Malta and international press digest

The following are the leading stories in Maltese and foreign newspapers.

The Times’ lead story says that the Prime Minister is expected to advise the President to dissolve Parliament on Monday and call a general election for March 8. The writ for the local council elections, which should be issued at least two days before the general election date is announced, was published in the Government Gazette yesterday. These local elections will be held on March 8.

The same story is the lead in the GWU’s l-orizzont, which asks whether Malta will have election(s) in 35 days’ time. It also announces that the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development will be discussing the GWU election memorandum to the political parties.

The Malta Independent also reports the publication of the local elections writ but leads with the news that the hunters’ federation has taken the government to court, claiming breach of acquired right.

In-Nazzjon leads with what it calls “the insistence” of Opposition Labour leader Alfred Sant in re-opening the negotiated package that led to Malta’s membership in the EU.

Il-Gens illum asks whether the dockyard can be saved, quoting both Dr Sant and Investments Minister Austin Gatt and Labour spokesperson on public affairs Helena Dalli.

The Press in Britain

The Daily Express leads with the gales and blizzards which have blighted Britain over the past few days. Snowfall of 15cm has been recorded and the paper warns the worse is yet to come.

The Scotsman's angle on the grim weather is a fear that if any rats on a beached trawler off St Kilda reach the island they would cause an ecological disaster among the huge bird population.

The Times reports Baghdad's fragile peace was shattered when explosives strapped to two women with Down's syndrome were detonated by Al Qaeda by remote control.

The Guardian claims that former British Premier Tony Blair has held talks with some of his oldest allies to garner support to become full-time president of the EU council… but only if the position gets beefed-up powers.

The Financial Times reports on Microsoft’s dramatic attempt to stifle Google's growing dominance of the Internet by going public with an unsolicited £22.7bn bid for Yahoo. The Daily Telegraph claims that the UK Government's new welfare adviser has found that two thirds of people claiming incapacity benefit are not entitled to the state handout.

The Daily Mirror alleges the Spice Girls' decision to cut short their world tour – and miss out on Australia, China, South Africa and Argentina – is actually a split. A spokesperson blamed the decision on "family and personal commitments", but other reports suggested lack of interest in some of the cities. They have already banked more than £20m from the tour.

The Sun says pop's Lily Allen has been dumped by Chemical Brother Ed Simons - weeks after losing their unborn baby.

The Daily Star claims another singer, Cheryl Cole, is worried she may be pregnant. The paper says she is anxious because of allegations her marriage to England football star Ashley Cole is on the rocks.

and elsewhere…

Middle East Times expresses shock at the revelation that two women suicide bombers who killed more than 70 people in the deadliest attacks since last spring in Iraq were Down's Syndrome victims exploited by al-Qaeda. The first attack came at the main pet market in Baghdad where at least 46 people died and 100 were wounded. A second bomb at a bird market in a Shia neighbourhood of the city, killed 27 people and wounded 70.

The Nation reports rival parties in Kenya have agreed to take immediate action to end violence after a month of deadly clashes over a disputed presidential election by completing talks within 15 days on measures to end the crisis. Observers remain sceptical however whether the parties have the political will to implement the plan.

Berliner Morgenpost quotes German Defence Minister Franz Josef Jung saying his government has rejected a written request by US Defence Secretary Robert Gates to provide 3,200 combat troops to fight against Taliban militants in southern Afghanistan. He told reporters that the current Bundestag mandate is not subject to debate. Germany's 3,000 troops in Afghanistan carry out reconstruction and development work.

The People’s Daily says Chinese authorities have mobilised some 250,000 troops to help with disaster relief because of the worst weather conditions hitting some provinces for 50 years. Rail and air services, paralysed for days, are slowly restarting, but officials expect it will be days before millions of stranded travellers can return home. Gulf News reports Internet access in parts of the Middle East and Asia has been disrupted after a third undersea cable off Dubai was cut. Earlier this week, two undersea cable connections were severed off Egypt's northern coast, stopping Internet availability from northern Africa across to south Asia.

A woman who feared she had symptoms of cancer - but was diagnosed as beginning the menopause - told South Wales Echo of her shock after giving birth just seven hours later. Amanda Morgan doubled up with crippling pain at her home in Neath, and moments later she delivered 5lb 6oz Caitlin without medical assistance. The 42-year-old said: "I'd put on about a pound in weight but just thought I'd been snacking too much."