The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press:
The Times says that the ambulance service faces disruption because of industrial action. It also reports the Prime Minister’s announcement of the decisions for the reform of local councils.
The Malta Independent also leads with the local councils reform, saying this is a delayed reform now seeing the light of day. Like The Times, it also highlights activities held yesterday to mark the granting of the George Cross to Malta on April 15, 1942.
In-Nazzjon too leads with the councils’ reform document. It also reports a statement by Malta Freeport denying that anyone had been suspended for obeying union directives.
l-orizzont speaks of a fracas at Bahrija as a result of development in a protected valley. It says more unions are showing concern over the state of industrial democracy in view of the situation at Malta Freeport. The newspaper also reports that a prison warder is being investigated over theft of inmates’ belongings from lockers.
The Press in Britain
The Financial Times predicts that in next week's Budget, Chancellor Darling will announce that annual public debt is set to rocket to almost £175bn over the next two years.
The Independent reveals disagreement in the ranks of the BBC after the governing body criticised their Middle East editor's coverage of the Gaza conflict.
The Daily Express claims marriage 'is on the way out', as figures are released showing weddings fell by 40,000 between 1996 and 2006.
The Guardian says consumers are being offered up to £5,000 to buy an electric car.
The Daily Mail reports on travel chaos for tourists stranded at either French or British ports because of wildcat blockades in France by fishermen.
The Daily Telegraph says civil servants have been accused of exaggerating the evidence that led to last year's arrest of Conservative MP Damian Green.
The Times also leads on the fallout from the Damian Green affair.
After the memorial held for those who died in the Hillsborough disaster 20 years ago, the Daily Mirror leads with 'Justice for the 96'.
The Sun’s front page is also dominated by the Hillsborough memorial service undr the heading “96 Tears”.
The Daily Star also leads on the memorial saying the victims will never walk alone.
And elsewhere…
East African Standard announces that a French warship from an EU piracy patrol has captured 11 pirates off the coast of Kenya. The pirates were captured hours after a failed attack on a US ship, while another group of pirates released a Greek ship and 24 crew held since mid-March.
Meanwhile, Putland Post reports that the Supreme Court in Somalia's northern breakaway state of Puntland has handed down three-year prison terms to 37 pirates detained by the French and US navies.
The Irish Times says an Alitalia Boeing 767 was forced to make an emergency landing after the pilot fell ill. The aircraft, travelling from Milan to New York’s JFK with 168 passengers and 11 crew on board, diverted to Shannon Airport. There were no injuries and the pilot was taken to hospital for treatment.
L’Express quotes a French union, representing both fisherman and ferry workers, saying it will blockade the channel tunnel between England and France, if its concerns aren't addressed. The union is demanding that the French government reconsider EU fishing quotas.
Il Sole 24 Ore says Italy is eligible to €500 million from an EU solidarity fund to help the country's earthquake victims.
Pravda quotes a top official denying that Russia has delivered air-defence missile systems to Iran, which Israel and the US fear could be used to protect its nuclear facilities.
Times of India says the long-awaited trial of the only surviving Mumbai massacre gunman has failed to start after his lawyer was barred from representing him.
El Tiempo reports that Daniel Rendon, reputed to be one of Colombia's major drug lords and who topped Colombia's list of most-wanted criminal suspects, has been captured.
Die Welt says a US sergeant has been found guilty of the murder of four detainees in Iraq in 2007, but acquitted in the death of a fifth, following a court martial in Germany.
The Los Angeles Times says Sunday school teacher, accused of raping and murdering a girl whose body was found in a suitcase, has cried during her first court appearance in California.
Afghan Times says some 300 Afghan women were pelted with stones as they gathered to protest against a new law that critics say legalises marital rape.
Al Ahram quotes Egyptian scientists saying that the tombs of doomed lovers Cleopatra and Mark Anthony may have been discovered in Egypt and archaeologists will begin excavating three likely sites near the Mediterranean next week.