The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press:
The Times leads with the Bank of Valletta financial results, saying that despite seeing a drop in profits, a conservative stance had paid dividends. It also reports that Finance Minister Tonio Fenech had no word yesterday over whether the Budget would feature tax cuts.
The Malta Independent highlights the consultation document for the liberalisation of unscheduled transport services.
l-orizzont says Bank of Valletta has registered a 60% drop in profits. It also reports that Hetronic Malta Ltd is to go on a 30-hour week.
In-Nazzjon says Monday’s Budget will focus on economic and social development.
The Press in Britain…
The Guardian leads with Royal Bank of Scotland signalling it is preparing big bonuses for staff despite pay cuts in the City. It also tells how Barack Obama is raising the aspirations of a generation.
The Independent examines the mood of America. It looks at whether or not Barack Obama can defeat John McCain and if the nation would be ready for it.
The Times previews David Miliband's trip to the Congo to attempt to resolve the humanitarian crisis and reports a wave of new recruits are joining the Armed Forces.
The Daily Telegraph says the commander of SAS troops in Afghanistan has resigned in disgust. It came after his warning that 'Snatch' 4x4s were too dangerous was ignored - leading to the deaths of four of his soldiers.
The Daily Express' campaign to slash the cost of motoring gets a boost as Prime Minister Gordon Brown joins the crusade.
The Daily Mail reveals that more than half of town halls are using anti-terror laws to spy on people who put their rubbish out on the wrong day. And chef Rick Stein's ex-wife tells why she slapped the woman who stole him from her.
And elsewhere…
L’Observateur reports the EU has decided against a possible deployment to Congo in favour of diplomatic solutions.
Pakistan Times says a pilotless airstrike carried out by a US drone on Pakistan's border with Afghanistan has resulted in the deaths of some 20 people.
Kommersant leads with Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi’s three-day visit to Moscow for talks expected to focus on arms purchases and nuclear energy.
Meanwhile, The Washington Post confirms Libya has paid $1.5bn into a US fund to compensate families of Libyan-linked terrorist attacks in the 1980s
Times of Zambia says that with nearly two-thirds of the votes in Zambia’s presidential election counted Opposition candidate Michael Sata has 41 percent of the vote compared to 37 percent for acting president Rupiah Banda.
USA Today quotes US presidential candidate Barack Obama calling for a "new politics for a new time" as he suggested his campaign was taking the moral high road to the White House.
Melbourne’s New Australian says a German doctor, hoping to gain permanent residency in Australia, has said he will fight an immigration department decision denying his application because his 13-year-old son has Down syndrome.
Oregon Herald reports that a Delta baggage worker got the fright of her life when she opened a jetliner’s cargo door and found a cheetah running loose amid the luggage.
Pakistan Observer says a wedding between a seven-year-old girl and boy of five was stopped by police in Karachi. Officers arrested the Muslim cleric officiating at the ceremony and the children’s parents. The parents said the wedding had been arranged to end an eight-year feud between the two families.