Malta and international press digest

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

The Times says the GO group is expected to reduce its workforce by 360 in the short term and is urging workers to take up early retirement schemes. It also reports that at least one MEPA worker was hospitalised overnight for treatment following the presence of gas at Hexagon House. The newspaper today carries the first edition of a monthly heritage magazine.

The Malta Independent reports how a hospital consultant, Philip Carabot, has expressed disagreement with a Church campaign against condom use. It also reports Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt’s press conference on the power tariffs and the restoration of an old chapel in Kalkara.

l-orizzont leads with a warning given to a woman in court yesterday that her drug-taking could cause her the loss of custody of her infant child. In another story is reports how Joe Mifsud was yesterday elected vice-president of UEFA.

In-Nazzjon leads with a pilot project in the Orthopaedic ward at Mater Dei Hospital aimed at reducing waiting lists. It also reports that Tony Blair, the former British Prime Minister, is expected in Malta in May for a EuroMed seminar, and that those who save electricity most can save between 26% and 29% on their bills under the new tariffs.

The Press in the UK

The Daily Mail reveals that abortion clinics are to be allowed to advertise on television and radio for the first time.

The Independent adds that the promotions will be approved under the biggest shake-up of advertising rules for 50 years.

The Guardian leads on how Gordon Brown backed away from plans for a recession-busting spending spree in next month's budget after City investors delivered a stern message about the health of public finances by shunning a sale of government debts for the first time since 2002.

The Daily Telegraph continues to report that fears are growing on the financial markets that Britain may not be able to repay the billions of pounds in debt it is amassing to rescue banks and revive the economy.

The Times reports that plans to build hundreds of wind farms were thrown into disarray after the world's biggest investor in wind power said it was slashing its investment programme in Britain.

The Daily Express reports that a British charity has been accused of funding a training camp and arms factory for Islamic militants.

The Daily Mirror claims ‘This Morning’ presenter Fern Britton quit the TV show because she was fed up of playing second fiddle to co-host Phillip Schofield.

The Daily Star claims the grieving husband of Jade Goody is set to "pocket a fortune with an explosive book" about the Big Brother star.

And elsewhere…

The Washington Post reports that the The US has warned that North Korea's reported move to position a long-range missile on a launch pad will have "consequences". Pyongyang has said it intends to use the Taepodong-2 missile to launch a satellite into space between April 4 and 8.

Strasbourg’s L’Alsace says beleaguered Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek has called the US fiscal stimulus package of the Obama administration “a way to hell”.

The Washington Times quotes President Obama saying he backs the expansion of NATO to other European countries aspiring to join the military alliance. But, after meeting with NATO head Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, he also pledged to work towards improving US-Russian relations.

Budapester Zeitung says Hungarian President Laszlo Solyom has called for early general elections. On Saturday, Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany announced he would stand down to make way for a new government.

The Evening Standard reports that Foreign Secretary David Miliband has confirmed that a full inquiry into the war in Iraq will be launched soon after British troops pull out later this year.

The Jerusalem Post says Israel's Prime Minister-designate has promised that the government he is forming will be a "partner for peace" for the Palestinian authorities.

The New York Times reports US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has pledged to stand "shoulder to shoulder" with Mexico in its violent struggle against drug cartels and acknowledged the US shares blame because of its demand for drugs and supply of weapons.

Bild quotes sources in Berlin saying Germany will extend a state programme that pays a 2,500-euro bonus for trading in an old car and buying a new one.

The Sentinel reports that a parrot whose cries of alarm helped save the life of a choking girl has been hailed a hero and awarded the Red Cross's Animal Lifesaver Award in Denver, Colorado.