What the papers say: Friday's front pages

A wide range of stories feature on Friday's newspaper front pages.

The Irish Times reports that a leading Department of Finance official has questioned Government plans to ban goods from illegal Israeli settlements, warning of potential fallout for Ireland’s economy.

The Taoiseach has said Ireland is to directly fund the feeding of Ukrainian school children and body-recovery drones, according to the Irish Examiner.

The Irish Independent reveals that only 175 sanctions have been imposed against landlords who breached Rent Pressure Zone rules.

The Government has been warned it must choose between lower public transport fares or progressing major transport infrastructure projects, according to the Irish Daily Mail.

The Irish Daily Mirror says Brian Dowling hired a private investigator to catch internet trolls.

The Irish Daily Star leads with the mysterious death of Hollywood actor Gene Hackman, who was found dead at his New Mexico home along with his wife and dog.

The Belfast Telegraph reports that Alliance leader Naomi Long felt uncomfortable with the ban on puberty blockers in the North.

Keir Starmer’s meeting with US president Donald Trump dominates the front pages of the British newspapers.

The Times says the White House meeting saw the president offer a trade deal without American tariffs and talk up the chances of ending the war in Ukraine.

THE TIMES: Trump: We’ll end war and strike trade deal with UK #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/4u9i83250s

— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) February 27, 2025

Mr Trump said the US would not provide any military help for any European peacekeeping force in Ukraine according to the Financial Times, while The Guardian reports he insisted Russian president Vladimir Putin would “keep his word” over any deal.

FT UK: Trump dashes hopes #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/5T9OdFRdOg

— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) February 27, 2025

GUARDIAN: Trump: US workers in Ukraine would be security ‘backstop’ TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/fSXX7S61O4

— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) February 27, 2025

The Daily Express focuses on the prospect of what the president called “a great trade deal” and his praise for Brexit.

EXPRESS: Trump backs ‘great trade deal’ for Brexit Britain #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/btwiCynzia

— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) February 27, 2025

Mr Trump also backed Mr Starmer’s deal to hand the Chagos Islands over to Mauritius, according to The Daily Telegraph.

The front page of today's Daily Telegraph:

'Trump backs Starmer on Chagos'#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/95m7gM6NxV

— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) February 28, 2025

An invitation for a second state visit for the president is reflected on several front pages, The Independent and Daily Mirror both saying it was Mr Starmer’s “Trump card” during the meeting.

MIRROR: Keir’s Trump Card #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/S6tdR2BsAg

— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) February 27, 2025

INDEPENDENT: Starmer plays royal Trump card #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/RTBny4Nmil

— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) February 27, 2025

The Sun also focuses on the royal invitation with Mr Trump describing Britain's King Charles as “wonderful”.

THE SUN: Special Delivery #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/xLUsGwDBlC

— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) February 27, 2025

The i Paper describes the meeting as a “diplomatic win” for “Charmer Starmer” while the Daily Mail heralds an “unlikely bromance” between the two men.

I: Charmer Starmer pulls off diplomatic win in White House #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/69DqqEJrRu

— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) February 27, 2025

MAIL: What an unlikely Bromance! #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/H3cuvWyMEO

— Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) February 27, 2025

Several papers find room for the deaths of actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa, Metro leads on the mystery surrounding the discovery of their bodies at their home in New Mexico.