Newspaper headlines: Syria tensions dominate papers By BBC News

Staff Published duration 10 April 2017

Many of the papers lead with a threat by Russia and Iran to retaliate against the US after President Donald Trump ordered a missile attack on Syria.

The Daily Telegraph reports that the statement by both countries came as Washington intensified pressure on President Bashar Al-Assad and his backers, with the US administration saying there was no way a peace settlement could be found with him in power.

The world can only hold its breath in the hope that calmer counsel will prevail, concludes the paper, but the signs are depressingly bad.

Neil Buckley in the Financial Times feels the US missile strikes on Syria have increased the risk of a direct clash there between two nuclear-armed powers.

He suggests that before Mr Trump escalates the conflict he would do well to remember his own words: "We should stay the hell out of Syria. The rebels are as bad as the current regime."

Four soldiers and seven cavalry horses were killed in the IRA attack in 1982.

The Sun urges its readers to support a civil court action against a suspect.

A trial against him collapsed when it was revealed he had wrongly received what has been called a "comfort letter" - sent to terror suspects saying they were not wanted by the police.

In an editorial , the paper argues that it is backing the campaign not out of spite or revenge but because the families deserve to see justice delivered.

An investigation by the Financial Times finds that companies have used a controversial insolvency procedure to offload £3.8bn of pension liabilities, often as part of a sale to existing directors or owners.

According to the FT, roughly 17% of schemes managed by the Pensions Protection Fund - a lifeboat for the retirement plans of failed firms - are the result of what is known as pre-pack administration.

The paper believes its research raises questions about whether existing laws go far enough to protect abuse of the fund.

A retail analyst group says sales have grown by 65% since 2012.

Much of the growth is being attributed to the rise in collectible toys, with Star Wars and Lego among the favourites.

The most expensive Lego Star Wars item - an Imperial Star Destroyer - costs more than £2,000.