Papers focus on Dubai debt crisis

The debt crisis in Dubai features prominently in many of the newspapers.

The Daily Mail says, for many, the only surprise is how long it took for the house of cards to collapse and calls Dubai a "monument to vanity and greed'.

The Guardian says it is sparking fears of a new financial meltdown, while the Financial Times reports the fallout is spreading throughout emerging markets.

The Independent agrees there will be far-reaching effects of "the collapse of an economy that was built on sand".

Stinking rich

The Daily Mirror tells us about a Conservative party plan to offer tax breaks to married couples.

It says well-off households would gain the most - to the tune of £380 a year - while the poorest would get just £30.

The Independent advises investing in garlic because prices have rocketed 40-fold on the back of a mistaken belief it can protect against swine flu.

The Sun reports that being a football manager is now so stressful, it turns the hair grey within six years.

Expenses scandals

Many papers cover plans to give Peers a £3,000 annual pay rise - just for turning up at the House of Lords.

The Financial Times claims it is to "sweeten the pill" of a "tighter expenses regime".

While the Daily Mail warns unscrupulous members would be able to "clock in and clear off" without doing a full day as there is no way to monitor their time.

The Daily Telegraph says the new system is designed to toughen rules following previous expenses scandals.

Gatecrashing

The Daily Express says Poole in Dorset has spent £14,000 on a fake Christmas tree, because a real one was considered too great a risk to public safety.

Under the headline "Elf and Safe Tree", the Sun also pokes fun at the "traffic cone" installed in the town centre.

The Times gives tips on gatecrashing as it reports on a US couple who talked their way into a White House party.

The paper shows Michaele Salahi smiling broadly as she has her picture taken with Vice President Joe Biden.

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