Malta and international press digest

These are the main headlines of the local and international newspapers.

The Sunday Times quotes prison inmates alleging that Leli Camilleri, known as Il-Bully, runs the show at the Corradino facility, acting as an intermediary to help obtain things that they are entitled to. In a second lead, the newspaper says that Parliamentary Secretary for Sports Clyde Puli spent 16 days in Beijing watching the Olympics on a trip that cost the taxpayer €7,728.

The Malta Independent on Sunday says Mepa’s heritage board is against digging up Valletta… and that St John’s Foundation has reported illegal excavations in small shops.

According to Malta Today, Social Policy Minister John Dalli has gagged the head of the genitor-urinary clinic at Boffa Hospital, Dr Philip Carabott, from talking to the press. Dr Carabott is an outspoken advocate for a national policy on sexual health.

Il-Mument claims that the appointment of James Piscopo as the Labour Paty’s CEO was the choice of former leader Alfred Sant. The paper says this was yet another move to strengthen Sant’s team in the party.

Illum trials the political life of Sharon Ellul Bonici – from a Eurosceptic to a prospective Labour candidate for the European Parliament elections next year.

it-torċa looks at the sufferings of the families affected by the Naxxar fireworks explosion four months ago in the light of the preparations for the village’s festa.

KullĦadd claims Labour leader Joseph Muscat’s proposal to lower the voting age for the local council elections to 16 has gathered European support. In another story, it says that Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando has told a CPA conference that for any MP to be exonorated from corruption allegations, he ought to pass through the judiciary system.

The Press in Britain…

The Observer says Gordon Brown is under increasing pressure to impose a windfall tax on energy companies to help people meet the cost of fuel bills. David Beckham and Leona Lewis are shown as they prepare to take part in the Olympic handover ceremony.

The Mail on Sunday has "an uplifting interview" with double Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington but leads with the news that a team of private investigators working on the Madeleine McCann case has been axed after being paid £500,000 from publicly-donated funds.

The Independent on Sunday focuses on the London 2012 Olympics and says officials overseeing the building of London's Olympic venues were condemned after awarding contracts to firms which gave them hospitality.

The Sunday Express claims Britain's Olympic heroes could be forced to compete under the European flag at London 2012 as the Young European Federalists said the 27 EU states would have a far greater chance of topping the medals table if they competed under a single banner.

Scotland on Sunday says that having seen off the world in Beijing, British cyclists have set themselves an even tougher target - winning the Tour de France.

The Sunday Times pictures Joe Biden with his wife Jill, after he was named as Barack Obama's running mate, saying the US presidential election had entered a new phase.

The Sunday Telegraph reports that two senior Conservatives have called on David Cameron to commit the party to big tax and spending cuts.

The Sunday Mirror says Boris Johnson delivered another blow to David Cameron, saying it would be a "privilege" to be prime minister.

The Sunday Mail reports that hundreds of Scottish police are calling in sick every day - costing taxpayers at least £23m a year.

According to The Sunday Herald, an international criminal gang has pulled off one of the most audacious cyber crimes ever and stolen the identities of eight million people.

The News of the World claims professional dancers on BBC show “Strictly Come Dancing” are paid almost the minimum wage and are made to strip in front of each other.

And elsewhere…

Le Monde says that during a telephone conversation, President Sarkozy called on President Medvedev to withdraw his country's forces from a road linking key Georgian cities.

Earlier, Pravda quoted a top Russian general saying his country's troops would maintain positions in a "security zone" within Georgia, and would patrol the Black Sea port of Poti, which lies outside the zone.

The International Herald Tribune reports that US Democratic presidential hopeful, Barack Obama, has made his first joint appearance with his choice of vice presidential running mate, Senator Joe Biden.

El Pais says the death toll from Wednesday's plane crash at Madrid airport has risen to 154, following the death of a badly burnt 31-year-old woman.

Times of Zambia reports that thousands of Zambians have been mourning the death of President Levy Mwanawasa, as his body was flown in from Paris, where he died last Tuesday following treatment for a stroke he suffered in Egypt.

Al Jezeera says two boats carrying dozens of Western activists have sailed into the Gaza Strip, receiving a warm welcome from thousands of jubilant Palestinians