Road pricing has reached the top of the agenda this morning with the Mail once again leading the way.
The great road toll fiasco
Senior ministers have vented their anger at Downing Street for allowing petitions on its website.
One high-ranking member of the Government said the idea had been dreamt up by a "prat" and was proving to be a public relations disaster.
To make matters worse part of No 10's website crashed after one million people logged on to register their opposition to a plan charge motorists tolls on up to 10 per cent of the nation's roads.
One high-ranking member of the Government said the idea had been dreamt up by a "prat" and was proving to be a public relations disaster.
To make matters worse part of No 10's website crashed after one million people logged on to register their opposition to a plan charge motorists tolls on up to 10 per cent of the nation's roads.
The Mirror claims
BLAIR FACES TOLLS FIGHT
TONY Blair was last night facing a growing Labour rebellion over road pricing.
In an extraordinary attack former Transport Minister John Spellar said his old department wanted road pricing because civil servants found it easier to have one big idea than doing the hard, detailed work needed to improve Britain's roads.
He said flexible working hours, staggered school opening, improved traffic signals and the use of the hard shoulder on motorways would have a significant impact on congestion.
The West Midlands MP told the Mirror: "Road pricing is a tax. Those people who will pay will be the people using the roads at travel-to-work times.
In an extraordinary attack former Transport Minister John Spellar said his old department wanted road pricing because civil servants found it easier to have one big idea than doing the hard, detailed work needed to improve Britain's roads.
He said flexible working hours, staggered school opening, improved traffic signals and the use of the hard shoulder on motorways would have a significant impact on congestion.
The West Midlands MP told the Mirror: "Road pricing is a tax. Those people who will pay will be the people using the roads at travel-to-work times.
The Telegraph says that
Road tolls could be Labour's poll tax
Disgruntled drivers could take their revenge at the polls if the Government presses ahead with road pricing, a leading motoring organisation warned last night.
Research carried out by the AA Public Affairs showed that the cost of driving is very important to people.
Research carried out by the AA Public Affairs showed that the cost of driving is very important to people.
Whereas the the Front page of the Independent proclaims
The road to nowhere: Government urged to stick with plans for road pricing
Environmental campaigners have urged ministers to stand firm over plans to introduce road pricing in the face of a protest petition signed by more than one million people.
Douglas Alexander, the Secretary of State for Transport, who is facing his first big test as a cabinet minister on the issue, was under pressure not to give way to the populist campaign backed by the motoring lobby and a number of national newspapers. He accused the protesters of spreading "myths" about road pricing.
Friends of the Earth warned that the protests threaten to undermine the Government's efforts to curb car use, which they say is a significant cause of carbon emissions. They urged ministers to do more to win the argument over road pricing.
Tony Bosworth, the campaign group's senior transport campaigner, said: "Road pricing is not a magic-bullet solution to Britain's transport problems, but it is part of the answer. The biggest transport problem we face is not congestion, it is climate change."
Douglas Alexander, the Secretary of State for Transport, who is facing his first big test as a cabinet minister on the issue, was under pressure not to give way to the populist campaign backed by the motoring lobby and a number of national newspapers. He accused the protesters of spreading "myths" about road pricing.
Friends of the Earth warned that the protests threaten to undermine the Government's efforts to curb car use, which they say is a significant cause of carbon emissions. They urged ministers to do more to win the argument over road pricing.
Tony Bosworth, the campaign group's senior transport campaigner, said: "Road pricing is not a magic-bullet solution to Britain's transport problems, but it is part of the answer. The biggest transport problem we face is not congestion, it is climate change."
The Times reports on its front page that
Diplomatic row over raw meat shipped from Matthews plant to Continent
Six lorryloads of turkey meat sent to Hungary last week from the Bernard Matthews plant at the centre of the avian flu outbreak were raw and may have returned the H5N1 virus to Central Europe.
The revelation immediately sparked a political and diplomatic row between London and Budapest. Miklos Suth, the Hungarian chief vet, said that he was outraged by the consignment of raw meat from an infected zone.
The revelation immediately sparked a political and diplomatic row between London and Budapest. Miklos Suth, the Hungarian chief vet, said that he was outraged by the consignment of raw meat from an infected zone.
