Malta and international press digest

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

The Times says the government is sticking to its projection to end the year with a budget deficit of some €68 million despite the fact that during the first seven months of this year, the deficit soared to €283 million –36 per cent higher than the figure for the same period last year.

The Malta Independent reports that the Maltese Episcopal Conference yesterday urged the two sides in the Malta Shipyards negotiations “to reach an agreement that ensures the common good while respecting the dignity of every worker and their families”.

In-Nazzjon leads with the first meeting of the core group of the newly-formed Malta-EU Steering and Action Committee (Meusac).

l-orizzont reports a police setback in the investigations into the hold-up of Prof. Anthony Zammit on August 12: the CCTV cameras’ films are either too little or cloudy.

The Press in Britain…

In an interview with The Guardian, Chancellor Alistain Darling said Britain is facing its worst economic downturn for 60 years, and predicts it will be more profound than people think.

The Daily Telegraph says the economic slump will be more long-lasting than people think.

The Times reports on the appointment of Sarah Palin, the youngest and first female governor of Alaska, as John McCain's running mate. She is known as an anti-corruption crusader, an opponent of abortion rights and a member of the National Rifle Association.

The Financial Times says the “hockey mum” Ms Palin is virtually unknown outside Alaska, where she has a reputation for government reform.

The Sun says McCain stunned rival Barack Obama by picking a beauty queen as his running mate.

The Daily Express says that the glamorous 44-year-old mum could steal the show from Obama but leads with the disconcerting news that Britain will be lashed by 10 days of rain in just 24 hours as the miserable summer ends with a bang.

The Daily Mirror quotes Gary Glitter's only remaining friend, Gordon Buchanan, admitting the pop pervert needs to be locked up.

The Daily Mail reports that councils are recruiting 'citizen snoopers' to report litter louts, dog foulers and people who fail to sort out rubbish.

And elsewhere…

In an interview with German public broadcaster ARD, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has appealed to the European Union to be objective at its Monday summit, which will discuss the crisis in Georgia. He reiterated his pledge to allow European monitors into the region once security was guaranteed.

The French Newropeans Magazine says Poland, Latvia and Estonia are pushing for EU sanctions against Russia over its crisis with Georgia, but the French EU presidency said the issue will not be decided at the Brussels summit.

Pravda reports that Georgia and Russia cut direct diplomatic ties in a tit-for-tat political feud.

Gazeta Polska reports Poland’s prime minister Donald Tusk has sought to reassure worried residents of the city of Slupsk, near the site of the former Polish air base in Redzikowo, that a planned US missile defence base would make their city and the country as a whole more secure, despite threats from an angry Russia. Angry residents accused Tusk of having condemned the city of 100,000 inhabitants to “annihilation like Hiroshima and Nagasaki.”

Haagsche Courant leads with the the trial of former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic at the Hague. He refused to enter pleas on any of the 11 charges against him and the court entered not guilty pleas on all counts on his behalf.

La Nacion says tropical storm Gustav has strengthened to hurricane status as it heads for Cuba. Up to 78 people died as it battered its way across the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Jamaica.

Thairath reports that police have used tear gas to disperse several thousand anti-government protesters who tried to storm Bangkok police headquarters.

Globe and Mail says power-sharing talks between Zimbabwe's ruling party and the opposition have resumed in South Africa, more than two weeks after they stalled due to a deadlock

Kathimerini reports a priceless gold wreath has been unearthed in Aigai, Greece, buried with human bones in a large copper vase that workers initially took for a landmine.

El Universal says the Mexican parliament has approved a law which allows transsexuals and transgendered people to legally change their names and get birth certificates in line with their new sexual identity.

Dayton Daily News reports that a 28-year-old mother has been found guilty of killing her baby by burning her to death in a microwave following a fight with her boyfriend in 2005. Jurors in Dayton, Ohio, who found China Arnold guilty of aggravated murder, will return to the court on Tuesday to consider whether Arnold will face the death penalty.

Salt Lake Tribune says animal rights activists in Salt Lake City have broken into a mink farm and released hundreds of the animals.

Variety quotes singer Michael Jackson revealing he celebrated his 50th birthday eating cake and watching cartoons. It also reports that hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs has said he will now fly on commercial airlines instead of private jets because of soaring fuel prices.

On the eve of the opening of the 2008 Beijing Paralymics, Sydney Morning Herald reveals China isn’t the only country to fake a musical performance during an Olympic opening ceremony. Eight years after Sydney hosted the games, officials with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra acknowledged their stirring performance at the 2000 opening ceremony was entirely pre-recorded. Some of the music was also recorded by the orchestra of Sydney’s rival city, Melbourne.