According to the Telegraph
'Woeful' shortages put soldiers' lives at risk
The Daily Telegraph spent three weeks on the front line with troops in Helmand province and discovered a number of alarming kit deficiencies that are making one of the world's most hostile environments even more perilous. and this despiteTony Blair's promise last year that the Army would be furnished with whatever equipment it needed
The qualitity papers still concentrate on the West Bank and Gaza strip
Welcome to 'Palestine' says Robert Fisk on the front of the Independent
How troublesome the Muslims of the Middle East are. First, we demand that the Palestinians embrace democracy and then they elect the wrong party - Hamas - and then Hamas wins a mini-civil war and presides over the Gaza Strip. And we Westerners still want to negotiate with the discredited President, Mahmoud Abbas. Today "Palestine" - and let's keep those quotation marks in place - has two prime ministers. Welcome to the Middle East.
Hamas hints at talks as chaos reigns in divided Palestine reports the Guardian
Jubilant Hamas militants cemented their domination over Gaza yesterday but appeared to make conciliatory overtures to their Fatah opponents after a week of intense fighting that has effectively broken Palestine in two.
Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader in Gaza, called for new negotiations with the Fatah leader and Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, and urged calm from his own gunmen after they had routed Fatah rivals and embarked on a wave of looting in Fatah offices and homes in the Gaza Strip. Hamas also released 10 senior Fatah officials captured during five days of clashes that killed more than 100 people.
Mr Haniyeh also demanded the release of Alan Johnston, the BBC correspondent kidnapped in Gaza more than three months ago. Last night there were reports that his captors had promised an imminent release, but these could not be independently confirmed.
Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader in Gaza, called for new negotiations with the Fatah leader and Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, and urged calm from his own gunmen after they had routed Fatah rivals and embarked on a wave of looting in Fatah offices and homes in the Gaza Strip. Hamas also released 10 senior Fatah officials captured during five days of clashes that killed more than 100 people.
Mr Haniyeh also demanded the release of Alan Johnston, the BBC correspondent kidnapped in Gaza more than three months ago. Last night there were reports that his captors had promised an imminent release, but these could not be independently confirmed.
Dream of unity is torn asunder as Gaza wakes to day one of ‘Hamastan’ reports the Times
As dawn broke on day one of the state of “Hamastan,” victorious Islamist fighters vowed to take their struggle from Gaza to the West Bank. There, dejected Fatah leaders sat in hotel lobbies, chain-smoking and bemoaning their darkest day in decades.
If it was the best of days for Hamas, it was the worst of days for Fatah, as Palestinians awoke to a tale of two territories, with two prime ministers and two governments, both refusing to recognise the other
If it was the best of days for Hamas, it was the worst of days for Fatah, as Palestinians awoke to a tale of two territories, with two prime ministers and two governments, both refusing to recognise the other
It leads with yesterdays football revelations
Police will investigate corruption in football
Police are to examine the findings of a long-awaited report into allegations of illegal payments, or “bungs”, in football which for the first time identifies deals involving Chelsea, Britain’s highest-spending club.
Suspect deals involving four other clubs — Newcastle, Bolton, Middlesbrough and Portsmouth — will also face further investigation, according to Lord Stevens of Kirkwhelpington, the former Metropolitan Police Commissioner, in his final report to the Premier League.
Payments for 17 players who cost a total of about £100 million, including Didier Drogba, the Chelsea forward and last year’s top scorer in the Premiership, and Petr Cech, the club’s goalkeeper, have not been cleared by the report. Steve McClaren, the England head coach, may also be dragged into any subsequent inquiry after deals involving Middlesbrough, his former club, were said to require further examination.
Suspect deals involving four other clubs — Newcastle, Bolton, Middlesbrough and Portsmouth — will also face further investigation, according to Lord Stevens of Kirkwhelpington, the former Metropolitan Police Commissioner, in his final report to the Premier League.
Payments for 17 players who cost a total of about £100 million, including Didier Drogba, the Chelsea forward and last year’s top scorer in the Premiership, and Petr Cech, the club’s goalkeeper, have not been cleared by the report. Steve McClaren, the England head coach, may also be dragged into any subsequent inquiry after deals involving Middlesbrough, his former club, were said to require further examination.
