Papers debate decision on Bulger killers

Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss might appreciate The Sun's acknowledgement of what it calls the dilemma in which she found herself in the Bulger case.

Having said that, The Sun insists she was wrong to grant the killers of James Bulger the legal right to anonymity for the rest of their lives.

And it receives support from The Daily Telegraph - one of the papers which sought to lift the injunction on publishing information about the killers.

It says the ruling sets a precedent, which if misapplied, could lead to those convicted of the worst crimes having the strongest claim to anonymity on their eventual release.

Press freedom

The Daily Mail takes up the theme, saying the judge's "most extraordinary decision" sent out a profoundly disturbing message.

The Times is concerned about what it calls an unjustifiable encroachment on press freedom.

But these views hold no truck with The Independent.

In an editorial, the paper argues that in a civilised country, young boys should be granted a second chance.

The Mirror believes that to have put Robert Thompson and Jon Venables at the mercy of mobs seeking vengeance would undermine the basis of law and order.

That is a sentiment echoed by The Express and the Daily Star.

The prospect of the boys becoming the victims of violence, says the Daily Star, would heap "horror on horror".

Medical tests

The news that the Ministry of Defence is preparing to conduct medical tests on thousands of British troops to see if they have been exposed to depleted uranium weapons is interpreted by The Guardian as a climbdown.

The paper believes the change of heart is partly designed to head off demands for compulsory screening by the chairman of the Commons Defence Committee.

The Daily Telegraph thinks the move is an attempt to stall criticism that the MoD is burying its head in the sand over any health risks to soldiers who served in the Balkans and Gulf wars.

With concerns about the use of such weapons growing across Europe, the Daily Mail condemns the government's attitude towards the health dangers.

It argues that it is time people are given what it calls the "undepleted" truth.

Blood clotting

The Express reports that air travellers who claim to have suffered blood clotting while sitting in economy class seats are to sue airlines.

Two people from southern England - said to be suffering the symptoms of deep vein thrombosis - are about to take legal action, while in Australia lawyers are preparing cases on behalf of 800 alleged victims.

The paper suggests the actions could pave the way for multi-million pound payouts, as well as better travelling conditions.

The song thrush was once one of the most common songbirds in the country, but over the past thirty years its population has fallen by more than a half.

Everlasting light

Now, as The Daily Telegraph reports, researchers are to fit the birds with radio transmitters to find out why they thrive on a farm in Leicestershire but are dying out in other areas.

It is hoped the information on their preferred habitats will enable conservationists to launch a recovery programme for the species.

Finally, the Daily Mail tells how staff at an electrical store in Suffolk are claiming an unusual record - the longest everlasting light bulb.

Workers at Martin and Newby say the 25 watt bulb in the gents' lavatory has finally gone out after 70 years.

The Independent says the bulb is so revered that the company is planning to mount it on a special stand.