What the papers say

Journalist Grania McFadden takes a look at what is making the headlines in Wednesday's morning papers.

Ten pop stars, five concerts and a two billion audience - it is going to be the greatest show on earth, says the Daily Mail.

Bob Geldof's plans for a Live 8 concert this summer to highlight world poverty certainly concentrates the media's attention.

The paper says a third of the earth's inhabitants will be able to watch the concerts on television, with another one million attending the events throughout the world.

The papers examine Geldof's plans to put pressure on the G8 summit when it meets in Edinburgh.

More than one million people will gather for a rally in the city, while yachtswoman Ellen McArthur will lead a flotilla of boats from Calais to Dover, and actor John Travolta will lead an "airborne invasion" of small planes to Britain on the same date.

What has changed since the last Live Aid and can poverty can be beaten?e The Independent

The Mirror cautions that the events "must be a rallying cry, rather than a focal point" and says "it is politicians, not pop stars, who will address the real problems".

But Bruce Anderson, writing in the Times, says if aid were the answer, Africa's problems would have been solved a long time ago.

He accuses Geldof and his friends of "using that benighted continent as a catwalk".

The Independent gives the most comprehensive coverage of what it calls "the Africa issue", asking what has changed since the last Live Aid, and whether poverty can be beaten?

'Respond positively'

The Belfast papers concentrate on issues closer to home.

The Irish News looks at a report which criticises the police and the Parades Commission for "failing to prevent loyalist displays during contentious Orange Order parades through Catholic areas of Belfast".

The News Letter carries reports that the DUP's Gregory Cambell has offered to hold talks with Catholic Archbishop Sean Brady, after the primate's claim that Catholics needed assurances from unionists on a commitment to power-sharing and equality.

Food was recycled to be used at a later date and several elderly residents suffered from dreadful bedsores Irish Independent

Daily Ireland focuses on the visit of New York comptroller Alan Hevisi, who believes the DUP must respond positively to any IRA moves to move away from violence.

And the Belfast Telegraph carries a picture of a County Down man who was convicted of animal cruelty.

He was found guilty of destroying a badger set and of the mauling of a wild animal in Cloughey last year, after he was caught on videotape by a member of the public.

"Never, ever again" is the Irish Independent's reaction to revelations of abuse and neglect at several private nursing homes in the Republic of Ireland.

RTE's Primetime programme revealed that patients in one home "were bathed or showered just once every 10 days".

Food was "recycled to be used at a later date and several elderly residents suffered from dreadful bedsores".

Irish police are to investigate the allegations, and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has promised an independent inspectorate of nursing homes.

'Strawmato'

Elsewhere, the identity of Deep Throat, the source who helped bring down President Nixon in the Watergate scandal, intrigues the papers.

Mark Felt, a former senior FBI official, confirmed his secret.

The Times says this has ended one of the greatest political and journalistic mysteries of modern times.

Finally, several papers reveal that there could be a new addition to the salad bowl next year.

Marks and Spencer are conducting experiments to cross a strawberry and a tomato - to produce a "strawmato".