What the papers say

Journalist Mike Philpott takes a look at what is making the headlines in Monday's morning newspapers.

The front pages are dominated by two very different sets of dramatic photographs.

One of them focuses on the Moscow siege, the other on the effects of the atrocious weather over the weekend.

Many of the papers ask questions about the gas used by Russian special forces to bring the siege to an end.

The Daily Telegraph wonders why the Russians are so reluctant to name the agent that was used.

Republicans are ignoring the express wishes of the people of Ireland north and south

News Letter

The Guardian says the secrecy could backfire.

"If it turns out that hostages could have been saved," says the paper, "then the consequences for President Vladimir Putin could be dire indeed".

The News Letter says simply that the death of so many innocents at the hands of the authorities is "deeply disturbing".

The Irish Times accepts that those in charge had few options.

"It is evidence once again," it says, "that all societies are at risk from terrorists who are willing to lay down their own lives and have scant regard for the lives of civilians".

The Financial Times believes that when the hostage takers were apparently about to start killing people, the security forces had to act quickly.

Central influence

But it believes Russia might have some questions to answer about its stockpiles of nerve agents.

The Sun has a picture of a group of young men sheltering behind a wall in Portstewart as massive waves battered the coast.

There are many other photographs of vehicles crushed under trees and light aircraft which were flipped over by strong winds.

The local leader columns focus on the words of Gerry Adams, after his assertion at the weekend that he could forsee a day when the IRA would cease to exist.

The Irish News urges people to pay close attention to the text of his speech.

It comments that while he said the IRA wouldn't respond to unionist or British deadlines, he implied that the views of nationalists north and south of the border would have a central influence on the issue.

Best vintage

The News Letter sees nothing new in what Mr Adams said.

"In effect," it says, "Sinn Fein is demanding more concessions from Tony Blair and his government concessions which, if granted, could seriously impair the effectiveness of the police service as a crime detection force and increase paramilitary influence on society".

It concludes that "republicans are ignoring the express wishes of the people of Ireland north and south".

Finally, the Independent reports that a group of Swedish students will be checking the value of the euro more carefully in future after dining out at a restaurant in the south of France.

They ended up in jail after failing to pay attention to the cost of the wine they were drinking.

In their confusion, they thought they were swallowing £3,500 worth of the best vintage. It turned out the bill was actually £35,000.