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The Papers: UK-made drones 'strike Russia' and 'phone theft Britain'

Image caption, The Sunday Times says "British drones strike targets inside Russia", reporting that "drones made by two UK companies have been supplied to Ukraine" and used to attack "the Russian mainland for the first time". Citing Ukrainian sources, it explains that Kyiv's "deep-strike campaign" involves targeting "oil refineries, naval bases, logistics hubs and transport networks" inside Russia.

Image caption, The Sunday Telegraph leads with new plans "backed by the government" which could see water companies "given the green light to increase bills at times of high demand". It explains that firms could impose "surge pricing" and factor "water scarcity" into bills, meaning they could "charge more in droughts". A government spokesperson tells the paper that the new system "could cut bills for more consumers", while it quotes water campaigners warning that it could see suppliers "penalising consumers for their own failures".

Image caption, Following Friday's testing of emergency mobile phone alerts, the Mail on Sunday refers to it as the prime minister's "BBQ phone alert", summarising the aftermath: "999 swamped with calls and drivers career across motorways" while the sirens blared. The Tories, who the paper says set up the emergency system for "imminent, direct and mainly localised" safety risks, criticise Andy Burnham for "misusing the system".

Image caption, The Daily Star's Sunday edition tops with "Phone theft Britain", reporting on its exclusive findings that "230 mobiles stolen a day" across the UK, with new figures showing "83,000 people had their devices snatched" in 2025.

Image caption, "Climate, changed," is the Observer's pithy headline, describing it as "the burning issue" overlaying smoke billowing from mountainside fires in Powys, Wales. It gives a rundown of the heat-related climate impacts on the UK, with "Britain on fire", "homes razed" and "drought declared". The climate statistics also feature on the front page, revealing 1,205 wildfires have scorched the UK this year, 38 homes burned in Stourbridge, 19 of which were destroyed, and 10.5mm of rain since 1 July.

Image caption, The Sunday Mirror leads with former Cambridge University professor Jason Arday's death, splashing a testimony from his family on the front page that reads: "It was too much". Arday, the paper explains, was the "youngest Black professor, at just 37 in 2023," who "had quit over a plagiarism row and was found dead on Friday". It writes that the "relentless string of accusations had become too much", according to the ex-professor's family. The paper also quotes the prime minister: "It's a moment of reflection, reflecting on how much things came to this".

Image caption, "Triple lock is vital to ward off pensioner poverty" reads the Sunday Express's headline, adding: "Campaigners say devastating new report on plight of UK elderly proves lifeline must stay". Elsewhere, the paper reports on "Iconic Diana dresses revealed among palace archives", embedding a photo of the late Princess of Wales.

Image caption, The Sunday People profiles a mother who has approved an operation "to cut daughter's brain in half". The mother says it was "the hardest decision... but my girl's a winner," according to the paper.

Image caption, And finally, the Sun splashes the divorce of Eastenders star Shane Richie from his wife Christie. The paper says it understands that the pair "dissolved their 19-year marriage last month, days before his drink-drive arrest and rant a petrol station staff".

Read original at BBC News

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