"Profits of war" leads the Guardian as it says oil companies have made $90bn from the price surge over the Iran war. An environmental NGO quoted in the paper accuses them of "cashing in on human misery" as a "climate crisis engulfs Europe." In the article, BP's chief executive, Meg O'Neill, defends the company's profits, saying it was focused on the things it could do to try to "address the situation" – such as producing oil products in short supply.<\/p>\n
"Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No it's.. super-rain" heralds the Daily Star after the driest ever July for England and Wales, according to the Met Office. The downpour is marked with a picture of Brits under umbrellas.<\/p>\n
The i Paper reports that private companies could face a ban on "profiteering to make care homes cheaper". Also on the front page, "migrants face new Channel peril" after 173 people were rescued from a fire aboard a "mega dinghy".<\/p>\n
Following the "mega-dinghy" rescue in the channel, the Daily Express asks "how many more lives will you risk by doing nothing?"<\/p>\n
Several of Wednesday's papers continue their coverage of prisoners being released early. The Metro highlights one mother's story: that of Jodian Taylor, who's "son's killer" is "already set for freedom" after he was "jailed just last year".<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the Sun leads with "see you in court, PM". The killers of "hero" PC Andrew Harper are due to be released and the red-top reports that Prime Minister Andy Burnham could be taken to court by "furious cops". It says the family of PC Harper are understood to be backing the legal action. It also quotes Justice Secretary Alex Norris saying: "Were we not to make these changes, then we would run out of prison places in October or November."<\/p>\n
The Telegraph also leads with the story of PC Harper's killers being set free, quoting the chair of Thames Valley Police Federation, who says this is "not justice". It also highlights an accusation by Reform UK's Robert Jenrick that Bank of England officials "work from beach", as it is revealed more than 1,000 of its staff worked abroad last year.<\/p>\n
The Daily Mail reports that "9,300 domestic abusers are set to be released" under the scheme to tackle prison overcrowding, citing Ministry of Justice (MoJ) data collated by the Conservatives. The paper says charity bosses and the Conservatives have accused Burnham of "putting vulnerable women at new risk". An MoJ spokesman told the paper the figure was "speculative".<\/p>\n
In the top slot for the Financial Times, Google has assembled a $200bn infrastructure financing programme to supply microchips for Anthropic. Also on its front page, the founder of Revolut is being sued \u20ac17.5m by a superyacht broker "going behind its back" and allegedly failing to pay commission for a \u20ac350m boat. A spokesperson for Storonsky's family office told the paper the claim was "without merit and will be defended".<\/p>\n
The Daily Mirror meanwhile celebrates that knife amnesties mean there are "40 knives a day off our streets". Parents have told the paper each one "is a life saved".<\/p>\n
The Times reports that the government will conduct a "borrowing splurge in bid to boost economy". It also writes that Burnham's wife, Marie-France van Heel, told him "not again", when he said he would attempt to become prime minister. The PM shared the story in an appearance on the How to Fail podcast.<\/p>\n
The Daily Telegraph leads on calls from senior MPs, external for Andy Burnham to introduce an exemption from the early release scheme for prisoners convicted of killing an emergency service worker. The Sun says that "furious cops" will see Burnham in court, external over the release of PC Andrew Harper's killers. The Daily Mail declares the policy will mean that more than 9,000 domestic abusers, external are set free.<\/p>\n
The Times reports ministers are drawing up plans to boost economic growth by changing the government's fiscal rules to raise borrowing, external and spend the money on infrastructure, housing and support for businesses. The paper calls it a "borrowing splurge".<\/p>\n
The Guardian leads on its analysis of eight oil giants' profits, external, suggesting companies are "cashing in on human misery" because of a "windfall" from the Iran war. In the article, BP's chief executive, Meg O'Neill, defends the company's profits, saying it was focused on the things it could do to try to "address the situation" – such as producing oil products in short supply.<\/p>\n
The Daily Mirror splashes on a nationwide weapons amnesty, external that has seen 40 knives a day taken "off our streets". Parents who have lost their children to knife crime tell the paper every blade handed over is "a life saved".<\/p>\n