Tributes to Godfather of Soul

The death of self-styled Godfather of Soul, James Brown, features prominently in Tuesday's papers.

Brown was soul's biggest-ever star, as well as the Father of Funk and the Daddy of Disco, according to the Sun.

The Times describes him as a musical genius who became black music's most influential artist of the 20th Century.

The Daily Mirror declares that he set the standards that others followed and the Daily Mail recalls Brown typically changed suits 12 times in a concert.

'Symbol of evil'

The British military's storming of a police station in Basra is the lead for several of the papers.

The police headquarters was, according to the Daily Mail, a sinister symbol of evil in Iraq. But, as the Times adds, it is no more.

For the Daily Mirror, its destruction is a major step in the continuing battle with organised militia.

In the Daily Telegraph's view, it shows a will to rid Basra of rogue police and their associated sectarian mobs.

Greatest Britons?

The Conservatives have unveiled their list of the 12 most influential Britons who should be studied by British pupils in history lessons, the papers report.

The Daily Telegraph focuses on the inclusion Aneurin Bevan - who it describes as a socialist firebrand.

Oliver Cromwell, Henry II and Alfred the Great are on the list, but the Daily Express raises its eyebrows at the omission of Winston Churchill.

And the Times suggests Margaret Thatcher should be included as well.

Royal unity

The Queen's Christmas message, which focused on the generation gap, draws comment from the papers.

The Times is pleased that her own family put on a show of unity during church service at Sandringham.

And the Daily Telegraph and Daily Mail both report on the emergence of a new royal star.

Viscount Linley's four-year-old daughter, Margarita Armstrong-Jones, stole the show - a bundle of energy who wowed the crowds, the papers said.