The front pages of many UK newspapers on Sunday focus on the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, which used the River Seine as its central stage. The Daily Mail called it “La farce” and called out the arson attacks that affected the French rail network and the performance’s rainfall. The Times identified left-wing militants and Russia as suspects in the arson, although it remains unclear who launched the attacks. Spy agencies are currently investigating if a foreign state was responsible for them. Meanwhile, the Chancellor is expected to confirm pay rises above inflation for public sector workers as part of Monday’s speech. It’s worth noting that some officials are predicting the state to be troubled, with unfunded projects to be delayed.
The papers have also been focusing on the rally where thousands of anti-vaccine and anti-lockdown protesters marched through Central London. A number of rival demonstrations converged around Trafalgar square, some of which had disturbed police over concerns of violence, while there were about 5,000 protesters at the main rally. The Labour MP Bridget Phillipson wishes that such large demonstrations do not cause chaos for the police and encourages citizens to get vaccinated. With new COVID-19 cases increasing, Boris Johnson stresses that around 75% of those who have died of the virus were not vaccinated.
Elsewhere, The Guardian reports on the benefits of playing the Radio 4 panel game “Just a Minute” for people with dementia. Its study suggests that the game’s rules of avoiding repetition, deviation and hesitation, which can cause cognitive overload to normal participants, help improve brain function in those with dementia. This, in turn, helps ease stress on the brain by focusing less on winning and more on enjoying the game.
As a general note, publishers are anticipating a shift in Downing Street’s approach after the Prime Minister’s communications director was suddenly dismissed from his post. Johnson is reportedly planning to reform his approach to farewell to his “mini-me” and pursue a more cooperative, rather than combative approach to government
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