Malta and international press digest

The following are the leading stories in the Maltese and overseas press:

The Times says Labour allegations of corruption at the MMA have been dismissed by the National Commission against Corruption.

The Malta Independent reports the MLP saying it will encourage use of alternative sources of energy. It also reports about an Indian pharma company which is setting up shop in Malta.

L-orizzont says that in November 2004 employers and the government proposed to reduce overtime payments.

In-Nazzjon says a Nationalist government will form a partnership with the private sector to reduce hospital waiting lists. It also reports how the Malta shipping register has reached a record tonnage.

The Press in Britain

Metro reveals a secret EU report claiming MEPs have 'ripped off' up to £100 million from the European Parliament in fiddled expenses claims in just over a year. The audit, which covers late 2004 to early 2006, does not name any of the MEPs involved.

The Guardian claims an exclusive, saying a secret dossier reveals the extent of Government anxiety over British-Israeli relations. It says the Foreign Office managed to prevent the discredited Iraq weapons dossier mentioning Israel's nuclear arsenal while accusing Iraq of having weapons of mass destruction.

The Independent says British Gas is to announce annual profits of £580 million, a rise of 500 per cent. No wonder, it says, with prices up by 15%, customers have reached 'boiling point'.

The Telegraph reports Britain is experiencing the worst 'brain drain' of any country: many teachers, doctors and engineers are among those leaving in the biggest exodus for nearly 50 years.

The Times claims the coroner overseeing the inquest into the deaths of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed has been urged to halt the 'circus' and bring the hearing to a close. The plea follows revelations that 10 members of MI6 have been summoned to give evidence. Meanwhile, Sir Richard Dearlove, the former head of MI6, has given a point-blank denial that the security service executed Princess Diana, dismissing claims by Mohamed Al Fayed that Diana and his son Dodi were killed by MI6 on the orders of the Duke of Edinburgh.

The Sun leads on a possible sighting of Madeleine McCann in France, which police have since dismissed.

The Daily Express also prints a picture of Maddy on its front-page but leads with a story saying householders can expect a £300 annual tax rise in next month's budget. It claims official figures have laid bare soaring Government borrowing.

The Mail's lead story says more than 250,000 UK passports could be given to foreigners - including criminals - every year under new proposals.

And elsewhere…

EU Observer reports the European Parliament has overwhelmingly approved the EU's reform Lisbon Treaty and urged all 27 individual states to pass the treaty as quickly as possible before European elections next year. So far, the parliaments of five countries – including Malta – have ratified the treaty. Only Ireland is putting the reform treaty to a general referendum.

The Wall Street Journal quotes Pakistani President Musharraf rejecting demands that he step down following his allies' poor showing in the parliamentary elections. Despite intensifying pressure, Musharraf told the US newspaper he had no plans to resign. Opposition parties are now trying to establish a coalition which would give them the two thirds of seats required to impeach him.

Ghanian Chronicle says President Bush has assured Washington was not planning to build new military bases in Africa despite last year's formation of a US military command for Africa. Speaking during a visit to Ghana, Bush said the command was intended to help African leaders deal with conflicts. He also unveiled a 350-million-dollar, five-year plan to fight neglected tropical diseases in Africa. His five-nation African tour is to end with a visit to Liberia later today.

Washington Post reports Illinois Senator Barack Obama has widened his lead over rival Hillary Clinton in the contest to win nomination as Democratic presidential candidate. Obama has now had 10 wins in a row following his victories in the US state of Wisconsin and Hawaii. Meanwhile, Republican front-runner John McCain also won in Wisconsin, beating Mike Huckabee, thus taking another big step towards becoming his party's nominee in November's presidential election.

Chumhuriyet says Turkish lawmakers have adopted a bill to improve the rights of Turkey's tiny Christian and Jewish communities, a key demand of the European Union that Ankara is seeking to join. The law will return to Christian and Jewish minority foundations all assets – including churches, school buildings and orphanages – that were registered in the names of saints and which confiscated by the state.

The Nation reports Kenya's opposition has threatened to resume street protests if talks fail to produce concrete results within a week. The leaders of the Orange Democratic Movement said the government of President Mwai Kibaki was not being a serious partner in trying to end a post-election crisis.