'Healey eyes banks and oil tax' and 'X Factor comeback'

7 hours ago

As rescue efforts enter a fifth day on the Nepal-Tibet border following the devastating flash flood, Sunday's papers report on the climbing death toll. The Independent headlines on the anguish of families waiting to find out about missing loved ones.

The headline on the front page of the Independent reads: 'We've not given up': Anguish of families as flood toll climbs. — As rescue efforts enter a fifth day on the Nepal-Tibet border following the devastating flash flood, Sunday's papers report on the climbing death toll. The Independent headlines on the anguish of families waiting to find out about missing loved ones.

The Observer leads with news that at least 675 are dead and 3,000 remain missing "along a 60-mile ribbon of mud" on the border. The main image captures grieving families holding and comforting each other.

The headline on the front page of the Observer reads: 'There was nothing left.' — The Observer leads with news that at least 675 are dead and 3,000 remain missing "along a 60-mile ribbon of mud" on the border. The main image captures grieving families holding and comforting each other.

A senior advisor to Vladimir Putin has warned of a Russian "hybrid attack" on a drone factory in the UK, the Mail on Sunday reports, as tensions escalate over London's ongoing support for Kyiv.

The headline on the front page of the Mail reads: 'Putin's Stooge: We'll target UK drone factory.' — A senior advisor to Vladimir Putin has warned of a Russian "hybrid attack" on a drone factory in the UK, the Mail on Sunday reports, as tensions escalate over London's ongoing support for Kyiv.

To avoid a major strike, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has given train drivers "a lucrative pay rise" on the London to Manchester line, the Sunday Times reports. The Avanti West Coast pay deal will avoid strike action between the capital and the city the prime minister was recently mayor of.

The headline on the front page of the Sunday Times: 'PM pay deal for train drivers on No 10 North line.' — To avoid a major strike, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has given train drivers "a lucrative pay rise" on the London to Manchester line, the Sunday Times reports. The Avanti West Coast pay deal will avoid strike action between the capital and the city the prime minister was recently mayor of.

As he draws up his first Budget, Chancellor John Healey is "considering a windfall tax on banks and oil companies", the Sunday Telegraph reports. According to the paper, he is looking to plug a hole in public finances and shield individuals from direct tax increases.

The headline on the front page of the Sunday Telegraph: 'Healey eyes tax grab on banks and Big Oil.' — As he draws up his first Budget, Chancellor John Healey is "considering a windfall tax on banks and oil companies", the Sunday Telegraph reports. According to the paper, he is looking to plug a hole in public finances and shield individuals from direct tax increases.

The Sun on Sunday reports that ITV is reportedly "in talks" about bringing back the X Factor seven years after the last UK series. The reboot of the singing contest could include ex-judge Simon Cowell, the paper says.

The headline on the front page of the Sun reads: 'The X Backtor.' — The Sun on Sunday reports that ITV is reportedly "in talks" about bringing back the X Factor seven years after the last UK series. The reboot of the singing contest could include ex-judge Simon Cowell, the paper says.

The UK's summer heatwaves have been "blamed for the deaths of at least 3,000 people", the Daily Star reports, which adds that they are "only going to get worse".

The headline on the front page of the Daily Star reads: '3,000 victims of deadly heatwaves.' — The UK's summer heatwaves have been "blamed for the deaths of at least 3,000 people", the Daily Star reports, which adds that they are "only going to get worse".

The Sunday Express says migrants living in taxpayer-funded hotels are receiving free condoms from the NHS. NHS England said it provides condoms to "asylum seekers living on the state as part of its usual services", the paper reports.

The headline on the front page of the Sunday Express reads: 'Free condoms dished out to asylum seekers.' — The Sunday Express says migrants living in taxpayer-funded hotels are receiving free condoms from the NHS. NHS England said it provides condoms to "asylum seekers living on the state as part of its usual services", the paper reports.

Grieving parents have told the Sunday Mirror "it doesn't seem right" that the ex-boss at the centre of a baby death scandal co-owns a firm providing maternity training for the NHS. A review of Nottingham NHS Trust found 520 mums and babies suffered potentially avoidable harm or death, according to the Sunday Mirror, while former CEO Peter Homa "raked in thousands" through his co-owned business.

The headline on the front page of the Sunday Mirror reads: 'How can this be right?' — Grieving parents have told the Sunday Mirror "it doesn't seem right" that the ex-boss at the centre of a baby death scandal co-owns a firm providing maternity training for the NHS. A review of Nottingham NHS Trust found 520 mums and babies suffered potentially avoidable harm or death, according to the Sunday Mirror, while former CEO Peter Homa "raked in thousands" through his co-owned business.

And a common cholesterol-lowering medication can "slash" the risk of dementia, the Sunday People says. There is hope for the 10 million Britons taking the drug statins, the paper says.

The headline on the front page of the Sunday People reads: 'Statins "slash" risk of dementia.' — And a common cholesterol-lowering medication can "slash" the risk of dementia, the Sunday People says. There is hope for the 10 million Britons taking the drug statins, the paper says.

The Sunday Telegraph says John Healey is mulling a windfall tax on banks and oil companies in the Budget. Treasury officials are said to be looking at ways of plugging a £4.7bn black hole without raising direct taxes on individuals.

The paper suggests banks and oil companies are seen as "low-hanging fruit". BP is said to have more than doubled its profits between April and June because of higher oil prices driven by the Iran war. In its editorial, the paper warns against the windfall tax move, saying it will harm growth by denting investor confidence.

According to the Mail on Sunday, Russia is poised to target Britain with a cyber attack on a drone or missile factory. A key advisor to President Vladimir Putin, the former deputy foreign minister Andrei Fedorov, tells the paper the highest levels of the Russian government are considering such a strike. A drone factory owned by the British Ukrainian firm, Ukrspecsystems, is said to be a target. Its location, near RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, was made public in April.

The Sunday Times reports that Andy Burnham has given what it calls a lucrative pay rise to train drivers on the Avanti West Coast London to Manchester line. The deal with union leaders was said to have been made to avoid strikes on a flagship service, and one of the busiest lines in Europe. The paper suggests industrial action would have proved embarrassing for cabinet ministers travelling to the prime minister's new political hub, Number 10 North, in Manchester.

According to both the Sunday Telegraph and the Sunday People, new studies suggest statins can reduce the risk of dementia, as well as lowering cholesterol and the risk of heart attacks. The Telegraph reports that the largest study by Denmark's Copenhagen University Hospital found that the daily pills reduced the chances of dementia by up to 15%. The paper says the research means statins could benefit around six million of almost 10 million people aged 70 and over in the UK who are not currently taking them.

The Sunday Mirror reports that Peter Homa, the ex-boss of Nottingham NHS Trust, where a review found that 520 mothers or babies suffered potentially avoidable death or harm, is now CEO of a firm giving maternity training to the health service. Grieving families tell the paper they are "concerned" by the news. Homa was approached for comment.

The Sun on Sunday suggests the X Factor could return, seven years after it left our screens. ITV chiefs are said to be "in talks" about revamping the programme for a younger generation. The show's creator and former head judge Simon Cowell is said to be likely to return in some capacity.

And several papers carry pictures of Sir David Beckham and his wife Victoria watching their son Cruz perform at the Reading Festival with his band the Breakers. "Beckstage at Reading" says the Sunday Mirror. "Band it Like Beckham" is the Sunday Times caption.