A few of Saturday’s papers focus on a new finding that Ozempic may, as the Times puts it, be able to “slow biological ageing”. The drug contains the active ingredient semaglutide, used to treat Type 2 diabetes and obesity, but experts now believe it can do more – including being able to “reverse kidney disease, prevent heart failure, reduce previously untreatable high blood pressure and cut the risk of dying from coronavirus by a third,” the Times reports.
The drug can offer a “fountain of youth” is the Daily Telegraph’s take, quoting Prof Harlan M Krumholz, of Yale University, who was one of a group of experts to present the findings of 11 semaglutide-related studies at the European Society of Cardiology in London this week. Elsewhere, there is a striking image of British actress Kate Winslet, who is featured in the paper’s weekend magazine to promote her new film Lee – about fashion model turned war correspondent Lee Miller.
The Daily Express has a similar headline, also quoting Prof Krumholz. In other news, the paper carries an image of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who was filmed on Thursday behind a DJ deck in Ibiza. The paper suggests Ms Rayner shows no sign of going through “‘painful’ times”, referring to a speech given by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer this week, in which he warned the upcoming Budget was “going to be painful” for many.
“Rayner’s raving!” is how the Daily Mail describes the footage of the deputy prime minister, while also making reference to Sir Keir’s recent speech. The paper’s main story, though, is about the Royal Family – specifically reports that Princes William and Harry both attended a memorial service and did not speak to one another.
The Daily Mirror has an exclusive interview with former BBC presenter Jermaine Jenas’ father, who says his son is “battling to save his marriage”. Mr Jenas had his contract terminated last week for allegedly sending inappropriate messages to a female colleague. “He knows he has hurt his wife,” Mr Jenas’ father, Dennis, tells the Mirror.
Household bills are front and centre for a couple of the papers, with an exclusive in the Guardian about Thames Water having “lobbied the government to intervene with the regulator to allow it to charge far higher bills”. The water company “declined to comment” on the allegations, the paper reports. A photograph of ParalympicsGB cyclist Lizzi Jordan – who won gold on Thursday – also features.
Energy bills are the i weekend’s focus – specifically the results of a poll the paper has carried out on 1,560 adults, which suggests 68% do not feel the government is doing enough to help them with increasing costs. Another story that makes the front page is Oasis ticket sales, which are described as going “supersonic” – the name of a 1994 single released by the band. Oasis were forced on Thursday to issue a warning against reselling tickets to their comeback tour after some were listed online for more than £6,000 – around 40 times the face value of a standing ticket.
A now heavily-circulated promotional image of Liam and Noel Gallagher sits at the centre of the Daily Star, alongside a story that suggests the brothers could “end the war in Ukraine by playing a peace gig on the Russian border”. “Oasis can save the world” is the paper’s headline.
Auctioneer Sotheby’s has reported an 88% plunge in core earnings, and a 25% decline in sales, according to the Financial Times. The business paper puts the news down to a “chill” hitting the fine art market – adding that Sotheby’s rival Christie’s “also feels the pain”.
