Papers condemn NI violence

Newspapers are calling for paramilitaries released early from jail to be sent back following the outbreak of murderous feuding in Belfast.

The images of armed policeman confronting loyalists prompts the Daily Mail to pose the question: "Is this what peace is like?"

The Daily Telegraph says Northern Ireland has been plunged back into its most dangerous days, under the sardonic headline: "They call this a ceasefire."

Anarchy has descended on the Shankill district, says the Irish News, which is published in Belfast and has a mainly nationalist readership.

The paper argues that any prisoners who have returned to illegal paramilitary activity must be sent back to jail, regardless of the political consequences.

It echoes the largely unionist News Letter in calling for the restoration of law and order as soon as possible.

Return from exile

The return from exile and subsequent arrest of the former MI5 agent, David Shayler, gets widespread coverage.

The Financial Times, among others, is moved to call for much greater openness from the secret services, and more vigorous scrutiny of their activities by Parliament.

Dividing lines

Following Monday's report by Oxford Economic Forecasting on Britain's north-south divide, papers are calling on the government to stop pretending it does not exist.

The Daily Express wants changes to regional spending formulae "to bring the needs of the north into proper balance".

The Mirror also takes Downing Street over the matter.

The paper argues that, in reality, Britain is two nations, and calls for government action to help the people of the north before they fall further behind.

Fat cats

Divisions in pay structures is the focus of a survey for The Guardian.

It suggests the pay of senior executives at British companies has risen by more than 16% - four times the average wage increase.

More than 110 senior executives received £1m or more last year, while only one woman - Marjorie Scardino, chief executive of Pearson - appears in the top 30 highest earners.

Potter goes to Hollywood

The three child actors chosen to star in the Hollywood film version of the Harry Potter stories feature on the front page of The Times, which applauds Warner Brothers for casting an English boy in the lead role.

The Mirror predicts the part will be worth £10m to 11-year-old Daniel Radcliffe, when sequels and merchandising are taken into account.

The Guardian takes a slightly less enthusiastic view, noting that Daniel's childhood will change irreparably.

It publishes a list of those who've already trodden the path to fame at a tender age, only to end up in rehab or panto.

Snow joke

Snow in August is the kind of silly season headline few papers can resist.

The Sun is baffled after five inches of what were actually hailstones fell on Hull, and a tornado swept up the Humber.

"What the Hull is going on?", it demands to know.