Special units to crack down on honour killing is the Guardian's lead story
Dedicated teams of senior prosecutors are to be deployed in the UK's honour killing hotspots in the wake of the failings exposed this week by the case of a young Kurdish woman murdered by her family.
The prosecutors, who have all had experience of complex organised crime cases, will start work this month as part of an overhaul of how cases are handled. The move is designed to boost conviction rates and improve protection for victims.
The Crown Prosecution Service has revealed the changes after the justice system was criticised for doing too little to protect vulnerable women. Senior police officers told the Guardian that there are systemic failures in how cases are handled - measures proposed years ago have been shelved, delayed or ignored, they warn.
The prosecutors, who have all had experience of complex organised crime cases, will start work this month as part of an overhaul of how cases are handled. The move is designed to boost conviction rates and improve protection for victims.
The Crown Prosecution Service has revealed the changes after the justice system was criticised for doing too little to protect vulnerable women. Senior police officers told the Guardian that there are systemic failures in how cases are handled - measures proposed years ago have been shelved, delayed or ignored, they warn.
The unseasonable weather of the past couple of days is well covered
Nowhere to go and no way to get there as the June monsoon causes chaos says the Times
Torrential rain caused severe flooding across many parts of Britain yesterday. Thousands of people were affected as homes, workplaces and schools were evacuated.
Trains were cancelled and motorists were stranded when railway lines and roads were submerged, causing rush-hour chaos.
The worst-affected areas were the Midlands, Yorkshire and Northern Ireland. The Environment Agency issued 42 flood warnings, including three severe ones — the most serious category, which indicates extreme danger to life and property — for Lincolnshire and Yorkshire.
Trains were cancelled and motorists were stranded when railway lines and roads were submerged, causing rush-hour chaos.
The worst-affected areas were the Midlands, Yorkshire and Northern Ireland. The Environment Agency issued 42 flood warnings, including three severe ones — the most serious category, which indicates extreme danger to life and property — for Lincolnshire and Yorkshire.
Soldier missing and 40 factory staff trapped in floods reports the Guardian
A teenage soldier who fell into a swollen river was still missing and more than 40 workers remained trapped inside a factory yesterday after thunderstorms and torrential rain caused severe flooding across the UK. Train services were disrupted, homes flooded and motorists stranded after heavy rainfall which is expected to continue into the weekend.
Three soldiers fell into Risedale beck on Hipswell moor, near Catterick garrison in North Yorkshire, while on a march yesterday morning. Two were rescued, but a third, aged 17, was washed away.
Three soldiers fell into Risedale beck on Hipswell moor, near Catterick garrison in North Yorkshire, while on a march yesterday morning. Two were rescued, but a third, aged 17, was washed away.
The Queen's birthday honours gain a lot of coverage especially the news that Ian Botham has been knighted,
ARISE SIR BEEFY is a headline in a number of papers
Sir Ian too was "delighted" with his knighthood, especially as his flat-mate from his Somerset days, the West Indies cricket great Sir Viv Richards, had already got one.
"How many people would have thought that Viv and I would be here when we started out in his flat as teenagers and used to go across the road to Roy Marshall's pub?" he said. The 51-year-old was honoured for his sporting achievements as well as for the millions he has raised through fund-raising walks for Leukaemia Research - including one across the Alps with elephants. says the Telegraph
"How many people would have thought that Viv and I would be here when we started out in his flat as teenagers and used to go across the road to Roy Marshall's pub?" he said. The 51-year-old was honoured for his sporting achievements as well as for the millions he has raised through fund-raising walks for Leukaemia Research - including one across the Alps with elephants. says the Telegraph
Thanks for my CBE, possums! says the Sun
DAME Edna Everage creator Barry Humphries is given a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Comic Humphries, 73 — catchphrase “Hello possums” — admitted: “I am deeply honoured.”
Referring to his comedy alter egos, he added: “At last I can address Sir Les Patterson and Dame Edna Everage on an improved footing.”
Comic Humphries, 73 — catchphrase “Hello possums” — admitted: “I am deeply honoured.”
Referring to his comedy alter egos, he added: “At last I can address Sir Les Patterson and Dame Edna Everage on an improved footing.”
Arise Sir Salman says the Guardian
Salman Rushdie has amassed for himself a fair number of distinctions over the years, among them the Booker of Bookers prize, the Whitbread novel award (twice), the James Tait Black memorial prize, and a fatwa from the Ayatollah Khomeini calling for his immediate assassination.
