The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press.
Times of Malta focuses on the elusive sixth seat in the European Parliament elections.
The Malta Independent says the sixth seat uncertainty lingered to the last moments. It also says George Abela turned down an offer by the prime minister to serve as his adviser.
MaltaToday reports on ‘the battle for the sixth seat’. It also says the PN faithful are resigned to the same party leadership with no alternative seen.
In-Nazzjon quotes Simon Busuttil saying the PN is determined to continue to work in the country’s interests.
l-orizzont says Malta is still awaiting the outcome of the race for the sixth seat.
The overseas press
Le Soir quotes European Council President Herman van Rompuy saying the leaders of the 28 EU member-states had asked him to launch new discussions about the future priorities for the group. He was speaking after the heads of state and government met for the first time after elections for the European Parliament saw populist and far-right parties strengthen their position. The outcome from the polls has led to calls for a re-think of the EU.
Al Shames reports Libya's newly sworn-in Prime Minister Ahmed Maiteeq escaped unharmed in a Tuesday morning attack on his home when attackers armed with guns and rockets fired at his home in Tripoli where he was with his family. Maiteeq, who was voted in by pro-Islamist parties, received a vote of confidence from the General National Congress on Monday, in spite of a highly contested vote and disputes over the legitimacy of elections.
Kyiv Post says the Foreign Ministry has summoned Russian Charge D'Affaires in Ukraine Andrei Vorobyov to protest against “an incursion by armed terrorists from Russia”. Meanwhile, Voice of Russia says President Putin has called on Kiev to stop its operation against pro-Russia separatists in the east of the country and start talks with them. His call came after Ukrainian government troops recaptured Donetsk airport from the militants.
According to Asia Times, a fire at a rural hospital in South Korea has killed at least 20 inmates and a nurse and injured many others. Six others are said to be in a critical condition. Most of those who died have been in their 70s and 80s, and confined to their beds. Officials said most of the victims died after suffocating on poisonous fumes. The fire was put out within half an hour.
Al Ahram reports the Egyptian election commission says voting in the country’s presidential election has been extended by a day and would continue today. The decision comes after a lower than expected turnout over two days of polling.
Fox News says President Obama has announced plans to leave 10,000 American soldiers in Afghanistan after most US forces leave later this year when combat operations end. He said the troops would train the Afghan Army and, when necessary, support counter-terrorism operations against al-Qaeda. The number of American troops would then be halved by the end of 2015.
Dawn reports that a 25-year-old woman has been stoned to death in an honour killing by her family in front of the Pakistan high court in Lahore for marrying the man she loved. Police said some 20 members of the woman’s family attacked her and her husband with sticks and bricks in broad daylight before a crowd of onlookers. Her father had filed an abduction case against her husband which the couple had been contesting. The husband alleged that the woman’s family wanted to fleece money from him before marrying her off.
Meanwhile, the Sudanese daily Alwan writes that the Christian woman sentenced to death for apostasy, 27-year-old Meriam Ibrahim, has given birth in prison to a baby girl, Maya. The woman was also sentenced to 100 lashes for adultery because Khartoum does not recognize her 2011 marriage with Daniel Wani. Their first born, 20-month-old Martin, is also with her in prison. Neither the husband nor her lawyer has been allowed to visit her.
O Globo reports police have clashed with anti-World Cup demonstrators in the Brażilian capital, Brasilia. The most violent outbreak happened near the national stadium where riot police opened fire with tear gas and grenades to break up the protest.