Papers highlight defence bonuses

The Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail both lead with figures showing the Ministry of Defence has paid millions of pounds in bonuses to its staff.

They were for "exceptional performance" despite the government being under pressure over the lack of equipment for troops serving in Afghanistan.

The Daily Telegraph says the bonuses amount to £47m so far this financial year, and have been given to around 50,000 staff.

The Daily Mail says they have taken nearly £300m over the past six years.

Economy hopes

Several papers reflect on the unemployment figures and the prediction for the UK economy from the governor of the Bank of England.

The Financial Times is heartened he now expects faster growth over the next two years, but says he also warned that recovery would be slow and unstable.

The Daily Express believes Britain is "on the mend".

The Times talks of "the most encouraging picture we have gazed upon for quite some while".

Tragic death

Many papers report the tragic death of the German goalkeeper, Robert Enke, who threw himself under a train.

He was captain of his club, Hannover 96, and the German national keeper, but had been secretly battling depression for years.

The Daily Mirror says he feared losing his adopted daughter if his condition became known.

The Times has a front page photograph of his wife, Teresa, who spoke yesterday about her husband's torment.

Mandelson plans

It is a busy morning for Lord Mandelson in the papers, with two stories on what is being planned for him.

The Daily Telegraph says he's being lined up to "sell" the government's message through televised briefings on the Downing Street website.

The Times considers what it calls the "delicious" mischief and rumour that he is in the running to be the European Union's first High Representative.

The paper concludes, "that is actually rather a good idea".

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