Press digest

The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press.

Nearly all the local newspapers feature the election of Simon Busuttil as leader of the PN.

The Times of Malta focuses on Dr Busuttil’s call for the PN to reach out more to the people.  The newspaper also reports how a third body was found in the search for five missing French tourists.   

The Malta Independent quotes Dr Busuttil saying he will work to take the PN closer to the people. It also reports how prison warders were abusing the system by clocking off early.

In-Nazzjon quotes Simon Busuttil saying the PN will work to regain the people’s confidence. 

l-orizzont says there is concern about the building of waste treatment plants in Maghtab.  It also says an investigation is under way over alleged abuse of power by former permanent secretary Chris Ciantar regarding the employment of his wife.  

The overseas press

 The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports the police in Ohio have charged a 52-year-old man with the kidnapping and rape of three women held captive for a decade in a house in Cleveland. Ariel Castro has been accused of raping  Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight at what has been daubed as “the house of horrors” where they were bound with ropes and chains. He was also accused of holding them under conditions so oppressive they were allowed outside for only a few moments in disguise and never saw a chance to escape until this week. The women said they were subjected to prolonged sexual and psychological abuse and suffered miscarriages. On Christmas Day six years ago, Amanda gave birth to baby Jocelyn in captivity in a paddling pool. Berry, DeJesus and Knight each began their hellish captivity the same way – by accepting a simple offer of a ride home. Castro’s two brothers – Pedro, 54, and Onil, 50 – were also arrested but have not been charged. Prosecutors said there was no evidence they had any involvement in the crime.

According to Tribune de Genève, the International Labour Organisation forecasts some 73.4 million young people around the world are likely to be unemployed by the end of this year. According to the “Global Employment Trends for Youth Report 2013”, the UN agency pointed out the figures were approaching those at the peak of the economic crisis in 2009, rising by 3.5 million between 2007 and 2013.

Corriere della Sera reports the courts have upheld Silvio Berlusconi's four-year conviction for tax fraud on TV rights bought by his Mediaset TV empire. The three-time premier and media magnate will appeal to the supreme court. Berlusconi was sentenced on October 26 to four years and banned from public office for five. At the time, he called the verdict “impossible”.

The German Catholic News Agency (KNA) quotes Cardinal Joachim Meisner, archbishop of Cologne, saying Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is in failing health. He said Benedict continues to be "very fit” in terms of his mental acuity, but he was “stunned” seeing that Benedict had become only half of his previous size. The 86-year-old retired pontiff moved back into the Vatican last week after spending two months in the papal summer retreat of Castel Gandolfo.

La Sicilia reports more violent protests as some 50 people tried to prevent a routine shift change of guards at the site of a new US satellite communications base under construction in Sicily. Construction of the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) site by the US military has stirred controversy in Sicily. A hearing date has been set for Friday in the dispute over permits for the site, after the regional government withdrew its authorisation for construction of the controversial site. Italy's defence ministry defended the system as "essential for NATO operations in the Mediterranean and therefore, for national security".

The Washington Post says the US would be increasing its Syria aid by $100 million to a total of $510 million. The State Department announced the additional funds would be allocated to UN aid programme in Syria and in neighbouring countries Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. A formal announcement concerning the new funds is expected to be made by Secretary of State John Kerry in Rome later today.

Ansa reports that the death toll after a container ship slammed into a control tower at the entry to the port of Genoa has risen to seven. Two remain missing. Divers were still attempting to retrieve bodies trapped in the underwater rubble. Four people were rescued and are in hospital, two in serious condition. Italian prosecutors have placed the captain of the cargo ship under investigation for alleged manslaughter

Le Matin says victims of Haiti's cholera epidemic have given the United Nations a 60-day deadline to start talks about billions of dollars’ worth of compensation or face legal action. The UN is accused of negligently allowing peacekeeping soldiers to pollute Haiti's water with cholera. A UN cholera expert agrees that this is “most likely” to be true. The UN rejected an earlier call for compensation and continues to insist it is immune from legal proceedings.

The BBC reports Everton FC manager David Moyes is set to be appointed to replace Sir Alex Ferguson as the new Manchester United boss. Ferguson, 71, revealed his decision to step down at the end of this season after nearly 27 years at Old Trafford. The Scot has won 38 trophies during his reign at Old Trafford – including 13 league titles, two Champions League crowns, five FA Cups and four League Cups.

Utah Globe says the 17-year-old Utah soccer player accused of punching a referee who later died has been charged with homicide by assault. Ricardo Portillo, 46, died on Saturday after a week spent in a coma following the alleged assault that took place during a game in Salt Lake City. Police say the teenager struck Portillo after he issued him with a yellow card. A homicide by assault charge, less serious than manslaughter, carries up to five years in prison for adults, with lesser penalties for juveniles. The Salt Lake County district attorney has saidthat he would seek to try the teenager as an adult.