Worry at couple's double suicide

The deaths of conductor Sir Edward Downes and his wife at an assisted suicide clinic in Switzerland draw sympathy and concern from the papers.

"After 54 years together, they decided to die together," writes the Independent.

The Guardian calls it "the ultimate expression of mutual devotion," but one mired in "legal turmoil".

The Times feels it is "troubling", as it "raises the issue of suicide pacts" where "a romanticised view of joint death" could seem "attractive".

'Corridor of tears'

Many front pages show crowds in Wootton Bassett paying their respects to eight soldiers killed in Afghanistan.

"The saddest of homecomings," writes the Daily Telegraph. Its a town that "has no crime, yet sees so much death".

The Daily Mirror recounts the "almost unbearable grief" of relatives, but says the men gave their lives to "ensure that good triumphs over evil".

The Sun, however, is angry that there was "no sign of a government minister" lining the "corridor of tears".

'Whipped up panic'

The latest fears over swine flu appear on several front pages.

The Guardian warns that a vaccine is "still months away" despite claims it would be ready in weeks.

According to the Daily Express, panic is "sweeping" across the country, "whipped up" by politicians making "incautious predictions".

What Britain needs is "coherent and consistent public health advice" to reassure those increasingly gripped with "huge anxiety" over the issue.

Boom time again

"Barnstorming" results at recently bailed out investment bank Goldman Sachs impress the Times.

Its cartoon shows a member of staff telling his secretary "cancel my humility therapy".

The Financial Times says its executives will receive "bumper" pay and bonuses "set to beat boom levels".

But the Daily Mail is not impressed. "The bankers are okay," but it seems the case for a return to traditional frugal values has already been lost.