'You can do this' and 'Widdecombe suspect probed'

4 hours ago

News image — Many of the papers preview the World Cup semi-finals match between England and Argentina, with millions across the UK expected to tune in for the showdown at 20:00 BST on Wednesday. "You can do this" is the Daily Mirror's pep-talk headline, embedding a photo of captain Harry Kane and star goal scorer Jude Bellingham, head to head, energetically revving each other up. England's former striker Sir Geoff Hurst, who scored a hat-trick to win the 1966 World Cup final, tells the paper "I think it's coming home", a pledge of confidence "from the hero of 1966 to the boys of 2026", the paper writes.

"From the hero of 1966 to the boys of 2026: You can do this," reads the headline on the front page of the Daily Mirror. — Many of the papers preview the World Cup semi-finals match between England and Argentina, with millions across the UK expected to tune in for the showdown at 20:00 BST on Wednesday. "You can do this" is the Daily Mirror's pep-talk headline, embedding a photo of captain Harry Kane and star goal scorer Jude Bellingham, head to head, energetically revving each other up. England's former striker Sir Geoff Hurst, who scored a hat-trick to win the 1966 World Cup final, tells the paper "I think it's coming home", a pledge of confidence "from the hero of 1966 to the boys of 2026", the paper writes.

"It's in YOUR hands now, lads" reads the headline on the front page of the Sun. — "It's in YOUR hands now, lads" is how the Sun addresses the England side. "Forty years after Diego Maradona punched the ball into the net to help Argentina sink the 3 Lions, Harry Kane's brave band of heroes face the old enemy again tonight," the paper says, adding: "You're so close now, boys."

"Roar them on!" reads the headline on the front page of the Daily Express. — "Roar them on!" cheers the Daily Express, as "Harry and Jude lead England team's bid to reach the World Cup final".

"Don't jinx it, Keir" reads the headline on the front page of the Metro. — Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer "plans to fly out for World Cup final if the Three Lions win tonight", the Metro reports, accompanied by the strict warning: "Don't jinx it, Keir!" among fans who are "imploring" the outgoing leader not to go. "Let's face it, he's not had too much luck lately!" is the stinging verdict.

"3 Lion-els", reads the headline on the front page of the Daily Star. — The Daily Star gives readers a laugh with a "photo exclusive" of a Lionel Messi look-alike, with the impersonator saying he "backs England" in the semi-finals on Wednesday. "3 Lion-els" quips the paper, imploring "don't try for us Argentina" in a playful spoof of the Evita lyrics.

"Widdecombe suspect probed over left-wing extremism," reads the headline on the front page of the Daily Mail. — Several papers lead with the latest developments in the investigation into the death of former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe. Topping with the police's latest line of inquiry, the Daily Mail writes the suspect "may have plotted to kill others, including Reform MPs". It quotes Andy Burnham, describing him as the "Prime Minister-in-waiting", who says: "politics has darkened in the last decade" and "said he was willing to order a 'serious review' into MPs' security".

"Widdecombe suspect 'may have targeted other MPs," reads the headline on the front page of the Times. — "Police exploring if attack was part of wider plot," reports the Times, citing detectives who believe the suspect "may have targeted other MPs". A 28-year-old man from Rotherham is under arrest on "suspicion of murder", the paper says, before being "rearrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism".

"Police examine possible leftwing motive for Widdecombe murder," reads the headline on the front page of the Guardian. — "Police examine possible leftwing motive for Widdecombe murder" says the Guardian. Counter-terror investigators conclude it was a "targeted attack", the paper writes, and are looking at whether "hatred of Widdecombe's strong views, such as those on homosexuality, was a factor".

"Widdecombe killed in targeted attack, UK counter-terror police chief reveals," reads the headline on the front page of the i Paper. — Widdecombe "gave TV interview 20 minutes before she was killed", the i Paper writes. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage "accepts new offer from Home Secretary [Shabana Mahmood] to discuss his security" in the wake of Widdecombe's death, it adds.

"Alzheimer's drug could stop disease," reads the headline on the front page of the Daily Telegraph. — Elsewhere, the Daily Telegraph leads with a possible "game changer" showing "Alzheimer's drug could stop disease", reporting on the beginning of a "major trial for new medicine that could prevent onset of degenerative condition". The research suggests the new drug, Trontinemab, could "clear toxic brain plaques in just three months". As with most news of medical breakthroughs, experts are cautious, with the paper offering the caveat: "It has yet to be seen whether the drug's ability to remove plaque also prevents cognitive decline in the way which has been shown with the previous Alzheimer's drugs."

"Tories wasted £10bn on useless pandemic PPE," reads the headline on the front page of the Independent. — The Independent leads with the new report from the Covid inquiry showing, in its words, that the "Tories wasted £10bn on useless pandemic PPE [personal protective equipment]" for NHS staff.

"Wall Street banks reap record profits as AI frenzy powers trading bonanza," reads the headline on the front page of the Financial Times. — And finally, the Financial Times reports: "Wall Street banks reap record profits as AI frenzy powers trading bonanza", fuelled by "initial public offerings such as SpaceX, elevated activity in Asia and significant changes to the make-up of indices". Record earnings have led JP Morgan chief executive Jamie Dimon to describe it as "getting close to as good as it gets", the paper says.

The police investigation into the suspected murder of Ann Widdecombe once again features on most of the front pages. The Times and the Daily Mail both report that detectives are looking into whether violence was being planned against other high-profile figures. According to the Guardian, police are examining whether, in its words, a "leftwing or single-issue cause" may lie behind her killing.

The Daily Telegraph leads on the trial of a new Alzheimer's drug, which scientists hope will be a "game changer". The paper says Trontinemab will be offered to about 1,600 people with no memory problems who are at high risk of the disease to see whether it can stave off symptoms.

A couple of the papers carry reports on who Andy Burnham could appoint as his chancellor when he unveils his cabinet next week. The Times says Ed Miliband's hopes of securing the role hang in the balance and that Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is now the frontrunner. The paper reports that a source close to Burnham has insisted that a final decision is yet to be made. The i Paper says that the Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, has emerged as a "surprise contender".

The Times highlights a study which says going to the cinema, art shows or the theatre "keeps you young". Researchers examined data from 2,000 adults in England and found that engaging in culture could help "reduce biological markers of getting old", such as reduced grip strength and walking speed. The findings have also been picked up by the Daily Mirror which encourages people to "ditch the face cream" and "grab the popcorn" instead.

And most of the front and back pages of the papers look ahead to England's semi-final clash with Argentina this evening. The Daily Express urges its readers to "Roar On" Thomas Tuchel's men. "You can do this" declares the Daily Mirror. "Harry Kane's brave band of heroes" is how the Sun describes the team and calls on them to "bring it home".

'You can do this' and 'Widdecombe suspect probed'

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