Malta and international press digest

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

The Times leads with the MEPA workers’ health scare because of a pungent smell at Hexagon House, where the MEPA environment section is located. It also reports that a 63-year-old worker died in a fall yesterday.

The Malta Independent gives prominence to the suspended sentence handed to a footballer and a coach after they admitted attempted bribery. It also quotes Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt saying the Opposition and the trade unions had not contributed to the revision of the utility tariffs.

MaltaToday says Spring hunting has ended for ever

l-orizzont says there are major discrepancies in the costs to Malta of EU membership. It also reports that minister Austin Gatt yesterday attacked the GWU on the electricity tariffs.

In-Nazzjon says the reduction in the power tariffs is a reflection of basic principles. It also reports that another group of 35 refugees have left for a new life in the United States.

The Press in Britain

The Times quotes British government officials saying an attack on Britain involving chemical, nuclear or biological weapons was "more realistic" because of the theft of bomb materials.

The Daily Telegraph says the Bank of England has told Gordon Brown that Britain cannot afford further tax cuts or spending rises due to the state of government finances.

The Financial Times reports the bank has warned the government it could not afford a second fiscal stimulus in next month's Budget. The Daily Mail claims ministers have severed links with Britain's leading Muslim group in a blazing row over extremism.

The Daily Express leads with a study that claims eating oily fish once a week could help men survive prostate cancer.

The Guardian reports that blogging and Twittering could soon replace traditional subjects such as WWII and Victoria history on the curriculum at primary schools.

The Independent claims millions of Britons who use social networking sites could soon have their every move monitored by the state and saved on a "Big Brother" database.

The Scotsman reports the number of teachers in Scotland's classrooms has fallen by almost 1,000 in a year.

The Daily Mirror leads with the gruesome tale of the British yachtsman murdered by pirates in Thailand in a botched robbery attempt. It also writes about Jack Tweed’s grief for the loss of his wife Jade Goody.

The Sun splashes on Jack’s promise to be a good stepfather to Jade’s two young sons.

According to the Daily Star, Jade has left grieving Jack nothing in her will. It stipulates £2 million cash go to each of her sons, and sums of money to Indian orphans and cancer charities.

And elsewhere…

Noviny says the Czech Republic's three-party coalition government has lost a parliamentary no confidence vote, partly due to its handling of the economic crisis, and must step down.

The Washington Times reports President Barack Obama has said progress to beat the downturn was being made, but economic recovery would take time.

The International Herald Tribune quotes leading British charity War on Want warning that millions of people in developing countries will lose their jobs under free trade plans which will be promoted at next week's G20 summit in London.

Ha’aretz says Israel's Labour Party has voted to join the incoming government of Benjamin Netanyahu.

Mail &Guardian announces that a peace conference of Nobel laureates due in South Africa on Friday has been postponed by its organisers after Tibet's spiritual leader was denied a visa.

The Irish Independent says an Irish trading company has been charged with sending helicopter engines and other aircraft parts to Iran to companies involved in the country’s alleged nuclear and ballistic missile programme.

O Globo reports a shootout between Brazilian police and Rio de Janeiro gang members has left five suspects dead near the famed Copacabana beach.

East African Standard says that Kenya's most famous animals are fleeing as thousands of firefighters battle flames in four national parks.

Jakarta Post reports that two Komodo dragons killed a man picking fruit in eastern Indonesia – the latest in a string of attacks on humans.

Times of India says that a 16-year-old Muslim girl has been burned to death at her home in an "honour killing". Four neighbours allegedly set the girl alight after they suspected her of having a relationship with a boy who visited her frequently when her father was away.