The Papers: \'Infantile Hulk\' Johnson heads to Luxembourg

Newspaper headlines: 'Hulk' Johnson heads to Luxembourg

By BBC News Staff
Front page of the Daily Telegraph
Image caption "Johnson is confident he is closing on a deal," it says on the Daily Telegraph's front page. It has an article by the PM in which he says he "passionately believes" a new Brexit accord is within reach, as he prepares to meet European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker in Luxembourg. His comments are his "clearest indication yet that an agreement is close", the paper says.
Front page of the Daily Express on 16 September 2019
Image caption The Daily Express has a similar idea, leading with the prime minister's declaration that a "Brexit deal is within our grasp".
Front page of the i on 16 September 2019
Image caption And the prime minister's meeting with Mr Juncker also leads the i, which describes the talks as "Johnson's bid to save Brexit on 31 October". It points out the talks come after the PM vowed to ignore legislation seeking to force him to delay the UK's departure from the EU.
Front page of the Metro on 16 September 2019
Image caption Mr Johnson is dubbed an "Infantile Hulk" on the front of the Metro. In comments published on Saturday, the UK prime minister said Britain would break free from the "manacles" of the EU on 31 October like the superhero the Incredible Hulk. EU official Guy Verhofstadt said the comparison was "infantile" and asked: "Is the EU supposed to be scared by this?"
Front page of the Guardian on 16 September 2019
Image caption The Guardian also devotes part of its front page to EU officials' "dismay" at Mr Johnson's comments. But the paper leads with new analysis of figures that "laid bare" the scale of the UK's county lines drugs "crisis". In 2017-18, 8,650 assessments by children's services in England noted young people being vulnerable, with gangs being identified as an issue, the paper reports.
Front page of the Daily Mail on 16 September 2019
Image caption Hundreds of thousands of crimes are being written off by police within 24 hours of being reported, the Daily Mail reports. "The practice has become widespread as overstretched forces struggle to prioritise their resources," the tabloid says.
Front page of the Times on 16 September 2019
Image caption The diplomatic row between the US and Iran features on the front of the Times, which reports the Islamic republic has warned it is prepared for "fully fledged war" after the US accused it of attacking two oil facilities in Saudi Arabia. "The two powers are at their closest point to all-out conflict since President Trump reinstated sanctions last November," the paper says.
Front page of the Financial Times on 16 September 2019
Image caption The Financial Times also focuses on the attack on the "world's most important" oil facilities. The damage has halved the kingdom's output, it writes. While some Saudi officials have tried to reassure oil markets, sources told the FT it could take "weeks" to restore output.
Front page of the Daily Mirror on 16 September 2019
Image caption Sir Rod Stewart has revealed he had prostate cancer, but is now in remission after three years of treatment, the Daily Mirror reports on its front page.
Front page of the Sun on 16 September 2019
Image caption The Queen's "flunkies" have warned guests not to talk about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, according to the front page of the Sun. The paper says a royal source told it: "Courtiers were aware the Sussex's are all anyone wants to talk about."
Front page of the Daily Star on 16 September 2019
Image caption And finally, the Daily Star claims professional clowns "fear their careers are over as horror movies have left mums 'too scared' to hire them". The tabloid also uses its front page to tell people to prepare for more warm weather. "Get ready for hot-tober," it says, illustrating its message with a photograph of a bikini-clad woman.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson's comments comparing himself to the Incredible Hulk in his determination to get Britain out of the EU by the end of next month fires the imagination of the cartoonists and headline writers.

The Sun describes Monday's talks between the prime minister and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, as a showdown featuring "the Hulk versus Le Sulk".

But the Guardian cartoon sees it the other way round, showing Mr Johnson rejecting the outstretched hands of EU officials and dubbing him "the Incredible Sulk" .

Image copyright AFP

The Daily Telegraph says the meeting should provide the first clear signs of whether a Brexit deal is possible by 31 October.

It suggests that since Mr Johnson is adamant that he wants a deal, it is incumbent upon him to indicate how he thinks he can get one.

But - the paper adds - it will equally become apparent on Monday whether there is complete intransigence at the top of the EU that makes further discussion pointless.

The Daily Mail says an investigation by the paper has revealed that hundreds of thousands of crimes are being written off by police within only 24 hours of being reported.

According to the paper, these include more than half of thefts and burglaries. It says the Metropolitan Police drops 36% of new cases inside a day, while the figure for Greater Manchester Police is 27%.

The practice has become increasingly widespread as overstretched forces struggle to prioritise their resources, the paper explains. However, its leader column says it betrays a managerial approach to crime that has a human cost.

The Daily Mirror reports that thousands of monkeys in Africa are being killed and smuggled into Britain, Europe and the US as illegal bushmeat.

According to the paper, they are served as a delicacy at British weddings and sold secretly as "dry-meat" at markets.

A primate scientist tells the paper the trade is not only devastating to wildlife, but also has the potential to be dangerous for humans too, through the spread of diseases such as Ebola.

University students are taking out payday loans to fund holidays, gym memberships and healthy eating, according to figures published in the Telegraph.

It says research by the price comparison website, Moneysupermarket, has shown a big increase in the number of students taking out the costly short-term loans to help fund their lifestyles.

The study found that some students were spending their entire maintenance loan - up to £3,000 per term - in just five weeks.

Finally, the sports writers seem satisfied with the result of the Ashes series. OK - the Mail says - England did not regain the Ashes, but they won the World Cup and drew the Test series.

In the Mirror's words, it made 2019 an "unforgettable summer". The Sun describes the Ashes draw as an acceptable outcome.

The Telegraph says England restored pride and parity. Australia return home with the urn - the the i says - but England won the final battle