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Page last updated at 05:02 GMT, Friday, 3 July 2009 06:02 UK

Papers report Afghanistan tragedy

Papers

Britain's papers have reported the latest deaths of British soldiers - and the huge assault that the Americans have unleashed there.

The Daily Mail calls the killing of Lt Colonel Rupert Thorneloe "a huge propaganda coup" for the Taliban.

The Daily Mirror thinks there is no greater tribute to him than the fact he died leading his troops from the front.

As for the US attack, the Daily Telegraph notes the sheer scale of their military presence.

Infection coverage

The predicted scale of the swine flu pandemic has resulted in some alarming phrases and calls for calm.

The Mail says the infection will "hit millions" while the Mirror talks of a virus "out of control".

At the same time the papers try to reassure. The Guardian points out that the UK should not be too worried.

But it says elsewhere in the world "people will quietly die in large numbers". The Daily Express urges readers to "carry on".

There is a widespread feeling that these are also testing times for Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

The Guardian welcomes the changes of policy on education and identity cards. But it worries about how these shifts are being perceived by voters.

Under attack

Steve Richards in the Independent says the U-turns by Mr Brown show he has never had "a clear voice of his own".

In the Times, former Labour deputy leader Lord Hattersley also criticises recent comments by ministers over equality.

When attention turns to Wimbledon, the papers find their pulses racing.

Not so Andy Murray himself - in the pictures on the back of the Times and the Daily Express, he is laughing and apparently relaxed.

The Independent thinks a border collie called Maggie may be the reason why. Murray's mother tells the paper that "the dog makes a huge difference".

Meanwhile Simon Barnes of the Times opines that the Scottish star is admired but "hard to love".



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