Malta and international press digest

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

The Times says the doctors may order an all-out strike next week as their dispute with the government escalates. It also reports that a court was told yesterday that the military exercise where a soldier died was held in ' freezing water' last February.

The Malta Independent reports on the case where two soldiers face charges of the involuntary death of Matthew Psaila at Chadwick Lakes last February. It also says that the government would face a €7 million bill should the private sector run night services instead of health centres.

l-orizzont says many businesses are in dire straits, five years after EU membership. Most of them complained on lack of information on access to EU funds.

In-Nazzjon, however, reports that 93% of businesses have reported that EU membership was good for them. The newspaper also quotes Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi saying the challenges of EU membership have become opportunities.

The Press in Britain

The Daily Mail leads with the news of Northern Ireland first-ever sextuplets. Born in just five minutes by Caesarean section birth, the four girls and two boys weighed between 1lb 7oz and 2lb 2oz. Doctors confirmed they were not conceived through IVF.

The Sun leads on the tragic case of Baby P reporting that his mother could be freed from jail in as little as three years.

The Daily Express follows up Friday's breaking news that a British paedophile is a suspect in the case of missing Madeleine McCann, claiming 64-year-old Raymond Hewlett "is a monster".

The Daily Mirror says police will interview the couple who first raised the alarm over the Hewlett.

The Guardian features a poll revealing that two thirds of voters want an early general election in the wake of the expenses scandal and more than a quarter would reject the mainstream parties in the European Parliament elections.

The whistleblower at the centre of the expenses scandal revelations is unmasked by The Daily Telegraph as former SAS officer John Wick.

The FT Weekend leads on a message from Gordon Brown to the heads of Britain's major banks: "Lighten up".

The Daily Star prints more claims about the divorce proceedings in the split between Peter Andre and Katie Price.

And elsewhere...

Izvetsia reports that EU and Russian leaders failed to mend the rifts at their summit in the Siberian town of Khabarovsk.

The New York Times says the UN Security Council has called for the release of all political prisoners in Burma, including Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Al Quds al Arabi reports that Israeli troops have crossed into Gaza and killed two Palestinian militants who were planting a bomb along the border fence.

A video posted by the Vreme weekly in Serbia, has caused major uproar and led Serbian authorities to investigate claims of abuse at a drug rehab centre run by the Serbian Orthodox Church.

The Washington Post say the a US Court of Appeals has agreed with the major elements of a 2006 landmark ruling that found the nation's top tobacco companies guilty of racketeering and fraud for deceiving the public about the dangers of smoking.

Le Matin quotes authorities in Haiti saying floods have killed at least 11 people as heavy rains swamp areas still rebuilding from last year's hurricanes. Civil protection officials said most of the victims were swept away while crossing swollen rivers or died when their flimsy homes collapsed.

Az-Zaman says Iraqis have expressed shock and disappointment over an American jury's decision to spare the life of an ex-US soldier convicted of raping and killing an Iraqi girl, with many calling for him to face charges in Iraq. Steven Dale Green, 24, of Midland, Texas, was sentenced to life in prison.

USA Today says a Georgia father was sentenced to 100 years in prison for poisoning his two children in 2006 to extort money from Campbell soup manufacturer.