Adair arrest dominates headlines

Reaction to the re-imprisonment of the loyalist paramilitary leader Johnny Adair dominates the newspapers.

The front-page headline in The Newsletter, which caters for a mainly unionist readership, reads "'Mad Dog' Caged in Dusk Raid".

The paper says Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson's decision to imprison the former leader of the UDA will be welcomed.

It suggests it cannot be a coincidence that the simmering feud between loyalist groups has escalated since the last phase of prisoner releases.

"Blood has been spilled, people have been driven from their homes and every new day seems to bring news of violent attacks," says the paper.

The Irish News, which is read mostly by nationalists, quotes Sinn Fein chairman Mitchell McLaughlin, who urges his community to remain vigilant.

"In the past, loyalist feuds have ended with the various groups uniting to launch sectarian attacks on Catholics," said Mr McLaughlin.

Russian crisis

Russian President Vladimir Putin is pictured in many of the broadsheets struggling to control the damage to his political status over his handling of the loss of the Kursk crew.

The Financial Times says Mr Putin's high-profile visit to Murmansk appears to have barely dented the public bitterness at his perceived lack of attention as the crisis unfolded.

There is some grain of comfort in Mr Putin's difficulties, says The Times.

The paper says that the affair has highlighted the commitment of Russians to honest and accountable democratic government - in contrast to the secretive behaviour of the Russian Navy and the Kremlin.

Winners and losers

National Lottery fever is mounting again, as companies bid for the right to run the big money game.

The competition between bidders has created a boost for the good causes, according to The Times.

It says that Camelot has agreed to match Sir Richard Branson's promise of £15bn for good causes over the seven years of the licence.

The Guardian reports that Mr Branson is struggling to get back to the UK in time to hear the fate of his "People's Lottery" bid, as hurricane Debby has left the tycoon stranded on his paradise island of Necker.

Insurance blues

More grim news for the motorist features on the front page of The Daily Mail.

It says that car insurance premiums are set to increase by 25% because of an explosion in compensation claims and the end of a price war between insurers.

According to the paper, the independent market research company Mintel says consumers' woes are set to continue because insurance companies are likely to raise premiums to try to claw back some profits.

Pensioners' pact

The Times reports how a pensioner has kept a long-standing promise to her best friend of 40 years after she split a bingo win of more than £200,000.

Doreen Barnett made a pact with Glenys Raymond 25 years ago to share their winnings from weekly trips to the local bingo hall at Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire.

Mrs Barnett told the paper: "We're both looking forward to having a lot of fun on shopping trips together."