The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press:
The Times leads with the launching of the pre-budget document. It says that deficit reduction continues to be a government priority. It also reports how the European Court of Human Rights has ordered Malta to pay compensation to a migrant for arbitrary detention.
The Malta Independent says the pre-budget document places strong emphasis on social justice. It also reports the launching of a public consultation on the government's environment strategy.
MaltaToday asks if Malta is able to counter any oil spill from the oil well which BP plans to drill off Libya. It also says EU sanctions against Iran expose Malta's maritime links with that country.
In-Nazzjon says economic and social consolidation are at the core of the pre-budget document. It also reports how two men were lucky to escape serious injury when a roof collapsed in Msida.
l-orizzont reports how the government has still not amended a law which was found by the courts to discriminate against married couples in adoption procedures. It also says social benefits and health are in the focus of the pre-budget document, as well as plans for the creation of a single means testing unit.
The overseas press
IceNews reports Iceland has began formal accession talks with the European Union, despite differences over such issues as whale hunting and the Icelandic banking collapse that hit British and Dutch investors in 2008. Iceland is already a member of the Schengen border-free travel zone and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), and hopes to join the bloc in about two years' time.
EU Observer says Amnesty International has criticised Greece for its treatment of irregular migrants and asylum seekers, saying the government often treats them as criminals and violates their human rights.
The Washington Times reports US senators have postponed their inquiry into the Lockerbie bomber's release because of what it calls "stonewalling" by British and Scottish officials who refused to give evidence. Senator Robert Menendez, a Democrat who was due to chair the hearing, said "no witness of consequence has the courage" to step up and clear the air.
The Wall Street Journal says BP has announced a €24.64 billion pre-tax charge to pay for the massive Gulf oil spill, detailed plans to sell €23 billion in assets and replaced its chief executive Tony Hayward by Robert Dudley, an American who has been at the company since 1998. In his first public statement since getting the job, Mr Dudley promised BP would become a "different company" more focused on safety.
The Times reports UN former chief weapons inspector Hans Blix has said it was his "firm view" that the Iraq war was illegal. He told the Iraq inquiry the UK had sought to go down the "UN route" to deal with Saddam Hussein but failed. Dr Blix said his team of inspectors had visited 500 sites but found no evidence of weapons of mass destruction.
The Washington Post says the US House of Representatives has approved by 308 votes in favour and 114 against a €45-billion emergency war-funding bill for an additional 30,000 US troops for Afghanistan and other Pentagon operational expenses.
El Universal says eight human heads have been found in four separate places near roadsides outside the northern Mexico city of Durang in more drug-related violence. Police have still to identify the victims, thought to have been aged between 25 and 30, and locate their bodies.
The Guardian reports that a London court has blocked the extradition of former Bosnian leader Ejup Ganic to face trial for alleged war crimes in Serbia. The 64-year-old was accused of ordering a series of atrocities committed in Sarajevo during fighting in 1992. The judge said there was evidence the trial could be "politically motivated" and he ruled against extradition.
The Daily Mail says Britain was providing an extra €60 million to pay for cancer medicines from October, bringing forward a government promise to give access to drugs even if they have not been approved by the NHS cost watchdog. Health minister Andrew Lansley said dotors would decide locally how the funding was spent, based on the advice of cancer specialists.
According to Timpul, police in Moldova are investigating the death of a six-week-old baby who apparently drowned after swallowing water during his baptism ceremony. In the Orthodox religion, babies are baptised by being briefly immersed three times in water. Film shot by relatives shows the baby moving after being taken out of the font, but then suffering difficulty breathing as he is dressed. Twenty minutes later, he started bleeding from his nose and mouth and died.
The Australian reports a mother has been charged with sending her 16-year-old daughter to work as a prostitute at a brothel in Sydney's eastern suburbs to support the family. The girl allegedly provided services to more than 18 clients over period of 13 hours, charging up to $330 an hour. The girl's father reported his former wife to the police after his daughter told him she had been subjected to acts of violence, which made her cry.