Yesterday, however, came the big one: a knighthood recognising the services to literature of one of the world's most lauded - and most divisive - literary grandees. "I am thrilled and humbled to receive this great honour, and am very grateful that my work has been recognised in this way," the newly-minted Sir Salman said in a statement.
Yesterday, however, came the big one: a knighthood recognising the services to literature of one of the world's most lauded - and most divisive - literary grandees. "I am thrilled and humbled to receive this great honour, and am very grateful that my work has been recognised in this way," the newly-minted Sir Salman said in a statement.
Sir Salaman the Knight that cost Britain £10m says the Mail
After his novel The Satanic Verses was condemned as blasphemous, an estimated £10million of British taxpayers' money was spent on police protection for Rushdie and news of the honour is likely to anger Islamists still critical of the book.
The paper lead with another of its continuing campaigns
Divided Kingdom: English foot the bill for Scots prescriptions
English taxpayers are to foot the bill for Scots to have free prescriptions.
Chronically-ill patients north of the border will not have to pay a penny for their drugs from April.
And the Scottish National Party plans to extend the benefit to all within four years.
The move, which will cost English taxpayers £50 million a year, is seen as deliberate provocation by the SNP, which ousted Labour last month and wants to break up the historic union between England and Scotland.
Chronically-ill patients north of the border will not have to pay a penny for their drugs from April.
And the Scottish National Party plans to extend the benefit to all within four years.
The move, which will cost English taxpayers £50 million a year, is seen as deliberate provocation by the SNP, which ousted Labour last month and wants to break up the historic union between England and Scotland.
Al-Qa'ida terror cell members jailed for 'dirty bomb' plot report the Indy
Seven members of an al-Qa'ida-run terrorist cell were jailed for a total of 136 years yesterday for their part in plans to kill thousands of people in America and the United Kingdom.
The seven men, who all grew up in the UK, played roles as couriers, drivers and counter-surveillance operatives in an attempt to throw the security services off the scent. In charge of the group, the court heard, was an al-Qaida "general", Dhiren Barot.
Sentencing the men at Woolwich Crown Court, Mr Justice Butterfield told them: "Barot was the instigator of this terrorist planning; he was by some considerable distance the principal participant in the conspiracy. Each one of you was recruited by Barot and assisted him at his request."
The seven men, who all grew up in the UK, played roles as couriers, drivers and counter-surveillance operatives in an attempt to throw the security services off the scent. In charge of the group, the court heard, was an al-Qaida "general", Dhiren Barot.
Sentencing the men at Woolwich Crown Court, Mr Justice Butterfield told them: "Barot was the instigator of this terrorist planning; he was by some considerable distance the principal participant in the conspiracy. Each one of you was recruited by Barot and assisted him at his request."
The Mail refers to it as
Ocean's 11 of terror: The seven terrorists hand-picked by Al Qaeda to bomb London
They were hand-picked by a "General" in the terror group to detonate bombs on the Heathrow Express and under the Thames to flood the Tube network – potentially drowning hundreds of commuters.
The aim was to create a "memorable black day" of terror in a series of coordinated bombings on iconic buildings in the U.S. and Britain.
The aim was to create a "memorable black day" of terror in a series of coordinated bombings on iconic buildings in the U.S. and Britain.
US authority accused of ignoring allies in Iraq says the Guardian
The US-led administration set up to run Iraq following the invasion in 2003 was a "dysfunctional organisation" which almost completely ignored the British, according to its director of operations.
Andrew Bearpark, probably the Coalition Provisional Authority's central British figure, also revealed that when he asked for details of the plan to restore the Iraqi power supplies, he was given a one-page piece of paper with a list of a dozen Iraqi power stations and their potential output, amounting to what he describes as "a wish list". "That was the CPA plan", he said in an interview with the Guardian.
He described Britain as "being complicit in Iraq's current position as a failed state due to its the failure to prepare a postwar plan.
Andrew Bearpark, probably the Coalition Provisional Authority's central British figure, also revealed that when he asked for details of the plan to restore the Iraqi power supplies, he was given a one-page piece of paper with a list of a dozen Iraqi power stations and their potential output, amounting to what he describes as "a wish list". "That was the CPA plan", he said in an interview with the Guardian.
