The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press:
The Times reports that the European Central Bank cut interest rates again yesterday. The newspaper carries an interview with President-elect George Abela.
The Malta Independent reports that MPs who disagreed with the appointment of George Abela as President stayed away from Parliament on Wednesday. It also reports that an EU directive on e-commerce says that as from November such sites have to show exchange rates.
L-orizzont says a poll will be held among port workers today to gauge which trade union they support. It also features the plight of a 35-year-old man suffering leukemia whose main problem is accessibility to his apartment because it has no lift.
In-Nazzjon reports the re-introduction of flight services to Scandinavia by SAS Airlines and flights to Edinburgh by Ryanair. It also highlights the conclusion of the G-20 summit.
The Press in Britain
The Daily Telegraph leads on how Gordon Brown claimed to have struck a "historic" deal to end the global recession, as he unveiled plans to plough more than $1 trillion into the world economy.
The Guardian continues that the sprawling deal hammered out over two days of talks in London also contains tougher-than-expected measures to tighten financial regulation, including a clampdown on tax havens.
The Daily Mail says the Prime Minister hailed the rescue package as "a new world order" and compared it to the Marshall Plan that rebuilt shattered Europe after the Second World War.
The Daily Mirror reports how US President Obama declared: "This is a turning point in our pursuit of global economic recovery. The London summit was historic."
The Times reports stock markets soared as the summit trebled International Monetary Fund resources to $750b billion, gave developing nations access to $250 billion of currency reserves and promised $250 billion in credit for trade finance.
The Daily Express adds that the housing market led the financial 'bounce back' with figures showing prices rose unexpectedly last month by 0.9 per cent – the first increase since October 2007.
The Sun notes comical similarities between Mr Brown's plan and the demands made by Dr Evil in the Austin Powers movie.
The Herald announces that following the North Sea helicopter crash, oil workers will be allowed to refuse flights for an "indefinite" period of time over safety concerns about offshore helicopters.
The Daily Record says Scotland's oil city is numb with grief as the victims of the North Sea helicopter were named.
The Daily Star claims the burial of reality TV star Jade Goody will be faked to keep "freaks and sickos" away from her top secret final resting place.
And elsewhere…
L’Alsace reports French police have used tear gas to disperse a crowd in Strasbourg as the French city prepared for the arrival of world leaders for the 60th anniversary Nato summit. Police said the crowd broke up after the tear gas was fired.
Meanwhile, the head of police told the Neuen Osnabruecker Zeitung, that German police plan a "zero tolerance strategy" for violent protesters at the NATO summit.
The Washington Post says President Obama has announced that the United States will join the UN Human Rights Council, a body that was derided by his predecessor as overly politicized and ineffective. The international rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW) called the move a step toward more engaged and effective US leadership on human rights.
The International Herald Tribune announces that Prince Charles has discussed the issue of Tibet during talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao. Charles broached the subject during his first ever private chat with a Chinese leader in the UK. The details of the discussion were not released.
The New York Times says the UN Development Fund for Women, Unifem, human rights groups and Afghan politicans claim a new Afghan law makes it legal for men to rape their wives. One of the most controversial articles stipulates the wife "is bound to preen for her husband as and when he desires".
USA Today says former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich has been indicted on charges he engaged in a "wide-ranging scheme to deprive the people of Illinois of honest government", including trying to auction off President Barack Obama's vacant US Senate seat. A federal grand jury handed down the 19-count indictment against Blagojevich, his brother, two former aides and two businessmen.
El Pais says a mother and a couple, all Romanian nationals, have been arrested in Spain after striking a deal to sell a baby for use as a street-begging prop.
Haaretz reports an axe-wielding Palestinian went on the rampage in a West Bank settlement killing a 13-year-old Israeli. Guards in Bat Ayin, south of Jerusalem, fired at the attacker and wounded him but he managed to escape. A boy of seven was also injured in the attack.
Newcastle’s Evening Chronicle says a 28-year-old British police officer, caught advertising herself as an escort on the internet, has admitted misconduct in a public office and was remanded in custody.