Newspaper headlines: Cancer 'game-changer' and 'tears for Phil'

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By BBC News
Staff

The Daily Telegraph reports that a "secretive" unit set up by the government worked with social media companies to "curb critics" of lockdown policies during the pandemic.

The paper says the Counter-Disinformation Unit was used as part of what is described as a "chilling tactic" to monitor discussion including about vaccines. It says lockdown critics had posts removed from social media.

Ministers have denied asking for posts by certain people to be taken down. The government tells the paper that the unit is "focused on helping it understand online disinformation narratives and attempts to artificially manipulate the information".

The Guardian says a "game-changing drug" could boost breast cancer survival rates - and cut the risk of the most common form of the disease returning by a quarter. According to the paper, "very promising" research has been presented at the world's largest annual cancer conference in the United States. It says the report suggests that a new, targeted therapy called Ribociclib could be "transformative".

"Unions line up another year of rail strike mayhem," warns the Daily Mail, as it says sports fans face rail chaos on Saturday. The paper quotes the rail industry as saying that industrial action has already cost £5bn.

"I fear being spat on," are the words of Phillip Schofield across the front of the Sun, after confessing to his affair with a younger colleague.

For 21 years he was welcomed into the homes of millions of Brits, says the paper. Now, he tells it he is too scared to step out of his own front door.

The Daily Mirror focuses on what it calls "Alison's tears for Phil". It is referring to the presenter, Alison Hammond, breaking down during Friday's This Morning show.

Writers in both papers remind readers that at the centre of the story is "a human being". The Sun's assistant Showbiz editor, Clemmie Moodie - who interviewed Phillip Schofield - says: "The witch-hunt on social media must stop."

The i weekend leads with the results of a poll suggesting that nearly two-thirds of British voters believe that Brexit has contributed to higher food prices. The paper also says that 57% of those surveyed think that leaving the European Union is having a negative impact on Britain's economy.

The i says "Brexit regrets are growing slowly, but not enough to galvanise" the Rejoin EU movement.

The Times carries a picture of a portrait of Prince Harry and Prince William together in military uniform. According to the paper, it was "painted long before the princes fell out" - and will not be included in the hang for the reopening of the National Portrait Gallery in London.

The paper says the gallery, whose patron is the Princess of Wales, has not explained the omission of what it calls the "well-regarded 2009 artwork".

"At last you're listening!" exclaims the Daily Express headline - as the paper says banks are putting up interest rates for savers. It says one building society is offering a regular saver rate of 9% - the highest for 12 years. Financial experts point out that most rates on offer continue to be lower than inflation.