Papers analyse A-level results

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The debate about this year's record A-level results continues in the papers.

The Daily Mirror believes pupils are better taught now. "The sniping at improving pass rates is a depressing annual ritual," the paper says.

The Sun takes a similar view, saying "this is no time for carping". But the Daily Telegraph focuses on the gulf between private and state schools.

The Daily Mirror adds "economic and social hardships mean young people from poorer backgrounds still struggle".

Prices 'slashed'

The Times and the Daily Express cheer their readers with news of a supermarket price war.

"Major supermarkets threw a lifeline to hard-pressed shoppers yesterday," says the Express, "by slashing the price of many popular groceries."

"The pint of milk is at the centre of a ferocious supermarket price battle," according to the Times.

It reports how Asda and Tesco have "vowed to cut millions of pounds from customers' shopping bills".

Drug use

"Drug Nation" is the Independent's headline. Government figures are said to show almost two million people take illegal drugs at least once a month.

The paper also says a third of adults have tried a banned substance, a quarter of schoolchildren have used drugs and cocaine use has trebled.

"Off our heads" is how the Sun sums it up on its front page.

The Daily Mail says the number of under-16s taken to hospital because of drugs has risen by 43% since Labour took office.

'Chilling' laws

For Guardian readers, the main news is what is described as a "sharply critical" report from the UN.

The paper says it accuses the government of creating laws which have a "chilling effect" on freedom of expression in the UK.

The report says powers under the Official Secrets Act are being used to prevent publication of matters of genuine public interest.

It is also disturbed by plans for 42-day detention for terror suspects.