Iran and Woolmer dominate papers

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The Financial Times reckons a "major diplomatic showdown" is in the offing over Iran's seizure of 15 British sailors and marines off the Iraq coast.

The Times speculates that the personnel could be used as pawns by Iran against the West in the battle over its nuclear programme.

The Daily Mail says it is possible that Tehran will use them to release five Iranians seized by the US in Iraq.

The Daily Telegraph believes it is no coincidence that more sanctions against Iran are in prospect at the UN.

Book speculation

Who killed Bob Woolmer and why? These two questions dominate the morning's first editions.

The Daily Telegraph has seen an e-mail allegedly written by the murdered Pakistan cricket coach.

It suggests he was considering writing a book where he would present "just the honest facts" about match-fixing in international cricket.

In the Times, the book's co-author says there would have been nothing in the book to harm the game he loved.

Graveyards blossoming

Many of the papers highlight the violence, corruption and misery that has become endemic in Zimbabwe.

The Times describes the country as "dying on its feet", saying graveyards are the only places blossoming under Robert Mugabe's gaze.

There is relief from the Guardian that South Africa has decided to intervene.

The Daily Mail speculates that Zimbabwe vice-president Joyce Mujuru might in be on the verge of trying to oust Mugabe from power, helped by South Africa.

Final escape

The Independent is bemused by a campaign to rename a Manhattan district "Little Britain", because it has become so popular with expats.

New Yorkers view British people as all having "bad teeth and beer guts", the paper quotes one woman in the area.

Meanwhile, the Daily Express reports the possibility that Houdini might make one last escape from a box.

His descendents have launched a legal bid to have his remains exhumed, believing may have been murdered.