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

The Times leads with the GWU call for a task force on the future of Malta Shipyards.

The Malta Independent also reports the GWU call, and also reports how the Prime Minister has again declared that an increase in the power surcharge is “inevitable”.

l-orizzont highlights the GWU proposal for a dockyard task force to seek consensus on the enterprise. It also reports comments by John Attard Montalto on the need for better protection for pedestrians on EU roads. He was speaking in the European Parliament.

In-Nazzjon says the government has invited the GWU for talks on the shipyards. It also reports on a government plan to promote alternative energy. The measures forming part of the plan are expected to be announced by the end of the year.

The Press in Britain…

The Daily Mail says a Labour minister told families struggling with the cost of living to stop being "bloody miserable".

According to the Financial Times, China has raised energy prices across the board in a big policy shift that risks stoking the country's already high inflation.

The Sun quotes the husband of the first UK servicewoman killed in Afghanistan declaring "She was an awesome soldier who died doing the job she loved." Sarah Bryant died with three other soldiers when their vehicle was blown up by an explosion in Helmand.

According to the Mirror, he thought Sarah was the most beautiful woman in the world.

The Telegraph quotes a minister disclosing families face fines of £50 for failing to recycle their rubbish under a new pay-as-you-throw bin charge scheme.

On the other hand, The Daily Express reports controversial fortnightly bin collections are being scrapped as local councils launch a common sense revolt.

The Times reports that, with a week to go for Zimbabwe's run-off elections, President Robert Mugabe has been warned that he could face the International Criminal Court.

The Independent says Culture Secretary Andy Burnham is facing a highly embarrassing libel action for innuendo involving David Davis and a human rights campaigner.

The Guardian claims the government will be forced to step in to bail out the London 2012 Olympic athletes' village.

And elsewhere…

Le Monde quotes French President Nicolas Sarkozy saying the European Union will not accept any new member states until the Lisbon Treaty comes into force. Croatia and Turkey are currently negotiating their accession.

De Standaard reports that EU member-states have agreed to scrap diplomatic sanctions against Cuba while insisting that the Communist island improves its human rights record.

El Nacional quotes Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez threatening to stop selling oil to European countries if they apply a new ruling on illegal immigrants, under which they can be detained for up to 18 months and face a re-entry ban of up to five years.

The Washington Post reports the US House of Representatives has voted to free up $162 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Chronicle says Zimbabwe's deputy opposition leader, Tendai Biti, has been charged with subversion and election rigging. The offences could carry the death penalty.

The International Herald Tribune quotes EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana saying he hopes a truce between Israel and the Hamas administration of Gaza will hold.

Berlin Morgenpost says German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier has denied German involvement in the United States policy of abducting terrorism suspects.

Canada’s National Post reports an opposition party has unveiled a tax plan that would hike energy costs while lowering income taxes and boosting family support payments.