He described Britain as "being complicit in Iraq's current position as a failed state due to its the failure to prepare a postwar plan.
According to the Telegraph
Parents face total ban on smacking
Family campaigners immediately denounced the move as "unnecessary state interference" and warned that it could criminalise responsible parents.
Beverley Hughes, the children's minister, said that the Government would be seeking the views of parents and professionals this summer about changes that were made to the law three years ago.
The Government ruled out a total ban on smacking in 2001, saying that the law, which allowed "reasonable chastisement", sufficiently protected children in England and Wales.
Beverley Hughes, the children's minister, said that the Government would be seeking the views of parents and professionals this summer about changes that were made to the law three years ago.
The Government ruled out a total ban on smacking in 2001, saying that the law, which allowed "reasonable chastisement", sufficiently protected children in England and Wales.
The same paper reports
Clinton talks his way to £25m family fortune
Bill and Hillary Clinton have showed their friends Tony and Cherie Blair how to handle life after power, with the disclosure yesterday that they are now worth up to £25 million.
With the Prime Minister contemplating a life of well-meaning commissions and speech making around the world after he leaves office later this month, it will be comforting to hear that Mr Clinton earned $10 million (£5 million) from speaking engagements last year.
Mr Clinton, who is sometimes referred to as "Dollar Bill", earned £3 million in the first five months of this year, compared with £20 million over the past five years. He is in demand more than ever now that his wife is running for the highest office in the land
With the Prime Minister contemplating a life of well-meaning commissions and speech making around the world after he leaves office later this month, it will be comforting to hear that Mr Clinton earned $10 million (£5 million) from speaking engagements last year.
Mr Clinton, who is sometimes referred to as "Dollar Bill", earned £3 million in the first five months of this year, compared with £20 million over the past five years. He is in demand more than ever now that his wife is running for the highest office in the land
Back to football and the Guardian reports on the
War of the Wags as top footballers marry
There may be no World Cup but, thankfully, the country is not being deprived of its Wag fix this summer. Forget the recent FA Cup and Champions League finals, as some of the main participants in the upcoming events will have been trying to do: for the Premier League, this weekend is all about the Battle of the Brides.
Yesterday John Terry married his fiancee, Toni Poole, at Blenheim Palace, near their Oxfordshire home. A sign outside the gates discreetly informed tourists of its closure, while football royalty partied in the grounds. The ceremony was attended by Chelsea team-mates Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole, who was accompanied by his wife, Cheryl. Predictably, a rumoured £1m deal with OK! magazine and acres of white canvas prevented the exact details of their 4pm nuptials being made public.
Yesterday John Terry married his fiancee, Toni Poole, at Blenheim Palace, near their Oxfordshire home. A sign outside the gates discreetly informed tourists of its closure, while football royalty partied in the grounds. The ceremony was attended by Chelsea team-mates Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole, who was accompanied by his wife, Cheryl. Predictably, a rumoured £1m deal with OK! magazine and acres of white canvas prevented the exact details of their 4pm nuptials being made public.
The Mirror leads with more reality Tv scandal,this time it's
BRITAIN'S GOT PERVERT
BRITAIN'S Got Talent star Ricky Bates was axed from last night's show because he is a sex offender.
Bosses found the 27-year-old organist has a court conviction for indecently assaulting a boy of 14 after a police officer saw him on TV and phoned producers.
Bates, who claimed he quit because of an injured hand, is also on the sex offenders' register.
He admitted last night: "I cannot hide it. I am on the register and I have not broken my hand." Bates was in court three years ago in the Manchester area for tickling the youngster's feet.
Last night a spokesman for the ITV show said: "Allegations came to light and we spoke to Ricky about them. In consultation with us he chose to withdraw."
Bosses found the 27-year-old organist has a court conviction for indecently assaulting a boy of 14 after a police officer saw him on TV and phoned producers.
Bates, who claimed he quit because of an injured hand, is also on the sex offenders' register.
He admitted last night: "I cannot hide it. I am on the register and I have not broken my hand." Bates was in court three years ago in the Manchester area for tickling the youngster's feet.
Last night a spokesman for the ITV show said: "Allegations came to light and we spoke to Ricky about them. In consultation with us he chose to withdraw."
