The Best and the Worst of the British Press

L O N D O N, May 29 -- Former President Bill Clinton fulfilled a lifelong dream Sunday by playing a round at the home of golf, the famed St. Andrew's course in Scotland, reports The Times.

But Clinton was apparently so nervous he was seen with a copy of How to Play the Old Course on the first tee. The former president shot a round of 86, 14 over par, two shots over his handicap.

Just Because Geri and Gillian Do It …

A woman was kicked out of a Kentucky Fried Chicken in central England because her thong was peeping out of her jeans The Sun reports.

The manager of the KFC said the sight of the woman's thong was distracting male staff and she was booted out. In her defense, the tabloid cited celebrities Gillian Anderson and Geri Halliwell, who also do the thong thing with their jeans.

A Continental Problem

British Prime Minister Tony Blair is on the defensive this morning after French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin unveiled a proposal for an European Union "economic government," reports The Times. Jospin may have put added pressure on Blair's Labor Party, which faces parliamentary elections June 7, because of the dispute between Labor and the Conservatives on European issues.

One recurring flashpoint has been a push to ditch the pound and use the Euro. The Conservatives have accused their opponents of selling out British traditions through their efforts to develop more formal ties with European allies.

Several papers have speculated that Blair had hoped to Jospin would wait until after the elections to reveal his plans for the future of Europe.

Welcome, Thor

The Daily Telegraph tells a story of the birth in Scotland of a 5-inch-long fluffy baby — thanks to artificial insemination using frozen sperm.

Thor, the name given to the baby eaglet, was born eight days ago and has since been joined by three other chicks.

The technique, being hailed as a breakthrough for birds in captivity, was performed on a farm with the help of the family freezer.