Newspapers focus on Iraqi voting

The Iraqi election gets coverage in Sunday's papers, with the Observer saying "today we cheer Iraq" and all who brave death threats to vote.

The paper says the vote is a "moment to find hope in small advances."

The Sunday Telegraph deplores the "cynicism" in some quarters which see the voting as a test of the credibility of George Bush and Tony Blair.

The Independent says it accepts this "imperfect election" is the only hope for the Iraqi people.

The Sunday Mirror admits it has reservations about the Iraq war, but feels Sunday provides the best chance for Iraq to move away from uncertainty.

The Sunday Times says the polling would almost certainly be marred by violence, but it is still the best means for choosing how to live and be governed.

In sport, the Observer says London has abandoned hope of winning the contest to host the 2012 Olympic Games.

With five months before an announcement, the campaign says it is still on track.

Ex-minister's health

The Sunday Times says former minister Chris Smith's revelation that he is HIV-positive will be a "big surprise" to his political colleagues.

Mr Smith says his condition has not stopped him from tackling tough jobs.

If that realisation helps to challenge prejudice and to give a few other people confidence, he says, then it was worth talking about.

He says he wants medical solutions that are commonplace in the West to become available in Africa and elsewhere.

'Hit squad'

The Mail on Sunday is pre-occupied by Labour's treatment of Michael Howard.

It says a "secret hit squad" has been set up to mount personal attacks on the Conservative leader.

This group includes Alistair Campbell and Alan Milburn and, according to the Mail, will meet four days a week between now and the General Election.

The paper reckons there is a whiff of "low totalitarian gangsterism" about this approach to campaigning, as the election looms.