In a Christmas Day broadcast which evoked memories of her "annus horribilis" speech, the Queen described 2009 as a year "best forgotten" for many, making reference to the recession.
"We can be proud of the positive contribution that our servicemen and women are making, in conjunction with our allies. Well over 13,000 soldiers from the United Kingdom, and across the Commonwealth – Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore – are currently serving in Afghanistan. The debt of gratitude owed to these young men and women, and to their predecessors, is indeed profound." reports the Independent
Meanwhile the Mail leads with the story that soldiers who have lost limbs in Iraq and Afghanistan are being targeted to take part in Big Brother.
The Channel 4 show's producers were accused of sinking to 'a new low for reality TV' in a desperate bid to make the last series the most sensational ever.
The Mail reports on the Archbishop of Canterbury's Xmas address in which he warned that children are being forced to grow up too soon,
Dr Rowan Williams also spoke out against the exploitation of young people 'abducted, brutalised, turned into killers, used as sex slaves'.
He said that in our rush to make children become independent, we are robbing them of the ability to learn and grow.
Meanwhile there are many reports of the White Xmas,
According to the Met Office, yesterday was the first white Christmas for five years and one of only a handful over the past 100 years.reports the Times
The official confirmation came when flakes starting fluttering in Nottingham, Glasgow and Edinburgh, with snow expected to sweep across much of northern Britain and Ireland by midnight.
The Express meanwhile warns that
A blast of Arctic weather will send temperatures plummeting to -18C and bring another week of transport chaos,
The Independent leads with the headline that Gordon Brown has declared class war on hunting
Ministers will point to Mr Cameron's record of supporting fox-hunting and condemn his proposal to give MPs the chance to overturn the Hunting Act if he becomes Prime Minister.
According to the Times,Gordon Brown’s national roadshow to promote the concept of Britishness has turned out to be an expensive flop.
A report by the Conservatives says that
ten members of the public turned up to the first event in Leicester in December 2007, which cost £37,000 and was hosted by Jack Straw. They say that after that embarrassment, his Ministry of Justice restricted attendance at Governance of Britain events to people selected, and even paid, by the ministry.
The ramifications of the attack on the Pope are discussed widely.
The woman who assaulted the Pope was identified as Susanna Maiolo, 25, a Swiss-Italian national. says the Telegraph adding that
Vatican spokesman, Rev Federico Lombardi, said Miss Maiolo, 25, had psychiatric problems and was taken to a clinic for treatment.
Paul Poupard, a French cardinal who was within a few feet of the Pontiff, said the incident “definitely posed a threat to the Pope”.says the Times
“With hindsight you would say greater vigilance was needed, so those in charge of security should not let their guard drop even for a second,”
The Sun leads with a Xmas vigil by England striker Wayne Rooney whose sister Rosie , who suffers from a rare brain disorder, was rushed into an intensive care unit in Liverpool on Monday when her condition deteriorated badly.
Many of the papers report that China's leading dissident, Liu Xiaobo, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for his role in organising last year's Charter 08 petition .
The verdict was immediately condemned by human rights groups and the US, which has repeatedly protested Mr Liu's arrest.says the Telegraph
Finally there is no rest for the retailers says the Independent
Almost all stores are starting their New Year sales today instead of in January. For the first time in its 175-year history, Harrods is opening for a full day's Boxing Day trading, offering discounts of thousands of pounds on big ticket furniture.
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