Papers scrutinise terror reforms

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Opinions are divided on the terror reforms announced by Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

The Times says he deserves credit for accepting an idea put forward by the Conservatives - the creation of a dedicated border force.

The Daily Telegraph cannot decide whether he has been consensual or shameless in adopting the Tories' idea.

Both the Daily Mail and the Daily Express complain that the powers of the border force will not go far enough.

Murky water

The Sun and the Daily Mirror offer alarming predictions about the health risks associated with the floods affecting parts of England.

A microbiologist tells the Mirror that hundreds of people could be killed by a brew of terrifying bugs lurking in the murky water.

"The Toxic Tide" is the headline the Sun uses to describe the dangers.

Scientists tell the paper that the filthy water could lead to outbreaks of dysentery and even cholera.

Exhaust fumes

The Daily Telegraph reports on a study by a patient safety watchdog which says a third of deaths in hospital it investigated could have been avoided.

Situations could have been different had there been better communication between staff and faster recognition of patients' deteriorating state, the National Patient Safety Agency says.

Exhaust fumes could be linked to a rise in heart disease, reports the Guardian.

It says scientists in California believe pollution triggers inflammation and hardening of the blood vessels.

Fat friends

People who want to stay thin should not hang around with fat people, according to research by American scientists reported in the Independent.

The experts found that obesity is socially contagious, spreading from person to person within the same group of friends.

Unexpectedly, the greatest effect was not seen among the members of the same family, says the paper.

The Sun asks: "Why doesn't that work when our pals are slim and athletic?"