Focus on what's making the news

Journalist Grania McFadden reviews the morning papers for BBC Northern Ireland.

The debate over last week's attacks on Iraqi air defences continues, with The Guardian suggesting that mounting hostility in the Arab world could lead to Britain and America easing sanctions against Iraq.

But The Independent says the government had started signalling a relaxation of policy towards Iraq 24 hours before the attack.

The paper believes this strengthens claims that Tony Blair was bounced by Washington into agreeing to the strikes.

There is further coverage, too, of what The Mail calls the "cash-for-wigs" row, as papers debate the wisdom of the Lord Chancellor's letter to lawyers soliciting funds for the Labour Party.

Both The Guardian and The Times suggest the row has given fresh impetus to calls for reform of the Lord Chancellor's dual role as a politician and head of the judicial system.

The Mirror accuses Lord Irvine of behaving stupidly, and the Mail believes his credibility is in doubt, as senior Labour lawyers join the Tories in demanding his resignation.

Schools

Back home, The Irish News says Education Minister Martin McGuinness is to allow schools an extra day off next year - because of the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

The paper says that because of 'cultural sensitivities' in Northern Ireland, schools can take the extra day at a time of their choosing.

Mr McGuinness tells the papers that although he is a republican, he has always emphasised the need for tolerance and respect.

The News Letter leads with the continuing row over suspended Northern Ireland Hospice director Tom Hill.

The paper says one campaigner walked out of a board meeting on Monday night, claiming that his calls for clarification over Mr Hill's suspension had gone unanswered.

The paper claims the Labour Relations Agency has now been asked to intervene in the row.

The Irish Independent considers the troubles of David Trimble in its editorial.

The paper says that time is not on the side of those seeking a resolution to Northern Ireland's outstanding problems - the greatest of which seems to be policing.

Compromise

Calling for compromise, the paper warns that failure to reach an early settlement - before the forthcoming election - could lead to the collapse of the Good Friday Agreement.

It says the British and Irish governments have no contingency plans, and that the price of failure to settle is the loss of the agreement - something too bitter to contemplate.

Both The Mail and The Express carry front page stories about the home loans price war after building societies moved to take on the big banks with plans for cheap loan schemes.

The Mail believes the move could save borrowers hundreds of pounds a year, as home owners on standard mortgages switch to rivals offering a better deal.

It is unclear where patients should go for a better deal, if The Express report on a new move by doctors becomes a reality.

The paper says doctors' leaders believe patients should be charged £20 a time for non-essential visits, and claims the British Medical Association is discussing proposals to introduce charges for a GP's time spent describing drugs for things like baldness and obesity.

Patients groups are said to have reacted 'angrily'.

Finally, The Sun reveals that females students have voted for the man they would most like to go out with - and kids' TV character Bob the Builder, who won 47% of student votes as the most fanciable bloke.

The Star says Bob was astonished to learn he was a sex symbol.

"I am very flattered," he said.

"But I don't have much time for romance at the moment as I'm busy fixing a barn roof."