The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press.
The Times says 125 low floor buses bought by the government will be sold to the new operator for €13,000 each. They will need to be refurbished to higher standards. The newspaper also reports that the EU is seeking clarifications to ensure there was no illegal state aid to attract the SR Technics investment to Malta.
The Malta Independent leads with the new Obama Budget which has a $3.83 trillion deficit. It also reports that 32 per cent of Malta government spending in 2008 went on social benefits.
In-Nazzjon quotes the Mepa audit officer saying Mepa acted according to law on the power station extension.
l-orizzont reports that the PL has given notice of a motion in parliament to repeal the new utility tariffs. It also says gas prices are set to rise again.
The overseas press
The Jerusalem Post quotes Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi telling Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu that his 'dream' was to see Israel become a member of the European Union. Speaking at a ceremony on arrival in Jerusalem, Berlusconi also addressed the concerns of some in Israel over Italy's close economic ties with Iran. Netanhayu welcomed Berlusconi by referring to him as "dear Silvio" and describing him as "one of Israel's greatest friends" and defining his visit as "historic".
The Wall Street Journal reports President Barack Obama's 3.8-trillion-dollar budget for 2011 raises two trillion dollars in taxes, cuts spending on programmes with considerable political support and still leaves the US with 8.5 trillions in additional debt over the next decade. Mr Obama's budget repeats his recommendations for an overhaul of the nation's health care system.
Deutsche Welle quotes German Chancellor Angela Merkel saying she was in favour of acquiring the data on possible tax-evaders, holding secret Swiss bank accounts, that Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung said an informant had offered to sell authorities for 2.5 million euros. The information, which according to Financial Times Deutschland belonged to German clients of HSBC, could lead to 100 million euros for state coffers.
The Guardian says the Pope has condemned British legislation safeguarding rights of same-sex couples because it violates 'natural law'. While confirming his first visit to the UK later this year, the Pope criticised UK legislation for creating "limitations on the freedom of religious communities to act in accordance with their beliefs".
Kathemerini reports that pirates in Somalia have released the Greek-owned cargo ship "Filits"a and its crew of 22 after an undisclosed sum in ransom was paid. The crew was reported to be in good condition. The vessel was seized off the Seychelles last November as it carried chemicals to South Africa.
In the UK, a survey for The Independent shows the Conservative lead over Labour has been cut to seven points. It put the Tories on 38 per cent (unchanged since a similar poll last month), Labour on 31 per cent (up two points), the Liberal Democrats on 19 per cent (no change), and other parties on 12 per cent (down two). According to the newspaper, these figures would leave Mr Cameron 24 seats short of an overall majority.
Environment Today quotes Janos Pasztor, UN Secretary-General's top climate adviser, saying cuts announced by the nations responsible for most of the world's greenhouse gas emissions would fall short of the level needed to limit disastrous climate change. Some 50 nations - including China, the United States and the European Union - sent in their commitment letters by yesterday's deadline set in December.
Ha'aretz says Israel has reprimanded two high-ranking officers over the firing of artillery shells at a UN compound during the Gaza war last year. The punishment was announced in a document submitted to the United Nations in response to a UN report that accused Israel's military of committing war crimes, including using white phosphorus in the attack.
Az-Zaman reports a woman suicide bomber killed at least 41 people, including many women and children, in an attack on Shiite pilgrims in Baghdad. More than 100 people were wounded. The bomber hid her explosives underneath an abaya - a black cloak worn from head to toe - as she joined a group of pilgrims heading to the southern city of Karbala to mark a Shiite holy day.
The Advertiser says South Australia has become one of the few states in the world to censor the internet. The new law, which came into force on January 6, requires anyone making an online comment about next month's state election to publish their real name and postcode. The law could also apply to election comment made on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.