From today's UK papers

Financial Times

Private companies bidding to run public services may have to eliminate pay differences between men and women under proposals published by a government inquiry.

Sweden is the world's most knowledge-based economy, followed by the US, South Korea and Finland, with the UK in 13th position, according to a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development to be released this week.

Guardian

The National Union of Students has warned against racial tension during freshers week after it emerged that the Islamist group Al-Muhajiroun is forging contacts at universities despite being banned from campuses.
 
Independent

Two British cities, Liverpool and Newcastle, have emerged as the leading contenders for the title of European Capital of Culture 2008.

Shares in the publishing giant Pearson have been hammered by the slump in advertising and fallout from the burst dotcom bubble, but chief executive Marjorie Scardino believes the education divisions will protect her long-term strategy for the company.

Daily  Mail

Children from one-parent families have fared worse in school in Britain than in 12 other European countries, according to a study at Pennsylvania State University.

Daily Telegraph

The safety of mobile phones is in doubt again, as a new study suggests a link with brain cancer.

Times

Union chiefs called off their campaign against public-service reform yesterday to unite behind Tony Blair in the wake of the terrorist attacks.

Miscellany

Britain's rat population is likely to grow rapidly in the next decade because the rats have learned how to shell and eat mussels, Cambridge University scientists say. (Daily Mail, Times)