Papers hand out EU advice to PM

As Gordon Brown attends his first EU summit as prime minister, there's no shortage of advice from Fleet Street.

As the leaders prepare to thrash out the final draft of their reform treaty, Mr Brown has said he'll ensure that major constitutional change is avoided.

The Daily Telegraph accuses him of reneging on a Labour promise to hold a referendum.

But it says it's not too late for him to be brave, to change his mind and give the British people a say.

According to the Daily Mail, the proposed treaty is 96% identical to the defeated EU constitution. Its message to Mr Brown is: "Don't let Britain down" by signing up.

The Financial Times believes that Britain should approve the reform treaty.

It berates the prime minister for - in its view - not being convinced enough by Europe to make the argument for it, in a referendum.

Unlikely connection

The Guardian reports that the Ministry of Defence is to come under fresh pressure to launch an independent inquiry into allegations that Iraqis were abused by British soldiers, after a fierce gun battle with insurgents three years ago.

Papers to be handed to the High Court are said to include witness statements, death certificates and a video taken by relatives of dead Iraqis showing bodies being taken to a hospital in Amara.

The Independent has news of an unlikely family connection.

It appears that the US Vice-President, Dick Cheney - a bogeyman to his political opponents - is related to Barack Obama, the African-American Senator pressing Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination in next year's presidential election.

The vice-president's wife says they're eighth cousins - through a Huguenot ancestor who travelled from France in the 17th century.

According to the Obama campaign team, Dick Cheney is the "black sheep of the family".

Gold rush

In Northern Ireland, North Down has long been known as the "gold coast" - for its affluence.

According to the Guardian, it could be about to get even richer - because a geological mapping study has discovered traces of real gold.

Nine exploration and mining companies want to carry out further examinations. A local builder tells the paper: "Go ahead, rip up the whole place, tear it up. If it brings money to us, happy days, bring it on."

To news in the Daily Telegraph that that stalwart of primary school music - the recorder - is in danger of being usurped by an unlikely rival: the ukulele.

Shops are said to be reporting a roaring trade in the tiny guitar-shaped instruments, with some schools abandoning recorders to set up ukulele orchestras.