Kyoto rescue deal leaves papers cold

Many of the papers are distinctly under whelmed by the last-minute deal to rescue the Kyoto treaty on climate change.

The Daily Telegraph is the most scathing, arguing that what has been agreed is "at best marginal, and at worst an expensive exercise in gesture politics".

The Times notes that the accord will have an almost imperceptible effect on the climate, and it mockingly declares that the burst of hyperbole from Britain's environment minister, Michael Meacher, who called the deal "historic", must itself have warmed the atmosphere by several degrees.

But as a Chinese proverb states, "when you're going on a long journey, you have to begin somewhere".

And indeed that is how Kyoto is widely viewed.

In the Guardian's words, it is a "small step for mankind ... a vital start".

The Mirror speaks of "a boost for the planet", but warns that as long as the United States remains absent on the list of signatories, it can only be "half a boost".

Farm 'farce'

"The farce just goes on and on" is how the Daily Mail regards Tony Blair's decision to call a halt to the clean-up of farms in England affected by foot-and-mouth, because of the high costs involved.

The Independent says it is the final blow to farmers struggling to survive, while the Express says ministers must share the blame for not setting a limit on the bill in the first place.

The Times canvassed the views of a farmer in Cheshire, who says the whole approach to the cleaning of farms has been "over the top", with buildings being disinfected several times.

A cartoon in the Telegraph shows two pigs - one saying to the other, "It's no wonder it costs so much to clean up. This place is a pigsty".

The Sun is among several papers to tell the story of a family from North Tyneside who returned home from a camping holiday, only to find that their house had just been reduced to rubble by a gas explosion.

According to the Daily Star, John and Sandra Henderson only realised something was wrong when they were met by firefighters dousing down the smouldering remains.

Virus warning

Computer-users are being warned about the dangers of a new E-mail virus, and this time, says the Guardian, it is getting personal.

Like previous viruses, SirCam - as it is called - arrives in the form of an E-mail attachment, and if opened sends itself to every name on the recipient's address list.

But, claims the Guardian, SirCam has an even nastier trick up its sleeve.

It also raids the user's store of private documents and randomly selects one to send out to all and sundry.

Finally, a correspondent to the Daily Telegraph's letters page contributes this thought to the debate about whether convicted criminals such as Lord Archer, should be stripped of the right to sit in the House of Lords.

If a new, reformed Upper House is to be truly representative of "the people" - the correspondent writes - should it not include at least two or three criminals?