Papers unite in grief for Cameron

Whatever their political leanings, the consensus across the papers is one of sympathy for David and Samantha Cameron after the death of their son Ivan.

The Daily Mail devotes its front page to an image of the couple, with the headline: "Goodbye, our beautiful boy."

For the Independent and the Daily Mirror, it is: "Our beautiful boy."

Noting that Gordon Brown lost his daughter in 2002, the Daily Telegraph notes the prime minister was clearly emotional leading messages of support.

Bank charges

The Times reports that Chancellor Alistair Darling will offer guarantees worth £600bn against toxic assets to give RBS and Lloyds a final chance.

It says the sum is higher than expected and will expose taxpayers to bad debts that are unlikely to be repaid.

According to the Sun, Treasury bosses were locked in frantic talks with bank chiefs on the eve of the announcement.

The Financial Times says the plan is a giant state recapitalisation - saving the banks from full nationalisation.

Channel surfing

Several papers report that ITV has drawn up plans to merge with Channel 4 and Five, in a bid to rival the BBC.

The Daily Telegraph says the "mega-merger" could save millions at a time when channels are being hit hard by falling advertising revenues.

However, the Daily Mail points out that the idea would face fierce opposition.

It would, the paper says, be challenged by advertisers and competitors angry about the creation of a potential monopoly on terrestrial advertising.

Peace offerings

The Daily Express tells how Worcester, the picturesque cathedral city, wants to twin itself with war-torn Gaza City.

A motion calling for the twinning was passed overwhelmingly by the Tory-run council, although one councillor dismissed it is an "empty gesture".

But as the Guardian notes, more historic was the presence of Andy Ram in doubles tennis in the Dubai Open.

He was the first Israeli player to compete in the United Arab Emirates after the lifting of a ban.