Malta and international press digest

The following are the top stories in the local and overseas press:

The Times reports that according to an international survey, 60 percent of Maltese girls aged 13 have said their schoolwork causes them stress. That is one of the highest figures in Europe and N.America.

l-orizzont says the number of Maltese women taking abortions in the UK rose to 69 last year. It also reports that the GWU has accepted to meet the government over the shipyards, while regretting that the government turned down its proposal to create a task force on the future of the shipyards.

The Malta Independent says the GRTU and the GWU are up in arms over the fuel price increases announced on Sunday without prior consultation. It also reports that EU Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg has told Italian and French fishermen who protested in Malta last week that the tuna quota had been reached and no further fishing would be allowed.

In-Nazzjon highlights a comment by Anglu Farrugia in parliament yesterday that the opposition agreed in principle on the privatisation of Malta Shipyards. It also reports that Jason Micallef has changed all the key codes at MLP headquarters.

The Press in Britain...

The Guardian takes the world to task for doing nothing while violence in Zimbabwe escalates forcing opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai to seek shelter in the Dutch Embassy.

The Times says Lord Ashdown wants to see military intervention in the troubled southern African country. (Lord Ashdown later denied the claim.)

The Daily Telegraph reveals a warning by the government's anti-terrorism expert, saying private jets and light aircraft could be used by terrorists to launch attacks on crowds and buildings in Britain.

The Daily Mail and Metro both predict a summer of discontent as looming public sector pay disputes will see services grind to a halt.

The Financial Times reports global inflation fears deepened as Chinese steelmakers agreed to a record increase in annual iron ore prices - a move likely to boost the cost of cars.

According to The Independent, Prime Minister Gordon Brown faces a huge revolt over plans to speed up building of airports, roads and nuclear plants.

Paul Gascoigne, the troubled former England footballer, is photographed kissing his ex-wife, Sheryl, on the front page of the Daily Mirror.

The Daily Express leads with the news that scientists believe getting out in the sun for a small period several times a week can help us live longer.

The Herald says the health secretary has pledged an emergency statement after details of almost one million 999 ambulance calls were lost during transit of a disk.

And elsewhere...

The New York Times with the UN Security Council's unanimous condemnation of Zimbabwe's government, saying it has waged a "campaign of violence" against its opponents, making it it "impossible" for fair and free elections to take place.

The Jerusalem Post quotes French President Nicolas Sarkozy telling the Israeli parliament that Middle East peace was not possible without halting settlements on Palestinian territory.

L'Essentiel reports the EU has agreed to impose a new round of sanctions against Iran, banning Iran's largest commercial bank, Bank Melli, from operating in Europe.

Wall Street Journal says the price of oil rose as Nigerian supply disruptions and escalating tensions between Israel and Iran outweighed Saudi Arabia's pledge to raise output and keep markets well-supplied.

European Voice quotes the European Union statistics office saying Luxembourg is by far the richest country in the European Union, with Ireland second. Bulgaria is the poorest.

The International Heald Tribune says police across Europe have broken up a major Iraqi-run human trafficking network. European officials said that a police sweep in nine countries netted 75 people alleged to be involved in the smuggling of illegal immigrants.

Manila Times reports that hopes are fading of finding more survivors after a ferry with 862 people on board sank in furious seas and high winds on Saturday in the Philippines.

The Jerusalem Globe says the Israeli Labour Party will back a motion to dissolve parliament, in a move that could bring down Ehud Olmert's government.

Dnevnik reports that a 56-year-old Macedonian journalist, charged with murdering two women in crimes that he had reported on, has been found dead with his head in a bucket of water in the cell where he was held on remand.

Asian Age says several hundred homosexuals plan to march in the Indian cities of Delhi, Calcutta and Bangalore next Sunday in the biggest display of gay pride in a conservative country where same-sex relationships are illegal.

New York Post says British singer Boy George has been denied a visa to enter the US, cancelling the singer's tour plans for this summer because he is awaiting trial in London.