Press digest

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

The Times says Dr George Borg Olivier's desk crossed the political divide yesterday, having been sold at auction to Labour MP Anton Refalo. It also says that mismanagement of EU funds for education programmes could cost Malta €270,000.

The Malta Independent quotes the prime minister saying that the criticism of the White Rocks project was unjustified. It also says that the leader of the Opposition identified areas to reduce poverty.

In-Nazzjon quotes the prime minister saying there is a huge difference between the White Rocks Sports Village and a proposal for the site made seven years ago. It also says police recruits are receiving a higher level of training.

l-orizzont says Alan Camilleri, chairman of Malta Enterprise is being paid €70,000 per year and many perks. Camilleri had been described by John Dalli as the mind behind his exclusion from the Cabinet.

The overseas press

Toronto Star reports that leaders of the world's 20 biggest economies have agreed that the richest countries should halve their deficits within three years without stunting economic growth. Summit host Prime Minister Stephen Harper said proposals for a global levy on banks had been dropped and would now be left to individual countries.

The Toronto Sun says the police in Toronto fired tear gas on protesters for a second straight day on Sunday as new violence surrounding the G20 summit erupted. Some 600 demonstrators have been arrested. Anti-G20 groups started demonstrating in Toronto before the summit, which followed a smaller meeting of Group of Eight industrial nations.

Il Tempo reports Pope Benedict has joined the Vatican's criticism of raids by Belgian police investigating alleged child sex abuse, calling them "deplorable". He said justice must take its course but repeated that such crimes were handled by both civil and canon law "respecting their reciprocal specificity and autonomy".

Al Jamahariya says Libya would allow BP to move ahead with its offshore drilling plans next month despite the massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The country's oil chief, Shokri Ghanem, said the contract signed with BP in 2007, permitting the British oil giant to begin drilling in the deepwater Mediterranean region in July, would be honoured. The project in Libya is BP's first in the Opec member in more than 30 years.

Bishkek Times says voters have approved a new constitution allowing Kyrgyzstan to form a legitimate government after months of turmoil. The country's interim president Roza Otunbayeva said the vote would also allow the legitimisation of her government, which came to power after the ousting of former president Kurmanbek Bakiyev. The vote had been without incident and turnout had been high at 65 per cent.

The Jerusalem Post reports that thousands of people have joined the parents of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit on a long march from northern Israel to the Jerusalem home of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The soldier, seized by Palestinian militants in cross-border clashes in June 2006, has been held in Gaza by Hamas militants who are demanding the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for his freedom.

Variety says bidders from around the world have bought up Michael Jackson memorabilia worth nearly $1 million (€807,500) at an auction which began on the anniversary of his death. The sale included $190,000 (€153,000) for the Swarovski crystal-studded glove he wore on his 1984 Victory Tour. Some items, such as the glove, brought 10 times more than their estimated value.

Metro says the British government has pledged to oppose draft EU regulations that could prevent eggs being sold by the dozen. An initial decision by the European parliament might mean all groceries being sold by weight rather than numerical quantities. Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman insisted the changes appeared to go "against common sense". Millions of pounds could be wasted by shops and bakers having to change packaging to comply with the directive.