Papers assess terror treason move

The idea that extremist Muslim preachers could be tried for treason finds little favour among the papers.

The Independent labels it a "bizarre proposal with little substance", while the Daily Telegraph calls it one of Tony Blair's eye-catching initiatives.

The Daily Mail, meanwhile, asks whether the government was simply trying to win a few easy headlines.

There are already serious charges under which extremist clerics could be brought to trial, the Guardian says.

The continuing rise in oil prices is the main news for the Independent and the Financial Times.

'Defies logic'

Fears of terrorist attacks have pushed prices to a 22-year high, threatening global economic stability, the Independent says.

The Express urges the government to help by lowering the tax on petrol.

The Financial Times pinpoints Iran's resumption of nuclear activities, and the threat of sanctions, as another reason for the latest increases.

The Mail says thousands of cancer patients in England and Wales are denied access to a drug prescribed for bowel cancer sufferers in Scotland.

The hold-up defies logic and is expensive, because the drug is cheaper than current treatments, it reports.

The Guardian, meanwhile, says scientists hope they are unravelling the secrets of how a curry ingredient protects against the disease.

It says they want to follow up tests with trials on patients.

Roast chicken

The Times quotes a report which concludes that Hadrian's Wall is in such a state of deterioration that parts of its should be closed.

The archaeologist who wrote the report says very little is being done to stop the destruction.

The Telegraph interviews Simon Hopkinson, whose recipe book Roast Chicken and Other Stories, has been voted the most useful cookery book.

And he is critical of much of what is on offer in many big name restaurants.