'Go-ahead' for Stella's story

Former MI5 director-general Dame Stella Rimington is about to be given the go-ahead to publish her memoirs, The Daily Telegraph reports.

But the paper feels it is a spy story less cloak and dagger and more knife in the back.

Having been vetted and censored, the Telegraph predicts the book will be a "disappointingly anodyne read".

It says many of her former colleagues already regard its writing as an act of betrayal and she would be "extraordinarily reckless" to allow publication.

Court TV

Another taboo is likely to be breached sometime after the next election.

Reports that television cameras are to be allowed in some courts in England and Wales for the first time are welcomed by The Guardian.

It says the "ground-breaking initiative" highlights a growing fear in government that the judicial system appears too remote and needs to be closer to people's lives.

Plans for performance-related pay for teachers come under scrutiny in several papers.

The Times reports that at least 90% of the 200,000 teachers who are eligible for the extra money are likely to get it - which means some annual salaries could rise to £30,000 a year.

The paper says the success rate has angered the Conservatives. They have called the assessment system for the scheme a "sham".

The Independent reports on a study which found that paying teachers on the basis of performance has failed whenever and wherever it has been tried over the past 100 years.

RAF targeted

Saddam Hussein is the subject of a Sun exclusive. The paper reveals he is offering a £10,000 reward to Iraqis who shoot down RAF aircraft enforcing the no-fly zone over the country.

The newspaper says there is plenty of incentive. For Iraqis struggling to survive on an annual average wage of £37, the money represents 270 years' pay.

Rail commuters will be upset by the main story on the front-page of The Independent.

As extensive track repairs continue, the paper reports that train companies are to announce substantial rises in ticket prices in the New Year.

South West Trains will increase off-peak fares by 4.9%. Most other operators are raising prices by between 2.3% and 3.3%.

The rises are coming despite what the newspaper calls the "worst disruption in the history of the British network".

Island revival

The Daily Mail, among others, features the latest attempt to revive the fortunes of Bardsey Island, off the north Wales coast.

The trustees are offering free leases to potential castaways willing to spend 20 years there - provided they invest up to £30,000 on sheep, a tractor and a boat to travel to the mainland.

For company they will have two nuns, numerous sea-birds and the knowledge that their new home might be the fabled Avalon of Arthurian legend.