The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas newspapers.
Times of Malta reports how EU border chiefs have warned that migrant numbers are expected to increase dramatically in the coming months. It also reports how a Scottish firm has dropped its interest in the Maltese bus service.
The Malta Independent refers to the choices for the presidency and says Mintoffjani still hold sway in Labour.
In-Nazzon says unemployment is approaching 8,000 people.
l-orizzont says there has been international agreement for the establishment of quality marks for vegetables.
The overseas press
Russia has issued its strongest response yet to the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych in Ukraine. RIA Novosti quotes Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev questioning the legitimacy of Ukraine’s interim authorities, saying they had come to power in an armed mutiny. He said this was “a threat to Russia citizens and Russian interests”. A similar harsh statement was issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry questioning the future of non-Ukraine-speaking population after anti-Russian and anti-Semitic sentiments were pronounced during the events that led to Yanukovych fleeingKiev.
British investigators have told the BBC that they were operating on the ground in Ukraine to help establish who was responsible for Thursday’s killing of tens of protesters, mostly by government snipers. The experts said they were gathering evidence which could be used to prosecute suspects.
TG com announces Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has won a vote of confidence in the Senate backing his new government programme of rapid economic and institutional reforms. The vote was 169 in favour and 139 against. Renzi has promised to cut income tax, invest in jobs and abolish the Senate as a law-making body.
The Washington Times says American Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel has proposed a substantial cut in the size of the US army which would make it the smallest since the World War II. He suggested a reduction to no more than 450,000 active soldiers.
Al Bawaba quotes Lebanese security officials saying Israeli warplanes have carried out two airstrikes in eastern Lebanon near the Syrian border. Residents reported hearing explosions in an area where the militant Shiite group Hezbollah has a strong presence.
Save the Children has warned that a million babies die on the first day of their lives every year. The Daily Mail says a report published in London says more than half of those deaths around the world could be prevented if all women had access to healthcare workers.