THE NEWS IN 90 SECONDS
THIEVES MAKE OFF WITH GBP3.5M IN HEATHROW HEIST
Police were hunting a gang of robbers today who escaped with USD5m (GBP3.5m) during a heist on a security van at Heathrow Airport.
ATTACK ON GAZA INJURES 37
Israeli jets dropped missiles on the Palestinian security headquarters in Gaza city today after a weekend of tit-for-tat attacks and reprisals. Palestinian officials said 37 people were wounded, four seriously.
* 37 wounded in attack on Gaza
AND ELSEWHERE
The supermodel Naomi Campbell began her high court action against the Mirror newspaper today. She is suing the paper for breach of confidence and/or unlawful invasion of privacy in what could prove to be a landmark case in media law.
>>> The treasury-backed savings and investment provider National Savings launched a new logo today in an effort to widen its appeal. An internet service will follow.
* National Savings revamps image
>>> Amy Gehring, the teacher cleared of charges of indecent assault last week, admitted sleeping with a 16-year-old pupil at the first school she taught at.
* I slept with youth: sex case teacher
>>> Iran, the country George Bush recently deemed part of an "axis of evil", staged a mass demonstration in Tehran today to mark the 23rd anniversary of the Islamic revolution there.
* Death to America: Iran celebrates revolution
IN THE GUARDIAN TOMORROW
* In Women: Jeanette Winterson on arranged marriages
* In Business: the business of the Oscars
* In Arts: Rory Mulholland on composer Chevalier St George
* Adrian Searle on the Citibank Photography Prize
* In Education: will the arrival of yellow buses revolutionise the Yorkshire school run? Plus Wendy Berliner on the trauma of Sats and the likely end of the 11-plus in Kent.
AUSTRALIA DISPATCH
Today, Patrick Barkham in Sydney on the reverential coverage of Princess Margaret's death in Australia, despite the country's burgeoning republican movement.
The news programmes on four of Australia's five TV channels yesterday led with the story, in hushed tones, of the death of the Queen's sister. Even newspapers owned by Rupert Murdoch, believed to be a keen supporter of a British republic, have given over front pages to remembering Princess Margaret. The Murdoch-owned Courier Mail, Queensland's largest paper, offered a "special lift-out tribute" to Margaret.
John Howard, Australia's prime minister, sent his condolences to Buckingham Palace. "Australians join with others around the world in acknowledging with affection Princess Margaret's elegance and sense of duty, her love of music and the ballet, together with her extensive work with charities," Mr Howard said in a written statement.
Australia has come a long way since its notoriously anglophile prime minister, Sir Robert Menzies, caused cringes of embarrassment in the postwar era when he quoted from a 17th century poem to the young Queen: "I did but see her passing by and yet I love her till I die."
Paul Keating, a staunchly republican prime minister, was unfortunate enough to be dubbed "the lizard of Oz" by British tabloids in 1992 sometime after he was spotted informally putting an arm around the Queen. But the current prime minister, Mr Howard, remains an avowed monarchist and was re-elected for another three-year term in November.
Every day the Guardian's foreign correspondents file exclusive reports for Guardian Unlimited. More dispatches here
TODAY'S CROSSWORD CLUE
It brings a lump to one's throat (5,5)
Find the rest of today's cryptic crossword, and the ability to cheat, here
XAN BROOKS ON FILM
Officially speaking, the week's big release is Monsters Inc, another dazzling computer-animated jaunt from the makers of Toy Story and A Bug's Life. Voiced by the likes of Steve Buscemi, Billy Crystal and John Goodman, the film follows the escapades of a bunch of grotesque, but largely decent, storybook critters in pursuit of an unruly toddler who's infiltrated their world.
But you probably knew that already. Not simply due to the blanket marketing that has plastered the movie's imagery everywhere, from McDonalds, to cereal boxes, to washing powder, but because you may even have seen the actual film itself. Even though it was only officially out today, Monsters Inc actually started previewing at selected cinemas around the country last weekend. It was a pretty big selection, too. So big, in fact, that Monsters Inc wound up making more cash at the UK box office than all the other bona fide releases (Vanilla Sky, Lord of the Rings, Gosford Park). Such figures may provide great encouragement for the film's makers and its distributor (Buena Vista). But doesn't it undermine the concept of a "preview" when a film previews at more screens than most other bona fide films combined? What's the point of it all, except as a way of pretending you're offering the faithful an exclusive deal which in fact is being offered to everyone else as well?
Even so, only a churl would resist Monsters Inc, which is witty, well-played and stunning to look at. I'm not sure if it's the perfect date movie, however (unless you're partial to furry ghouls), and with Valentine's Day right around the corner, such things must be taken into account. You're best off testing the water with a discreetly emailed classic film still to the object of your affection. And remember, you don't have to say who you are if you don't want to.
Should you have no Valentines to send, why not drown your sorrows with our B-list picture quiz? The task is simple as pie. Simply put the right name to the faces of ten unsung supporting actors; most of whom you'll have seen in countless movies without ever quite registering. The esteemed editor of Guardian Unlimited managed a mediocre four out of ten. Surely, surely you can better that.
* Unreleased Monsters tops box office
* Xan Brooks is Guardian Unlimited's film editor.
HAIKU OF THE WEEK
Every week, Guardian Unlimited Books awards GBP20 worth of Penguin Classics to the best topical haiku sent in by a reader. The winning poem will also be published in the Informer every Monday.
This week's winner, on the proposed tests for would-be British citizens:
Like roast beef? Curry?
Corrie? Kylie? White weddings?
Then we'll let you stay.
(IH)
AND FINALLY
Four million chocolate Easter bunnies perished in the heat last week when a Swiss warehouse burnt down. According to Tages-Anzeiger in Zurich, the Migros warehouse held the entire Easter chocolate supply for Zurich, Lucerne and eastern Switzerland, worth 30m Swiss francs. "All our Schoggihasen are destroyed," said the manager of the Migros chocolate factory. There are also concerns about the effect of the melted chocolate on the local environment. Migros employees will have to work in three shifts over a seven-day week in order to meet the demand in time for Easter.
* Thanks to Dr Peter Troxler for sending us this story. The Informer welcomes unusual news reports. Email suggestions to informer@guardianunlimited.co.uk, and please include the source.
