recently asked all its local areas to urgently ensure that staff have easy access to information on how they can raise concerns.

Rio Tinto, Siemens and Anglo American are among businesses in the Financial Times saying curbs to overseas student numbers threaten investment, in a letter to PM Rishi Sunak.

The Guardian reports a blood test could detect early signs of cancer, up to seven years before it is diagnosed.

The story features in the Metro too as researchers hope in future it could not only allow earlier detection and treatment, but could help prevent the disease altogether.

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