Press digest

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

The Times, as well as The Malta Independent and In-Nazzjon, feature the appointment of David Cameron as British Prime Minister. In other stories, The Times says the EU is to keep an eagle eye on tuna fishermen to ensure that quotas are observed.

The Malta Independent says normality returned to the House of Representatives yesterday. It also quotes Labour MP Joe Mizzi saying that the installation of an electronic voting system had long been proposed but never implemented.

MaltaToday quotes Parliamentary Secretary Mario Galea saying he is not unfit for office.

In-Nazzjon says Vodafone Malta will invest €50 million on its infrastructure and offices.

l-orizzont says more government contracts to Lehmeyer International are being revealed. It also features the funeral in Zejtun of the fireworks factory explosion.

The overseas press:

The front pages of the British nationals newspapers are dominated by Tory leader David Cameron becoming the UK's new Prime Minister. He admitted it would be a tough job, adding that he was to form a proper and full coalition between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats. He paid tribute to outgoing Prime Minister Gordon Brown for "his long record of dedicated public service"

The Washington Times says President Obama was one the first world leaders to carry on the tradition of telephoning to congratulate the new British Prime Minister. He invited David Cameron to visit the United States in July and said he was looking forward to seeing him in June at G8 and G20 meetings. They also discussed Afghanistan, the Middle East Peace Process and Iran.

According to Berliner Zeitung, German Chancellor Angela Merkel offered her congratulations and invited Mr Cameron to visit Berlin at the earliest opportunity. They briefly discussed the world economy and the common European agenda.

Expesso says just before landing in Portugal for an official four-day visit, Pope Benedict told journalists aboard his plane that the crisis of child sexual abuse by priests has made the Church realize the "terrifying truth" that its greatest threat comes from "sin within the Church". He said the Church had "a very deep need" to acknowledge that it must do penitence for its sins and "accept purification".

Meanwhile, Les Echo reports that a Belgian committee probing allegations of pedophilia by priests has been flooded with complaints since the resignation of a bishop who admitted abusing a boy.

Jylland Posten says Swedish artist Lars Vilks, who created an international furore by depicting the Prophet Muhammad as a dog, was head-butted as he delivered a university lecture. The artist said a group of about 15 people had been shouting and trying to interrupt the lecture about the limits of artistic freedom. The cartoonist's glasses were broken, but he was not injured.

Le Monde reports the French parliament has unanimously adopted a resolution declaring the burqa to be "contrary" to national values. The non-binding measure comes ahead of a July debate on legislation that would ban women from wearing the full Islamic veil.

USA Today says US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has told Afghan leader Hamid Karzai the US will remain committed to Afghan security long after US troops leave. Both Karzai, in the US for four days of talks aimed at repairing rocky relations between Kabul and Washington, and Mrs Clinton acknowledged their differences had complicated efforts to stabilise Afghanistan. He will have talks with President Barack Obama today.

Kyiv Post reports thousands of protesters gathered in central Kiev on Tuesday after opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko called for a mass demonstration in protest to President Viktor Yanukovych's pursuit of closer ties with Russia.

The Irish Times says protesters stormed Ireland's parliament after breaking away from a march against government plans to inject billions of euros into Irish banks. They ran at the gates of the parliament's main building and wrestled with police who tried to force them back. At least one man suffered a head injury in the clash.

Le Parisien reports that a French court has jailed for three years a man who became an internet hero nicknamed Robin Hood when he made off with more than 10 million euros in cash. He told the court Tuesday that he was upset with his boss and that he was ‘no Robin Hood'. Musulin testified that his employer often made mistakes on his paycheck and complained bitterly of being under-paid.