Toll in 'Tide of death' increases

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The aftermath of the devastating cyclone in Burma makes the front pages.

"Tide of death" is the headline in The Sun, as it claims 60,000 people may have been killed by the storm surge.

The Guardian says the Burmese people are "on their knees, fighting for their lives", but vital aid is being blocked by the country's ruling junta.

And the Independent quotes a Burmese academic Dr Zar Ni who says the cyclone will be viewed by ordinary people as punishment for "the extreme greed and delusion" of the regime.

'Drift and indecision'

Wednesday's papers make painful reading for Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

The Times has a poll suggesting more than half of Labour voters want him to go. It shows "a dramatic collapse of confidence" in him, the paper says.

The Daily Mail says his government is giving "the impression of drift and indecision" over the 10p tax rate row.

And one of Mr Brown's old colleagues, former home secretary Charles Clarke, has written a "savaging" article about him, the Daily Telegraph says.

'Deep-rooted'

The growth in truancy occupies several newspapers, which come up with different solutions to the problem.

The Daily Mirror admits there is "no magic wand", but warns that the £50 penalty for parents of truants is "ineffective".

The Sun's editorial, meanwhile, says parents must take more responsibility to ensure children get to lessons.

But the Times is more pessimistic. It quotes teachers' leaders who say it is a "deep rooted social problem" about which they can do little.

'Town hall snoopers'

Finally, a child's pirate-themed birthday party has led to a father being hauled over the coals by his local council, reports the Daily Mail.

David Waterman flew a Jolly Roger outside his house, but could now be prosecuted because it breaks regulations covering outdoor adverts.

The Daily Mirror says "fun-loving" Mr Waterman is yet another victim of "council killjoys".

The "town hall snoopers" are "numbskulls", it adds in disgust.