'Regime teeters in Tehran' and 'Clearing the heir'
- Published
A number of the papers have splashed on the ongoing demonstrations across Iran, which began two weeks ago in response to the nation's economic woes. "Regime teeters in Tehran" reads the headline of the Times, leading on remarks from US President Donald Trump, after he told Fox News that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was "looking to flee the country".
The Guardian says that Iran is preparing for "violent clashes" as tensions continue to escalate, pairing its leading story with a photo of a protester gesticulating in front of a burning building in Tehran. Khamenei has warned that authorities will "not back down", which the paper says could set the stage for an "intensified violent crackdown" on the second day of a national internet shutdown.
"Tehran hardens crackdown on protesters 'working for Trump'" reads the weekend edition of the Financial Times. Iranian officials have said that protesters will receive the maximum punishment, with diplomats concerned that the "cover of the internet blackout" could be used to suppress the demonstrations. The paper says that the protests "present the biggest domestic threat to the regime in several years".
The Duke of Sussex will ask King Charles III to open the Invictus Games in Birmingham next year, according to the Sun. Founded by Prince Harry in 2014, the games sees injured military personnel and veterans from around the world compete in a range of sports every two years. A source told the paper that the 2027 iteration of the event would be a brilliant chance for the pair to "come together".
Catherine, Princess of Wales, is pictured in the English countryside on the front page of the Mirror, after she released a new video to mark her 44th birthday. In the footage, the princess said she was "deeply grateful" for the healing power of Mother Nature, as she reflected on "what it means to be alive".
"Kate's 'deeply grateful' for nature's healing power" reads the Express, pointing towards Catherine's ongoing "cancer recovery".
The shadow secretary of state for justice, Robert Jenrick, has penned a piece for the Saturday edition of the Telegraph, declaring that police are "giving in to Islamists because it is too challenging to confront them". His remarks come as the Labour government prepares a new official definition of Islamophobia, which free speech campaigners claim could prevent legitimate criticism of the religion.
The i Weekend says that the Home Office is set to start evicting asylum seekers from hotels, ahead of new legislation planned for the spring.
The Mail suggests that thousands of Britons have been prescribed "super-strength cannabis" as a treatment for anxiety and depression. The paper found that specialist pharmacies had referred patients to "almost 10,000 different products" via a "shocking loophole".
"Loot Littler" announces the Star, after darts champion Luke Littler, 18, signed a historic sponsorship deal worth a reported £20m.
The front page of the Guardian, external shows a burning building, and fire engulfing a row of cars in Tehran, with the headline saying Iran is preparing for "violent clashes". The Times, external uses a picture of a crowd of demonstrators marching through the streets of the Iranian capital. Its headline says the Ayatollah's regime is "teetering". The Telegraph, external says Ali Khamenei is facing his "gravest threat" - and that he fears defections by the armed forces and police.
The Telegraph, external carries an article by the shadow justice secretary, Robert Jenrick, in which he says British police forces are "giving in to Islamists". Responding to the row about Maccabi Tel Aviv fans being barred from a football match in Birmingham, he says officers are "too defeatist" to enforce the law, claiming that they want to "placate community relations".
The i Weekend, external says the government will "ramp up" measures to close asylum hotels, with evictions beginning in the spring. It forms part of changes to the asylum system previously announced by the home secretary - which include reducing the support the government is legally required to give refugees. The i quotes a senior Labour MP as saying they expect "big movement" on the closure of asylum hotels in "the next couple of months".
The Daily Mail, external says high-strength cannabis is being prescribed by private clinics to treat anxiety and depression. It says a "shocking loophole" allows the drug to be given to patients after "just one video consultation". The government says it expects regulators to "crack down" on private companies who prescribe medicine without "proper clinical care".
The Sun, external says the Duke of Sussex will ask his father King Charles III to open the Invictus Games when they are held in Birmingham next year. It calls the move a "major thawing of relations". A source is quoted as saying the games "represent a cause close to both Charles and Harry's hearts". The Sun calls the move an attempt to "clear the heir".
And the continued success of the darts world champion, Luke Littler, is the focus of The Daily Star, external. Heralding his £20m sponsorship deal, the paper says "Loot Littler" has gone "from kebabs to riches".
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