The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press:
The Sunday Times reports how a Gozo ferry which had already cast off, was ordered to turn back to pick up the chairman.
The Malta Independent says the PN wants the Constitutional neutrality clause out, and same sex unions in. It also says that half of the Marsa power station will be closed next year when the extension to Delimara power station comes on stream.
Malta Today says the PN is pandering to the liberals in a historic volte face. It also says that Brussels has been bombarded by complaints on Arriva’s discriminatory fees.
It-Torca highlights the poor working conditions of workers engaged by a contractor to work for the government, describing it as modern slavery.
KullHadd says that half of the cost of living given in the Budget will go for Social Security.
Il-Mument highlights the PN’s policy proposals for the modern forms of the family.
Illum says the MUT has told the government it does not intend leaving the FORUM group of trade unions.
The overseas press
Spaniards will be voting today after an election campaign dominated by worries about the economy and high unemployment. El Pais quotes opinion polls showing a clear lead for the centre-right opposition, The Popular Party, signalling an end to seven years of Socialist rule. Conservative leader Mariano Rajoy Brey, 56, has won support by promising to mend the country's economic problems and cut unemployment. But former Interior Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba, the candidate for the Socialist Party, has accused Mr Rajoy of planning to make severe cuts to health and education.
EU Observer says the European Union has been forced to accept a two per cent rise in its budget next year – a far cry from the five per cent it wanted. Several EU governments argued the demands by the European Parliament and Commission were "unrealistic" in a time of austerity. EU negotiators settled for the two per cent rise 15 hours of talks ending in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Tripoli Post reports that Libya’s transitional government has promised a fair trial for Saif al-Islam Muammar Gaddafi, the son of the country’s former leader, who was captured by revolutionary fighters in the southern desert on Saturday. The Justice Minister said Libya was qualified to handle the case and assurances have been given to the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Louis Moreno O Campo, who is due to visit Libyan next week to discuss the trial. Saif al-Islam Gaddafi was arrested in the southwestern desert town of Obari as tried to reach neighbouring Niger.
Al Ahram says there is a standoff between Egyptian riot police and tens of thousands of protesters in Cairo, days before the first elections since Hosni Mubarak was ousted. Earlier, the police fired rubber bullets and tar gas on the demonstrators, killing one and injuring more than 600. Hundreds of protesters fought back, hurling stones and setting an armoured police vehicle on fire.The demonstrators want the ruling military council to return power to a civilian government.
President Bashir Al Assad of Syria has said his country would not bow down to international pressure as activists said at least 24 people were killed in clashes on Saturday. In an interview with the UK's Sunday Times, Assad accused the Arab League of creating a pretext for Western intervention in his country, which he said would trigger an "earthquake" across the Middle East. He said his soldiers were under attack and the response was to "search for the armed people, chase the armed gangs, prevent the entry of arms and weapons from neighbouring countries, prevent sabotage and enforce law and order". The president’s comments coincided with an Arab League deadline for Damascus to accept a delegation of monitor as part of a peace plan or face economic sanctions,
Pope Benedict is wrapping up a visit to Africa with a farewell mass in Benin’s man city Cotonou later today. Benin Star says that during his trip, the Pope has touched upon a number of complex problems that the Catholic Church was facing in Africa including dialogue with Muslims, AIDS and how to square Catholic teaching with traditional African religion.
USA Today reports that a beige cashmere hat with fur and matching collar and cuffs worn by Aretha Franklin has sold for $400 during a sale of dozens of items once owned by the Queen of Soul. Hats were big draws at a sales event attended Saturday by several hundred people in Livonia, Massachusetts.