The Sun leads with the same story
Britain's got perverts
George Formby impressionist Richard Bates claimed he quit the ITV show after injuring himself in an accident with his electric organ.But The Sun can reveal he was axed after police saw him performing and alerted TV bosses to an incident involving a boy of 14.
Gay Bates, 27, was hauled into court over the 2001 encounter and placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for three years.
Gay Bates, 27, was hauled into court over the 2001 encounter and placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for three years.
The Express leads with
MADELEINE,WE BELEIVE THAT SHE IS ALIVE
THE tormented parents of Madeleine McCann spoke of their renewed hope that she is still alive yesterday after a heart-rending search for their daughter’s body failed to find her.
Gerry and Kate McCann endured a four-hour nightmare as Portuguese police scoured scrubland nine miles from where the toddler went missing last month.
Gerry and Kate McCann endured a four-hour nightmare as Portuguese police scoured scrubland nine miles from where the toddler went missing last month.
The news that Michael Barrymore has been released wihout charge does not gain the same column inches as his arrest.
BARRYMORE: I'M INNOCENT says the Mirror
MICHAEL Barrymore is last night driven from a police station after being held for nearly 35 hours and questioned over the party death of butcher Stuart Lubbock.
The 55-year-old former TV star has not been charged with any offence.
Barrymore, still protesting his innocence, was taken from South Woodham Ferrers station in Essex. His lawyer Henri Brandman said: "Michael is fully co-operating with inquiries. He categorically denies the allegations.
The 55-year-old former TV star has not been charged with any offence.
Barrymore, still protesting his innocence, was taken from South Woodham Ferrers station in Essex. His lawyer Henri Brandman said: "Michael is fully co-operating with inquiries. He categorically denies the allegations.
The definite anti Europe swing continues
56,000 say NO to EU sell-out reports the Sun
TONY Blair last night came under intense pressure from 56,000 Sun readers who urged him to halt the surrender of British power to Brussels.
A staggering 99 per cent of callers to our hotlines said NO to signing away 1,000 years of history next week.
A staggering 99 per cent of callers to our hotlines said NO to signing away 1,000 years of history next week.
EU TREATY POLL SNUB says the Mirror
FOREIGN Secretary Margaret Beckett yesterday dismissed appeals for a British referendum on a new European treaty.
Campaigners say a new deal to streamline EU decision-making must be voted on by the people.
But Tony Blair is expected to agree to the move while resisting calls for more control over UK crime laws, welfare and foreign policy.
Mrs Beckett said: "We are calling for an amending treaty, of which we have had many without attracting a referendum."
Open Europe vice chairman Derek Scott countered: "Gordon Brown says he wants to involve people. If he is serious, he should call a referendum."
Campaigners say a new deal to streamline EU decision-making must be voted on by the people.
But Tony Blair is expected to agree to the move while resisting calls for more control over UK crime laws, welfare and foreign policy.
Mrs Beckett said: "We are calling for an amending treaty, of which we have had many without attracting a referendum."
Open Europe vice chairman Derek Scott countered: "Gordon Brown says he wants to involve people. If he is serious, he should call a referendum."
The Express reports that
THE nightmare of Britain signing up to a European super-state loomed larger last night.
The prospect arose as Downing Street insisted that the public will not have a say in a referendum.Hopes that other Euro-sceptic nations would block Germany and France’s bid to stitch up a deal on the new European constitution were dashed when Poland appeared to buckle under pressure from Paris and Berlin.
Whilst also reporting
BLAIR TOUTED FOR EU PRESIDENT JOB
Tony Blair is being actively touted for the position of the European Union's first full-time president by new French president Nicolas Sarkozy, it has been reported.
Mr Sarkozy has discussed the idea with other EU leaders, including German chancellor Angela Merkel, prior to next week's summit in Berlin, according to the Financial Times.
Mr Sarkozy has discussed the idea with other EU leaders, including German chancellor Angela Merkel, prior to next week's summit in Berlin, according to the Financial Times.
The FT reports that
Mr Sarkozy is understood to have discussed the idea with other EU leaders ahead of next week’s European summit, Mr Blair’s last major international event as prime minister.His support for Mr Blair taking on a big European job is a remarkable sign of Anglo-French rapprochement since Mr Sarkozy replaced Jacques Chirac as president last month.
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