The following are the top stories in the local and overseas press today:
The Times leads with the revocation of the Mistra disco permit and also carries an EU report which says that the tax burden in Malta relative to GDP registered a steep increase, although several other EU countries charge more tax.
l-orizzont leads with the revocation of the Mistra disco permit under the heading “An illegal ‘mistake’”. It also says that a traffic policeman yesterday allegedly tried to strangle his wife using the cable of a mobile phone charger.
In-Nazzjon says the officials of the PN, including a new general secretary, will be elected today. It also highlights the MEPA decision to revoke the Mistra permit. In another story it reports that three migrants died in the sea two days ago near Malta. Another four were airlifted to hospital by AFM helicopters.
The Malta Independent says tuna purse seiner fishermen feel betrayed by the EU after their fishing season was cut short. It carries more pictures of the Isle of MTV concert.
The Press in Britain…
The Guardian reports that the opposition party in Zimbabwe is urging its supporters to vote for Robert Mugabe for their own safety.
The Financial Times reports that investors' fears of prolonged financial turmoil have deepened as global markets suffered heavy falls after a raft of bad news including a fresh record for the price of oil.
The Daily Telegraph leads with the case of a lorry driver jailed for causing a fatal crash while using a hands-free mobile phone. The paper reports road safety charities are now calling for a ban on the headsets.
The Daily Mail reports that supermarkets have launched a food price war as the credit crunch continues to bite.
The Times leads on a similar theme, saying Asda and Tesco going head to head in the supermarket wars.
The Daily Express claims sniffer dogs trained to spot terrorists at railway stations may have to be stopped from coming into contact with Muslim passengers. The Transport Department says the animals should only sniff Muslims' suitcases so as not to offend religious sensibilities.
The Sun says a psychotic rapist who was freed despite saying he was a danger to society has been taken back to Broadmoor.
Metro says the number of different types of web address will increase radically next year. Its main picture on the front page shows the city of tents that has sprung up at the site of the Glastonbury Festival.
Madonna and Guy Ritchie are calling it a day after seven years of marriage. A friend of the couple has told the Mirror the singer and the film director have simply 'drifted apart'.
And elsewhere…
Moscow Times reports that European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso and Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa, holder of the European Union's rotating presidency, have began their first major summit with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, holding talks in Siberia expected to touch on energy and unrest in ex-Soviet Georgia.
Washington Times says President Bush has guardedly welcomed North Korea's long-awaited nuclear declaration and announced immediate steps to ease sanctions.
The Chronicle says President Mugabe has rejected African calls to postpone today’s presidential election, saying there could be no interference in his country even from the African Union
The Washington Post says the US Supreme Court has passed a landmark ruling that individual Americans have the right to own guns for personal use. The decision struck down a strict gun control law in the nation's capital.
Wall Street Journal says four international airlines have agreed to pay $504 million in fines to settle charges they conspired to fleece customers by driving up cargo shipping prices.
Le Monde highlights the decision taken in Paris by the Internet's key regulatory body to allow the creation of thousands of new domain names in one of the biggest shake-ups in Internet history. The overhaul is expected to radically change the way users navigate the Internet and has major implications for businesses and consumers.
Adevarul says a government committee has dismissed the opposition of church groups and ruled an 11-year-old rape victim can have an abortion. Pro-life groups have threatened to press charges if the girl is allowed to have a termination in Romania since it will be beyond the 14-week limit. Her parents want to travel to Britain where abortion would be legal for the girl, who is 21 weeks pregnant.
Variety says one of the biggest and most glamorous birthday parties ever will take place today as stars join Nelson Mandela for his 90th birthday concert. Performers including Amy Winehouse, Queen and Paul Rodgers, Razorlight, Sugababes and Leona Lewis will take to the stage in London's Hyde Park. They will play to a crowd of 46,664 people - the same figure as Mr Mandela's prison number.
El Pais quotes experts at the Prado Museum saying The Colossus, one of the best-known paintings attributed to Francisco Goya, is now thought to be the work of Asensio Julia, an apprentice of the Spanish master.