The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press:
The Times says an inquiry into explosions in fireworks factories last year has not been concluded yet.
The Malta Independent says Malta has the highest corporate tax rate in the EU. It also says the authorities are investigating dubious honey sold in tourist shops.
l-orizzont says agreement was reached between the GWU and Arriva on the work shifts for bus drivers. The workers had threatened not to go to work.
In-Nazzjon’s focus is on the last bus trips by the current service today. It also reports that Maypole Bakery will invest €7 million on new factory in Qormi. The company will benefit from EU funds.
The overseas press
France 24 reports that allies of the former head of the International Monetary Fund Dominique Strauss-Khan say he could make a political comeback now that he has been freed from house arrest in New York. Doubts have emerged by the credibility of the hotel maid who alleged Strauss-Khan had raped her. A letter from the New York District Attorney's office to Strauss-Kahn's lawyers revealed a series of lies by the alleged victim about her background of political persecution and gang rape in her native Guinea, in west Africa, to obtain US asylum, and, in the current case, how she spent her time just after the alleged incident at the Manhattan Sofitel where she worked. Before his arrest, the 62-year-old Strauss-Kahn – known in France as DSK – led popularity polls looking ahead to the race. His solid stature, silver hair and intelligence matched the image many French had of their next president.
Monaco’s five main dailies have front page pictures of Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock, a one-time Olympic swimmer from South Africa, taking their marriage vows in an intimate civil ceremony in the palace's throne room. Journal de Monaco says celebrations continue today with a religious ceremony and star-studded gala dinner. After a Sunday brunch, the newlyweds head off to South Africa for an IOC meeting. They'll take their honeymoon in August.
Panapress reports African leaders have called for a ceasefire in Libya followed by talks between the government and rebels on a political transition process. A proposal adopted by the 53-nation body at their summit in Equatorial Guinea offered to host such talks in Ethiopia. It comes after an AU delegation traveled to Libya, meeting both with Gaddafi and the rebels attempting to overthrow him in an effort to mediate a solution.
Asharq Al-Awsat says tens of thousands of supporters of the Libyan regime gathered in Tripoli heard a defiant Muammar Gaddafi threaten to carry out attacks in Europe against "homes, offices, families," unless Nato stopped its airstrikes in Libya. The Libyan leader delivered the warning in a telephone message played to what was seen as one of the largest pro-government rallies in recent months. And as Gaddafi supporters cheered, honked horns and fired into the air in the street, a series of powerful explosions rattled the heart of the capital – apparently new Nato airstrikes,. Black smoke could be seen rising from the area near Gaddafi's Bab al-Aziziya compound.
The Washington Times quotes US State Department spokesman Mark Toner saying they would take Gaddafi's threat of attacks seriously, as his regime carried out such actions in the past. Toner told a news conference in Washington he did not know if there was intelligence to indicate Gaddafi's regime would be able to carry out such attacks.
Gaddafi’s son, Seif al-Islam denied in a Russian news channel RTV interview that either of them ordered the killing of civilian protesters. Referring to the International Criminal Court arrest warrants, he said “most of the people” died when they tried to storm military sites, and that guards fired on them under standing orders to protect the bases and themselves. He denounced the international court as “a Mickey Mouse court” controlled by the Nato countries now bombing Libya.
Al Arabiya says hundreds of thousands of Syrians have taken to the streets in one of the biggest demonstrations yet against President Assad. Activists said Syrian security forces shot dead at least 14 people.
Le Matin reports Moroccans have overwhelmingly approved a new constitution their king says will bring the country much-needed democratic reform. The Interior Ministry announced preliminary results showing a 98.94 per cent approval rating and 72.56 per cent turnout and appeared to indicate strong belief by Moroccans in the king's promises of reform just months after hundreds of thousands marched throughout the North African country calling for more democracy.
Corriere della Sera says an Italian engineering firm has sparked controversy by sacking half its workforce amid accusations of sexism, since all the 13 people made redundant are women. Ma-Vib, a family-owned business near Milan, makes electric fans and heating equipment and reportedly justified its action by saying it had chosen to make the women redundant so that they could stay at home and look after children, and because theirs was not the primary income in the household. One of Italy's biggest unions condemned the move, saying it represented what it called "the same old thinking about women's role in society".
Clarin reports that the world’s oldest international football tournament, Copa America, kicked off this morning. In the inaugural match in Buenos, Argentina drew 1-1 against Bolivia with Edivaldo scoring in the 48th minute for Bolivia and Aguero drawing in the 76th minute. The competition dates back to 1916.