This weekend’s newspapers are dominated by commemorations and controversies. The anniversary of the outbreak of war in Ukraine is marked with a front-page photograph of Ukrainian refugees at the GPO, highlighting the devastating impact of the conflict on those who have fled their homeland. The Times also runs a poll showing that a majority of people would not vote for former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in a presidential election, regardless of the circumstances.
In other news, the Government has announced that victims of domestic violence will be paid in full while on leave, bowing to pressure from campaign groups. This move is welcomed by advocates for victims of domestic abuse, who have long campaigned for greater support and protection.
Meanwhile, a senior PSNI officer, John Caldwell, was shot and seriously injured in an attack that is believed to be connected to dissident republican groups. Detectives are investigating the incident, which has sent shockwaves through the community.
in politics, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is reportedly on the verge of securing a deal with the European Union to address Brexit-related issues. The Sunak government has made a series of concessions in recent weeks, which appear to have pleased Brussels negotiators, and a deal is expected to be announced in the coming days.
John Caldwell (Via John Caldwell/Twitter)
However, there are concerns that Sunak’s agreement may face resistance from pro-Brexit Conservative backbenchers and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). These groups have been vocal in their opposition to any deal that would compromise the UK’s sovereignty or allow for the reintroduction of border controls on the Irish border.
In business news, the Financial Times reports that Ukraine’s western allies have issued a warning to countries that are helping Russia evade sanctions. This move is aimed at preventing Russia from circumventing economic sanctions, which have been imposed in response to the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
In other news, the Environment Secretary, Therese Coffey, has caused controversy with her suggestion that British consumers should eat more turnips instead of imported food. Her comment has been met with dismay by shoppers, who have been stripping supermarket shelves of turnips in response.
Finally, the Daily Express reports on the Queen Consort’s call for writers to be “unimpeded by those who may wish to curb the freedom of their expression.” This comment is believed to have influenced Puffin UK’s decision to keep Roald Dahl’s classic texts in print, despite concerns about potentially offensive language.
