The following are the top stories in the national and international press today.
Times of Malta says some big real estate agents are planning to reject Henley Estates’ proposal for citizenship clients to be directed to their listed properties in return for half their commission on rentals and 80 per cent of their commission for sales.
The Malta Independent says the Nationalist Party’s spokesman on health has questioned whether the cheapest medicines should continue to be handed out free of charge. In another story it says that doubts exists whether the new President will sign the gay marriage bill.
In-Nazzjon says that consumer confidence in the country’s financial and economic situation has been going down since November.
L-Orizzont reports on the contraband cigarettes case currently being heard in court saying Freeport officials examined 140 CCTV cameras until they established that the ‘lost’ container had been taken out of the Freeport without authorisation.
International news
Russia has defended its military mission in Ukraine in an emergency session of the UN Security Council. CNN quotes Russia's envoy Vitaly Churkin saying the ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych had asked Moscow to send troops to protect civilians and prevent civil war.
Russia has also denied issuing an ultimatum to the Ukrainian forces in Crimea to surrender or face assault by Tuesday morning. Ukraine’s military bases in Crimea are surrounded and the BBC correspondent there says the build-up of Russian forces is relentless.
Fox News says the United States has responded to Russia’s intervention in Ukraine by suspending all exercises and other cooperation with the Russia military.
The European Union also mulled “targeted measures” against Russia due to the situation in Ukraine. Euronews reports foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton told the press conference after an extraordinary EU foreign ministers' meeting these included suspending bilateral talks with Russia on visa matters as well as on the New Agreement.
Bloomberg reports Russia paid a heavy financial price on Monday for its military intervention in neighbouring Ukraine, with stocks, bonds and the rouble plunging as President Vladimir Putin's forces tightened their grip on the Russian-speaking Crimea region.
The Financial Times says an IMF loan did not appear to be imminent even if the finance ministers of the seven leading industrial powers emphasised that the IMF was “best prepared” to lead a support program for the country.
In other news...
The Jerusalem Post says President Obama has told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu he needed to take tough decisions if peace talks with the Palestinians were to have a future.
Tribune de Genève quotes UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urging the Venezuelan authorities “to listen carefully” to the aspirations of protesters and engage in dialogue with the opposition.
O Globo says rubbish collectors in Brazil have agreed to end a three-day strike that disrupted the world famous carnival festivities in Rio de Janiero.
France 24 says French scientists have brought back to life an ancient virus after lying dormant for at least 30,000 years. It was found frozen deep in Siberian permafrost but after it thawed in a laboratory it became infectious again. The scientists said the cotangent poses no danger to humans or animals.
The Lancet says researchers in the United States have concluded that losing your temper could greatly increase the risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke.