The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press.
The Times says Austin Gatt has spoken to the police on the oil scandal probe. It also reports the constitutional application made by a man who argued that drug laws in Malta are unfair.
The Malta Independent says Austin Gatt was questioned on the oil procurement allegations. It also quotes MUT president Kevin Bonello saying trade union officials should not be members of political parties
MaltaToday follows up the oil procurement allegations under the heading two invoices from one template.
L-orizzont says the MUT has expressed concern over the precarious work of Learning Support Assistants.
In-Nazzjon says the PN electoral programme guarantees more jobs in Malta and Gozo.
The overseas press
CNN quotes UN special envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi telling the Security Council that the conflict in Syria had reached “unprecedented levels of horror”. He said the brutality was tearing the country apart and the world would suffer if the UN Security Council did not intervene and end the country’s civil war. The government's legitimacy had been "seriously, probably irreparably, damaged", he said. Brahimi’s appeal came hours after more than 70 bodies of young men, all apparently summarily executed, had been found in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo. Syrian government security forces said they were not responsible. The UN says the conflict has left more than 60,000 people dead.
According to Al Ahram, Egypt’s army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, has warned that widespread political unrest was pushing the country to the brink of collapse. His comments came after 52 people were killed over the past week in violent clashes.
Tribune de Genève says Israel has become the first nation to skip a UN review of its human rights record without giving a reason. The president of the UN's top rights body, Polish diplomat Remigiusz Henczel, declared Israel a no-show at a meeting in Geneva. After a debate, the council unanimously agreed to defer the review until its next session in October and November at the latest. All UN nations are required to submit to Human Rights Council review every four years.
Australia will go to the polls on September 14. ABC News reports Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced the date, during a speech to the National Press Club several months out from polling day. She said the early notice would allow for “cool and reasoned” deliberations. Gillard’s Labour Party narrowly controls the House of Representatives with the support of several independent MPs.
Diario de Girona announces that Catalonia’s new leaders have asked the Spanish central government for an extra €9 billion in bailout money, saying they needed €7.7 billion to pay their debts and the rest on meeting deficit reduction targets set by the Spanish government. The move comes just a month after Catalonia's new leaders pledged to hold a referendum on independence. Catalonia accounts for around 20 per cent of Spain's GDP, but faces debt repayments totalling 13.6 billion euros this year alone.
O Globo quotes the lead police investigator into the Brazil night-club fire saying the flare that set the ceiling alight was designed for outdoor use only. The flare was set off by a music group who were playing at the club on Sunday. Preliminary information has also shown the Kiss night-club had no sprinklers and no emergency exits. The news came as the death toll was raised to 234. Most of the victims died from smoke inhalation. More than 122 injured people remain in hospital.
Gazeta Esportiva reports that Brazil's Congress is to be asked to enact a new federal bill in an attempt to strengthen safety regulations ahead of the 2014 World Cup. The move comes after the nightclub blaze which prompted a national debate about existing legislation. The new Bill would cover the licensing of clubs and mass events, as well as fire prevention measures. It would take precedence over the many state and city laws that exist.
The Washington Times says US senator John Kerry has been confirmed as the next US Secretary of State. The vote in the senate was 94-3. Once sworn-in, Kerry will replace Hillary Clinton, who is stepping down after four years. The 69-year-old, a decorated Vietnam veteran and the 2004 Democratic presidential candidate, has led the Foreign Relations Committee for the past four years.
The Washington Post reports US President Barack Obama has announced a plan to push 11 million illegal immigrants towards citizenship. He said that comprehensive immigration reform was “finally within grasp” and called on Congress to act swiftly – promising to take a tough line against any delays.
A judge has postponed the scheduled execution of a Texas woman set for last night to April 3. Global Post says she would have been the first woman put to death in the US in three years. Lawyers for 51-year-old Kimberly McCarthy, who is black, argued the jury that convicted and sentenced her to death was selected improperly based on race. It was made up of 11 white people and one black person. She faced lethal injection for the 1997 beating, stabbing and robbery of a 71-year-old neighbour.