Papers focus on Mugabe 'endgame'

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The papers are anticipating the "endgame" approaching for Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe as the world awaits the country's election results.

The Independent pictures him on its front page with his hands together, as if in prayer.

The Guardian says the country is on a precipice, as Mugabe comes under fire to accept the results.

The Daily Telegraph suggests he is looking for a dignified exit at the end of his 28-year hold on power.

'Head in sand'

It what the Daily Express describes as incredible arrogance, it says Gordon Brown brushed aside a report rebutting the economic benefits of immigration.

Rather than giving in to calls for a cap on immigration, the paper says the prime minister signalled he wanted even more migrants to come into Britain.

The Daily Star accuses him of burying his head in the sand.

The Daily Mail is thankful immigration can now be openly discussed, but says the government should act on the facts.

Fly-past

The sight of the Red Arrows streaking majestically across the London skyline features prominently, as the papers mark the 90th anniversary of the RAF.

The Guardian pictures the team flying past the Gherkin and the NatWest Tower.

The Telegraph's front page shows the jets trailing red, white and blue smoke behind Big Ben's clock tower.

The Times juxtaposes the same image with the latest developments in Iraq, under the headline "glory and grief, the realities of war".

'Education hijacked'

The first national teachers' strike for 21 years will shut schools, the Daily Telegraph notes, and hit pupils preparing for exams, the Times says.

The Sun accuses NUT members, who have prospered under Labour, of repaying taxpayers' generosity by walking out.

"Our children's education is being hijacked by fewer than one-in-three leftie NUT members," it believes.

The Daily Mirror says asking teachers to take another below-inflation wage rise was always going to cause trouble.

Excess baggage

The Times considers whether BA's plan to send thousands of lost suitcases to Milan for sorting is the best solution to the luggage build-up at Heathrow.

Many bags will not arrive at hotels until their owners have gone home, it suggests, at which point, they will be sent straight back to Milan.

The Daily Telegraphh concentrates on another airline baggage story.

The paper says faulty scales at Gatwick Airport mean thousands will have been overcharged for excess baggage.