No doubting the main story this morning as all the papers lead with the release of the British Hostages and practically all have the same picture of them waving dressed in suits.The recriminations begin in the papers at the same time.
The Mail headlines FREEDOM but now the questions.Were they in Iranian waters?What deals were done?And has this been a diplomatic triumph for Blair or humiliation for Britain?
Wearing broad smiles and shiny suits, the 15 sailors and Marines seized by Iran lined up for a farewell propaganda parade yesterday.
Moments earlier, hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had dramatically freed them as an Easter "gift" to Britain.
The slick, stage-managed performance provided the final flourish to a spectacular PR coup for Tehran which left Britain humiliated in the eyes of many.
The hostages, held captive for almost a fortnight, are expected to fly home today to the delight of their families and "profound relief" voiced by Tony Blair.
The Mail headlines FREEDOM but now the questions.Were they in Iranian waters?What deals were done?And has this been a diplomatic triumph for Blair or humiliation for Britain?
Wearing broad smiles and shiny suits, the 15 sailors and Marines seized by Iran lined up for a farewell propaganda parade yesterday.
Moments earlier, hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had dramatically freed them as an Easter "gift" to Britain.
The slick, stage-managed performance provided the final flourish to a spectacular PR coup for Tehran which left Britain humiliated in the eyes of many.
The hostages, held captive for almost a fortnight, are expected to fly home today to the delight of their families and "profound relief" voiced by Tony Blair.
The Independent has a double front page depending on which way you hold it up the result is
VICTORY if you live in Tehran
REJOICE if yoiu live in Britain
The Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, was basking in triumph yesterday as he announced that the 15 British sailors and marines captured in disputed waters of the Persian Gulf two weeks ago would be freed.
The surprise decision, announced by the President after he awarded medals to the border guards who seized the UK service personnel, was presented as a gesture of magnanimity. But it also reflects a success for British diplomacy conducted under enormous public pressure.
The first Tony Blair knew of the release was when it was announced on television by Mr Ahmadinejad during a press conference. Downing Street and the Foreign Office had hoped for movement over the next few days, but expected nothing so sudden as an immediate release.
The surprise decision, announced by the President after he awarded medals to the border guards who seized the UK service personnel, was presented as a gesture of magnanimity. But it also reflects a success for British diplomacy conducted under enormous public pressure.
The first Tony Blair knew of the release was when it was announced on television by Mr Ahmadinejad during a press conference. Downing Street and the Foreign Office had hoped for movement over the next few days, but expected nothing so sudden as an immediate release.
The Guardian sees it as the former
Ahmedinejad switches guises from demagogue to showman
He has been demonised variously as a demagogue, a Holocaust denier and even as the "new Hitler". But yesterday President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad laid claim to a different distinction - that of political chameleon and showman.
At a pre-arranged press conference in Tehran, he strode on stage clad in a pale suit, hands held self-deprecatingly aloft and wearing the mischevious grin which has the ability to cause unease from the Knesset to Capitol Hill. Squinting out through banks of television lights and camera flashes, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran started off doing what he does best. Knowing he would be watched by millions both at home and abroad, he launched into his favourite international adversaries - Britain and America - in vintage fashion. The two countries were shaping global affairs for their own ends, he said. They were acting against the interests of justice through their veto power in the UN security council. They were irresponsible superpowers who needed to be brought down to size.
At a pre-arranged press conference in Tehran, he strode on stage clad in a pale suit, hands held self-deprecatingly aloft and wearing the mischevious grin which has the ability to cause unease from the Knesset to Capitol Hill. Squinting out through banks of television lights and camera flashes, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran started off doing what he does best. Knowing he would be watched by millions both at home and abroad, he launched into his favourite international adversaries - Britain and America - in vintage fashion. The two countries were shaping global affairs for their own ends, he said. They were acting against the interests of justice through their veto power in the UN security council. They were irresponsible superpowers who needed to be brought down to size.
Iran captives ‘freed’ after costume drama says the Times
What began as a maritime show-down in the Gulf and raised fears of a new war in the region ended yesterday with bizarre scenes of political and sartorial theatre.
On the thirteenth day of the crisis, President Ahmadinejad kept a global audience in suspense for nearly two hours with a rambling monologue about religion and Britain’s history of meddling in his country’s affairs. Then without explanation he announced that his 15 British captives would be set free as a “gift” to mark the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, Easter and for good measure the Jewish festival of Passover.
On the thirteenth day of the crisis, President Ahmadinejad kept a global audience in suspense for nearly two hours with a rambling monologue about religion and Britain’s history of meddling in his country’s affairs. Then without explanation he announced that his 15 British captives would be set free as a “gift” to mark the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, Easter and for good measure the Jewish festival of Passover.
