Malaysiakini compares the key news and views in major newspapers. What is today's agenda for the newspapers?

Front Page

English newspapers

New Straits Times headlined that approval and planning for development projects under the Works Ministry will happen within the next two weeks, instead of three to five months as announced earlier.

Also headlined is Air Asia's success in securing rights to land in Paris.

Star leads with a report about the Ministry of Health's restriction on imported dried fruits with high lead content.

Also featured is the warm reception received by the prime minister from French president Nicolas Sarkozy.

Malay newspapers

Utusan Malaysia and Berita Harian both featured the navy ship fire off Lumut.

Utusan

also headlined with a report defending SPR's transparency, saying they cannot be blamed if the opposition does not win votes in Bagan Pinang.

Also headlined was the prime minister's statement saying that he will not use quotas or stringent regulations to hold on to UMNO's top leadership post.

Berita Harian led with the Works Ministry's announcement to approve development projects within 14 days.

Tamil newspapers

Tamil Nesan reported that the government has agreed to revise the status of SRJK (T) Sungai Salak in Lukut, Negeri Sembilan to become a fully aided school. A plot of 3-acre land has also been allocated for the school which is presently operating in a shoplot.

Makkal Osai headlined Indian Progressive Front's show of unity in a press conference that was moderated by activist-cum-businessman Vyran Raj yesterday. The party is now split into four factions.

Malaysia Nanban front-paged that the residents of Tumbok Estate were hoodwinked into believing that the Maika Holdings would provide them with low-cost homes.

Editorial

New Straits Times

highlighted the deplorable state of disabled facilities at the National Tennis Centre, with disabled athletes made to bunk on mats in lockers. This despite Malaysia going as far as dedicating a Paralympic Park in Bukit Jalil, a product of the successful 5th Paralympic Games held in August.

Berita Harian noted that Malaysia will continue to extend aid to the Sumatran earthquake victims despite threats of invasion by Bendera, because it is understood these threats does not reflect the sentiments of the Indonesian government.

Tamil Nesan urged the authorities to resolve the longstanding issue of Indian community members without birth certificates.

Makkal Osai opined that the Internal Security Act was still relevant despite the proposed amendments.

Malaysia Nanban questioned as to why Deepavali was allocated one day of leave when other festivals were granted two days or more.