Malaysiakini compares the key news and views in major newspapers. What is today's agenda for the English, Bahasa, Tamil and Chinese papers?

Front Page

Both New Straits Times and Star headlined Malaysia's lobby for a special UN General Assembly session to discuss the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi also announced that the government has authorised US$1 million in humanitarian aid to the Palestinians.

Malay newspapers

Both Utusan Malaysia and Berita Harian also led with Malaysia's call for a special UN session to discuss the crisis in Gaza.

Tamil newspapers

Malaysia Nanban and Tamil Nesan reported that the 20,000 increase in the student intake for Tamil schools in the current school session has led to a classroom shortage problem in some Tamil schools.

Makkal Osai also highlighted the increase in the number of students in Tamil schools. It also carried Malaysiakini 's report on a scandal involving MIC's education arm, Maju Institute for Education Development (MIED), over alleged irregularities in the awarding of contracts for maintenance of the party-run AIMST University.

Editorial

New Straits Times commented on the current Israeli onslaught, stating that the invasion has dashed hopes for peace in the Middle East.

Utusan Malaysia opined that the world has to negotiate and resolve the current Israeli - Palestinian conflict.

Berita Harian lauded the Education Ministry's for allowing parents to pay their children's school fees within the first three months of the school session. The paper, however, cautioned parents to pay up within the stipulated period.

Makkal Osai highlighted the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas function, an annual congregation of non-resident Indians, to be held in Chennai, India.

Malaysia Nanban commented that the increase in student and teacher intake at Tamil schools was encouraging.

Tamil Nesan opined that the increase in student intake was due to the good performance by Tamil schools in the UPSR examinations last year.