Malta and international press digest

The following are the top stories in the Maltese and international press today:

The Sunday Times says that no charges have been made over attempts to buy a Gozitan girl’s rape silence.

Illum says that Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi does not want Speaker Louis Galea to become the next President. It has a story saying that the richest people were the most worried this year. It also reports that Enemalta wants arrears dating back to 12 years ago.

Malta today leads with a story saying that the credit crunch has come to Malta. It says that Dr Gonzi is pushing Joe Borg for President as Richard Cachia Caruana warms up for EU commissioner.

The Independent on Sunday reports that a massive Israeli ground attack was the next move expected in Gaza. It reports on the death of composer Charles Camilleri and says that a gambling company based in Malta was involved in illegal operations.

It-Torca leads with a story on the lack of tourists in Gozo, a story on sales and the explanation by the police on Supt Silvio Valletta’s Marsa comments.

Il-Mument focuses on the situation in Israel and says that local councils are giving Christmas an innovative look. It also reports a positive reaction to the education reform.

The Press in Britain…

The Independent On Sunday concentrates on the Israeli ground offensive in Gaza, saying that the conflict entered into a new phase which would not end quickly.

The Sunday Mail says Israeli troops invaded Gaza after unleashing a ferocious tank and gun bombardment.

The Sunday Telegraph reports that a second bail-out of the banks was condemned as "the worst possible option" as the government considered fresh intervention.

The Sunday Herald says the plan to recapitalise banks and get them lending again with a £37billion bail-out has not worked.

The Sunday Times says the organs of 50 British NHS donors have been given to foreign patients who paid £75,000 each for private transplant operations.

In an exclusive interview with The Observer, Prime Minister Gordon Brown unveils ambitious plans for a 1930s US-style programme of public works to ease the recession by creating up to 100,000 jobs.

According to the Mail on Sunday, taxpayers are facing a 'multi-million-pound bill' to store 100,000 tons of waste paper and cardboard as the British recycling industry plunges into chaos.

The Sunday Express focuses on a conman, suspected £100m property scam, who allegedly faked his own death in a plane crash.

Daily Star Sunday gives top spot to model Lucy Pinder, who is appearing in the new series of Celebrity Big Brother.

The News of the World says Sheryl Gascoigne wept as she finally dumped fallen footballer Gazza and vowed never take him back.

The People reports that John Travolta and his wife face police quiz over death of their son.

According to The Sunday Mirror, Al-Qaeda fanatics are using paedophile websites to plot terror attacks on Britain.

Scotland on Sunday reports the new Forth road bridge plans are in disarray as the UK government threw out a request for a multimillion-pound advance.

And elsewhere…

Israel’s long-expected ground invasion of the Gaza Strip last night dominates the world media. Infantry and tanks, backed by air support, moved into the north of the territory after an artillery barrage lasting hours, opening a new phase of Isreal's eight-day-old offensive on Hamas targets.

The Jerusalem Post quotes Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak telling reporters in Tel Aviv that the sole aim of the military operation was to prevent Hamas from firing rockets at Israel.

The New York Times says the UN Security Council has called an emergency meeting to address the crisis in Gaza.

The Washington Times reports President Bush stressed that a verifiable end to Hamas violence was a precondition to a ceasefire.

The International Herald Tribune focuses on first reactions to the Israeli incursion into Gaza.

The Jakarta Post reports that an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 on the Richter scale has struck off Indonesia's eastern coast, causing electricity blackouts and sending residents fleeing for high ground.

Blesk reports the Czech EU Presidency won't assume a mediating role in the dispute between Russia and Ukraine over gas prices and allegedly unpaid bills.

The Accra Sunday Mail reports John Atta Mills, of the opposition National Democratic Congress, has won the country's presidential election.

The Korea Herald says that hundreds of parliamentary security guards have clashed with opposition lawmakers when they stormed the parliamentary building in a bid to end the opposition's nine-day blockade of the main chamber.

The Times of India quotes prime minister Manmohan Singh calling on Pakistan to hand over those responsible for the November terrorist attacks in Mumbai that killed more than 160 people

The New Straits Times says a rare 23-foot-long whale shark got entangled in a fishing net off Malaysia’s northwest coast and was towed to shore but died due to injuries.