The Express leaves us in no doubt what it thinks
HUMILIATED is its front page
Thankfully our sailors are all safe, but Iran's evil President has made Britain look weak and foolish.
THEY were paraded one by one, wearing shiny Iranian suits, in front of their beaming captor yesterday – and forced to “thank” him for their freedom.As the 15 Royal Marines and sailors trooped before the world’s cameras, towering above Iran’s hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, their 13-day ordeal edged towards a peaceful end. But Britain’s humiliation was complete.
The Sun calls it the last insult but with tongue in cheek.
I WENT ALL THE WAY TO IRAN AND ALL I GOT WAS THIS LOUSY SUIT
THE 15 Navy hostages held by Iran were made to grovel before being given their freedom last night.
Conniving President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad bragged to the world that he ordered their release as an Easter gift to the British people.
Then he insisted on taunting the group one by one in a sickening line-up at his palace in Tehran, for which they were kitted out in brand new suits — with no ties.
Conniving President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad bragged to the world that he ordered their release as an Easter gift to the British people.
Then he insisted on taunting the group one by one in a sickening line-up at his palace in Tehran, for which they were kitted out in brand new suits — with no ties.
Questions the Navy chiefs must now answer says the Telegraph
Foremost among those to be questioned will be Commodore Nick Lambert, the flotilla commander ultimately in charge of the 15 sailors who were allowed to venture out of sight of his flagship Cornwall with very little support while just two miles from Iran's disputed territorial waters.
While Cornwall had too deep a draught to provide line of sight cover for the boarding party, there were many other ships that could have given immediate back-up.
Cdre Lambert has 12 warships under his command in Coalition Task Force 158, including several US Navy patrol boats capable of 35 knots and bristling with machineguns that would have outgunned the Iranians.
While Cornwall had too deep a draught to provide line of sight cover for the boarding party, there were many other ships that could have given immediate back-up.
Cdre Lambert has 12 warships under his command in Coalition Task Force 158, including several US Navy patrol boats capable of 35 knots and bristling with machineguns that would have outgunned the Iranians.
Elswhere events in Rome last night receive a lot of column inches
Brutal cops beat Man U fans reports the Sun
ITALIAN riot police showed no mercy last night as they battered Manchester United fans in Rome.
Officers used truncheons and tear gas on the Brits — in some of the most shocking football riot scenes in recent years.
Cops wearing helmets and protective armour rained down blow after blow on fallen fans.
Officers used truncheons and tear gas on the Brits — in some of the most shocking football riot scenes in recent years.
Cops wearing helmets and protective armour rained down blow after blow on fallen fans.
United fans clash with riot police says the Telegraph
Baton-wielding police, who were standing only in the United section, immediately set about the fans, several of whom sustained injuries. TV pictures showed one dazed spectator with blood pouring down his face, with another trying to help him back to his feet. Tannoy announcements were made threatening to halt the game.
The Times reports that
Children who go to nursery full-time 'become antisocial'
Children in full-time nursery care are more likely to display antisocial tendencies and anxiety than those who stay at home or attend part-time, a government study has found.
An evaluation of a £370 million government neighbourhood nurseries scheme found that toddlers spending more than seven hours a day in daycare were more prone to be bossy, tease other children, stamp their feet, obstruct other playmates and get anxious when toys or refreshments were being handed round.
The research, from the University of Oxford and the Institute for Fiscal Studies, has reignited the debate on whether overexposure to formal childcare is bad for children, and is likely to spark fresh concerns over whether government pressure on new parents to return to work is eroding family life.
An evaluation of a £370 million government neighbourhood nurseries scheme found that toddlers spending more than seven hours a day in daycare were more prone to be bossy, tease other children, stamp their feet, obstruct other playmates and get anxious when toys or refreshments were being handed round.
The research, from the University of Oxford and the Institute for Fiscal Studies, has reignited the debate on whether overexposure to formal childcare is bad for children, and is likely to spark fresh concerns over whether government pressure on new parents to return to work is eroding family life.
Priest denies jealousy over student's lover
According to the Telegraph
priest denied yesterday that he was consumed by jealousy after learning that the Polish student with whom he had had sex was conducting an affair with a married man.
Fr Gerard Nugent, 63, also denied knowing anything about the death of Angelika Kluk, 23.
