Peace prize 'slap in face to US'

The award of the Nobel Peace Prize to the head of the United Nations nuclear agency Mohamed ElBaradei is a slap in the face to Washington, say the papers.

While they are split on whether he deserves the honour, the Times reminds us of his repeated clashes with the US in the run-up to the Iraq War.

The Telegraph believes the Nobel committee has rewarded the agency's failure to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

But the Guardian argues it could advance the cause of non-proliferation.

Power deal

German leader Gerhard Schroeder and his Conservative rival, Angela Merkel, have reached a deal to allow her to become Chancellor, says the Financial Times.

According to the paper, the two agreed the framework of a "grand coalition" in talks earlier this week and an announcement is likely on Monday.

The politicians have been in deadlock after the results from the recent general election were not decisive.

The new deal would see Schroeder depart national politics, says the paper.

Hatfield fines

The fines imposed on rail firms Network Rail and Balfour Beatty over the Hatfield train crash - which killed four - gives the papers plenty to say.

The Mirror wants a change in the law to make directors responsible.

The Sun agrees, adding that while the financial penalty was well deserved, someone should be in jail.

For the Express, the fines send a clear message to all private industries which play fast and loose with public safety - that it will not be tolerated.

Net question

The growing trend to do away with net curtains is worrying police and insurers, the Independent reports.

They fear householders are asking for trouble by leaving valuable goods on display to tempt would-be burglars.

A survey by insurance firm NIG shows just 39% of us now have net curtains covering ground-floor windows.

One insurer tells the paper: "Taking down net curtains... does create a shop window for burglars deciding whether or not to break into a property".