The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press:
The Times reports comments by some businesses about an Air Malta hurdle to business in Libya.
The Malta Independent features a curtain-raiser on the budget. It also reports how former European Commissioner Mario Monti will form a government of technocrats in Italy.
In-Nazzjon says that job-creation and deficit reduction will be the priorities of the Budget.
l-orizzont says there is expectation of a government explanation on the economy and the public debt in the budget today after last week’s warning by the European Commission.
The overseas press
Technocrat leaders in Italy and Greece rushing to form governments face a critical test of their ability to limit the damage from the euro zone debt crisis when financial markets open today.
Ansa says former European Commissioner Mario Monti, who was yesterday asked by Italy's President Napolitano to form a new government, will start urgent talk with political parties to explain his programme to restore market confidence in an economy whose debt burden is too big for the euro bloc to bail out. He discounted reports that the new government would be announced before the markets opened. Investors will pass initial judgment on his leadership when Italy's Treasury asks investors on Monday to bid for up to €3 billion in five-year government bonds.
Meanwhile, Kathimerini reports that inspectors from the "troika" – the International Monetary Fund, European Central Bank and European Union – arrive in Athens today, piling the pressure on Greece to qualify for a second bailout. Greece's new Prime Minister Lucas Papademos is under pressure to implement radical reform aimed at staving off bankruptcy. State TV reported Papademos must win a Wednesday cabinet confidence vote before meeting euro zone finance ministers in Brussels on Thursday, where he will be expected to outline next year's draft budget before putting it to parliament.
Reuters says polls published in Sunday's newspapers showed Papademos has the support of three in four Greeks. But he will face his first protest in front of parliament this afternoon from left-wing demonstrators who accuse the new government of working in the interests of bankers.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed signs of an end to the weeks of uncertainty in Italy, saying the approval of a reform package in parliament on Saturday was "heartening." She told Germany's ZDF television eurozone states must give more powers to Brussels and push toward closer fiscal union.
Bloomberg reports Japan’s economy grew at an annual rate of six per cent in the quarter between July and September, following the devastation caused by the earthquake and tsunami in March. It was the first time in a year that Japan’s quarterly economic results have show growth.
The Washington Times quotes President Obama saying a vibrant and successful Asia-Pacific region was critical to America’s prosperity and a priority for his government. Opening a summit of APEC leaders, Obama said the meeting was a chance to work towards a seamless regional economy.
Al Jazeera reports fighting has between rival Libyan militias for the control of a former major military camp of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime. The clashes marked the fourth day of confrontations between the two groups, the most sustained violence since the fall of Gaddafi’s regime last month. The fighting has killed six people so far.
Al Bawaba says Syria has called for an emergency Arab summit, saying Saturday's vote to suspend it from the Arab League was "illegal". As Syria's leadership came under mounting pressure from other Arab states to halt its continuing violent repression of pro-democracy protests, the government said it had already begun implementing the peace plan.
Meanwhile, the BBC reports that the head of the Arab League, Nabil al-Arabi, said the organisation was "studying mechanisms it could implement to protect civilians in Syria". Speaking on a visit to the Libyan capital Tripoli, Arab League secretary general Nabil al Arabi did not give details of what further action the organisation could take to protect Syrian civilians. Describing the 22-member League's decision to suspend Syria as "historic", Arabi called for "international protection" for civilians as the League lacked the means to act alone.
Al Ayyam says Israeli aircraft have struck the northern Gaza Strip, killing one Palestinian and wounding at least three others. Haartez reports Israel said it launched the attack in retaliation for a rocket fired into southern Israel.