Malta and international press digest

The following are the top items in the Maltese and overseas press today:

The Times says an EU study has shown that discrimination against Muslims is highest in Malta.

The Malta Independent says 71 percent of Muslims have reported discrimination. It also reports that MEPA has granted a permit for a party in Mistra by Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando.

In-Nazzjon says an on-line services company is to employ an additional 140 in the coming year. It also carries a government statement that public health services will remain free of charge.

l-orizzont says manufacturing sales, employment and investment are down. It also reports that a third of Maltese households cannot afford extaordinary expenses.

The press in Britain

The Daily Mail leads with the news that twelve MPs who have quit over the expenses row will qualify for end-of-service payments by staying in their roles until the General Election.

The same story is also the lead in The Independent, which says the "golden goodbyes" the quitting MPs will receive are worth more than £1m combined.

In the latest revelations of MPs' expenses, The Daily Telegraph says that senior Tory MP Bill Cash claimed more than £15,000 to pay his daughter rent for her London flat - even though he owned a home closer to Westminster.

The Guardian reports Gordon Brown is "facing an escalating crisis of confidence" as record numbers of his MPs apply to sit in the House of Lords after the next general election.

Metro says top British private school Eton is to close for a week after a pupil was confirmed as having swine flu.

The Financial Times reports that fashion house Lacroix is on the brink of collapse, and says that General Motors' board will meet today to start filing for bankruptcy.

The Times has a special report on the civilian loss of life during the Sri Lankan army's final battle against the Tamil Tigers. It pictures a refugee camp, with a circle locating a zone where bodies were reportedly buried.

The Daily Star leads with singing sensation Susan Boyle's battle to cope with sudden global fame.

The Daily Mirror also covers the Susan Boyle story, suggesting that she may even be pulled from the final of Britain's Got Talent over fears for her health.

The Daily Record reveals Boyle was set to quit Britain's Got Talent.
The Sun says child rapists are avoiding jail as judges hand out "softer" sentences.

According to The Herald, a last-ditch deal to allow an all-English football team to represent Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympics is expected to be agreed.

And elsewhere...

The International Herald Tribune reports that US and South Korean warships have been placed on heightened alert after North Korea declared it felt no longer bound to the 1953 truce which halted fighting in the Korean War.

Meanwhile, The New York Times says the Security Council continued to discuss its response to Pyongyang's latest underground nuclear blast and subsequent missile launches.

Tiempo says a powerful earthquake has toppled dozens of homes in Honduras and Belize, killing at least six people and injuring 40 as terrified residents spilled from their homes across much of Central America.

Al Arabiya reports photographs of Iraqi prisoner abuse, which US President Barack Obama does not want released, include images of apparent rape and sexual abuse.

Corriere della Sera says Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has again denied having an improper relationship with 18-year-old model Noemi Letizia. The 72-year-old said he would resign if caught lying about it.

Malay Times reports that the court has banned the Roman Catholic Church in Malaysia from using the word "Allah" because it would confuse Muslims. Christian groups say the ban is unconstitutional, arguing that the word "Allah" predates Islam.

El Pais publishes a survey of ethnic minorities in Europe showing 31 percent of Muslims across the EU feel they were discriminated against in 2008.

Asia Observer says two explosions at a busy Pakistan market and a police checkpoint killed at least 11 people and wounded scores of others.

Globus reports at least 16 people died and 20 were injured as a runaway coach ploughed into a religious festival in Bulgaria

Moscow Times says a five-year-old girl Russian who was shut away with dogs and cats is adapting to normal life after being rescued and transferred to a clinic.

USA Today reports that climate change kills about 315,000 people a year through hunger, sickness and weather disasters. The annual death toll is expected to rise to half a million by 2030.

Nigerian Tribune says a Manchester United fan driving a bus in Nigeria deliberately smashed into a crowd celebrating Barcelona's victory in the Champions' League final and killed four people. More than 10 people were injured. Police said the driver was in custody after making a U-turn and driving into the Barcelona supporters.