BIRD-FLU FACTORY RE-OPENS
JUST 13 DAYS AFTER AVIAN FLU SHUT TURKEY FACTORY IT STARTS WORKING AGAIN
JUST 13 DAYS AFTER AVIAN FLU SHUT TURKEY FACTORY IT STARTS WORKING AGAIN
is the Mirror's headline,
PRODUCTION started again at the Bernard Matthews turkey factory today - 13 days after bird flu was discovered there.
The company confirmed last night that it was poised to begin re-stocking the farm in Holton, Suffolk.
Turkeys will be brought from 50 farms around Britain for slaughtering and processing at the facility.
Government vets are still trying to discover the cause of the H5N1 outbreak, which led to the culling of 159,000 birds.
The company confirmed last night that it was poised to begin re-stocking the farm in Holton, Suffolk.
Turkeys will be brought from 50 farms around Britain for slaughtering and processing at the facility.
Government vets are still trying to discover the cause of the H5N1 outbreak, which led to the culling of 159,000 birds.
The Guardian's front page turns once again to Iraq
Silent prayers. Then the inferno
One year of civil war marked by coordinated attacks killing 80 in Baghdad market
It was intended as a period of national reflection. A 15-minute pause at midday to mark the first anniversary of what many consider to be the spark that lit the fuse of Iraq's civil war.
The bombing of the golden-domed Askariya shrine in Samarra last February by suspected Sunni militants killed no one - but since that day 33,929 Iraqi civilians have lost their lives in the ensuing violence. As Baghdad's clocks registered 12.20 yesterday, Iraq's prime minister, Nuri al-Maliki, appeared on state television to appeal for calm, for national unity and for an end to the violence that has devastated the country.
The bombing of the golden-domed Askariya shrine in Samarra last February by suspected Sunni militants killed no one - but since that day 33,929 Iraqi civilians have lost their lives in the ensuing violence. As Baghdad's clocks registered 12.20 yesterday, Iraq's prime minister, Nuri al-Maliki, appeared on state television to appeal for calm, for national unity and for an end to the violence that has devastated the country.
But,continues the report
But even as he spoke, the broadcast showed him blink and aides around him flinch with the force of a formidable explosion which thundered across the Tigris towards the prime minister's compound in the Green Zone. Secondary explosions resounded. Smoke billowed into the air.
In the normally bustling Shorja market district dozens of people lay dead, burned beyond recognition, while dozens more were injured. Motorists were charred in their cars, shops were ripped apart and a seven-story building full of wholesale textile merchants was set ablaze. It burned all day.
By last night the toll from the combined force of three car bombs stood at more than 80 dead, and almost 200 wounded.
In the normally bustling Shorja market district dozens of people lay dead, burned beyond recognition, while dozens more were injured. Motorists were charred in their cars, shops were ripped apart and a seven-story building full of wholesale textile merchants was set ablaze. It burned all day.
By last night the toll from the combined force of three car bombs stood at more than 80 dead, and almost 200 wounded.
The Independent reports that
Iran rejects US claims of supplying weapons in Iraq
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian President, has flatly denied American charges that his country is supplying sophisticated weaponry to Shia militant groups, saying that Washington was blaming others in order to hide its own defeat in Iraq.
"The US administration and [President George] Bush are used to accusing others," Mr Ahmadinejad told ABC television's Good Morning America yesterday, less than 24 hours after US military officials in Baghdad showed reporters part of what they called "a growing body" of evidence that roadside bombs and other devices made in Iran had been used to kill 170 American and coalition soldiers.
"The US administration and [President George] Bush are used to accusing others," Mr Ahmadinejad told ABC television's Good Morning America yesterday, less than 24 hours after US military officials in Baghdad showed reporters part of what they called "a growing body" of evidence that roadside bombs and other devices made in Iran had been used to kill 170 American and coalition soldiers.
The Telegraph though reveals that
Iraqi insurgents using Austrian rifles from Iran
Austrian sniper rifles that were exported to Iran have been discovered in the hands of Iraqi terrorists, The Daily Telegraph has learned.
