Malta and international press digest

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

The Times reports that nine are to be taken to court because of costumes they wore at the Nadur Carnival. It also reports that the ECB has again cut eurozone interest rates. The newspaper also carries a picture of the Xarolla windmill, which was badly damaged by strong winds.

The Malta Independent says Malta offers tourists the world's worst purchasing power parity. It also reports a new attack on a server of Maltese embassies. In a third story, it highlights comments by the Chief Justice pointing to a contradiction in the concept of house arrest.

l-orizzont says the dispute which stemmed from the sale of Sea Malta is to be considered in the European Parliament. It also gives prominence to the comments of the Chief Justice.

In-Nazzjon's focus is on the damage caused by strong winds, particularly to the Xarolla windmill. It also reports that MEPA has approved an extension of the Ramla Bay Hotel.

The Press in Britain

The Daily Telegraph reports on the Bank of England's pledge to create £150 billion of cash and pour it into Britain’s stricken financial system.

The Daily Express also leads with the Bank of England's "last-gasp" interest rate cut and 'printing' of cash in a bid to revive lending and consumer spending.

The Financial Times says the Bank of England has "embraced" the policy of quantitative easing – with money created at the stroke of a central bank computer key.

The Scotsman says customers may soon be routinely charged for having current accounts, even when they are in credit, due to the fall in interest rates.

The Daily Star leads with the news that Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole collapsed in tears during her charity trek up Mount Kilimanjaro after learning her husband Ashley Cole had been arrested for being drunk and disorderly.

The Daily Mirror wonders whether the Cole’s marriage is on the rocks, and reports that Michael Jackson is to play his final gigs in London.

The Sun has a picture of Ashley Cole following his arrest and also reports on the return of Jacko.

The Independent leads with the news that in the past 17 months, the Gambling Commission has investigated 47 cases of alleged match-fixing and illegal betting on British sporting events.

The Guardian’s top story is the news that more than 40 major British companies face legal action for allegedly buying secret personal data about thousands of workers who they wanted to vet before employing them.

The Daily Mail says a Youth Justice board report shows a huge increase in youth robbery and violence.

And elsewhere…

Bozen Zeitung says interest rates have fallen to record lows in the countries that use the euro currency. The European Central Bank cut its main interest rate by half a point to 1.5 percent. ECB chief, Jean-Claude Trichet said more cuts could follow.

The International Herald Tribune reports that NATO foreign ministers, meeting in Brussels, have agreed to resume formal ties with Russia.

The New York Times says UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has appealed to Sudan to reverse its decision to expel at least 10 aid organisations from the country.

Pravda reports that a fresh stand-off between Russia and Ukraine over gas payments has been averted after Ukraine's Naftogaz paid the final instalment of a debt of $360 million.

The Washington Post quotes US officials saying pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia were down sharply due to the success of an international anti-piracy mission.

The Wall Street Journal reports that items once owned by Mahatma Gandhi have been sold at auction in New York for $1.8 million (€1.5 million) despite efforts for the lot to be withdrawn. They included Gandhi’s trademark round spectacles, a pair of worn leather sandals, an inexpensive pocket watch and a simple brass bowl and plate.

Cyprus Times says rival ethnic leaders have agreed to set aside property disputes stemming from 1974 in a bid to maintain momentum in their reunification talks.

El Pais reports that Spanish police have arrested a Moroccan wanted in his homeland on suspicion of belonging to an Islamic extremist group.

Variety reports the death of Sydney Chaplin, the second son of Charlie Chaplin and himself a Tony-winning actor. He was 82.