Press digest

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

The Times says Malta is lukewarm on proposed Lisbon treaty changes for closer financial integration. It also says that electricity rates are set to rise significantly over the next 20 years throughout Europe.

The Malta Independent reports how EU treaty changes have been suggested to improve fiscal discipline.

In-Nazzjon leads with the declaration of liberation in Libya.  It also reports the prime minister’s backing to Libya in the process to democratisation.

l-orizzont highlights Joseph Muscat’s comments about Labour’s priority to create jobs in Gozo for the Gozitans.  It also carries a picture of the prime minister alongside the heading that the reform as failed, with reference to the bus service.

The overseas press.  

Gazete Oku reports powerful aftershocks hitting eastern Turkey near the Iranian border where a 7.2 magnitude earthquake yesterday killed at least 138 people and injured hundreds more.  Rescue work continued through the night to pull victims from the rubble in the city of Van and surrounding districts. Civilians joined in the desperate search, using their bare hands and working under generator-powered floodlights. Authorities believe up to 1,000 people may have lost their lives. Several nations, including Israel, and other humanitarian organisations offered condolences and assistance but a spokesman for the Turkish Foreign Ministry said the country, while grateful for offers of aid, was prepared to handle the disaster on its own.

Akhbar Tounes says there has been a big turnout in Tunisia’s election – the first free vote in the Arab world since the start of the spring uprising. The vote is for an assembly to draft a new constitution and appoint an interim president.

The new authorities in Libya have formally declared the liberation of the country. Al Jazeera reports that at a ceremony outside the barracks in Benghazi, where the uprising against Col Gaddafi began in February, the head of the National Transitional Council, Mustafa Abdul-Jalil, urged forgiveness, reconciliations and unity. He thousands of supporters that Islamic Sharia law would be the “basic source” of legislation in the country and that new banks would be set up to follow the Islamic banking system, which bans charging interest.

In his first declaration since the death of his father, Saif al Islam Gaddafi, said he was committed to continue fighting the Libyan rebels and Nato forces. According to Al Arabiya TV, the brief message was transmitted in audio form on the Damascus-based pro-Gaddafi Al Rai TV station.

Meanwhile, Arabic Media International Network quotes Libya’s chief forensic pathologist saying an autopsy has confirmed that Muammar Gaddafi was killed by a shot to the head. Dr Othman al-Zintani said doctors completed the examination today but he would not give more details until he delivers a report to the attorney general. Bloody images of Gaddafi being taunted and beaten by his captors in his hometown of Sirte have raised questions about whether he was killed in crossfire, as suggested by the government, or deliberately executed.

The President of the European Union Herman Van Rompuy has said all EU finance ministers have agreed that a co-ordinated scheme was needed to recapitalise Europe's banks. However, L’Echo says he stopped short on giving details on the plan of action. Addressing the media, Van Rompuy said the full plan would be made known on Wednesday, indicating that treaty changes would be needed if some of these policies were to be put in place.

London’s The Independent reports that British Prime Minister David Cameron was given a dressing down by President Sarkozy at the summit. The French President told Cameron he was sick of Britain criticising other EU countries and then trying to interfere in their meetings. Cameron wanted to ensure that all 27 EU member states were consulted about ensures to solve the eurozone crisis.

Buenos Aires Herald says President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner of Argentina is heading for a landslide election victory in her country’s general election. Partial results gave her 53 per cent of the vote – enough to secure re-election in the first round.

Italian MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli has died after a horrific crash at the Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang. Reuters reports Simoncelli, 24, crashed on the second lap and was hit by the bikes of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi as he slid across the track on his Honda. Simoncelli lay stricken on the track before being taken to the circuit's medical centre where he was pronounced dead.

Manchester City stun rivals United with a 6-1 derby victory that takes them five points clear at the top of the Premier League. And Roberto Mancini's men could not have delivered a more emphatic statement as Sir Alex Ferguson's side were humiliated. It was the first time United had conceded six goals at Old Trafford since 1930, when Huddersfield won 6-0 and Newcastle 7-4 within four days of each other. The Daily Express quotes Sir Alex admitting the stunning Manchester derby defeat was his worst humiliation in half-a-century in football.