Madrid plane crash hits headlines

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The plane crash in Madrid which killed more than 150 people is widely reported in Thursday's newspapers.

The Times reports that pilots working for the airline involved - Spanair - had threatened to strike only an hour before the doomed plane came down.

The crash is the splash in the Daily Telegraph and Independent, both of which carry images of the crash site.

The Telegraph says the type of plane involved - the MD-80 - has had a reliable safety record over the last 30 years.

International pariah

The Daily Mirror's Gary Glitter story bears the headline "Nowhere to run" following China's decision to refuse him entry to Hong Kong.

Similarly, in its lead story, the Sun reports: "Glitter Banned".

The Daily Mail says the decision by the Chinese means that Glitter has been confirmed as an international pariah.

What the paper calls his haphazard itinerary since being released from prison in Vietnam suggests that he is determined not to return to the UK.

Airport report

After the Competition Commission's report recommending that BAA should be forced to sell several of its airports, many papers are moved to comment.

Better late than never is the Telegraph's verdict.

The Sun also welcomes the findings saying its airports have been turned into shopping arcades while passengers wait hours in lounges.

One of the airports to be put up for sale should be Heathrow, according to the Independent.

'Rocket man' record

"Lightning Bolt strikes twice," says the Daily Express of Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt, who added the 200m title and world record to his 100m achievement.

And the Mirror says: "Rocket man...smashes another world record."

His exploits are forced from the top of some of the sports pages by the news that Brian Barwick is to leave his job as chief executive of the FA.

The Express believes he was sacked after a series of what it calls "acrimonious" meetings.