From today's UK papers

Most teachers say they have enough cash
The stereotypical image of teachers as cash-strapped malcontents is banished today with the publication of a survey showing an unappreciated level of affluence in the profession. The evidence undermining teachers' persistant claims that they are badly paid comes from The Times Educational Supplement , sister paper of The THES , which has produced a poll detailing the affluence enjoyed by most teachers. (Independent, Times)

Quiet sociologist takes over PCC
Robert Pinker, 71, a founding member of the Press Complaints Commission, will assume the chair in Lord Wakeham's absence. The emeritus professor at the London School of Economics is a sociologist who has written papers on the welfare state and on hospitals. (Independent)

New Statesman under fire
New Statesman , the traditional standard-bearer of leftwing thinking, is having to defend itself against accusations of lies, smears and outright anti-Semitism. The weekly magazine of progressive political opinion even has the Labour general secretary concluding it is set against the Jewish people. (Independent)

Ofsted issues graduate scheme warning
A worrying number of graduates who change careers to become teachers lack the spelling, grammar and maths skills needed to cope in the classroom, teaching watchdog Ofsted said yesterday. (Independent)

Asthma risk greater if children play outside
Children who regularly play games outside in smoggy towns and cities are three times more likely to develop asthma than youngsters who shun outdoor exercise. The University of Southern California findings, which come from a study of 3,500 children, suggest that air pollution may partly explain the epidemic of asthma that has swept Britain since the 1960s. (Daily Telegraph)

Top marks for Italian sex professor
A 66-year-old professor said to have given good grades to female students in return for sex was hailed as a hero yesterday. One newspaper described Professor Ezio Capizzano, a commercial law lecturer at the University of Camerino, as "Italty's answer to Sean Connery". (Daily Telegraph)