The day that changed the climate

pronounces the Independent this morning on a day where all the National Newspapers are wearing a green hat following yesterdays Stern Report on the effects of climate change

“Climate change has been made the world's biggest priority, with the publication of a stark report showing that the planet faces catastrophe unless urgent measures are taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. "

Future generations may come to regard the apocalyptic report by Sir Nicholas Stern, a former chief economist at the World Bank, as the turning point in combating global warming, or as the missed opportunity.”


The Guardian has a picture of the devastated Amazon Jungle its front page with the Headline claiming that Britain will lead the way in tackling global emissions.

“The UK is to use the warnings of irreversible climate change and the biggest economic slump since the 1930s, outlined in yesterday's Stern review, to press for a new global deal to curb carbon emissions.

The government is urgently pushing ahead on the issue because the existing Kyoto protocol runs out in 2012, and there is no binding agreement to extend it. Downing Street is seeking the outline of a package with the G8 industrial nations and five leading developing countries by next year, or 2008 at the latest”
However the devastation to the globe takes a back seat in some areas compared to the cost to the taxpayer.


The Times announces that

CONSUMERS could be hit by steep price rises for a range of goods from food to hotel breaks under plans to tackle climate change being considered by David Miliband.
Airline passengers and drivers of large “gas-guzzling” vehicles will bear the brunt of green tax levies, to be introduced by the Chancellor in his last Budget in March. But Mr Brown is opposed strongly to measures that would allow petrol prices to rise even when the world price of oil slumped, as proposed in a leaked letter to him from Mr Miliband.

And the Telegraph leads with the headline

Damning truth about Brown and green taxes

"Gordon Brown's claim to be leading the global battle against climate change were undermined last night by the disclosure that so-called green taxes have actually slumped while he has been Chancellor.
Official figures also show that ordinary families have borne the brunt of environmental taxes and households are paying almost four times more than businesses for every ounce of pollution they create."

The Chancellor appeals directly to the readers of the Mirror this morning telling them

“that people will not have to pay the earth to save the Earth.”

“Individuals, communities, businesses and governments can all play their part.”

“We can all reduce the energy we use - buying energy-saving light bulbs, turning down the thermostat a degree, installing insulation or making sure we turn the TV off rather than leaving it on standby.”

On a lighter note the Sun tells us

"THE Sun’s very own green glamour queen Keeley shows how to make temperatures soar while keeping global warming down .
Which includes :
"Turning off lights can be a big turn-on. Feel around in the dark in the bedroom, you’ll cut your bills and reduce CO2. Lighting can make a big impact on your electricity bill so swap harsh lightbulbs for romantic candles."
And
"Lots of people have admired my butt. Collecting rain water for your garden in a water butt is a great way of preserving resources. They are easily plumbed into your existing guttering and downpipes."

Iraq comes back to dominate with the Indie announcing more bad news for the Prime Minister
“Tony Blair faces the risk of a humiliating Commons defeat today over his refusal to allow a wide-ranging inquiry into the crisis in Iraq. The Tories, Liberal Democrats and as many as 40 Labour rebels are threatening to support a nationalist demand for a parliamentary examination of the war and its aftermath. “

The Times goes on to say

"MPs on all sides were ordered to cancel engagements ahead of a vote this evening on a motion proposing a wide-ranging inquiry into the war and its aftermath, to be carried out by senior MPs.
The debate is technically a half-day opposition debate allocated to Plaid Cymru and the Scottish National Party, but the two parties heaped pressure on Mr Blair by tabling a cross- party motion to maximise support.
Its backers included John McDonnell, the left-wing MP who hopes to stand for the Labour leadership, Clare Short, who resigned the party whip and now sits as an independent Labour MP, a Tory MP and the Liberal Democrats.
The Conservatives last night tabled their own amendment, proposing a different inquiry involving privy councillors from outside Parliament and begun in the next parliamentary session, similar to the Franks inquiry after the Falklands war."

The Sun is a little more direct

Blair's fury over Tory traitors
"TONY Blair last night warned Tory traitors calling for an inquiry into Iraq they were giving in to the enemy.
David Cameron will today tell his MPs to vote with nationalist parties in a crucial Commons debate if Ministers don’t agree to a war probe.
Last night No10 ruled out ANY inquiry."


Prince Charles’ visit to Pakistan comes under scrutiny following the cancellation of today’s visit to Peshawar

The Telegraph says

“An anti-western backlash against the killing of 80 suspected Islamic militants at a madrassa in Pakistan has forced the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall to cancel their planned visit to the northern city of Peshawar today.
Fears of riots and demonstrations in the city following yesterday's air strikes by Pakistani army helicopters on the school near the border with Afghanistan has meant that the area is no longer regarded as safe."

The Guardian brings the visit down to earth

After chatting about the war on terrorism and last autumn's earthquake, there was the small matter of life or death to raise: the case of Mirza Tahir Hussain, the Briton who has been on Pakistan's death row for the last 18 years and is currently due to hang around the end of the year..

Some news for students looking at where to study in theThe Times

"UNDERGRADUATES who study for as little as 20 hours a week are more likely to be awarded a first-class degree at a newer university than those at older institutions, a survey says.
Scientists at Cambridge have to work 45 hours a week to obtain a top-class degree; those studying physics and chemistry at the University of Central Lancashire have to study 19 hours a week for a 2:1 or a first.

The Mirror however leads on a royal story
WILLS LOSES HIS GUN

"Prince gets rollicking after blunder on firing range
By Victoria Bone
BUNGLING Prince William lost his machine gun during firing practice at Sandhurst, it was revealed last night.
Wills, 24, was given a rollicking by senior officers after misplacing the L86 rifle.
The prince had been handed the weapon in a morning briefing and told to head to the firing range immediately.
But he somehow managed to mislay it somewhere on the Royal Military Academy campus near Camberley, Surrey."

The Sun concentrates on Terrorism and one of its favourite topics

Hook son's job on Tube
"THE terrorist son of hook-handed Abu Hamza has been working on London’s Tube, The Sun can reveal.
Mohammed Kamel Mostafa, 25 — a convicted fanatic who has glorified suicide attacks like the 7/7 slaughter — was rumbled by Underground workmates when they saw his picture in The Sun.
They went straight to bosses, who told Mohammed Kamel Mostafa, 25, to sling his hook.

The Star focuses on the former England football captain

Becks on the brink

"TROUBLED football idol David Beckham looked like a man on the brink yesterday as wife Victoria spoke about his bizarre obsessive behaviour."

Stressed Becks sweated his way through a press conference after Posh told of his "unbelievable" compulsions.

And pals fear the strain of being dumped by England and dropped by Real Madrid has pushed the player to despair.
And finally on Halloween there are the usual related stories

In the Sun an “exclusive”
Witch orgy to take virginity
SEX-MAD witch and a 200-strong coven plan to celebrate Halloween tonight — by deflowering a teenage virgin.

"Creepy David Farrant boasted yesterday how he will oversee the orgy to initiate the girl into his cult.

The 19-year-old trainee accountant will have full sex with a 30-year-old High Priest chosen by Farrant.

As the teen writhes naked with the stranger on the floor, the rest of the priest’s coven drop their robes to watch the display in the NUDE. The 200 onlookers then take part in a MASS-ORGY at a property in Barnet, North London.