Papers united on ID card stance

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8127874.stm

Version 0 of 1.

The newspapers are forthright in their condemnation of the ID cards scheme after the government said they would not be compulsory.

The Sun describes the announcement as the <a class="bodl" href="http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2509084/Government-to-drop-ID-card-plans.html">"last rites"</a> for the scheme.

The Daily Mail says Home Secretary Alan Johnson <a class="bodl" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1196699/Dramatic-Labour-U-turn-new-Home-Secretary-means-carry-ID-cards.html">consigned it to the "seabed"</a> while the Daily Express calls it one of Labour's <a class="bodl" href="http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/111066/-5bn-chaos-as-Labour-retreats-on-ID-cards">"silliest schemes".</a>

The Daily Mirror sees the decision as a victory for common sense.

Jackson funeral

The Mail also reports that the Conservatives are drawing up proposals for the most <a class="bodl" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1196677/Tories-set-radical-blueprint-public-spending-revolution.html">far-reaching changes to the economy</a> in a generation.

It says that the shadow chancellor, George Osborne, wants to transform the tax system and create a new public spending regulator.

Meanwhile, pop star Michael Jackson's death is the lead for the Sun, Mirror and Daily Star.

Much of the coverage in the papers is about his funeral arrangements.

Game on

Several papers believe that the new roof over Centre Court at Wimbledon will - as the Daily Telegraph puts it - inevitably change tennis.

For the Times, it heralded a <a class="bodl" href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article6612824.ece">bright new era of late-night tennis</a> - with the prospect of midnight feasts of strawberries and cream.

The Guardian talks of a fine line between maintaining Wimbledon's character and satisfying broadcasters.

Meanwhile, the Independent says Centre Court tickets are <a class="bodl" href="http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/as-murray-trains-fans-join-the-line-for-tickets-1726190.html">changing hands for up to £1,750.</a>

Hot controversy

Birmingham could have a new claim to fame as the only place where one of Britain's favourite curry dishes, the balti, can be served.

According to the Telegraph, Birmingham City Council claims that the balti was created there and should not be served by eateries anywhere else in Britain.

But the owner of a restaurant chain in Bradford rejects the claim.

He told the newspaper that balti referred to a style of cooking not a specific dish or creation.