The Papers: 'Compulsory lentils' and 'Boris flees Vlad drone blitz'

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. 'Compulsory lentils' and 'Boris flees Vlad drone blitz'Published53 minutes agoImage caption, "No ice cream and compulsory lentils in school meal shake-up" says the Daily Telegraph, writing that the government will announce rules that "will force schools to put pulses on the menu at least once a week" in England. Elsewhere, the paper leads with a plea from 800 pub, restaurant and hotel leaders urging Prime Minister Andy Burnham to "cut VAT" from 20 to 10%. "The appeal comes days after Mr Burnham blindsided the industry by handing local authorities the power to impose unlimited tourist taxes," the paper adds.

Image caption, The Daily Express reports that "Labour tourist tax will hammer seaside B&Bs", with the Conservative Party warning that "family businesses and staycation parents pay cost of benefits bill". Céline Dion's "triumphant return to concert stage" also features on the front page. Image caption, The Sun leads with "scare in Ukraine" after reports emerged that the train line used by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson had been "blitzed by a Russian drone".

The Details

The paper's take is "Boris flees Vlad drone blitz". It explains that Johnson's "night service to Poland had departed earlier than scheduled due to the threat of attacks" following a conference in Kyiv. Image caption, "Did Putin drone target Boris and top security officials?

" asks the Daily Mail, embedding a photo of the former prime minister wearing a thick protective helmet earlier this year. The paper quotes experts who describe the explosion as a "Mafia style message straight from the Kremlin", while Johnson tells the paper: "In these train attacks, we see the bared teeth of a cornered rat. " Image caption, "Reform's £72m crypto bonanza sparks Labour donations row" is the i Paper's top story.

It goes on: "Ministers are facing pressure to impose a cap on political donations after two billionaires gave Nigel Farage's party £36m. " However, it adds, the government "risks wrath of Labour MPs after rejecting calls for stricter limits on funds from a single source earlier this month". Image caption, The Metro continues with "Labour threat to Reform's £72m windfall", noting that the "record-breaking sums may fall foul" of the government's amended bill proposal "as its rules on overseas cash would be backdated".

Image caption, The Daily Mirror also previews a House of Lords debate on the government's donations bill "stopping mega gifts to all parties", carrying a warning from Unite union boss Sharon Graham who says: "We must ensure Britain's democracy is not for sale. " Image caption, "Reform's £72m in donations 'may be caught by new bill'," the Guardian writes. Elsewhere, the paper reports on new research revealing "the true scale of Britain's involvement in the slave trade", a system that included "monarchs, MPs and ordinary people", according to the paper.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.