'Russia to test Nato pact' and 'Labour eye tax raid'
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The Guardian reports that European intelligence officials are raising the possibility of an imminent Russian attack on Nato territory, with one telling the paper it could happen within "months not years". The paper also carries comments from Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who has said intelligence reports suggest it would be part of Moscow's efforts to test whether Article 5 - which holds that Nato members will come to the defence of an ally under attack - is "more theoretical than practical".
The "flames of war" are pictured on the front page of the Financial Times following Ukraine's latest drone attack on Moscow, described by the city's mayor as the largest attack to date on the Russian capital. The FT also reports that big tech firms have issued up to $300bn in "guarantees to back debt for AI data centres and chips" in the past year, but are "recording little of that exposure on their balance sheets."
The Daily Telegraph, like several of Monday's papers, leads with speculation Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey are eyeing up a "tax raid" in the upcoming Budget. The paper reports they are reviewing proposals to raise Capital Gains Tax to 45% in order to increase the personal allowance on income tax. The latest set of German state elections also make the front page, as the paper notes Chancellor Friedrich Merz is on course for a "humiliating double defeat".
More than half of Labour MPs have a greater number of disability benefit claimants than their majorities in their respective constituencies, according to analysis by the Times, which says they are at risk of a backlash from their constituents over possible cuts to Personal Independence Payments at the Budget.
The Daily Mail leads with a pledge from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch to restore tax-free shopping for tourists in the UK, reversing a post-Brexit rule. The Mail agrees with her as it campaigns to "scrap the tourist tax".
The Daily Express also quotes Badenoch, who is urging the government to end the "hammering" of Britain's shops and pubs.
Metro carries comments made by Earl Spencer in a BBC interview ahead of his book launch. The earl has denied siding with the Duke of Sussex over his brother, the Prince of Wales.
Former England footballer Andros Townsend has avoided serious injury after being run over by a pitch roller during the warm-up for a league match in Thailand, the Daily Star reports. The paper also pictures singer Ed Sheeran, who became emotional while addressing crowds at his first concert since the decision to drop a support act for making pro-Palestinian comments.
"We women are all at risk from men" reads the headline of the i Paper, summarising comments from Women and Equalities Minister Bridget Philipson. Her comments follow concerns from female villagers about living near proposed housing for asylum seekers in Piddington.
The Independent highlights its Climate 100 - the "changemakers and innovators helping turn the time on our climate crisis". Among them are activist Erin Brockovich and Prince William.
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