There is concern about the continuing delays for air passengers, combined with the new security measures introduced for travellers to the United States, in Tuesday's papers.

The Daily Express is outraged by the immigration checks, describing them as an "act of aggression."

Fingerprinting and photographing visitors, it says, will "do little to combat terrorism but will make life yet more onerous for air passengers".

This view is shared by Japanese tourists arriving at Dulles Airport in Washington and interviewed by the Times.

One woman says she was made to "feel like a criminal", another says the checks were "invasive".

The Financial Times worries that the tougher security measures and the delays that accompany them will hit airline profits.

But the Independent thinks they are a necessary inconvenience.

"Spending a little longer in the check-in queue," says its editorial, "seems an acceptable price to pay for international security and peace of mind".

Suicide bombers

The front page of the Daily Telegraph carries an interview with the President of Syria, Bashar Assad, in which he stops short of denying that his country possesses weapons of mass destruction.

President Assad tells the paper that his country has the right to protect itself from Israel's nuclear arsenal.

And he maintains that there is nothing he can do to stop suicide bombers attacking Israel.

Such "inflexibility" argues the paper, will only increase Syria's isolation from the international community.

Diana 'plot'

The Daily Mirror returns to the subject of a letter it says was sent by Princess Diana to her former butler, Paul Burrell.

In the note, written months before her death, she claims someone was plotting to kill her.

Mr Burrell has told the Mirror the name of the person she accuses.

The paper reproduces the letter but has blanked out the name.

Mr Burrell said he was prepared to hand the letter to the inquest into Diana's death.

'Biggest yawn?'

The Times reports on a new car with both an electric and a petrol engine which is becoming a big hit in the United States.

The paper predicts that it could soon catch on over here as well, especially in London, where the Mayor has exempted it from the congestion charge because of its green credentials.

The tabloids are unimpressed by the latest reality TV show, in which contestants try to stay awake for a week to win �100,000.

"Is this the biggest yawn in telly history?" asks the Sun.

The Daily Mail is more concerned for the participants than the viewers.

It says Channel 4 was inundated with complaints from people who thought the programme, called Shattered, was demeaning and dangerous.

Tragic tale

The Times carries the story of a baker from the United States who has been jailed for 15 months for lying about the fat content of his doughnuts.

Robert Ligon claimed his chocolate-coated treats contained only 135 calories when in reality, they topped five hundred.

Finally, the Sun has the tragic tale of a rare Norwegian robin, which flew hundreds of miles to make an appearance on these shores only to be eaten by a birdwatcher's cat.

The woman spotted the bird, which has a darker red breast than its British relation, in her back garden.