BA strike features heavily

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The consequences of the British Airways cabin crew strike weigh heavily on the minds of Friday's papers.

The Daily Express warns its readers of "travel misery" and the Times describes it as a long-rumbling dispute that has now turned nasty.

The Daily Mail speaks of "chaos and confusion" and warns that the 48 hour stoppage is just the start.

The Daily Telegraph says a frantic scramble for plane seats is under way as passengers try to beat the strike.

Missing brain?

Some of the papers try to pile pressure on Home Secretary John Reid after a man who was convicted of downloading child pornography was spared a jail term.

The Sun, which suggested on Thursday that Mr Reid's brain was "missing", describes him as "brainless" on Friday.

The paper reckons that the judge who dealt with the case should have ignored Mr Reid's letter about sentencing.

In the Daily Mirror's view, a convicted criminal must do the appropriate time, or the law and order system is a sham.

Mugging claim

Problems at the Home Office dominate many of the papers' front pages.

The Daily Telegraph leads with the department's problems, that include a sharp rise in the number of robberies at gunpoint.

The Daily Express declares "even Mr Reid's staff can't go home in safety", reporting that a Home Office worker was mugged on Wednesday night.

The Sun says he was on his way home after meeting Mr Reid for a curry to discuss the jails crisis.

Extradition possibility

Developments in the investigation into the death of ex-KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko feature in the Guardian.

The paper says the UK will press for the extradition of a Russian businessman to face murder charges.

Meanwhile, the Independent continues a campaign to highlight Britain's refuse problems with the headline: "Made in Britain, Dumped in China."

And the Times says the number of people not paying their road tax has almost doubled in the past two years.