Papers focus on party donations

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The news that wealthy property developer David Abrahams channelled thousands of pounds to Labour through friends attracts much coverage in the papers.

Both donors and political parties have a duty to be open, says the Sun.

The Times adds that the episode threatens to reignite the row over Labour donations in the wake of the year-long "cash for honours" police inquiry.

That episode cost millions of pounds and resulted in no charges being brought, the newspaper reminds us.

Down under

The daily papers take their first opportunity to comment on the new change of government in Australia.

For the Guardian, the Labor Party's victory over outgoing leader John Howard saw the politics of progress beat the politics of retreat.

But whatever else he got wrong, the paper says, Mr Howard presided over 11 years of growth and falling unemployment.

The voters gave him a kick in the rear for "toadying up" to George Bush, says Peter McKay in the Daily Mail.

Peace in our time?

The Independent asks if it is "Mission Impossible" for this week's Middle East peace talks in the United States.

It says all the key players are in weak positions, with Israeli leader Ehud Olmert running a "crumbling coalition".

And it adds that the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, is currently "leader of only half his people".

The Financial Times agrees the omens are not good, but says the talks will perform a vital function if they can persuade cynics to give peace a chance.

Long ball

There was a time when Germany would always thwart England's football hopes, but Croatia is now, it seems, a scarier foe.

News that England will play the Croats in World Cup qualifiers is greeted with the Daily Mirror headline: "Cro No!".

The Daily Telegraph is among those pointing out that the road to the World Cup will be a long haul in every sense.

With England facing Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan, the paper remarks that the campaign will be as gruelling in terms of air miles as on the pitch.