What the papers say

Journalist Grania McFadden takes a look at what is making the headlines in Friday's morning papers.

The Irish News and the News Letter are both occupied with policing matters.

The Irish News reports that a police investigation into the murder of UDR man Joseph McIlwaine 16 years ago has been reviewed, after concerns were raised about the original inquiry.

The paper reports that Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan has written to the chief constable to highlight "deficiencies" in the case.

The News Letter reports that Chief Constable Hugh Orde is to call time on street drinkers.

Mr Orde says current legislation is seen as too weak to deal with the growing problem of anti-social behaviour, and he is calling for tough new laws.

The Irish Independent looks at a new economic study which suggests that the Irish Republic's payments to the European Union could increase substantially in the coming years.

Under the headline "Wheel turns as EU gravy train hits the buffers," the paper says the Republic will be the fifth largest contributor to the EU by the year 2007, paying in more than 1bn euro a year.

The Irish Times reports on hopes of a breakthrough in the Northern Ireland political process.

It says Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble has told party officers that he expects some sort of gesture from the IRA in coming weeks, following his talks with Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams.

Divided opinion

Meanwhile, news that Jeffrey Archer may lose his peerage divides opinion in the papers.

The Daily Mail believes the proposal is a "cynical smokescreen" to mask government plans to replace the Lords with a "House of Cronies," while the Independent describes the affair as "a spiteful personal attack to distract from the indefensible".

But the Star says it is only fair that a convicted criminal should be stripped of his peerage, while the Mirror tells readers that the correct form of address for Lord Archer is now "Oi! Jeff!"

Several papers recall the days when giant guinea pigs roamed the earth, following the discovery in South America of the biggest rodent ever found.

Scientists say the creature was 9ft tall, weighted 1,500 lbs, and large herds of them would have grazed by river banks eight million years ago, looking more like buffalo than guinea pigs.

Finally, the Sun recounts the tale of a couple from Cheltenham who bought a new car by trading in their old one with a parrot included in the deal.

Alan and Gloria Reynolds could not quite meet the asking price for the hatchback, so they offered their pet as well.

The dealership decided to accept the bird and knocked £500 off the cost of the new car.