The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press.
The Times reports comments by the head of the Ophthalmic Department that Parliamentary Secretary Franco Mercieca is not an essential specialist. It also says that President George Abela received a copy of the 'Speech from the throne' two days before he delivered it.
The Malta Independent says the health minister broke down in tears during a press conference.
In-Nazzjon quotes the PN saying the waiver to allow Parliamentary Secretary Mercieca to continue to practice his profession is 'scandalous'.
l-orizzont says the justice reform will exam why underage fathers are not recognised at law.
The overseas press.
US authorities have denied reports in major news outlets that a suspect in Monday’s bomb attack on the Boston marathon had been arrested. Earlier, CNN, Fox News, and the Boston Globe said that a suspect had been arrested. The Associated Press said a suspect had been taken into custody. Within an hour, the FBI denied that a suspect had been captured. Following the US government’s denial, AP released a report saying that investigators had the image of a potential suspect from CCTV footage, but still did not know his name.
Meanwhile, Fox News reports federal agents have arrested a suspect in connection with letters addressed to President Obama and a US senator that preliminary tests showed to be contaminated with ricin, a deadly poison. The FBI named the sender as Paul Kevin Curtis, 45, a resident of Mississippi.
CNN says President Obama has delivered a scathing attack on opponents in the US Senate who blocked legislation to tighten gun control. The bi-partisan Bill would have expanded background checks and fire-arm purchases but failed to get the 60 votes needed. After the vote, President Obama angrily accused a minority in the Senate of “wilfully lying and spreading untruths” to defeat the Bill.
Royalty, dignitaries and admirers from all walks of life paid their final respects to Margaret Thatcher on Wednesday in the grandest funeral for a British leader in half a century – although a few boos from the London crowd were a reminder of her divisive rule. The British newspaper i leads on the ceremonial funeral, the Queen's attendance and the pockets of protests in London and former mining towns. Thousands of supporters lined the route, some throwing blue roses in her path but opponents chanted "Ding dong the witch is dead" and turned their backs on her coffin as it passed by.
President Bashar al-Assad of Syria has accused western countries of backing Al Qaeda in his country as they did during the Libyan uprising. In an hour-long interview with Syria state TV network al-Ikhbariya, he warned that they would pay a heavy price in Europe and the United States as the militants became emboldened.
France 24 says French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault has called for calm as the National Assembly prepared to give its final approval to a Bill legalising same-sex marriage and adoption. The lower house National Assembly began its second reading of the Bill late yesterday as several thousand opponents crammed the streets of Paris, waving banners that read "A father, a mother, it's basic" or criticised French President François Hollande.
As preparations are finalised for the start of the process for the election of Italy's next president later today, Ansa quotes the Speaker of the House Laura Boldrini warning that each ballot could take four to five hours to complete. The election will replace outgoing President Giorgio Napolitano, whose seven-year term comes to an end in May. Parliament, as well as 58 "grand electors" appointed by the regions, will vote for Napolitano's successor.
Corriere della Sera reports that the Italian State has requested over €37 million in damages for the Costa Concordia cruise ship that ran aground off the coast of Tuscany, killing 32 people in January last year. The claim was announced during a preliminary hearing for criminal charges against Francesco Schettino, the captain of the liner. Schettino is suspected of multiple manslaughter and abandonment of his post before the evacuation of all 4,200 passengers and crew. He claims his actions saved more lives than were lost and is suing to get his job back after being dismissed by Costa Cruises.
The New York Times says hundreds of people are expected at a public hearing in Nebraska's environmentally sensitive Sand Hills today as the US State Department prepares its recommendation on whether to approve the controversial Keystone XL pipeline, which aims to funnel oil from Canada's tar sands to coastal Texas. While the final decision on the $5.3 billion project rests with US President Obama, the State Department concluded in a draft report last month that the rerouted project – which avoids the Sand Hills – would have no major impact on the environment. Environmentalists and concerned landowners along the nearly 3,200-kilometer route vehemently disagree.