GM? No thanks, say papers

The outcome of the public consultation on genetically modified crops is one of the more prominent stories in Thursday's papers.

The issue provides the lead for the Independent and the Telegraph.

Under the headline, "GM crops? No thanks", the Independent points out that the title of the debate was GM Nation. But that, it says, is precisely what the British people do not want.

The Telegraph believes the results will make awkward reading for Tony Blair and Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett.

It says they are caught between supporting the public, who overwhelmingly reject GM foods, and appeasing America - which wants to export GM crops, food and technology to Europe.

'Blow' for Blair

The report that experts have failed to find any trace of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq is the Guardian's main story.

The timing of the disclosure, it says, could hardly be worse for the prime minister, just days before the start of the Labour Party conference.

For the Mail, the revelation is a massive new blow to his credibility.

The main news in the Mail is that Mr Blair is preparing to appoint the former Cabinet Minister Peter Mandelson, a European Commissioner.

Its political editor says the prime minister is to bring Mr Mandelson back from the political wilderness as a reward for his support in recent months.

Real Spanish

The Times leads with a report that ministers are to consider encouraging thousands of teachers and doctors employed on administrative tasks in the education and health departments to return to the front-line, as part of a move to cut bureaucracy in central government.

Many staff, it says, are likely to be offered re-training and asked to move out of London.

According to the Independent, figures from the Open University show that the number of people applying to join its Spanish-for-beginners course has more than trebled since David Beckham signed for Real Madrid.

One theory apparently is that many football fans are switching to continental satellite television channels for Real Madrid's games and cannot understand the commentary.

Bright and beautiful

The Times' front page picture shows a woman priest sporting one of the latest designs in ecclesiastical fashion.

She was among a dozen ministers modelling clothes at an exhibition in Manchester for clergymen and women.

The paper says fashion has been creeping into the pulpit more and more in recent years, hastened by the ordination of women.

A Methodist minister who compered the fashion show tells the paper: "Why be dull and dutiful when you can be bright and beautiful?"

Crunch time

Finally, it is "crunch" time for the headline writers faced with Department of Health guidelines on how pupils should eat their carrots.

According to the Mirror, schools in Greater Manchester have received e-mails from local health officials giving instructions on the best way to handle carrots.

Apparently, you should wash them, eat them from the bottom and discard the top. One deputy head tells the paper: "They wouldn't send instructions on how to eat an apple, so why a carrot?"

The Sun quotes an official as saying: "I hope our instructions didn't come across as patronising. Sometimes, we have to give people a full explanation."