More than 100 of the.50 calibre weapons, capable of penetrating body armour, have been discovered by American troops during raids.
More than 100 of the.50 calibre weapons, capable of penetrating body armour, have been discovered by American troops during raids.
A number of the papers report on the release of Brigitte Mohnhaupt,the Guardian reporting
Baader-Meinhof terrorist to be freed after 24 years in jail
A former leader of the Baader-Meinhof gang that terrorised West Germany in the 1970s and 80s is to be freed from prison after 24 years following a court ruling yesterday.
Brigitte Mohnhaupt, 57, who is serving five life sentences plus 15 years for her role in the murders of several prominent Germans, including a banker, a prosecutor and an industrialist, will be freed on five years' probation next month.
In its ruling, made public on its website, the Stuttgart state court said: "This is not a pardon, rather a decision based on specific legal considerations. The decision ... was reached based on the determination that no security risk exists."
The decision was condemned by the families of Mohnhaupt's victims, particularly because she had shown no remorse.
Brigitte Mohnhaupt, 57, who is serving five life sentences plus 15 years for her role in the murders of several prominent Germans, including a banker, a prosecutor and an industrialist, will be freed on five years' probation next month.
In its ruling, made public on its website, the Stuttgart state court said: "This is not a pardon, rather a decision based on specific legal considerations. The decision ... was reached based on the determination that no security risk exists."
The decision was condemned by the families of Mohnhaupt's victims, particularly because she had shown no remorse.
Anger at release of German terrorist says the Telegraph
The Times reports on another terrorism release,
Uproar over early release for Eta hunger-striker
The Spanish Supreme Court sparked uproar yesterday after it slashed a sentence against a Basque separatist killer on hunger strike from 12 years to three.
Iñaki de Juana Chaos, who was sentenced to 3,000 years in jail in 1987 for 25 murders, could now go free in less than a year because of the time he has served on remand.
Groups representing Eta’s 800 victims were outraged by the decision and were planning to mount large street protests. The powerful Association of Victims of Terrorism, which had wanted the Supreme Court to raise de Juana’s sentence to 96 years, blamed the Government of José Luis RodrÍguez Zapatero for its decision.
Iñaki de Juana Chaos, who was sentenced to 3,000 years in jail in 1987 for 25 murders, could now go free in less than a year because of the time he has served on remand.
Groups representing Eta’s 800 victims were outraged by the decision and were planning to mount large street protests. The powerful Association of Victims of Terrorism, which had wanted the Supreme Court to raise de Juana’s sentence to 96 years, blamed the Government of José Luis RodrÍguez Zapatero for its decision.
The Sun reports on a tragic killing
SHE WAS ONLY 2 says its front page
THE devastated mother of murdered tot Casey Leigh Mullen was found cradling her lifeless body and screaming: “She’s dead, she’s dead. Someone’s killed Casey.”
Samantha Canham, 21, had put the blonde two-year-old to bed at their semi-detached council home just hours earlier, along with her son Darren, three.
It was only when she went up to check the children at around 9.30pm that she discovered little Casey’s blood-spattered body.
Last night it was feared the happy youngster — who devastated neighbours had nicknamed Smiley — had also been raped.
Samantha Canham, 21, had put the blonde two-year-old to bed at their semi-detached council home just hours earlier, along with her son Darren, three.
It was only when she went up to check the children at around 9.30pm that she discovered little Casey’s blood-spattered body.
Last night it was feared the happy youngster — who devastated neighbours had nicknamed Smiley — had also been raped.
The Times brings us up to date on the story
Three men arrested over death of girl, 2
Three men were being questioned by police last night over the suspected murder of a two-year-old girl.
The child, Casey Leigh Mullen, was taken to St James’s Hospital in Leeds from her family home in the city on Sunday night but was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Three men, aged 19, 20 and 21 and believed to be known to the child, have been detained in connection with the death, which is being treated as suspicious. It is understood that police are seeking to establish whether the child was sexually assaulted before she died.
The child, Casey Leigh Mullen, was taken to St James’s Hospital in Leeds from her family home in the city on Sunday night but was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Three men, aged 19, 20 and 21 and believed to be known to the child, have been detained in connection with the death, which is being treated as suspicious. It is understood that police are seeking to establish whether the child was sexually assaulted before she died.
