Malta and international press digest

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

The Times says that 11 unions have requested their members and families not to rush to pay their water and electricity bills. It says that the consortium MIDI has announced a bond issue to the equivalent of €30 million.

The Independent says that the Prime Minister has been given a week in which to meet unions. It says that a man is in a critical condition after he was found unconscious and reports on the situation in Gaza.

In-Nazzjon has a story on the New Year sales, reporting the head of the Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises saying that those who had responded to the challenges presented had done well. It also reports on MIDI’s bond issue.

l-Orizzont focuses on the ultimatum 11 unions have given the government.

Il-gens Illum says that €520,000 have been collected in a charity marathon in aid of the Dar tal-Providenza and reports that in spite of an increase in passengers, Air Malta has ended its financial year with losses.

Lehen is-Sewwa reports a speech by the Pope in which he speaks on the ecology of man and says that a number of members of the European Parliament have set up a pro-life group.

The Press in Britain

The Times reports that Chancellor Alistair Darling is weighing-up whether to pump more millions into the beleaguered economy amid concerns the first bank bailout hasn't kept credit flowing.

The Daily Telegraph reports bad news for savers as the Bank of England gets ready to announce a record low level interest rate.

The Financial Times says Britain's leading banks have reduced their interest rate on savings accounts by one per cent over the holidays.

The Guardian says a Bank of England survey reveals it and Downing Street are far from seeing eye to eye regarding economic policy.

The Daily Mail reports that an NHS spending review has revealed agency nurses are paid up to £128 an hour.

The Independent heralds the success of a British clinic in boosting the success rate of fertility treatment using frozen embryos.

The Daily Express quotes a new report which reveals that the government's performance on immigration over the past decade has been criticised by Britain's white working class.

The Daily Star celebrates the return of Celebrity Big Brother, this year starring the diminutive Austin Powers star Verne Troyer, with a front page splash.

And elsewhere…

In a pre-recorded statement broadcast on al-Jazeera TV, Hamas leader-in-exile Khaled Meshaal has warned Israel that it would face a "black destiny" if it launched a ground offensive on Gaza.

Jerusalem Post says Israel kept up attacks for a sixth day but has agreed to allow hundreds of Palestinians with foreign passports to leave besieged Gaza.

The International Herald Tribune reports large-scale demonstrations have been held in the Middle East, Asia and Europe to protest against Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip.

Al-Quds al-Arabi says the UN has warned that Israel's ongoing military offensive in Gaza is causing a serious health and food crisis despite an increase in humanitarian shipments EU Observer says the EU’s Czech presidency has demanded the "immediate resumption" of full gas deliveries to EU member states, following drops in pressure recorded in Poland and Hungary, due to Russia's dispute with Ukraine.

De Standaard reports that the Belgian parliament has given the government of new Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy a vote of confidence.

South Asia Media Net says Sri Lankan government troops have captured the de facto capital of the Tamil Tiger rebels in the north of the country, after months of fighting.

Az-Zaman reports that a suicide bomber who sneaked into a gathering at the home of a tribal leader south of Baghdad killed 30 people and wounded 110 others. The Zimbabwean reports a judge has ruled that a human rights campaigner and 31 other people accused of plotting to oust President Robert Mugabe should remain in custody.

New Strait Times says a Roman Catholic paper banned from using the Malay language said it may take the government to court.

Variety says John Travolta's teenage son has died at the actor's holiday home in the Caribbean.

Diario says a Portuguese woman who was thought to be the world's oldest person has died at the age of 115. Kurier says runaway horses have taken a woman and her two small daughters on a wild ride through Vienna, leaving the drunken coachman far behind.