The government's defeat over its plans to repeal Section 28 and the continuing stand-off at Stansted airport claim plenty of column inches.

The House of Lords' 45-vote defeat of government plans to repeal the law which bans local authorities from promoting homosexuality is hailed by the Daily Mail as a resounding blow for the silent majority.

Under the headline "Praise Be to the Lords", the paper says the peers have done democracy proud and it would be outrageous if the House of Commons rejected their wisdom.

But The Express condemns the Lords, saying their behaviour shows that bigotry is alive and represented in parliament.

The Daily Telegraph believes the defeat casts doubt on whether Labour will be able to lift the ban before the next election.

The Guardian thinks ministers will now try to seek a compromise measure, built on an amendment proposed by the Bishop of Blackburn, which would place a legal duty on schools to promote marriage in sex education lessons.

Surrender 'not an option'

As the hostage crisis at Stansted airport enters its second day, there is much speculation about how the authorities will deal with the situation.

The Telegraph reports that the Home Secretary has agreed the negotiations should go on indefinitely.

The Times is encouraged by the release of some passengers on Monday and what it calls the good track record of Stansted's teams in resolving previous hostage situations without violence.

The Independent insists that surrender should not be an option.

"Hijackers," says the paper, "must realise that they are on to a loser, in terms of gaining the release of their jailed comrades."

Welcome for rape allegation verdict

The case of a woman who was ordered to pay £400,000 in damages to a man she falsely accused of raping her prompts much comment.

The Mail welcomes the judge's decision to take the unusual step of revealing her name.

The Mirror's Sue Carroll also supports the ruling, saying that if it makes just one woman think twice about pointing the finger unjustly, it will have been worth it.

The Sun takes issue with the scale of the damages awarded by the jury in the case, arguing that the size of any payout should be left to the judge.

The Financial Times reports that the European Commission is studying a proposal to impose VAT on music, software and other "virtual" goods bought over the internet.

The plans are aimed mostly at American suppliers who escape the VAT net when selling such goods.

In future, companies that cross a threshold will have to register in the European Union for VAT in the same way as suppliers who sell CDs and books.

Secrets of a long life

The woman reputed to be the oldest person in the world is featured in the Mail.

Elizabeth Israel, who is said to be 125, lives on the West Indian island of Dominica.

She tells the paper that the secret to long life is drinking coconut milk, good air, lots of rain to keep the skin moist, sunshine, fresh meat and fish, lots of green vegetables - and dumplings.

Finally, new evidence suggests men have called time on topics such as sex and cars when they go to a pub.

The Express says a survey carried out by a pub chain found that male drinkers are more likely to talk about local gossip, DIY and house prices.

But, as the paper points out, a separate survey suggest men are increasingly unlikely to go to the pub in the first places, because they are cooking at home instead.