
Press review covering Rachel Reeves on the UK and EU, Conservative criticism over spending, and AI use in maternity reviews.
UK Sunday newspapers feature Rachel Reeves discussing the UK and EU, Kemi Badenoch warning of tax rises, debates over an apology for the slave trade, and concerns that an AI tool ignored evidence in a landmark maternity review.
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The Sunday papers review key political statements, policy arguments, and investigations spanning economic policy, international relations, and public services.
The Sunday Times leads with Rachel Reeves' comments on the UK rejoining the EU - noting that, in her article, the former chancellor does not offer any thoughts on a timeline, or whether a fresh referendum would be needed. The chief minister of Gibraltar is much more forthcoming: Fabian Picardo tells the Sunday Mirror he is looking forward to seeing the issue go before the British people once again, in a "very clear manifesto commitment", or a fresh public vote.
In the Sunday Telegraph, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accuses the government of making unfunded spending promises that will need to be paid for through tax rises. She says proposals including setting up a National Care Service have left a "colossal" black hole in the public finances after the budget. The Treasury tells the paper the budget met fiscal rules and set borrowing on a downward path.
"An ill-timed intervention that's triggered a fresh call for billions" is how the Mail on Sunday sees Andy Burnham's suggestion that the UK could apologise for its role in the transatlantic slave trade. An editorial in The Sunday Express accuses the prime minister of having made life harder for King Charles III during his Caribbean tour and suggests he stop "shooting from the hip" to avoid sowing international chaos. The last thing this country needs, says the Sun on Sunday, is what the paper calls a new chorus of financial demands from governments, lawyers and bleeding-heart campaigners.
The Sunday Times reports on claims that an AI programme ignored evidence given to a landmark maternity review by women who say they were harmed by a drive for births with no medical intervention. The Amos review concluded in June that what is known as "normal birth ideology" was not widespread in maternity care in England. But the paper says there were many devastating accounts among the more than 10,000 responses which, the Times has learned, were fed into Microsoft Copilot, with NHS staff asking it to "identity themes and produce summaries". Former Health Secretary Sir Jeremy Hunt tells the paper the allegations are deeply troubling. Baroness Amos did not respond to a request for comment.
The lead story for the Sunday Mirror is an investigation into cosmetics firms up-selling surgery abroad. A surgeon is said to have tried to "flog a Brazilian buttlift" to an undercover reporter. The Mirror's editorial advises that world-class surgery comes with a world-class price and any offer of cheaper rates should be handled with care.

UK newspapers cover allegations against Thomas Markle, Andy Burnham's stance on the slave trade and debt relief for Commonwealth nations, Chancellor John Healey's pledge to veto unconnectable clean energy projects, and calls from Labour MPs to cut the benefits bill.

Press review of Italian newspapers focused on inflation which jumped to 5.4%, on the street protests of 30 October in 60 cities and on the measures of the Budget.

Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş announced that an age verification system and temporary 'token' application will be introduced via e-Government in the social media regulation for children under the age of 15.

Russia's independent media organ Novaya Gazeta has decided to close down due to increasing political pressure, economic restrictions and license cancellations. Nobel laureate Dmitri Muratov accused the authorities of stifling the newspaper.

The renowned Russian newspaper “Novaya Gazeta” is ceasing operations after more than 30 years. The editorial team justifies the step with massive pressure from Russian authorities and secret services, which made independent work impossible.

The trustee management appointed to Halk TV extended the administrative leave decision for the channel employees until further notice. After the operation on October 14, the broadcasting of the channel was stopped and a trustee was appointed to the management by SDIF.