What the papers say

Journalist Mike Philpott takes a look at what is making the headlines in Thursday's morning papers.

Sir Reg Empey and Sammy Wilson have committed controversial gaffes, according to the Belfast Telegraph.

Sir Reg for likening the young unemployed to "vampires, who don't rise until 3pm and then stay up all night"; and Mr Wilson for telling a woman not to send him what he called "whingeing letters".

The paper says Sir Reg may have a point, but his language was not that expected of a government minister.

It also says that our "education and employment systems are letting our young people down".

The News Letter reports under its main headline that pressure is mounting on Annette Hughes, a member of Newry and Mourne District Policing Partnership, whose husband Sean had his assets frozen by the Serious and Organised Crime Agency.

Soldier murders

The paper says unionists have called for her resignation.

The Irish News concentrates on new information in the investigation into the murder of two soldiers at Massereene Army barracks in March.

It says a leading dissident republican could face charges.

There is a picture of Father Michael Sinnott on the front of the Irish Times after his release in the Philippines.

The paper says he endured a 32-day ordeal, and President Mary McAleese has paid tribute to his resilience and courage.

The story quotes Minister for Foreign Affairs Michael Martin as saying that no ransom had been paid by the Irish government.

The Irish Independent quotes Fr Sinnott's niece, who said she was "delighted and relieved".

It reports that Taoiseach Brian Cowen has offered government assistance to bring about a speedy reunion with his family in Ireland.

'Pen-pushers'

The Daily Mail and the Daily Telegraph both lead with figures showing that civil servants at the Ministry of Defence have picked up millions of pounds in bonuses for "exceptional performance" - even though the government is under pressure over the lack of equipment for troops in Afghanistan.

The Telegraph puts the figure at £47m so far this year, while the Mail says "pen-pushers" have picked up £300m over the past six years.

It says these are the same bureaucrats who fight tooth and nail to reduce the compensation paid to soldiers who are wounded in Afghanistan.

Finally, a warning to stock up on cranberries.

Delia Smith will be hosting a seasonal special on BBC2, focusing on how to make a stress-free Christmas dinner.

The recipes naturally include fresh cranberries. But the Daily Telegraph warns that the last time she used the seasonal fruit in a programme, in 1995, it resulted in a national shortage.

The Daily Express says she has also been responsible for a run on sea salt, prunes and omelette pans.