The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press:
The Times reports that a manhole cover which fell into a cesspit is believed to have caused a tragedy in Qormi where a teenager was overcome by fumes. His father remains in critical condition. The newspaper also reports how two persons were hurt as a speeding car ended up in a reservoir yesterday.
The Malta Independent leads with the results of a survey which showed that illegal software worth €4.4m was installed in Malta last year.
l-orizzont says the Consumer and Competition Authority is renting its premises in Guardamangia for €318,000 per year .
In-Nazzjon says the authorities are looking for a new site to house the Institute for Tourism Studies.
The overseas press
Al Jazeera reports at least 12 people killed and more than 120 other wounded in what the Libyan National Transitional Council officials said was the final assault to take Sirte, Gaddafi last stronghold. However, Libyan troops loyal to the deposed leaser were still holding out as NTC fighters advanced into the town centre. There were also particularly violent clashes around and inside the university, near the city centre.
Wall Street Journal says international credit rating agency Fitch has downgraded the ratings of Italy and Spain and said its long-term outlook for both countries was negative, quoting high debt and poor prospects for growth. Separately, Fitch also said it was keeping Portugal’s debt rating on watch for a possible downgrade, with a decision due by the end of the year. Portugal was the third and latest eurozone country to receive an international bailout package after Greece and Ireland.
Praise has begun pouring in from the international community in reaction to the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize being awarded to three women for their work on women's rights. Morgenbladet says the Oslo-based Nobel Committee honored Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberian peace activist Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkul Karman of Yemen "for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women's rights to full participation in peace-building work". EU leaders described the choice of winners as "a victory for a new democratic Africa and a new democratic Arab World".
Los Angeles Times reports that more details have been revealed of the final moments of the popstar Michael Jackson from the doctor who is accused of causing his death. The jury listened to an audio recording in which Dr Conrad Murray says he made repeated attempts to help the singer get to sleep with the use of sedatives.
Red Star says there has been international condemnation of the killing by masked gunmen in Syria of a prominent Kurdish opposition leader. At least 21 Syrians were killed on Friday amid protests by thousands against President Assad's government and in support of a newly formed opposition front. France said it was shocked by the assassination of 53-year-old Kurdish activist and opposition spokesman Meshaal Tammo. The US said that the killing showed that Assad was taking the country down “a dangerous path”.
ABC reports that 111 people – bank tellers, restaurant workers and other service employees – have been arrested in New York City and accused with credit card fraud. Prosecutors say they lifted credit card data from residents and foreign tourists as part of an identity theft ring that stretched out to China, Europe and the Middle East. Queens District Attorney Richard Brown, said this was the largest fraud case he had ever seen in his two decades in office. More than $13 million were spent on iPads, iPhones, watches and handbags from Gucci and Louis Vuitton.
Environmental News reports that a possible link between pollution found in diesel fumes and the global collapse of honey bee colonies is to be investigated. Researchers from the University of Southampton in the UK believe nanoparticles emitted from diesel engines could be affecting bees’ brains and damaging their in-built navigation skills. They believe this may stop worker bees finding their way back to the hive. There is also a theory that diesel fumes mop up flower smells in the atmosphere, making it difficult for the insects to find food. Bees are estimated to contribute billions to the world’s economy, by pollinating crops, producing honey and supporting employment.
Pittsburg Post Gazette says thieves have stolen a 50-foot steel bridge valued at approximately $100,000. The 20-foot wide bridge was in a wooded area along a railroad line, about 60 miles north of Pittsburgh. Police say the thieves used a blowtorch to cut the bridge apart. They presumably aim to sell it for scrap metal.