Malta and international press digest

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

The Sunday Times says Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici yesterday picked up the Gaddafi prize for human rights awarded to his predecessor at Castille, Dom Mintoff. The newspaper also reports that licences have been issued to two companies to import and distribute fuel in Malta, competing directly with Enemalta.

The Malta Independent on Sunday reports that Malta is said to have large oil reserves in territory bordering the maritime border with Libya. It also says that a Constitutional Court case is threatening the privatisation of Enemalta's gas division.

MaltaToday says George Abela has backed out from contesting the European Parliament elections. It also reports that asbestos has been found at Gozo general hospital.

Illum says that in what could be the worse recession in 80 years, economists are warning it would be crazy to raise the utility rates. The government, however, has not commented on calls by the MCESD to postpone its decision.

Il-Mument says MLP general secretary Jason Micallef has strengthened his position within the party section committees. It also says that the Budget targets are expected to be reached.

KullHadd reports that importers are refusing to adjust the prices of medicines, despite being officially told to do so, and there is a lack of political will to enforce the price check mechanism.

It-Torca says there is an educational crisis in Cottonera. It also asks if the government has shelved its tax reform plans.

The Press in Britain…

The Times says banks and credit card companies are exploiting obscure legal powers to seize the homes of thousands of people who cannot pay their credit card bills.

The Independent on Sunday claims Business Secretary Peter Mandelson’s last act as European Trade Commissioner was to advocate new trade rules that will directly benefit the Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska.

And The Sunday Telegraph adds Lord Mandelson has been under growing pressure to come clean over his full links to Mr Deripaska.

The Observer leads on how the Conservative Party is facing demands to repay a huge loan from a member of the Rothschild banking family made through a company set up with the sole purpose of protecting her anonymity.

The Sunday Express claims taxpayers are bankrolling an "invisible army of civil servants" in Whitehall who have no jobs but still draw a salary.

According to the Sunday Mirror, Guy Ritchie has warned his estranged wife, pop singer Madonna, to “stop making a fool of me over our divorce”.

The Mail on Sunday reports the BBC could face prosecution over “obscene phone calls“ that Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand made to 78-year-old Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs.

And elsewhere…

Jerusalem Post says Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni is expected to ask President Shimon Peres to call an early parliamentary elections after her efforts to form a coalition government failed.

Asia Times reports from Beijing that Asian and European Union leaders have wrapped up two days of talks focusing on the global financial crisis. The 40-member Asia-Europe Meeting issued a statement committing themselves to an overhaul of the international financial system.

Meanwhile The New York Times quotes UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warning that the world's poorest nations need help. He said the global credit crunch was threatening to roll back progress towards eradicating poverty.

The Washington Times says President Bush has advocated that despite diving stock markets and fears of global recession, now is not the time for nations to abandon open market policies or approve changes that would threaten free enterprise.

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reports the executive board of the International Monetary Fund has found that its managing director, Dominique Strauss-Kahn did not abuse his authority in an extramarital affair with a subordinate.

Yemen Times reports severe flooding in the south-east of the country has left at least 50 people dead.

Irrawaddy reports that a court in military-ruled Burma has handed down prison sentences, ranging from two to 13 years, to six opposition party members who were arrested after last year’s pro-democracy demonstrations.

The Sunday Mail quotes Zimbabwe's opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, saying he will not bow to pressure to sign a deal with President Robert Mugabe.

La Tribune reports French President Nicolas Sarkozy has threatened to sue a publishing company which has produced a "voodoo doll" bearing his image. The doll bears a number of controversial quotes from Mr Sarkozy, and a set of pins to stick in the offending remarks. But a spokesman for the president said Mr Sarkozy has "exclusive and absolute rights" over the use of his own image.

El Pais says a single lightning bolt has killed 52 cows after they had pressed against a wire fence during a storm in the northern state of San Jose. Veterinarians told the newspaper that cows often crowd around fences to seek protection during storms.