Osborne under fire in donor row

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Claims that the shadow chancellor tried to solicit a £50,000 donation to the Tory party from a Russian billionaire are on the front of most papers.

The Times, which broke the story, says George Osborne may be one of the Tories' "sharpest political operators", but he is "on the rack" over the allegations.

The Independent's headline says "Osborne fights for political life".

"How tawdry, how craven and foolish, certain British politicians seem to have been," the Guardian leader says.

Gas going down?

There are mixed economic messages again in the papers.

The Financial Times is worried because the Bank of England governor Mervyn King has finally used the word "recession" to describe Britain's economic fortunes.

But the Daily Mail takes a look inside the bank at its gold reserves and finds the haul "hugely reassuring" - much better than "a fistful of share certificates".

And, uncharacteristically, the Daily Express continues the upbeat theme, saying gas bills could fall by up to £100 by Christmas.

Billie's baby

The Sun is angry at pop star Katy Perry for posing for a publicity shot with a flick-knife.

Branding the chart topper "Number one idiot," it says it is a poor way to respond to the "massacre on our streets" and demands an apology.

On a more positive note, the Daily Mirror takes time to send good wishes to new mother, and former Doctor Who sidekick, Billie Piper.

"After all the aliens she has faced, changing a nappy should be no sweat," it writes.

Slow down

There is new advice for people watching their waistlines after a study suggested those who eat too quickly treble their risk of being overweight.

Showing a picture of a man attempting to squeeze a giant hamburger into his mouth, the Daily Telegraph warns against "gobbling".

It says your brain will not have time to realise you are full if you wolf down your dinner.

The Daily Mail gives tips on how to "Take your time at the table". "Don't watch what you eat, watch how you eat," the paper advises.