Malta and international press digest

The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press today:

The Times features a picture of Lady GaGa during the Isle of MTV concert. It carries a report by EU experts saying health care and tertiary education reforms can save Malta millions of euro. It also quotes Prime Minister Gonzi saying the government is seeking the right system for public calls for the filling of top posts in the public service.

l-orizzont’s lead asks if the permit for the Mistra permit has been withdrawn. The MEPA board is to meet this morning to consider the issue. It also reports the publication of the GWU’s report on the future of the dockyard.

In-Nazzjon leads with the release of Maltese oil worker George Scerri, who was held by Nigerian captors for 33 days in the jungle. It also carries a large picture of the crowd at the Isle of MTC concert.

The Malta Indepedent’s front page focuses on the kidnapped worker’s release and the Isle of MTV concert. Inside, it reports, among other things, the launching of the Budget 2009 website by the government.

The Press in Britain…

The Times says former South Africa president Nelson Mandela has condemned the actions of Zimbabwe's leader Robert Mugabe, and called Zimbabwe's political crisis a tragic failure of leadership

According to the Daily Express, white men could be blocked from jobs and promotions under a so-called equality drive that will be unveiled by Labour.

The Daily Mail reports firms are to be encouraged to discriminate in favour of women and black job candidates.

The Sun has an interview with a former Broadmoor inmate who has been let out despite reportedly being a 'danger to women'.

The Guardian says all women could soon be offered a genetic test which would tell them if they were likely or unlikely to contract breast cancer.

The Daily Telegraph claims a quarter of the adult population faces an 'anti-paedophile' test in an escalation of child protection policies.

The Daily Mirror pictures Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo with his girlfriend as he 'agonises' over his football future.

Metro leads with a new report claiming one in five gays and lesbians have been the victim of a hate crime or incident in the past three years.

The Financial Times claims Qatari investors are set to own up to 10% of Barclays after the bank called on groups from the Middle East and Asia to support its share issue.

And elsewhere…

The International Herald Tribune reports that London's High Court has rejected a legal bid to force the British government to hold a referendum on the European Union's Lisbon Treaty.

Ha’aretz lads with Israel’s closure of border crossings into the Gaza Strip following Tuesday's rocket attacks into southern Israel. Islamic Jihad militants claimed responsibility for firing at least two rockets.

The Jerusalem Post says Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has averted a split in the ruling coalition by striking a deal with the Labour leader, Defence Minister Ehud Barak who agreed not to support the right-wing opposition's proposed motion to dissolve parliament.

Austria’s Kurier reports that UN nuclear investigators say their initial probe of a suspected Syrian nuclear site has proved inconclusive.

Wall Street Journal reports the US Federal Reserve has left interest rates at two percent after consecutive rises over the past 10 months.

Myanmar Times reports the police in Yangoon have arrested a woman protester calling for the release of political prisoners, including detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Kentucky Standard says a factory worker shot four of his colleagues before killing himself. The shootings came after the man had an argument with his supervisor at Atlantis Plastics.

The Irish Times reports a 13-year-old schoolboy made his first-ever court appearance yesterday to face drug dealing allegations after his arrest for possessing nearly €1,000 worth of crack-cocaine, heroin and cannabis resin.

German newspapers are ecstatic after their team reached the finals of Euro 2008 after a dramatic semi-final against Turkey in Basel. The lead changed hands twice in a nerve-wracking game, and it was left to Philipp Lahm to seal the win with an 89th minute goal. Spain meet Russia in the other semi-final match in Vienna today. The final takes place on Sunday.