The Telegraph reports on its front page that
Just three Pcs on patrol at night in towns
As few as three uniformed police officers are available to patrol the streets, respond to 999 calls and tackle night-time disorder in some towns and city areas, according to research into the experiences of front-line Pcs.
Despite record numbers of police officers overall, many commanders in local divisions in England and Wales - typically based in a station in small and medium towns - can call on just five or fewer uniformed officers per duty shift, the academic study shows.
Despite record numbers of police officers overall, many commanders in local divisions in England and Wales - typically based in a station in small and medium towns - can call on just five or fewer uniformed officers per duty shift, the academic study shows.
The Mirror's front page reports the latest on last week's death of model Anne Nichol,asking
DID BOOB JOBS KILL ANNA NICOLE?
Anna Nicole, 39, was taking a cocktail of painkillers when she died in Florida last week.
It is feared her body was fatally weakened by the ops, which were carried out soon after she gave birth to daughter Dannielynn five months ago. A source said she was left "very weak and very tired".
Doomed Anna Nicole Smith may have paid the ultimate price for her own vanity, it was feared last night.
The former Playmate was left "very weak and very tired" after having two breast operations, an enhancement and a repair procedure, soon after giving birth to daughter Dannielynn.
It is feared her body was fatally weakened by the ops, which were carried out soon after she gave birth to daughter Dannielynn five months ago. A source said she was left "very weak and very tired".
Doomed Anna Nicole Smith may have paid the ultimate price for her own vanity, it was feared last night.
The former Playmate was left "very weak and very tired" after having two breast operations, an enhancement and a repair procedure, soon after giving birth to daughter Dannielynn.
According to the Guardian
Cadbury facing prosecution under health laws following contamination of chocolate.
Confectionery giant Cadbury is set to be prosecuted under environmental health laws over last year's food scare involving chocolate contaminated with salmonella, the Guardian has learned.
The national health alert, in which dozens of people became ill with food poisoning, led to the Birmingham-based manufacturer being forced to withdraw more than 1m bars of chocolate from retailers and loss of consumer confidence in one of Britain's best-known and most valuable brands. The company has since revealed that the scare cost it £30m.
The national health alert, in which dozens of people became ill with food poisoning, led to the Birmingham-based manufacturer being forced to withdraw more than 1m bars of chocolate from retailers and loss of consumer confidence in one of Britain's best-known and most valuable brands. The company has since revealed that the scare cost it £30m.
The same paper reports that
Erosion and rising seas threaten Wales's most beautiful beaches
Almost three-quarters of some of the most beautiful and precious stretches of the Welsh coast are threatened by erosion and flooding because of rising sea levels, a study from the National Trust claims today. Fabulous beaches, dune systems, iron age forts, lagoons and seaside villages could all vanish within a century.
The report, Shifting Shores, says 55 sites owned by the trust, covering more than 100 miles, are in danger because of erosion caused by global warming and climate change.
The report, Shifting Shores, says 55 sites owned by the trust, covering more than 100 miles, are in danger because of erosion caused by global warming and climate change.
The Sun has an exclusive on its front page,after Sunday's Bafta's
Can we cane it? Yes we can!
SARAH HARDING has a big rival for my 2007 Caner Of The Year award – SIENNA MILLER.
The blondes were out on a mission after the glitzy Baftas bash on Sunday.
The blondes were out on a mission after the glitzy Baftas bash on Sunday.
And even though former favourite Sarah managed FOUR parties it was Sienna – still suffering jet lag after flying in from LA – who outdid the pop star with her sheer partying stamina.
Finally the Telegraph reports
Sting to tour again with the Police
The Police reformed for their first major public performance in more than two decades and Peter Frampton, arena rocker of the mid-1970s, won an award.
The Police, who also dominated the charts in their early 1980s heyday and who now boast a combined age of 173, performed a jazzy version of their old hit Roxanne in front of the 12,000-strong audience at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles, on Sunday.
The band – the singer Sting, guitarist Andy Summers and drummer Stewart Copeland – split up 23 years ago but opened the awards ceremony before an anticipated world tour.
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