Malta and international press digest

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

The Times says the government is taking a fresh look at Renzo Piano’s designs for the rebuilding of City Gate.

The Malta Independent reports Labour leader Joseph Muscat telling party delegates that Labour has to be the force of change. It also reports that Dr Gonzi has invited Dr Muscat for talks on a new Data Protection Commissioner and capital projects, including City Gate.

l-orizzont leads with the first marriage officiated by a Mayor. The marriage, between a Gozitan bridge and a Libyan groom, was officiated by Mayor Noel Formosa in San Lawrenz, Gozo. The newspaper also reports comments by Dr Muscat that the new power tariffs are equivalent to a surcharge of 185%.

In-Nazzjon reports that a new factory will be set up in Gozo to produce credit cards. It also reports comments by the Prime Minister that the budget has allocated €320m for capital projects and job creation.

The Press in Britain…

The Independent says the attacks in Mumbai are escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, both of whom have nuclear weapons.

According to The Daily Telegraph, MPs are threatening to disrupt this week's state opening of Parliament in protest at the arrest of frontbencher Damian Green.

The Times says that during lengthy questioning, the police accused Mr Green of encouraging a young civil servant to leak sensitive information.

The Daily Mail claims the Home Secretary knew of Mr Green's arrest in advance

The Daily Express reports motorists are about to be hit by a stealth tax on petrol which would cancel out the reduction in the VAT rate.

The Sun says a damning report will prove four Haringey social workers 'betrayed' Baby P - and demands their resignations.

The Daily Mirror leads on the alleged affair of television chef Gordon Ramsay and talks of his rage as “mistress makes shock claims”.

The Scotsman says home reports, being launched in Scotland for all house sales, are like a new poll tax.

The Financial Times claims the Royal Bank of Scotland is to give at least six months' breathing space to homeowners who fall behind with mortgage payments.

The Herald says cases of a 'super flu' that is resistant to one of the most common anti-viral treatments have been detected in Scotland.

And elsewhere…

On the eve of the resumption of talks on a new EU-Russia partnership deal, Der Tagesspiegel quotes President Saakashvili of Georgia warning the EU not to make too many concessions.

Adevarul says early exit polls show Romania's left-wing opposition Social Democrat Party (PSD) has won Sunday's general election with 36 percent of the vote.

Gazeta Polska says delegates are pouring into Poznan for a new round of international climate change talks as part of a UN process which is aimed at getting a new deal next year in Copenhagen.

Tages-Anzeiger says Swiss voters have given overwhelming support to a programme that distributes heroin to hard core addicts while rejecting a proposition to de-criminalise cannabis for personal consumption. The nationwide referendum put to poll the government's 4 pillar drug policy that promotes prevention, harm reduction, therapy and repression.

The Times of India announces the government’s creation of a federal counter-terrorism agency and has agreed to work closely with international organisations to counter terrorist threats. The Indian government has blamed "elements in Pakistan," and security sources say they believe most if not all the gunmen were Pakistani. Pakistan has denied any links with the attacks. Earlier on Sunday India's Home Minister and National security chief announced their resignations.

Voice of Nigeria says government troops have moved into the city of Jos to try and maintain the tense calm following two days of sectarian violence between Muslims and Christians.

Zimbabwe’s Herald quotes health authorities saying 425 people have died in a cholera outbreak.

World AIDS Day is being marked around the world today with organisers calling on governments to follow through on promises of universal treatment, prevention, care and support.

The Gulf Times reports that Germany has agreed to forgive €40 million of Pakistan's debt in exchange for an agreement from the government to pour half the money into health programmes.

The Jerusalem Post reports Israel's cabinet has agreed to release 250 Palestinian prisoners in a bid to boost support for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Shipping Times says Somali pirates have reached a deal with the owners of a Ukrainian ship carrying military hardware to release the vessel. Gunmen captured the MV Faina on September 24 with its cargo of tanks, grenade launchers and ammunition, and demanded $20 million in ransom.

The Washington Post says the US space shuttle Endeavour has landed at Edwards Air Force Base in California. It returnied to Earth after a 12-day visit to give the international space station better living quarters for bigger crews.