The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press.
The Times quotes the prime minister saying the government is kick-starting the economy with new projects and initiatives. It also features the death of Margaret Thatcher.
The Malta Independent focuses on the Budget. It also says the Kissinger cables feature Dom Mintoff's 'authoritarian antics'.
In-Nazzjon says the Labour government inherited a strong economy.
l-orizzont reports that the deficit was €68m higher than projected.
The overseas press
Margaret Thatcher, the grocer’s daughter who became Britain’s prime minister and transformed her country in the process, died yesterday following a stroke. She was 87. All British nationals dedicate their front pages to the news with the “i” newspaper saying “Thatcher was as divisive in death as she was in life”. British Prime Minister David Cameron described her as the “patriot” prime minister. Queen Elizabeth, President Obama, President Putin and former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev lead tributes to Baroness Thatcher, but large crowds gathered in Glasgow, Liverpool and Brixton to “celebrate” her death. Sky News says Baroness Thatcher will be given a rare ceremonial funeral with military honours to mark her huge influence on Britain.
The New York Daily Star reports that loved by conservatives and loathed by many liberals, Thatcher towered above the men with whom she vied for power. Displaying a steely resolve and an unshakable belief that she – and often only she – was right, Thatcher crushed labour unions, privatised British industry, kicked the Argentinians out of the Falkland Islands, and partnered with the US to wage the Cold War. Those who crossed Thatcher or dared to disagree found themselves on the receiving end of withering diatribes. During her tenure at 10 Downing Street from 1979 to 1990, Thatcher pushed for free markets, deregulation, personal responsibility, hard work, and strident opposition to communism – an agenda that became known to the world as “Thatcherism”.
Tribune de Genève says the World Health Organisation has denied there is evidence the H7N9 bird flu virus is being transmitted between people in China. Concerns over human transmission arose in Shanghai after two sons of an elderly man – who was one of the earliest deaths from H7N – developed respiratory illness and one died. The virus was later ruled out by Chinese authorities and the WHO's China representative Michael O'Leary has confirmed that finding.
Rodong Sinmun reports North Korea has decided to recall 51,000 North Korean workers and suspend operations at a factory complex which is the last major symbol of co-operation with its southern rival. The Kaesong complex combines cheap North Korean labour and South Korean know-how and technology. Many of the 120 South Korean companies at Kaesong have recently faced serious challenges as North Korea has barred South Koreans and supply trucks from entering the complex for days.
Euronews says the European Union has expressed regret over Serbia's rejection of an EU-brokered deal designed to end tensions with breakaway Kosovo, seen as a key condition for EU integration talks. Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic told reporters the principles presented to its negotiating team in Brussels did not guarantee full security and protection of human rights to the Serb people in Kosovo.
Al Watan says the government of Bahrain has declared the Lebanese Shiite party Hezbollah a terrorist organisation – the first Arab country to officially do so. RIA Novosti recalls last month European Commission President José Manuel Barroso said the EU could consider the inclusion of Hezbollah in the list of terrorist organisations – joining the US, Israel, Canada and the Netherlands – following the results of the investigation of the terrorist attack in the Bulgarian city of Burgas.
The Washington Times reports President Obama has warned Congress not to use delaying tactics against tighter regulations and told families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims that he was “determined as ever” to honour their children with tougher laws. Obama's gun control proposals have run into resistance on Capitol Hill, leaving their fate in doubt. Efforts by Senate Democrats to reach compromise with Republicans over expanding required federal background checks have yet to yield an agreement, and conservatives were promising to try blocking the Senate from even beginning debate on gun control legislation.
Thieves have made off with five metric tons of Nutella chocolate-hazelnut spread from a parked trailer in the central German town of Bad Hersfeld. Germans news agency dpa says the gooey loot is worth an estimated €16,000. Thieves have previously stolen a load of energy drinks from the same location.
Ansa reports am ambulance crew was forced to flee after their vehicle was pelted with sticks, stones and firecrackers on Monday during clashes between soccer fans in the area around Rome's Olympic Stadium before a high-profile match between hometown rivals Roma and Lazio. Some store owners closed up shop early and smoke bombs were thrown on neighbourhood streets as police tried to break up fights among opposing fans. Even some motorists stuck in traffic on streets in the area were drawn into the melee. At least five people sustained knife wounds. The match ended in 1-1.