The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press:
The Times reports that the PN is in all round defence of its MP Robert Arrigo. It also reports how a new law will protect whistleblowers.
The Malta Independent leads with the launching of the Whistleblow Act and a new law to strengthen the Commission Against Corruption.
In-Nazzjon quotes the Prime Minister saying the government was determined to unmask all forms of corruption and would not tolerate illegality.
l-orizzont says the Prime Minister was cautious about BWSC when he was asked questions yesterday during the launch of the Whisteblower Act. It also asks if school hours will be extended to 4 p.m. and says the MUT has ruled out any talks on the subject.
The overseas press
El Universo reports Ecuador was plunged into crisis as troops seized the main airport and police stormed the Congress, forcing the government to declare a state of emergency and denounce an attempted coup. President Rafael Correa was surrounded and attacked with tear gas by police, protesting against new austerity measures. The President was taken to hospital and has been unable to leave with hundreds of protesting police officers surrounding the building.
The Washington Post quotes the Organisation of American States saying it was deeply concerned about the events in Ecuador. In an emergency session, the OAS gave its full support to President Correa and and asked all stakeholders to avoid "exacerbating" the political instability.
Pan India News says Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has appealed for calm after a court decided that the control of a disputed religous site in Ayodhya should be split between Hindus and Muslims. Both sides plan to appeal the verdict handed down by the Allahabad High Court.
The Washington Times quotes the US State Department announcing that four major energy companies - Royal Dutch Shell, Total, Statoil and Italy's ENI - were pulling out of Iran in order to comply with US sanctions. Recent legislation gives the US administration the power to penalise foreign companies which invest more than $20 million (€14.6 million) in Iran's energy sector.
Afghan Times says the Nato-led foreign forces in Afghanistan have admitted that one of their helicopters entered Pakistani air space and opened fire. Pakistani authorities, who said three of their solders were killed, later closed its main land routes into Afghanistan, holding up supply convoys heading for the Nato forces.
USA Today reports the authorities in New Jersey have arrested the room mate of a student who committed suicide after a film showing him having sex with another man was broadcast live on the internet. The room mate and a friend are accused with invasion of privacy.
Variety says tributes have been paid to Hollywood star Tony Curtis who has died at his US home in Nevada aged 85. Sir Roger Moore, who worked with Curtis on 70's TV series "The Persuaders!", called him "a fine actor". The actor, who starred in "Some Like it Hot" opposite Marilyn Monroe, was nominated for an Oscar in 1959 for "The Defiant Ones", in which he starred with Sidney Poitier. His career spanned six decades and he made more than 120 films.
Toronto Sun says a Toronto anaesthetist has been accused of sexually assaulting 29 women under his care. Dr George Doodnaught, 61, is believed to have assaulted the women while they were under anaesthesia and undergoing surgical procedures.
Bild says Germany not only celebrates 20 years since reunification this weekend, it will also pay off the last of its World War I debts, 92 years after the 1914-18 conflict ended. In 1919, as the loser of the "War To End All Wars", in which more than nine million people were killed and countless more maimed and traumatised by the horrors of trench warfare, Germany was held to be responsible. These "reparations" were intended partly by the Allies, particularly France, to keep Germany weak. But historians say the ultimate effect was the opposite, playing a key role in Adolf Hitler's rise to power and World War II.