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

The Times leads with a Europe-wide survey which found that Malta has a high rate of teenage pregnancies. It also carries a story on flooding and damage caused by a storm yesterday.

In-Nazzjon carries a picture of fishing boats in choppy waters at Marsaxlokk yesterday. In its main story, it says that Malta agrees with concessions made to Ireland ahead of the holding of a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. It also carries a statement by the UHM accusing other unions of coming up with excuses not to back the agreement on the utility tariffs.

l-orizzont says that dockyard workers have held a silent protest over non-payment of a loyalty bonus. It also says that the PN has launched systematic attacks on the MUMN, the nurses’ union.

The Malta Independent says Malta has a chance of getting the sixth seat in the European Parliament early. It also report that Roads Minister Austin Gatt has proposed three routes for the planned Ghadira Road; and that hoteliers have expressed concern over a storm in the tourism industry.

The Press in Britain…

A German attack on Gordon Brown has plunged London and Berlin into a bitter diplomatic row. The Daily Mail says British Prime Minister Gordon Brown was publicly slated for his handling of the recession in an extraordinary outburst by a senior aide to Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The Independent also reports on the spat over how to deal with the world financial crisis. It says Mr Brown is on the defensive as he is accused of crassness in his handling of the British economy.

While politicians were arguing, sterling was continuing to tumble on the currency markets. The Financial Times reports it was joined by the dollar as traders pulled back from the two currencies.

The Daily Telegraph quotes Tory leader David Cameron saying savers are the 'forgotten victims' of the current financial crisis and pledged to help them if the Conservatives win the next election.

According to The Guardian, Britain is refusing to take part in a proposed European armed intervention in eastern Congo despite a growing clamour for an EU force.

The Daily Express reports goods were flying off the shelves at Woolworths yesterday Britain went bargain crazy. The high street chain has launched a closing down sale after going into administration.

Figures in The Herald reveal that an astonishing 45,000 pupils are absent from primary and secondary schools across Scotland every day, with nearly 6,000 playing truant.

The Daily Mirror says several al Qaeda suspects have been arrested ahead of the EU summit in Brussels amid fears they were going to attack politicians.

The Daily Record reports a vicious thug murdered his lover by stamping on her head and strangling her – because she called him "honey bunny".

The Sun reports that a child sex pervert was brutally stabbed to death by a mob.

And elsewhere…

European newspapers lead with the EU leaders’ meeting in Brussels for a two-day summit to discuss the bloc's €200 billion rescue plan and a climate-energy package. There are growing fears that the EU's climate deal could unravel as the bloc slides into recession. Germany, Italy and some East European countries have warned they will block any agreement that threatens jobs or industry at a time of economic crisis.

The Irish Times reports that the Irish government has agreed to hold a new referendum on the stalled Lisbon Treaty after EU leaders issued a series of concessions, including the right to maintain a commissioner in the EU Commission. The re-run is expected to be held in autumn next year.

Dawn reports that Pakistani police have placed under house arrest the leaders of a charity linked to the militant group suspected in last month's attacks in Mumbai.

The Wall Street Journal leads with Bank of America’s plans to cut between 30,000 and 35,000 jobs over three years after it completes its purchase of Merrill Lynch. The cuts could affect about 11 percent of the combined companies' workforce.

South Africa’s Mail & Guardian says the border with Zimbabwe has been declared a disaster area because of the surge of Zimbabweans fleeing a cholera epidemic.

According to Expresso, Portugal has offered to accept detainees from the US military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, who cannot return to their home countries.

Kathemerini reports that for the sixth day running, police clashed with demonstrators and young people in Athens and Thessaloniki. Riots erupted on the weekend after a police shot and killed teenage student.

Tages Anzeiger says Switzerland has scrapping all land border controls as it joined the European border-free Schengen area

O Globo reports the Brazilian government is offering tax breaks and business credit lines of up to €6.5bn annually to buffer its economy from the global meltdown.

According to Beverly Hills Courier, a man accused of showing up at Tom Cruise's home several times has been ordered by a judge to stay away from the actor. And Variety reports that the light sabre used by Luke Skywalker in “Star Wars” has sold for more than £130,000 at an auction.

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