He rejected claims that he became cold towards her after learning of her sexual relationship with Martin Macaskill, 40, and said he was simply concerned for her welfare. Fr Nugent was giving evidence at the High Court in Edinburgh at the trial of Peter Tobin, 60, a church handyman, who denies raping and murdering Miss Kluk and hiding her body under the floor of St Patrick's Church, Glasgow.
The court was shown photographs of a hatch in the floor - just feet from the confessional - which led to where Miss Kluk's body was found in September. Fr Nugent said he did not know the hatch was there, adding: "I know it must sound incredible, but I didn't know."
He rejected claims that he became cold towards her after learning of her sexual relationship with Martin Macaskill, 40, and said he was simply concerned for her welfare. Fr Nugent was giving evidence at the High Court in Edinburgh at the trial of Peter Tobin, 60, a church handyman, who denies raping and murdering Miss Kluk and hiding her body under the floor of St Patrick's Church, Glasgow.
The court was shown photographs of a hatch in the floor - just feet from the confessional - which led to where Miss Kluk's body was found in September. Fr Nugent said he did not know the hatch was there, adding: "I know it must sound incredible, but I didn't know."
According to the Times
Conservatives may split Scottish arm into separate party
The radical plan would involve the party choosing a new name for Scotland. It has consistently flatlined in the polls, attracting only around 11 per cent of the Scottish vote.
The proposals, which have been denied by party officials, would turn the Conservatives into an English and Welsh party, where their support is far stronger. North of the border, they would campaign under the new name, but vote in a bloc in Westminster in line with Conservative policies.
A party source said they believed that giving the party a new name in Scotland would help it to attract voters who are put off voting for the party because of its English image.
The proposals, which have been denied by party officials, would turn the Conservatives into an English and Welsh party, where their support is far stronger. North of the border, they would campaign under the new name, but vote in a bloc in Westminster in line with Conservative policies.
A party source said they believed that giving the party a new name in Scotland would help it to attract voters who are put off voting for the party because of its English image.
The Indpendent returns to the subject of Gordon Brown
Treasury 'rigged' reports into success of private finance projects
Gordon Brown has been accused of making false claims that his flagship scheme to secure private finance for public sector projects provides good value for money.
A study by the University of Edinburgh of the Treasury's statements about the success of the private finance initiative (PFI) found that the evidence for the claims to be "either non-existent or false".
The attack follows criticism by the Confederation of British Industry that the Treasury minister Ed Balls, a close Brown ally, misrepresented its stance on the Chancellor's 1997 decision to abolish the pension funds' right to reclaim the tax deducted from share dividends.
A study by the University of Edinburgh of the Treasury's statements about the success of the private finance initiative (PFI) found that the evidence for the claims to be "either non-existent or false".
The attack follows criticism by the Confederation of British Industry that the Treasury minister Ed Balls, a close Brown ally, misrepresented its stance on the Chancellor's 1997 decision to abolish the pension funds' right to reclaim the tax deducted from share dividends.
Meanwhile the Guardian reports
Brown faces mounting pressure on pensions
Gordon Brown was accused yesterday of cutting pension benefits for millions of workers while he enjoyed one of the most generous occupational schemes in the country.
The Liberal Democrat pensions spokesman, Lord Matthew Oakeshott, said the chancellor would have a gold-plated pension pot worth more than £3.5m if he became prime minister, at a time when many workers were struggling to save for an adequate retirement income.
He said the chancellor's decision 10 years ago to strip pension funds of a £5bn-a-year tax credit had done immense harm to occupational schemes, yet would leave MPs' pensions unaffected after successive parliamentary votes to make up the shortfall with taxpayers' funds.
The Liberal Democrat pensions spokesman, Lord Matthew Oakeshott, said the chancellor would have a gold-plated pension pot worth more than £3.5m if he became prime minister, at a time when many workers were struggling to save for an adequate retirement income.
He said the chancellor's decision 10 years ago to strip pension funds of a £5bn-a-year tax credit had done immense harm to occupational schemes, yet would leave MPs' pensions unaffected after successive parliamentary votes to make up the shortfall with taxpayers' funds.
It reports on the growing crisis in Ukraine
Anti-democrats pushing Ukraine to brink of armed violence, says Yushchenko
President Viktor Yushchenko yesterday accused his opponents of "political corruption" and of bringing Ukraine to the brink of violent confrontation after they refused to fulfil his order to dissolve parliament.
Speaking to the Guardian at his offices in Kiev, Mr Yushchenko said the behaviour of his arch-rival, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich, threatened to cause a repeat of the armed standoff between executive and legislature in Russia in 1993.
"The process which the pro-government coalition has formulated in recent months is equally dangerous to democratic values," the president said, referring to the events in Moscow which led to the then Russian president, Boris Yeltsin, ordering tanks to fire on barricaded MPs.
