Malta and international press digest

The following are the top stories in the Maltese and international press today:

The Times welcomes 2009 with a large photograph of fireworks on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and opera house. It also has a story on trapping in 2009.

Other photos of celebrations in Australia can be found on the front pages of The Independent and in-Nazzjon.

The Independent asks if this year will see the end of conventional plastic bags and in another story says that the world is bidding a rocky year “adieu”.

In-Nazzjon says that the euro will remain the most important coin until 2010.

l-Orizzont leads with a message from the president of the General Workers’ Union and discusses an Italian plan for common strategy on immigration.

The Press in Britain

The Guardian says Israel's bombardment of Gaza will continue but cracks are showing among the Israeli leadership over the course of the engagement. The Times reveals that Britain is prepared to take in inmates from Guantanamo Bay so that US President-elect Barack Obama can close down the controversial prison camp for suspected terrorists.

The Daily Mail reports that as the NHS is being swamped by flu sufferers, doctors are urging flu victims to stay at home rather than go to the doctor.

The Daily Telegraph claims that the government is considering forcing all adults to take out private insurance to cover the cost of their care in old age.

According to the Daily Express, fruit and vegetable prices in the UK will soar in 2009 because European farmers are shunning the plunging pound.

The Scotsman reveals that HBOS’ share price over the year fell by a record 90 per cent.

The Sun says a mum spent her "last £5" on a Lottery ticket and won a £1m.

And elsewhere…

World TV and radio stations report a UN Security Council debate on Israel's air offensive on the Gaza Strip has ended without a vote on a draft resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire. Diplomats said negotiations would be held in coming days to try to reach an agreed text. Western delegates described the resolution, which was presented by Libya, as unbalanced in its current form.

The Jerusalem Post says the Israeli government has rejected calls to a 48-hour cease-fire and said it would push ahead with its air, sea and ultimately ground operation.

The New York Times says that during the five days of combat, Israeli warplanes have been destroying buildings once considered off limits, including mosques and government and university compounds, with officials asserting that rocket launchers and ammunition were made, stored and even operated from there.

Pravda says Russia is set to cut the flow of natural gas to Ukraine later today after talks aimed at resolving a dispute over price and unpaid debts broke down.

Bangkok Post quotes rescue workers saying some 60 New Year's revellers have died in a fire that swept through the popular Santika nightclub in the Thai capital

Il Tempo reports the Pope has called for "sobriety and solidarity" in 2009 as the world struggles with economic and social woes. During a New Year's Eve service at the Vatican, he described these times as being "marked by uncertainty" but told the faithful not to be afraid and urged governments to help those in difficulty.

Iceland’s Stundir says a nationally televised meeting between Iceland's prime minister and other political leaders has been forced off the air by angry protesters.

Slovakia Globe leads with the fact that the country has become the 16th EU-member state to adopt the euro the bloc's common currency beating bigger east European nations like Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic into the Eurozone.

El Pais says a large car bomb has exploded in the city of Bilbao in northern Spain.

Jamaica Observer announces the death of Vincent Ford credited with writing the Bob Marley classic “No Woman, No Cry”.