The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press today:
The Times says relatives have been urged to care for patients following operations, that allowing early dismissals from hospital. It also carries a picture of the destruction caused by fires in Australia.
The fires in Australia also feature on the front page of The Malta Independent. It also reports comments by Parliamentary Secretary Joe Cassar that measures to reduce hospital waiting lists are working. In another story, it reports comments by Joseph Muscat that Malta did not get all the EU funds it was eligible for last year, and it ended up contributing more to the EU.
l-orizzont says there has been an alarming increase of children having an ‘unknown father’. It also reports Dr Muscat’s comments on receipts from the EU.
In-Nazzjon says Alfred Sant has renewed his opposition to EU membership and euro adoption.
The Press in Britain
The Times says bankers recruited to manage the government's stake in high street banks are themselves in line for bonuses.
The Financial Times reports Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling has vowed to impose pay restraints across the banking industry, but he faces pressure after admitting he will not stop RBS paying bonuses.
The Herald says pressure is growing for bonuses for RBS staff to be blocked, after the Chancellor indicated that some workers would receive payments.
The Daily Express reports growing fury as the government refused to block bailed-out bankers from getting huge bonuses.
The Daily Telegraph says banks that refuse to cancel bonuses for executives blamed for the near-collapse of the financial system will be denied taxpayers' cash.
The Guardian foretells ministers will announce a £40m bailout for charities dealing with the effects of the recession.
The Daily Mail reports the government's chief drugs adviser faces calls to resign after claiming that taking ecstasy is no more risky than riding a horse.
The Independent says the soaring rate of testicular cancer in the UK and other Western countries has been linked to the increased popularity of cannabis.
The Sun says a soldier who lost a leg fighting in Afghanistan is the first amputee to go on Queen's Guard duty at a palace.
The Daily Mirror claims a climber trapped on a ledge is saved by his cigarette lighter.
The Daily Star announces Jeremy Clarkson is preparing to launch the show Top Gear into space.
The Scotsman reports a sheriff has accused a mixed-race mother fighting a child access dispute of behaving like the Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe.
And elsewhere…
The Age predicts the death toll from wildfires that have already killed 108 people in the state of Victoria is likely to rise further as crews search the remains of 700 homes and vehicles in the smouldering ruins of towns north of Melbourne.
Pravda quotes Russia's deputy premier Sergei Ivanov telling the Munich security conference that his government welcomed signs that the new US administration had sent Russia a "very strong" signal for restoration of dialogue.
Meanwhile, The International Herald Tribune quotes senior US officials at the Munich conference warning NATO allies that fighting insurgency in Afghanistan could prove tougher than in Iraq.
Die Welt says Chancellor Angela Merkel and the Pope have discussed the recent row over a Holocaust-denying bishop. Following a telephone conversation that was requested by the Chancellor, both Merkel and the Pope issued a joint statement saying that they had exchanged views in an atmosphere of great respect.
Zurich’s mass circulation Blick reports that Swiss voters have decided to extend a free movement of labour deal with the European Union to newcomers from Bulgaria and Romania.
La Nacion sats Argentina has expressed unease after learning that Prince William, the second in line to the British throne, is to be deployed to the Falkland Islands as part of his military duties, saying the move would reopen debate about the future of the islands.