Speaking to the Guardian at his offices in Kiev, Mr Yushchenko said the behaviour of his arch-rival, Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich, threatened to cause a repeat of the armed standoff between executive and legislature in Russia in 1993.
"The process which the pro-government coalition has formulated in recent months is equally dangerous to democratic values," the president said, referring to the events in Moscow which led to the then Russian president, Boris Yeltsin, ordering tanks to fire on barricaded MPs.
The Times reports on the growing tension between President Bush and Congress as
Bush fury as Pelosi takes her own road to Damascus
Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic Speaker of the House of Representatives, held talks with Syria’s leader yesterday in defiance of President Bush, who said that her visit would weaken America’s stance against state sponsors of terrorism.
She said after her meeting with President Assad that “we came in friendship, hope, and determined that the road to Damascus is a road to peace”.
She said after her meeting with President Assad that “we came in friendship, hope, and determined that the road to Damascus is a road to peace”.
LIE DETECTORS FOR BENEFIT CLAIMANTS reveals the Mirror
BENEFIT claimants are to face lie detector tests for the first time, in a controversial move that will be announced today.
Work and Pensions Secretary John Hutton will reveal he is launching a trial scheme to detect those fraudulently claiming housing benefit.
Staff are to be equipped with "voice risk analysis" technology which measures the stress levels of people calling in to apply for taxpayers' money.
Those showing signs of being jittery or under pressure are to face further checks and be asked to provide more evidence to support their claim.
Work and Pensions Secretary John Hutton will reveal he is launching a trial scheme to detect those fraudulently claiming housing benefit.
Staff are to be equipped with "voice risk analysis" technology which measures the stress levels of people calling in to apply for taxpayers' money.
Those showing signs of being jittery or under pressure are to face further checks and be asked to provide more evidence to support their claim.
Whereas the Sun tells us of
Talking lamps tackle yobs
TALKING CCTV cameras are to be used in a nationwide fight against yobs, it was revealed yesterday.
Loudspeakers are being fitted to Big Brother cameras across the country, allowing operators to bark commands at people showing anti-social behaviour.
These images show the controversial cameras in action in Middlesbrough, where they were piloted.
Loudspeakers are being fitted to Big Brother cameras across the country, allowing operators to bark commands at people showing anti-social behaviour.
These images show the controversial cameras in action in Middlesbrough, where they were piloted.
WHISKY -SWIGGING DRIVER FELL ASLEEP ON BUSY MOTORWAY reports the Express
A DRUNK woman driver swigged whisky at the wheel before falling asleep and drifting to a halt – in the middle lane of a motorway.
Karen Murphy, 55, was on her way to a job interview when she joined a slow-moving queue.A court heard how she began sipping Scotch from a hip flask to calm her nerves and then nodded off.Traffic chaos ensued as her red Vauxhall Tigra blocked the northbound middle lane of the motorway, prompting a string of 999 calls.
Finally hot on the heels of Keith Richard the Times reports that
Kim Jong Il ate my rabbits for his birthday
The offspring of the 12 giant rabbits were supposed to help to feed starving North Koreans. Now doubts about their fate have brought an abrupt halt to one of the more unlikely hunger-alleviating projects.
Karl Szmolinsky sold the rabbits to Pyongyang so that they could be used to set up a breeding programme to boost meat production in the Hermit Kingdom.
However, amid concerns that they have been eaten by the country’s leaders, Mr Szmolinsky will not be sending any more.
The 68-year-old breeder had been due to travel to North Korea after Easter to provide advice on setting up a rabbit farm. A North Korean official rang him last week to say that the trip had been cancelled. Mr Szmolinsky said he suspected that his rabbits, which grow to the size of dogs and can weigh over 10kg (22lb), were eaten at a birthday banquet for Kim Jong Il, the North Korean leader, although he emphasised that he had no evidence of this.
Karl Szmolinsky sold the rabbits to Pyongyang so that they could be used to set up a breeding programme to boost meat production in the Hermit Kingdom.
However, amid concerns that they have been eaten by the country’s leaders, Mr Szmolinsky will not be sending any more.
The 68-year-old breeder had been due to travel to North Korea after Easter to provide advice on setting up a rabbit farm. A North Korean official rang him last week to say that the trip had been cancelled. Mr Szmolinsky said he suspected that his rabbits, which grow to the size of dogs and can weigh over 10kg (22lb), were eaten at a birthday banquet for Kim Jong Il, the North Korean leader, although he emphasised that he had no evidence of this.
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