The Independent carries a front page article written by the slain Russian activist Natalya Estemirova. “From beyond the grave”.This is a searing indictment of Putin’s protégé - Ramzan Kadyrov, the President of Chechnya – and his reign of terror.It starts with a terrifying description of how Russia took control of Chechnya in 2000 during the Chechen war that took place at the time: large scale abudcutions, thoudsands of murders, women raped in front of their male relatives – all in a bid to suppress Chechen rebels. When Ramzan Kadyrov became President in 2007, many marvelled at the cosmetic improvements to war torn Grozny. Massive reconstruction work was undertaken. Peace in Chechnya and the success in fighting terrorism were widely advertised. However the main difference, she said, is many now disappear for just a few days instead of weeks on end and return beaten, terrified and therefore mostly silent. The outflow of Chechen refugees is not subsiding. More and more people are trying to leave as a dictatorship is being consolidated. It might compare favourably to the statistics of deaths and abductions in 2000 but the society has since been crushed, forced to make a decision between democracy and stability.

The front page of the Guardian is dealing with the Swine Flu preparations in the UK.Cobra, the committee for national crises, is now meeting three times a week. A worst case scenario predicts 65,000 deaths. So far, the UK has seen 29 deaths from the flu. Measures are already in place, a national helpline and of course the famous vaccines which have been ordered but not yet delivered – enough to give every citizen two shots. The Sun says that Cherie Blair is the highest profile Brit to have got the virus. She started feeling unwell at the beginning of the week and had to cancel some engagements including receiving an honorary doctorate in Liverpool. She’s on Tamiflu and should be well again by next Monday. Tony Blair and their four children are well, according to the Sun.

Speaking of the former British Prime Minister, he is the UK’s nomination for the as yet uncreated post of EU President according to Le Figaro. If the Lisbon Treaty is eventually ratified, Gordon Brown would nominate his former nemesis for the top EU job. Indeed the perspective of a pro-American EU President could encourage Lisbon sceptics such as Vaclav Klaus the Czech President and Lech Kaczynski the Polish president to sign on the dotted line.

The Daily Mail is not being very respectful of the dead today. Carmela Bousada was the oldest mother in the world – giving birth to twins thanks to IVF and fertility treatments three years ago at almost 67. At 69, she has passed away from cancer which may have been caused by the IVF treatments. The Mail thinks she’s selfish and deluded for having children in her 6th decade.The paper says she is part of an “epidemic” of older women who think they can get away with defying biological laws.

A New York Times Science blog has been following readers reactions to a study that cats have no utility. A string of readers wrote in with examples of how their cats have been useful. One writer said her chat had helped chose which of her several boyfriends who make the best husband. Another routinely saved a parking space, yet another cleaned out a spectrograph tube for the owner. The blogger points out that these are individual cats and their skills - it’s not general feline behaviour. The study was about usefulness and unlike other species that provide wool, milk or bacon, cats only produce affection. And love, some readers pointed out, isn’t a utility. If I were a cat’s PR agent, the blogger concludes, I’d say my client transcends utility and change the subject.