Malta and international press digest

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

The Times reports that a survey by a University student organization found that 10% of students favoured ending the stipends system. It also reports that in a worst case scenario, the government would have to fork out €50m to reimburse motorists for VAT paid on registration tax since 2004. It also features the crash of a Turkish Airlines plane in Amsterdam, which killed nine people.

The crash also features on The Malta Independent, which also reports that. ST won $400m in a case over Credit Suisse securities.

In-Nazzjon says there has been a positive reaction to the new investment by Methode Inc, announced two days ago. It also reports the passing away of Alexandra Borg Olivier and the crash in Amsterdam.

l-orizzont says bread price movements are to be expected, quoting a statement by the Consumer and Competition Division. In another story, it says an autopsy will be held today on the corpse of a man found at Armier yesterday afternoon.

The Press in Britain

Like most British dailies, the Daily Star reports there was an outpour of sympathy for David and Samantha Cameron following the sudden death of their disabled son Ivan, aged six, following an epileptic seizure. Politicians from all parties united in shock and sympathy as the House of Commons mourned the Cameron’s “beautiful baby”.

The Financial Times reports the City watchdog has promised a revolution in financial regulation, outlining a series of tougher rules for banks and hedge funds.

The Daily Telegraph says Gordon Brown helped fuel Britain's banking crisis by pressurising the City regulator not to intervene and stop reckless lending.

The Times says Alistair Darling is to give guarantees worth £600 billion against toxic assets in a bid to tackle the credit crunch.

The Daily Mail fears ministers could block the release of embarrassing information about ID cards.

The Guardian tells how the backlash against Peter Mandelson’s plans to partly privatise Royal Mail is laid bare with a warning from Labour’s eight largest unions.

And elsewhere…

De Telegraaf says Dutch authorities have launched an investigation into yesterday's Turkish Airlines Boeing 737plane crash at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport. Nine people were killed in the crash, including both pilots. Over 80 were injured and six were said to be in critical condition. The aircraft broke into three parts as it hit the ground.

The Washington Post reports that the US State Department has issued its annual report on human rights in more than 190 countries. It gives a grim assessment of the human rights record in a number of states around the globe, including China and Russia. At the same time the report acknowledged international concerns about the US performance – a clear reference to torture allegations of terror suspects.

USA Today announces that more than 50 people have been arrested in three US states as part of a campaign against Mexico's Sinaloa drug trafficking cartel.

Bangladesh Sun says some 50 people may have been killed in an armed mutiny staged by border guards over a pay dispute and alleged discrimination. They began laying down their arms early today after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina offered them a general amnesty.

Times of India reports that prosecutors have charged a man they say is the sole surviving gunman involved in last year's Mumbai terrorist attacks in which some 165 people were killed.

The New York Times says the UN Security Council has condemned the violence and attacks on African Union peacekeepers in Somalia during which some 80 people, including 11 Burundi soldiers, were killed.

Standard Times Press says a United Nations-backed court in Sierra Leone has convicted three rebel leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the country's decade long civil war.

The Globe & Mail quotes UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon calling on President Mugabe of Zimbabwe to release detained political activists.

Borzen Zeitung reports that a Chinese business delegation has signed contracts in Germany for goods worth about €8 billion. The contracts, with some 300 German companies, were mainly for goods from the electrical engineering and automotive sectors. Chinese Trade Minister Chen Deming is leading the delegation, which will also travel to Switzerland, Spain and Great Britain.

Al Jazeera says Iran is testing its first nuclear power station in the southern port city of Bushehr, adding to fears over its long-term atomic ambitions.

Rome’s Il Tempo reveals that the number of unaccompanied under-age illegal immigrants landing at Lampedusa is ever increasing: 2,124 during 2008 and 154 this year. This brings the total since 1974 to date to 8,457, mainly from Egypt, Nigeria, Eritrea, Somalia, Tunisia and Ghana.

Variety reports that President Obama and his wife Michelle have presented soul legend Stevie Wonder with the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song at the White House.