Basra pull-out focus for papers

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A number of papers lead with the withdrawal of British troops from their besieged base in Basra.

According to the Daily Mirror, the UK troops could now move to Kuwait to keep watch on Iraq.

The Daily Mail says the US is furious as President Bush has called for more time for his "surge strategy" to work.

The Independent describes the campaign in Iraq as "disastrous" but the Sun says the soldiers are feeling proud of themselves for a job well done.

Early election?

The Daily Mirror reports that a group of businessmen have guaranteed Gordon Brown a multi-million pound war chest if he goes to the polls soon.

A number of other papers speculate about a possible early election.

The Guardian's Jackie Ashley says serious Labour planning for an election is now in hand.

The Daily Telegraph, which carries an interview with Mr Brown, says the PM will seek to appeal to Tory voters in a speech later.

Compensation 'wait'

The Times and Daily Mail report that hundreds of millions of pounds in overpaid tax credits reclaimed by the government may have to be returned to the claimants.

The Times says at least 250,000 cases will have to be reviewed because officials did not tell people they were under investigation.

According to the Daily Express, insured Hull residents are still waiting for compensation following the June floods.

But those without cover have already been given public assistance.

'Following policy'

The Sun castigates a Surrey hospital which refused to send help to a man in severe pain who was just 10 yards outside its A&E department.

The hospital reportedly said staff had been following policy when they told a workmate to dial 999 for an ambulance.

Meanwhile, new light is shed on Florence Nightingale in the Guardian.

Letters from the British army's chief medical officer during the Crimean War suggest the press wrongly credited the nurse with work done by his department.