What the papers say

Journalist Andy Wood takes a look at what is making the headlines in Wednesday's morning newspapers.

The increasing likelihood of war with Iraq and a new start with a new manager for the Republic of Ireland's football team are among the top stories on Wednesday.

However, the lead in both the News Letter and Irish News is reserved for a topic closer to home.

The decision by Derry City Council to change the city's name back to "Derry" after almost 400 years..or as the Irish News puts it: "Council set to 'stroke' the London from Derry".

The paper says the council's decision will now be passed to the Department of the Environment who will pass it to the Secretary of State who will in turn pass it on to the Queen.

The new manager will be working hard to have Roy Keane back in the team for the start of the Euro 2004 qualifiers

Irish Independent

The News Letter says Her Majesty will have the last word "because the name was granted by Royal Charter".

The appointment of Brian Kerr as the new Republic of Ireland soccer manager produces a good crop of pictures and colour pieces.

Mr Kerr's media handling skills are evident in the way he fielded questions about former captain Roy Keane.

"Like a Roadrunner dodging falling rocks" is the Irish Times' verdict.

The Irish Independent says although the Manchester United star is not expected to be in the squad to meet Scotland on 12 February, the new manager will be working hard to have him back in the team for the start of the Euro 2004 qualifiers the following month.

Bloodstained

In the cross-channel papers, President Bush's State of the Union speech competes for space with the report into the death of Victoria Climbie.

The Guardian says a key element in the Bush speech was "fresh evidence" of links between Iraq and the Al Qaeda network, which was said to have come from questioning of Al Qaeda detainees.

The Daily Telegraph says the White House will release "powerful new evidence" next week detailing Saddam's links to Al Qaeda.

The Daily Mirror front page features a mock-up of Prime Minister Tony Blair with bloodstained hands to lead in to an anti-war tirade by columnist John Pilger.

In it he berates political leaders "who want war, yet know little of it".

Coverage of the report into the death of Victoria Climbie is the other main front page item.

"Victoria's care condemned as a lottery" is how the Daily Telegraph pulls together its coverage of the Laming Report while the Independent describes the damning report as "a disgraceful catalogue of failure".

In its coverage of the government's "get tough" attitude to the fire dispute, the Times says other union leaders think the Fire Brigades Union has made " unrealistic demands" and "squandered public support".

The Times leader, endorsing John Prescott's plan to "lay down the law" to the FBU says ordinary union members have one last chance to overrule their General Secretary Andy Gilchrist.

"Otherwise", the Times says, "Mr Prescott should enforce the proposed law "as soon as possible."