What the papers say

Journalist Mike Philpott takes a look at Friday's morning newspapers

Still no end to tears of sorrow, says the News Letter main headline, alongside a picture of Mavis McFaul, whose partner, David Caldwell, was murdered in Thursday's bomb attack.

It urges people to attend today's rally against sectarianism at Belfast City Hall.

The paper is uncomfortable that some of the politicians who are attending have, in the past, been less than forthright in their condemnation of acts of terror.

In wiping out one life, the killers also destroy the lives of those who love them

Irish News

But that should not prevent others from going, says the paper, if only to show that they are offended by the actions of those who take upon themselves the right to murder, maim and intimidate innocent people.

Yesterday morning, it says, David Caldwell set off for work and became a murder victim. Today, all of those who can should take a little time to register their disgust.

The Irish News says those who murdered Mr Caldwell are on a par in their evil with those who shot Gerard Lawlor, Daniel McColgan and Gavin Brett.

In wiping out one life, it says, the killers also destroy the lives of those who love them.

The Mirror, in common with many other papers, blames the Real IRA for Mr Caldwell's murder, and says the terrorist group's only aim is to wreck the peace process.

The Irish Times hints at a split in republicanism, and says mainstream republicans are under pressure to crush the dissidents.

But it quotes the Education Minister, Martin McGuinness, who said the best way forward was to make politics work.

Warmer weather

There are many stories pointing out that the first six months of this year were the hottest on the planet for 143 years, although you would not know it to live in Northern Ireland.

The Mail says it is the fault of global warming, and reports that patterns of bird migration have been affected, and flowers bloomed several months early.

But the Times reveals there are some benefits. A Department of Health report indicates that warmer winters will mean a reduction in hospital admissions, and people will develop thinner blood, resulting in fewer strokes and heart attacks.

The Irish Independent has the story of Ross Murtagh, a seven-year-old boy from Dublin, who has been invited to train with Manchester United's under-age team after being spotted by the club's talent scouts.

The paper says Ross, who used to live in Spain, had already been approached by the scouts from Real Majorca.