The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press
The Times follows up the situation of the bus service and reports that penalties can only be imposed on Arriva from November. It also quotes a UN survey that says that Malta is the safest place on earth.
The Malta Independent says the European Parliament yesterday gave resounding approval to a law strengthening Frontex.
MaltaToday reports that Malta has been warned by the European Commission to curb spending.
In-Nazzjon reports that 62,356 persons this week start receiving compensation for fuel price increases.
l-orizzont says the Forensics Section of Mt Carmel Hospital has become a ‘refuge for privileged prisoners’.
The overseas press
Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has told Arab states it was time to raise the Palestinian flag at the United Nations and accused Israel of obstructing peace in the Middle East. Reuters reports that addressing Arab foreign ministers in Cairo at the start of a Middle Eastern tour, Erdogan said backing a bid for recognition of a Palestinian state at the UN later this month was "not an option but an obligation" for Arab states. He accused the United States, a close ally of Israel whose relations with Turkey have been frayed in recent months, of demonstrating prejudice in opposing the move as a potential irritant in a volatile area.
Al Jazeera says hundreds of Libyans were escaping from Bani Walid, complaining of hardship and intimidation as fighters backed by the country's new rulers warned of a full onslaught in the coming days. Forces of the new ruling National Transitional Council have met unexpectedly stout resistance in five days of fighting for the town. People in Bani Walid, dominated by the Warfalla tribe that was a pillar of Gaddafi's rule, had been told via broadcast radio messages they had two days to leave town before it came under full-blown attack.
The Washington Post says official figures released in the United States show that nearly one in six Americans was now living in poverty. The income of the average household fell by more than two per cent last year and 46 million Americans were living below the poverty line. The figures were announced as President Obama began a nation-wide tour to promote his $450-billion-plan to reduce unemployment.
Tribune de Genève says the World Health Organisation has warned Europe to be on alert for “an alarming rise in drug-resistant tuberculosis”. WHO said the disease was evolving and more than 80,000 new cases were being reported in Europe each year.
CBS reports diabetes has gone global with 366 million people around the world have either Type 1 or 2 diabetes. The International Diabetes Federation said the disease was causing 4.6 million deaths each year, or one death every seven seconds, and some $465 billion a year were needed to fight the disease.
The Irish Enquirer quotes Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny saying Europe was responding to the current debt crisis and making arrangements to get out of the difficulties. Mr Kenny's comments came as global stock markets continued to suffer losses amid increasing fears Greece would default. Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou will hold a teleconference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy today in a bid to quell the concerns.
Medanwhile, Kathemirini reports that Greece has introduced new temporary austerity measures. Homeowners were being levied with a stifff new property tax, while public sector pay was being cut by up to 50 per cent in some cases. The state television would be shut down. The cuts would last until October, by which time the Greek government hoped it would be in a position to draw down another cash installment from the IMF and EU. It has been reported that the Greek government is set to run out of money within weeks.
EU Times says MEPs in Strasbourg have called on the Commissioner for Energy Gunther Oettinger to apologise for his remarks to a German newspaper last weekend, or resign his post. Mr Oettinger suggested that over-indebted countries, like Ireland and Greece, should fly their flags over EU buildings at half-mast in "a statement of remorse for their fiscal recklessness". Mr Oettinger, who is from Germany, said such a move would deter other countries from making similar budgetary mistakes.
Clarin reports that a train slammed into a bus trying to beat it across the railroad tracks during rush hour in the Argentine capital, ramming the vehicle into a platform and then striking another locomotive head-on. At least nine people, including the bus driver, were killed and 212 injured.
And Times of India says seven people have died and at least 80 injured passengers were taken to nearby hospitals when a passenger train travelling through southern India collided with another train. The authorities fear that as many as 15 people might be dead.
According to Detroit Free Press, a 101-year-old woman was evicted from the southwest Detroit home she lived in for nearly six decades after her 65-year-old son failed to pay the mortgage. Texana Hollis was evicted and her belongings were placed outside the home. Her son did not pay the mortage for several years and disregarded eviction notices. The woman has been taken to a hospital for evaluation after she became disoriented.