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 and The Star led with the devastating 6.3-magnitude earthquake that struck Christchurch, New Zealand, killing at least 65 and with more than 200 people still trapped under the debris.

Malay newspapers

Utusan Malaysia and Berita Harian focused on the uprising in Libya where Muammar Gaddafi's regime is unravelling fast as pressure from international community grows stronger and as more of Gaddafi's loyalists defect.

Sinar Harian frontpaged the statement by DAP Selangor secretary Ean Yong Hian Wah that ticked off Selangor backbenchers' chief Azmin Ali, who earlier stated that the Selangor state government should evaluate the position of all state excos.

Ean Yong said Azmin should utilise correct channels to voice his opinion and not through media.

Chinese newspapers

Oriental Daily News and China Press also headlined the earthquake in Christchurch.

Nanyang Siang Pau highlighted the soaring oil price that hit USD107 per barrel due to unrest in Middle East. It has affected all the stock markets and foreign exchanges in Asia.

Sin Chew Daily led with the continuing unrest in Libya where warplanes had been used to bomb the rebels in a few places of Libya including its capital, Tripoli, to defend Muammar Gaddafi's regime. It was estimated that at least 160 people were killed in the massacre.

Editorial

New Straits Times described Turkey, which Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is currently visiting, as an ideal ally for Malaysia's push to establish a global movement of moderates of justice and peace, in view of its moderation and secularism despite its Islamic identity.

Utusan Malaysia said the visit of Najib to Turkey would bring huge benefits to Malaysia including investment and higher trade volume between the two countries.

Berita Harian pointed out that the recent price hike of essential items in the country is caused by soaring international petrol price due the unrest in Middle East and extreme weather that hit major food production countries.

It urged the government to explain these reasons to the people to avoid manipulation by the opposition.

Sin Chew Daily analysed the reasons why the people of Libya are demanding that their president step down.

Nanyang Siang Pau urged the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry to solve the difficult lot of fishermen.

China Press urged the police to beef up their effort in fighting crime.