Papers afraid of major job losses

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Tales of economic woe lead several papers on a day when the front pages are something of a mixed bag.

"Two million unemployed by Christmas." That is the stark warning issued by Bank of England policy maker David Blanchflower and seized on by the Guardian.

The Independent fears his warning will be ignored though, accusing others at the Bank of being "asleep at the wheel", while a "recession-shaped iceberg" looms large.

But big business is certainly reacting, says the Financial Times. It leads with news that two British firms are moving to the Irish Republic to cut costs.

Third Bush term?

Barack Obama's political strategy is debated again in the papers.

The Daily Telegraph says he has promised "to sacrifice some of his high-blown rhetoric to address the fears of working Americans".

The Times, meanwhile, says Mr Obama is trying "to run against Mr Bush, even though he is not on the ballot".

The paper warns that his rival John McCain "is not in fact a Bush clone". "The charge that Senator McCain is running for a third Bush term will not stick."

'Pettifogging nonsense'

The Daily Mail's leader champions the "truly humbling" work of Britain's carers and welcomes the possibility of an increase in their benefits.

But it fears that any extra money will go to "another army of bureaucrats" charged with verifying claims for assistance.

The Daily Express is also angry about bureaucracy - the fines given to people who fail to follow council recycling rules.

"Can anyone put an end to this pettifogging nonsense which is driving the country mad?" it asks.

'Heroic Harry'

The Sun leads with the exclusive claim that Prince Harry has begged Army bosses to allow him to return to combat in Afghanistan.

Royal correspondent Duncan Larcombe says Harry is "no ceremonial soldier" and claims the Army has turned a once "wayward lad" into a "heroic officer".

From one red top to another, the Daily Mirror can reveal that GMTV's Fiona Phillips is quitting after 12 years to spend more time with her children.

It says "the hard-working presenter stunned bosses" with news of her departure.