Newspaper headlines: Boris Johnson's 'stark warning' for merry 'little' Christmas

Nearly all the papers lead with the government's call for people to scale back their Christmas celebrations this year.

"The fright before Xmas," is the Daily Mail's headline, but the paper believes the government has struck "a sensible compromise".

The Daily Express repeats the prime minister's wish for people to "have a merry little Christmas", while the i newspaper picks up another key message: "Don't stay over".

In fact, the papers abound with advice on what to do while you make merry - such as disinfecting door handles, keeping windows open or, if you're over 70, having Christmas over Zoom instead.

The Sun pokes fun at one idea it describes as "madcap" - the suggestion that turkey dinners should be served outside in almost freezing temperatures, if a grandparent is thinking of joining the festivities.

And the Daily Star hails what it calls "the latest crackers advice" from the World Health Organization - weak a mask for Christmas dinner.

The Guardian notes that after Boris Johnson insisted the UK would push forward as one on Christmas, Scotland and Wales broke ranks and issued stricter guidance - while the Welsh government tightened up the rules in law.

The Daily Telegraph says Mr Johnson refused to bow to pressure to change laws, insisting people should be trusted to make their own judgements.

The Telegraph thinks the latest approach is "rational" and helps "puncture" some of the hysteria around the matter - but it urges that personal responsibility for coronavirus matters should be "for life, not just for Christmas".

But, the Daily Mirror's headline is "coward" as it criticises the PM for failing to change the law and says he wants people to take the blame for a killer third wave.

The smiling face of nine year Ella Kissi-Debrah is pictured on the front of the Guardian, after a coroner ruled that air pollution was an important factor in her death.

Her mother is calling for an Ella's Law - to clean up the environment for future generations.

An analysis piece says politicians have ducked the decisions needed, amid the noisy honking of the motorist lobby - but they can no longer pretend illegal levels of pollution are a victimless crime.

An editorial in the Times also criticises government inaction, arguing the injustice reflects how far Britain has fallen since 1956, when laws put an end to London's pea-souper smogs.

According to the Daily Telegraph the women and equalities minister Liz Truss says the government needs to move away from what she describes as "fashionable" race, sexuality and gender issues - and instead concentrate on poverty and geographical disparities.

But the Times reports that Ms Truss - who is also the international trade secretary - runs the department which has the second-worst gender pay gap in Whitehall, with women earning nearly 16% less than men.

A spokesperson for the department says during the past year, it hired more women than men.

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According to the Daily Mirror, Prince Harry and Meghan have made at least £100m from lucrative deals since they walked away from their life as royals.

It reports they've made agreements with Disney, Apple TV, Netflix as well as their latest venture with Spotify - which is to benefit their charity.

The Daily Star is less than complimentary about their Spotify podcast - which sets out to elevate under-represented voices - saying the couple are receiving £30m to waffle on about their pet likes and hates.

Finally, there's excitement about plans to turn the classic children's TV show Ivor the Engine into a live action feature film.

The animated series - beloved by many who grew up in the 1970s - tells the story of the friendly little green train and his adventures in the Welsh countryside.

His driver, Jones The Steam, will be returning - according to the Daily Express and the Mirror - alongside the likes of Idris of Dragon.

Its creators hope it will showcase the beauty of Wales and the country's top-notch acting talent.