Malta and international press digest

The following are the main stories featuring in Maltese newspapers and some of the foreign media. The Labour report on its third consecutive general election defeat and the MLP leadeship race are the two dominant leads in the local papers.

The Sunday Times says that the report has "stirred anger within the Labour Party". In another story, the paper quotes the main developer behind the proposed disco development in Mistra saying that the contract was leaked to the MLP by a lawyer involved in the negotiations on the project.

The Malta Independent on Sunday reveals the results of an opinion poll which shows that its readers agree Labour will choose Joe Muscat as its leader but George Abela would make a better leader.

Kullhadd also reports on the publication of the MLP report but leads with a revelation that Finance Minister Tonio Fenech is pursing plans to introduce a parking tax as "the national solution of the parking problem".

According to Maltatoday, the MLP post-election report puts the echelon of the party, whom it calls "the gang of five" under fire. It also reveals that former Tourism Minister Karmenu Vella pleaded with members of the party executive not to make the report public.

it-torca says that the MLP executive committee suspended the discussion on the report until the new leadership of the party is chosen.

According to illum, the report identifies what it called "the losing team". In another story, the newspaper tells the tale of a young girl who decided to get pregnant to marry and escape her father's abuse only to end up being beaten and forced to act as a prostitute and take part in group sex in which her new husband was involved.

il-Mument calls the MLP leadership race "a fight made in Brussels", with reference to the protest letter sent by four prospective candidates to the EU Socialist group over the endorsement of Joseph Muscat by Martin Shulz during his visit to Malta. Muscat used to present a programme called Made in Brussels.

The Press in Britain...

The Sunday Express leads with the story of the young Harry Potter star who was stabbed outside a bar in Kent. Eighteen-year-old Rob Knox plays Ravenclaw student Marcus Belby in the forthcoming Harry Potter film "Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince".

Daily Star Sunday also leads with the teenager's stabbing and reports that he was knifed trying to save his brother from a knife attack in a row over a mobile phone.

The Sunday Telegraph says bankers and financiers have taken a record £12.6bn in bonuses this year despite the financial crisis.

The Sunday Times reveals Foreign Secretary David Miliband is preparing to stand for the leadership of the Labour Party if more backbenchers turn against Gordon Brown. It also reports Prince Andrew has sold his house for £3m more than the asking price to a Kazakh tycoon with whom he is said to have had business dealings.

The Observer says Gordon Brown could be forced to appoint a deputy who would be groomed as his successor under plans being discussed by ministers. The paper also reports on a confidential report that reveals prison officers at one of Britain's maximum security jails are losing control to Muslim gangs.

The Sunday Mirror leads with the news of a dramatic rescue of a couple who became lost during a diving trip on Australia's Great Barrier Reef and were adrift for 19 hours in a sea of sharks as they were left behind in darkness.

According to Scotland on Sunday, Scotland is more Roman Catholic than Protestant, with its congregations outnumbering the Kirk for the first time since records began.

As Russia won the 53rd edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, London 24 quotes veteran commentator Sir Terry Wogan saying the event was 'no longer a music contest' and that prospects for Western European participants were 'poor'. He spoke out after UK entry Andy Abrahams had just finished joint last of the 25 finalists.

And elswhere...

Sunday News reports Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has returned home to face a June 27 election run-off against President Robert Mugabe, despite fears of an assassination plot.

Mail & Guardian reports that thousands have marched through Johannesburg calling for an end to the violence that has killed at least 50 African migrants and forced tens of thousands to flee their homes.

The People's Daily reports that the official death toll in China's May 12 earthquake has been put at 60,000 but it is feared it could climb as high as 80,000. Meanwhile UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has visited some of the hardest hit areas and praised rescue workers for their response to the 7.9 magnitude quake, which devastated large parts of the country's south-west. Ban promised the UN would help with the massive reconstruction programme.

La Republica says a strong earthquake lasting 40 seconds has shaken Bogota, sending residents running to the streets. There have been no immediate reports of deaths or major damages.

Moscow Times rerports that members of Russia's Communist Party are calling for a nationwide boycott of the new 'Indiana Jones' movie, saying it aims to undermine communist ideology and distorts history.

Esslinger Zeitung says that authorities in southern Germany have taken custody of a 7-month-old boy after his parents posted an ad on eBay offering to sell him for €1.