Papers predict Iraq war moves

The prospect of wars, and rumours of wars, cast a long shadow across some of Saturday's front pages.

The Daily Telegraph says that defence chiefs have given the prime minister a 10-day deadline to decide whether to commit troops to the Gulf.

Tony Blair apparently has until Christmas Eve to make up his mind if British forces are to be sent in time to be a credible threat to Iraq.

The Times has already decided - predicting that thousands of troops are likely to be deployed next month as part of an intensive build-up of forces in preparation for a war with Iraq as early as February.

'Lost' weapons

The paper says that ministers will give details soon after the UN Security Council meets on Thursday to discuss Iraq's declaration on weapons.

That dossier according to US intelligence officials quoted in the Telegraph, contains omissions ''big enough to drive a tank through''.

Saddam Hussein's statement apparently fails to account for tons of chemical and biological agents which disappeared when UN inspectors left Iraq in 1998 - that includes over 500 mustard gas shells which Baghdad allegedly says it ''lost''.

The Guardian prints two front page pictures - one of Saddam Hussein holding a rocket launcher; the other of Carole Caplin, Cherie Blair's friend and asks: ''The national crisis, Day 14. Which one is Tony Blair losing sleep over?''

It then proceeds to provide the answer by devoting all the column inches in its story to the so-called 'Cheriegate' affair.

Media storm

The Mirror argues that the last fortnight has been the worst time ever faced by the Blairs; and it believes that the next 48 hours will be crucial.

If there is no new bombshell the couple will have ridden out the storm.

But if killer facts do turn up, the paper concludes, there's no knowing where it will end.

Airborne 'mayhem'

Under the headline, ''Riot at 30,000 feet'' The Sun reports that a pilot - who sent out a mayday when Celtic football fans allegedly began brawling - feared his plane would crash.

The Express considers the story the only one worth putting on its front page.

It says RAF helicopters were scrambled when scenes of ''mayhem'' were reported with ''drunken thugs'' lashing out at stewards.

Students 'should pay'

The new Education Secretary, Charles Clarke, has given an interview to the Telegraph in which he confirms that top-up fees - in which some universities could charge more for certain courses - are still on the government's agenda.

So too is the concept of a graduate tax, or larger individual loans, which could be repaid by the students after they had graduated.

He says: ''Should individuals pay on their own behalf for the education they receive? - to which I answer yes''.

Christmas spirit

The spectre of scrooge has entered the trading floors in the city.

According to the Times, the payment of million-pound bonuses has slumped and extravagant Christmas parties are off this year.

Thanks to the gloom in the market, no-one is partying like its 1999.

One city department head told the paper: ''I tried to convince the company that with so many people sacked, a party would be cheaper - but they weren't convinced.''