Newspaper headlines: Salmond 'fights back' and 'suspicious' Egypt deaths

Guardian
Image caption The Guardian leads on the complaints made by two people against former first minister of Scotland Alex Salmond, who denies ever sexually harassing anyone. The paper's front-page headline says that he is fighting back by beginning a legal challenge over the Scottish government's "handling of the allegations". Mr Salmond is unhappy the claims were made public by Leslie Evans, Scotland's most senior civil servant, when he had been assured any investigation would remain confidential.
The i
Image caption The i also leads on the allegations against Mr Salmond. The paper says inquiries are "under way", with Police Scotland having confirmed it is "carrying out an assessment of information which we have received".
Daily Telegraph
Image caption The claims against Mr Salmond also make the front page of the Daily Telegraph. The paper leads on a quote from the former SNP leader, in which he "admits he is 'no saint'" - but denies sexual harassment.
The Mirror
Image caption The daughter of a British couple who died on holiday at an Egyptian hotel has dismissed claims their deaths were the result of natural causes, reports the Daily Mirror. Local authorities say John and Susan Cooper suffered heart and respiratory failure, but their daughter Kelly Ormerod believes "something suspicious" happened to them.
Daily Express
Image caption The Daily Express also leads on the British couple who died in Egypt. The paper reports that Mrs Ormerod - who was staying at the same resort in Hurghada - witnessed her "healthy" parents pass away "before her eyes".
Daily Mail
Image caption "Every shop" in the UK could soon be following supermarkets' approach to plastic bags, according to the Daily Mail. The paper says that, in a bid to "slash pollution", the prime minister is considering making smaller establishments charge their customers to use plastic bags - as bigger chain shops currently do. Moreover, the Mail says the government will "consult on proposals to double the levy from 5p to 10p".
The Times
Image caption The Times reports that the "far right" has "come out" in support of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn regarding a speech he gave in 2013 on British Zionists. In a video clip published online by the Daily Mail, Mr Corbyn can be heard saying British Zionists do not understand "English irony". Mr Corbyn has defended his comments - and he has also received support from former British National Party leader Nick Griffin, who tweeted: "Go Jezza!"
Financial Times
Image caption There is more bad news for TSB, with the Financial Times reporting the bank has been "rocked" by an "exodus of top executives". TSB is still dealing with the fallout of a serious IT failure which, according to the FT, has so far cost it £176m. Now, the bank has learnt its treasurer, head of human resources and chief marketing officer are all set to leave the organisation "in the coming months".
Sun
Image caption Former Oasis front man Liam Gallagher makes the front page of the Sun. The paper says the 45-year-old singer grabbed his girlfriend Debbie Gwyther "by the throat" while at Chiltern Firehouse - a restaurant and five-star hotel in central London.
Daily Star
Image caption TV presenter Paddy McGuinness's "raid hell" is the lead story on the front page of the Daily Star. The paper reports that he and his wife Christine are "devastated" after learning "sneak thieves have been secretly raiding their home for weeks".

The Daily Mail's front page headline is "Plastic bag tax in every shop", as it reports the government is planning to extend the levy on single-use plastic bags in England to all businesses.

Currently, those with fewer than 250 staff are exempt.

The Mail says Prime Minister Theresa May is also considering increasing the tax from 5p to 10p.

The Daily Telegraph says Mrs May is acting on "changing political sentiment", which it says has turned against single-use plastic bags since the effect of litter on ocean wildlife was highlighted in the BBC's Blue Planet 2.

The Sun isn't so sure.

"Why double the charge?" it asks in its editorial, pointing out the 5p rate has already successfully brought about "a massive decline" in plastic bag usage.

With a tax on disposable coffee cups also mooted, the paper says "enough is enough", warning the Tories "must end this fetish for piling new taxes on consumers".

Image copyright PA
Image caption A levy on plastic bags could be expanded under new plans

Many of the papers set the scene for the Pope's arrival in the Republic of Ireland today.

The Daily Mirror's correspondent Rachael Bletchley describes there being pop-up Pope chairs, lollipopes and even a waving waxwork of the Holy Father for selfies.

The Financial Times reports that police leave has been cancelled, large hospitals are discharging patients in case of an emergency, and temporary morgue facilities have been set up.

But all the papers note even this huge level of interest is nothing compared to the last papal visit in 1979.

That's partly because Pope Francis's trip is taking place against a backdrop of what the Guardian calls the "dark shadow of sexual abuse by priests".

The Irish Times points out it also reflects the changing nature of Irish society, where more than 40% of people now go on to higher education.

This weekend, the country will listen to what the Pope has to say - its editorial suggests - but with a "healthier sense of perspective than it showed three decades ago."

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London's murder police have begun investigating their 100th case of the year, the Daily Mail reports - an attack on a 73-year-old woman in her home in the south-west of the city.

It is, the Times has calculated, the fastest rate of stabbings, shootings and other brutal attacks in a decade. If the rate of murders continues, the Times says, more than 150 people could be killed in London by the end of the year.

The president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Prof Lesley Regan, writes in the Daily Express that allowing women in England to take abortion medication at home is a "major step forward".

Prof Regan says allowing women to avoid the potential pain and distress of a journey home from a clinic or hospital is the compassionate approach to take.

Finally, under the headline "Cornish nasty", the Sun reports on the "outrage" that's been sparked by a baker who is preparing Cornish pasties with the pastry crimped on the top, rather than on the side, as tradition dictates.

However, bakery owner Mikaela Parry is defiant, insisting her family have been top crimpers for decades. She has dismissed those who question her ways as "pasty fascists".

One Facebook user has come up with what seems like the ultimate insult, however, suggesting her pasties look like like "a Devon imitation".