The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press.
Times of Malta reports that more than 22 per cent of female workers earn less than €5 an hour, according to the director of the Cottonera Resource Centre Josann Cutajar.
The Malta Independent leads with a photo of celebrations held in Grand Harbour last night to mark the 10th anniversary of Malta joining the EU.
In-Nazzjon carries the heading A Better Malta in Europe, and reports on yesterday’s PN activity in Valletta marking EU accession 10 years ago.
l-orizzont quotes the prime minister saying the reduction in petrol and gas prices and their freeze till the end of the year meant stability and certainty for families and businesses.
The overseas press
The Wall Street Journal reports the International Monetary Fund has approved a $17.1billion (€12.11billion) bailout for Ukraine to help the country's beleaguered economy.
Most British nationals report the arrest of one of Northern Ireland’s most prominent politicians, the Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams in connection with a murder that took place more than 40 years ago. The Daily Mail says he is being questioned about the killing of Jean McConville, who was abducted by the IRA in 1972. He denies any involvement.
China Daily quotes Chinese President Xi Jinping calling for “decisive action to be taken against terrorists”. He was speaking after an explosion in the troubled region of Xinjiang on Wednesday which left three people dead and injured about 80 others.
Al Ayyam reports Iraqis have voted amid tight security in the country’s first parliamentary elections since American forces withdrew in 2011. The electoral commission says provisional figures showed that 60 per cent of eligible voters had cast their ballot.
The Nigerian Interior Minister Abba Moro has told the BBC it was unfair to accuse his government of not doing enough to secure the release of 230 abducted schoolgirls by militants two weeks ago. He said Nigeria had committed “extensive” resources to ensure their rescue
O Globo says Brazilian President Dilma Roussef has announced a package of measures to increase the income of the country’s workers. Speaking ahead of Labour Day celebrations, she announced a 10 per cent rise in the monthly allowance paid to millions of low-income families.
Toronto Sun reports controversial Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is to take a leave of absence to seek help for his substance abuse problem. Last year, Ford admitted after months of denial of smoking crack cocaine while drunk bu he has rejected calls to stand down.
USA Today says the governor of Oklahoma has ordered an “independent review” of the state's execution protocols after a death row inmate took 40 minutes to die. Clayton Lockett's execution was stopped after 20 minutes on Tuesday evening after witnesses saw him writhing. A ruptured vein was discovered and he died of a heart attack soon afterwards.
Brunei Times reports a tough Islamic penal code comes into force today in the kingdom. Sharia punishments that will include the severing of limbs for theft and death by stoning for adulterers will be brought in over three years.
Reuters reports Venezuela is to start crushing abandoned cars and bicycles to provide raw materials for housing construction and supplement drastically-reduced amounts of local steel.
El Pais reveals Spanish police have arrested a 26-year-old Villarreal supporter suspected of throwing a banana at Barcelona's Brazilian footballer Dani Alves last weekend. The racist incident took place as the player was about to take a corner in a match at Villarreal on Sunday. Alves responded by peeling and eating the banana – an action that received praise worldwide and sparked a large social media campaign against racism.