The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press:
The Times says a senior Gozo Channel master has claimed safety flaws at Gozo Channel Line in a judicial protest. It also reports that the Attorney General has demanded effective jail terms in the VAT scan cases.
The Malta Independent says the Prime Minister has proposed a revision of the Law of the Sea Convention. It also reports that there was a lively debate by modernists and traditionalists on street furniture for Palace Square.
In-Nazzjon reports the granting of a second licence for the importation of LPG gas. It also quotes the Prime Minister telling the United Nations General Assembly that Malta expects stronger solidarity on migration.
l-orizzont says the government has hidden the identity of whoever drew up a report on the state of Enemalta. It also reports a press conference by FKNK, where officials said four hunters committed suicide because of the hunting ban.
Press in Britain...
The Daily Mail reports Baroness Scotland's former housekeeper, Loloahi Tapui, emerged from a week in hiding amid rumours she is ready to reveal exactly what she told the Attorney General about her immigration status.
An investigation by The Times has found that dozens of Conservative parliamentary candidates are working in the lobbying industry that seeks to influence their party's leadership.
The Daily Telegraph claims expenses claims made by MPs were leaked because of anger over the government's failure to equip the armed forces properly while politicians lavished taxpayers' money on themselves.
The Independent announces Senior Army commander Major-General Andrew Mackay, who led British troops in Afghanistan and has clashed with the government over the war, has resigned from his post.
The Guardian publishes the results of a new survey which shows that the number of former servicemen in prison or on probation or parole is now more than double the total British deployment in Afghanistan.
The Daily Express says fears over the side-effects of the heart drugs statins, used by four million Britons, have sparked a two-year investigation.
The Daily Mirror reports England and Everton defender Phil Jagielka has been robbed at knifepoint in his home by three masked raiders who thought he was away with his club. He is the 15th Premiership star to be targeted by gangs in three years.
The Sun says a PE master was suspended after pupils saw naked photos of him the web.
And elsewhere...
The New York Times reports that led by President Obama, the world's most powerful nations were united in making a landmark pledge to abolish nuclear weapons despite defiance from Iran and North Korea.
Pittsburg Post-Gazette reports leaders of the world's largest economies are gearing up for two days of meetings in the US city of Pittsburgh, with an exhaustive agenda - from addressing trade imbalances to preventing future financial meltdowns to debating bankers' bonuses. Police fired tear gas during a game of cat and mouse with the anti-capitalist protesters.
Az-Zaman leads with the escape of five al-Qaida-linked prisoners awaiting execution in Iraq and 11 other inmates out of a prison in Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit. A massive manhunt is under way. A complete curfew has been imposed on the city and checkpoints have been set up on roads leading out of the area.
Jakarta Post says scientists and government leaders have already started mapping out how to try to improve the world's first successful Aids vaccine, which protected one in three people from getting HIV in a large study in Thailand.
The Washington Times reports the United States has denounced Russia's "Cold War mentality" behind a "disgusting" smear campaign on a US diplomat in Moscow. Kyle Hatcher, a US embassy liaison with religious and human rights groups in Russia, was the subject of an alleged sex video recorded at a hotel room that surfaced last month on a Russian "news" website believed to have close ties to Moscow's spy agency.
Australia's The Daily Telegraph says Wednesday's red dust storm forced an extra 27,000 workers to take the day off, with absenteeism levels jumping by 25 per cent.
Aftonbladet reports that with a helicopter, arms and explosives, a band of robbers took out a cash depot in the Swedish capital Stockholm, getting away with bags of money. The whole operation did not last longer than 20 minutes.
De Standard says two armed robbers have made off with a painting by Belgian surrealist Rene Magritte in a heist at an the appointment-only exhibition in Brussels.
Kathemerini says a court in Thessaloniki has sentenced a rebel abbot and 13 of his monks to a one-year suspended prison sentence after finding them guilty of obstructing the functioning of their 1,000-year-old monastery by refusing orders to leave it.
Variety reports Barbie, is reputedly the biggest selling toy of all time, set to make her debut on the big screen in a family movie. The 50-year-old figurine will be brought to life by Universal Pictures following a deal between the studio and manufacturer Mattel. There was no word on who might play Barbie or love interest Ken.
Fox News reports that a US expectant mother got shocking news when she went in for a routine ultrasound only to find out she is pregnant again. Doctors think Arkansas couple Julia and Todd conceived baby girl Jillian first, and two-and-a-half weeks later conceived baby boy Hudson in a rare development called superfetation. The babies have different due dates.