Newspaper headlines: 'Musk wins Twitter fight' and 'action urged on HRT'

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By BBC News
Staff
Reuters

Elon Musk, the world's richest person, had bought Twitter

A wide variety of stories feature on Tuesday's front pages.

The Times leads on what it calls "huge" delays in the processing of passports which it describes as a "shambles" that will put summer holidays at risk for millions. It says ministers are warning that applications should be submitted as soon as possible due to an unprecedented surge in demand after the lifting of coronavirus restrictions.

The Guardian reports on the purchase of Twitter by Elon Musk. It says that after weeks of dramatic speculation, the world's richest man won a "fight" to take it over. The Metro says he emerged triumphant from lengthy negotiations after securing finance from banks such as Morgan Stanley - noting he's now in control of a vast social media platform used by millions including international world leaders.

The Guardian also gives front page coverage to shortages of hormone replacement drugs for menopausal women. It says the Health Secretary, Sajid Javid, is being urged to relax prescribing rules so pharmacists can offer what they have available in store, rather than what's written on a prescription.

The Telegraph has a front page picture of a Ukrainian woman, head in hands, who recounts being raped by a 19-year-old Russian soldier in her village north of Kyiv. The woman said she was marched around her village by soldiers helping them to find other women, while any men who protested were killed.

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An extra bank holiday to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee this year could become permanent, according to reports

The paper also reports that the shadow cabinet has urged Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer not to allow Partygate to become a distraction from the cost of living crisis. It says there is concern he risks becoming "waylaid" by the scandal, rather than confronting the government over rising costs.

The i reports that Boris Johnson is planning a "bonfire of policies to placate angry Tories". It says that the prime minister hopes to "avoid stoking rebellion" by scrapping or delaying new laws to increase homebuilding, protect victims of crime, and improve children's online safety.

The Mail says GPs are set to vote on cutting their opening hours - so their doors would close at 17:00 and there'd be a limit on the number of daily appointments available. The motion will be voted on at a conference next month. Patient groups, it reports, have condemned the plan as "unacceptable".

The Express leads on a report that an extra Bank holiday to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee this year is set to be made permanent. The paper reports Boris Johnson is said to be "highly supportive" of a "Thank Holiday" in honour of the Queen's service - which will also pay tribute to sacrifices made by Britons who stepped up to serve their communities during the pandemic.