Wednesday Papers: tips and comment

FT Lex Column:

* General Electric -- investors should push management to consider breaking some taboos instead of keeping up appearances

* BA/Qantas -- British Airways has three parachutes under its seat and its latest talks increase the possible merger combinations

* Japanese bonuses -- one day after the prime minister called on business chiefs to raise wages, Toyota chopped bonuses

* Sears before bedtime -- the US department store has announced a share buyback along with yet another sales decline, but a turnound would require more than bravura optimism

* European infrastructure projects -- politicians across the world are promising big spending on public works projects to save jobs and prop up demand

* Tesco's repositioning -- the retailer has again cast itself as the nation's biggest discounter, and it seems to be working

* Green around the edges -- Shell and Anglo American have become the latest natural resources companies to shelve a clean energy scheme

* Mexican save -- with about 80% of its exports destined for the US, Mexico is likely to be dragged in the wrong direction by its northern neighbour.

Lombard (p.18):

* Clouds over Thomas Cook's tour to sunnier climes -- Terra Firma: frightening the horses -- Sir Digby Mandelson

Other comment:

* Fund Focus: Cazenove Capital Management (p.27)

* Index re-weightings help drive demand for Royal Bank of Scotland shares (p.40)

* Dividend doubts weigh on Logica (p.40)

THE TIMES

Tempus:

* Tesco about right for now -- Thomas Cook only a hold -- Hold EcoSecurities

Business Editor:

* British Airways: downturn clears path for air deals -- EDF: rivals and regulators resist Gallic charm -- Nice words, but banks have wriggle room

Other comment:

* Rio Tinto undermined by takeover defence costs

* JJB Sports' sales figures due next Wednesday are said to be awful

* IMS Maxims a tiddler to watch

DAILY TELEGRAPH

Questor:

* Buy ETFS WNA Global Nuclear Energy Fund

Comment:

* British Airways: Willie Walsh may be flying a kite too far to avoid turbulence with Qantas deal -- Tesco gloom casts chilling pall -- Repossession is still in house

Other comment:

* Search on for Channel 4 funding advisers

* Permira may call time on its Britvic stake

* Chinese growth prospects fire Green Dragon Gas

THE INDEPENDENT

Investment Column:

* Sell Game Group -- Sell Greene King -- Buy Park Group

Outlook:

* British Airways adds Qantas to list of marriage partners -- 'Not Guilty', plead bankers on small business lending -- The real carnage comes after Christmas

THE GUARDIAN

Viewpoint:

* British Airways: three's a big company for Willie Walsh -- Not so Tescotastic -- Deflationary days for retailers

DAILY MAIL

* Christmas looks testing for Marks & Spencer

DAILY EXPRESS

* Gordon Brown facing embarrassing questions about his involvement in secret talks to scrap the pound for the euro

* Hunting will have £400 million net cash after Gibson sale.