Malta and international press digest

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

The Times says that the Armed Forces of Malta has denied using non-army boats to help immigrants. In another story, teachers insist on an action plan regarding the (A)H1N1. A photo shows a crash between a pick-up truck and a bus in the morning.

This accident is also given priority by The Malta Independent. The newspaper reports the Prime Minister saying that family life is a priority - he was speaking when he was being presented with ProgettImpenn’s report against divorce. It says Italy is defending its record of saving immigrant lives.

l-Orizzont says that the price of diesel costs more as from today. It reports on manoeuvers by Enemalta and Water Services Corporation.

In-Nazzjon reports on new EU proposals on illegal immigration and quotes the Grand Harbour marina chairman saying that the privatisation of yacht marinas was a step in the right direction.

The Press in Britain…

Sky News reports Downing Street will today publish all relevant correspondence with the Scottish Executive over releasing the Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi's.

The Independent reports that Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, who today marks the 40th anniversary of the 1969 coup which brought him to power, is considering giving compensation to the families of victims of IRA attacks in recognition that Libya armed the terrorists.

According to the Daily Express, industry experts say household energy bills should be around £170 per year lower than their current prices, but firms have not passed on drops in wholesale fuel costs.

The Daily Telegraph says the government is predicting that within eight years, the demand for electricity will exceed supply from the national grid leading to widespread power cuts.

The Daily Mail reports that 40 per cent of breast cancer cases in women could be avoided if they drank less alcohol, exercised more and ate a healthier diet.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Gordon Brown pledges to clamp down on excessive bonuses for bankers as part of an international effort to avoid another future global economic crisis.

The Times reports Nato's campaign in Afghanistan and the legitimacy of any future government in the country has been tarnished by widespread and systemic fraud during the recent presidential elections.

The Guardian reports a series of icebergs in Greenland's Sermilik fjord are melting at a far faster rate than any climate models have predicted.

The Sun quotes the father of Phillip Garrido – the man who allegedly kidnapped Jaycee Lee Dugard in the California 18 years ago – saying his son could have murdered at least a dozen women and young girls.

The Daily Mirror says the daughters of Jaycee Lee Dugard cried when their father Phillip Garrido was arrested for kidnapping their mother in 1991.

The Daily Star claims Jordan had to be saved by her minders after a group of women, allegedly Peter Andre fans, 'attacked' her in the street.

And elsewhere…

Berliner Morgenpost quotes German Chancellor Angela Merkel saying she was confident that her CDU would be able to form a coalition with its preferred partner after next month's federal election despite setbacks for her party in two out of three state polls.

Los Angeles Times reports that the massive wildfire raging in California has nearly doubled in size, threatening 12,000 homes in a 20-mile swathe of flame and smoke and surging towards a mountaintop broadcasting complex.

The Washington Post says the top US and Nato troops commander in Afghanistan has said the situation was "serious" but that success was achievable.

Al Thawra reports Syrian president Bashar al-Assad has rejected Iraqi government claims that Damascus was involved in violent attacks inside the country.

Iraq Daily quotes Amnesty International calling for an "immediate moratorium" on all executions in the country as it revealed that more than 1,000 prisoners were still facing the death penalty.

In an article in Poland's daily Gazeta Wyborcza, Russia's prime minister Vladimir Putin has condemned Moscow's 1939 treaty with Berlin carving up Europe, as well as British and French pacts with the Nazis.

The Irish Times says there were just over 75,000 births in Ireland last year – a figure not seen since 1896 – with almost half to first-time mothers.

Metro reports female couples in Britain would be able to register both their names on the birth certificate of children conceived through fertility treatment.

Oxford News says a disabled yachtswoman has been hailed as "truly inspirational" as she became the first female quadriplegic to sail solo around Britain.