Madonna split unites newspapers

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Madonna and Guy Ritchie's plans to divorce after nearly eight years of marriage feature in all the papers.

The Daily Mirror says film director Ritchie felt the "circus had to end", while the Sun claims things could turn nasty as the mud-slinging begins.

Other papers speculate on the size of the likely financial settlement. The Daily Mail makes it £75m while the Daily Star puts it at £150m.

Daily Telegraph cartoonist Matt has a unique take. He pictures a Downing Street official saying: "Gordon Brown has an ambitious plan to nationalise Madonna's failing marriage."

Cheaper driving

There is some relief for readers as some newspapers finally claim there is some positive economic news.

The Daily Mail says food prices are finally starting to fall. A basket of everyday goods is 7% cheaper this month than last, the paper says.

The Daily Express proclaims the joyful news that petrol has fallen below a pound a litre in some areas.

"Instead of going to hell in a handcart at least we'll be able to afford to drive there."

Chinese worries

Despite that brief respite, elsewhere in the papers economic doom and gloom continues.

Grey clouds loom over the City of London on the front page of the Financial Times. The paper warns that a deep recession is doing the same.

The Independent is concerned about the Chinese economy after warnings that its previously booming growth is about to "pause for breath".

For the Guardian, ordinary jobs are key. The paper fears that rising UK unemployment is the next crisis on the horizon.

'Peerless Rooney'

There is praise all round on the back pages for England's win over Belarus.

"Perfect England, peerless Rooney", writes the Times. "It is too early to get carried away," but manager Fabio Capello "has made an impressive start."

More praise for Wayne Rooney in the Sun. "Wazza turned into a juggler as he kept the ball up and laid it off to Gerrard for the first goal," it says.

Even with a "makeshift defence" due to injury, says the Guardian, the team still showed its "menace".