The Papers: \'Vaccine for Christmas\' and Russian \'meddling\'

Newspaper headlines: 'Vaccine for Christmas' and Russian 'meddling'

By BBC News Staff
Metro front page 21 July 2020
Image caption "The Covid buster," is how the Metro describes a potential coronavirus vaccine produced at the University of Oxford. Trials suggest the jab appears safe and trains the immune system. The paper also notes that a drug normally used for multiple sclerosis patients may help those infected with Covid-19.
Daily Mail 21 July 2020
Image caption "Vaccine for Christmas" is the Daily Mail's prediction after positive news from the Oxford trial. The paper says the results from the trial of 1,000 people are a "vital first step", but cautions further research is needed. The paper also reports Amber Heard's evidence at the Johnny Depp libel trial. Mr Depp, 57, is suing the publisher of the Sun over an article that referred to him as a "wife beater" - but the newspaper maintains it was accurate.
Mirror 21 July 2020
Image caption "New coronavirus hope" is the Mirror's take, as the paper also predicts a jab by the end of the year. The paper carries Ms Heard's evidence at the High Court as she testified against Mr Depp, her ex-husband.
i paper front page 21 July 2020
Image caption The i makes a similar prediction - "breakthrough vaccine could be ready by end of year," the paper says. The "major step forward" could double protection against the coronavirus, the paper adds.
Times front page 21 July 2020
Image caption The "milestone" clinical trial also leads the Times, which says subjects displayed sufficient levels of antibodies that could be critical to warding off coronavirus infection. The paper also reports Ms Heard's testimony at the High Court as part of what the Times says is the "biggest English libel trial of the 21st century".
FT 21 July 2020
Image caption The UK has bought 90 million doses of potential coronavirus vaccines as it seeks to hedge its bets, the Financial Times reports in its main story. It adds that Health Secretary Matt Hancock said countries should avoid "narrow nationalism" in their pursuit of a vaccine.
Guardian front page 21 July 2020
Image caption The Guardian reports the vaccine trial "breakthrough" is a preliminary finding. Elsewhere, the paper reports England's chief nurse Ruth May as saying she was "dropped" from a No 10 news conference after refusing to back Mr Johnson's adviser Dominic Cummings, following his trip to Barnard Castle during lockdown.
Daily Telegraph 21 July 2020
Image caption The Daily Telegraph leads with what it says are some of the findings of an upcoming report into Russian interference in UK politics. The paper says the report - due to be published on Tuesday morning - finds Moscow "tried to influence the result" of the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.
Daily Express 21 July 2020
Image caption There will be a "pay rise reward" for frontline public sector workers reports the Daily Express. The paper says teachers, doctors and nurses will be rewarded with "inflation-busting" pay increases.
Daily Star front page 21 July 2020
Image caption Finally, the Daily Star reports Ms Heard's testimony during the libel trial at the High Court in London. It reports Ms Heard's claim that Mr Depp accused her of having an affair with actor Channing Tatum - whom the court heard Mr Depp dubbed "Mr Potato Head".

Promising results from early trials of a coronavirus vaccine developed by the University of Oxford make the front page headlines for most of Tuesday's papers.

"Vaccine for Christmas," the Daily Mail declares. The Metro describes the vaccine as "the Covid Buster". The Daily Mirror says the news will be a boost to a nation worn down by the pandemic.

For the Spectator website, it is now full steam ahead for the larger study of the Oxford vaccine. Make no mistake, it adds, a vaccine is "the only game in town".

Image caption The Spectator says a vaccine is "the only game in town"

For its main story, the Daily Telegraph says the report on alleged Russian interference in British politics will disclose that Moscow tried to "influence" the result of the Scottish independence referendum in 2014, but not the 2016 Brexit vote.

According to the paper, Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee will describe the Kremlin's attempt to divide the United Kingdom as "the first post-Soviet interference in a Western democratic election".

Pay rise 'reward'

The Express leads on the above-inflation pay rises for 900,000 public sector workers. "Pay rise reward for our virus heroes", is the headline.

Inside, commentator Leo McKinstrey says the announcement of significant pay rises for public employees is a tangible expression of gratitude for all they have done during the coronavirus crisis. Without their selfless commitment, he writes, our civic infrastructure could have broken down and the disease spread like wildfire.

A picture of more than 400 dinghies piled high in rows at a government warehouse in Dover features in a number of papers. The Mail says many are believed to have been used by illegal migrants in crossings of the Channel.

Fibre-glass bottomed fishing boats, high-specification rigid inflatable boats and a kayak are among the abandoned fleet. The vessels give some insight into the true scale of the migrant crisis on the English Channel, the paper says.

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The Telegraph reports that Facebook is coming under pressure from police to remove pages publicising illegal raves. It says police are concerned that Britain is facing a summer of illegal parties as young people fed up with lockdown and unable to go to clubs or festivals attend underground events.

Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, tells the paper social media companies are allowing by proxy the law to be broken. The paper quotes Facebook as saying it's investigating the groups that are reported to the company.

Elsewhere, the Mail remarks that the pandemic may have changed the world, but some truths remain intact. Yesterday, yet again, it says, England were grateful for a rather different force of nature: Ben Stokes.

Image copyright PA Media
Image caption Ben Stokes has been dubbed "Mr Incredible"

The all-rounder who helped England level the three-match Test series against the West Indies is feted all over the back pages, with only one headline possible for many - "Mr Incredible" - as he was described by the England captain, Joe Root.

The sound of the summer is back, the Express declares, bringing solace to sports fans across the land.

Finally, how has the pandemic changed our dress codes as millions of us work from home?

'Zoom shirt'

It is a question considered by the Guardian, which reports research suggesting only 10% of people get dressed for working from home at the start of the day - changing into comfortable clothes later.

But one item of clothing that has become essential is the so-called "Zoom shirt". According to the paper - quoting the Urban Dictionary - this is the shirt or blouse that's kept on the back of your chair to "quickly be presentable for video conferences".

It says a recent poll found that 42% of camera-ready home workers owned one.