The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press.
The Sunday Times of Malta says a sex offender is still holding parties for girls of 17. It also quotes Bishop Charles Scicluna saying he cried with his parents he when he was told he would be Archbishop.
The Malta Independent on Sunday says returns show Michael Falzon and Ninu Zammit evaded tax while in office.
MaltaToday says the 'No' camp which is against spring hunting, has surged by seven points. It also says a lawyer for Cafe' Premier was also consultant of the Lands Department.
Il-Mument says all indications are that there was an agreement before the general election on the loss-making Cafe' Premier.
It-Torca quotes Bishop Charles Scicluna saying the Church has to move forward with discussion and persuasion.
KullHadd says Malta's economic growth is the best in the eurozone.
Illum says Michael Falzon's apology has been well-received by opinion-makers. It also says former activist Liliana Risiott wants nothing to do with the PN any more.
The overseas press
Russia TV reports crowds of people, some with tears in their eyes, flocked to the spot on a bridge in the shadow of the Kremlin where prominent opposition figure Boris Nemtsov was gunned down on Friday night as he walked with a female companion in what appeared to be a targeted killing.
Meanwhile, as world leaders condemned Nemtsov’s assassination, Moscow Times says Putin promised he would do everything possible to bring the gunmen responsible for the attack to justice. In a telegram to Dina Eydman, the 86-year-old mother of the slain politician, Putin said, “Everything will be done so that the organizers and perpetrators of a vile and cynical murder get the punishment they deserve.”
Abrar reports Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni has said his government was opposed to outside intervention in Libya but supported the United Nations and underlined the urgency of results. During a news conference with Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif that without a successful diplomatic action, which allows a government of national reconciliation that starts from the representation of Tobruk and also includes other representatives, no one would arrive at a situation of security.
Some 5,000 mercenaries are fighting together with the extremists in Libya, Libyan Foreign Minister Mohammed al-Dairi has told Libya Herald. He urged the international community to curb terrorism, lift the arms embargo and arm the Libyan National Army. He emphasised the terrorist threat is not only in his country, but also in the region and in Europe.
During the eight months the Islamic State caliphate has been in being, the jihadists have massacred some 2,000 prisoners in Syria. al bawaba quotes the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights saying these included more than 1,200 civilians. The victims were either shot, beheaded, stoned or thrown over roofs or cliffs.
Berliner Zeitung reports police in the north German city of Bremen have warned of a heightened danger from Islamist militants and said they had increased their presence in the city centre and stepped up protection of the Jewish community.
Metro says that the Germany-based PEGIDA movement’s first anti-Islamisation demonstration was held in Britain, but counter-protesters outnumbered those taking part. Police said an estimated 375 people turned in support for the PEGIDA campaign in Newcastle, compared to about a 2,000-strong crowd who denounced the march.
Euronews reports thousands have turned out in Rome for an anti-government demonstration organised by the right-wing Northern League, with immigration a main talking point. Party leader Matteo Salvini said,“limited and controlled immigration is positive but immigration through the rescue of migrants in the Mediterranean is a disaster.” Some 35,000 people from leftist groups turned out to voice their opposition to Salvini in a counter rally.
On Skai TV, Greece’s finance minister Yanis Varoufakis has promised “no pity” in tackling tax evasion as the new left-wing government seeks to balance its books and avoid having a third bailout. “We have committed to balancing our budget. If I have to levy an extraordinary tax then I will do it, but it will only be for those who can pay... We are not going to take money off people who are suffering,” he said.
Turkey’s Anatolia News Agency announces the death of Yasar Kemal, who was one of Turkey’s most celebrated writers, a traditional storyteller with a social conscience and an outspoken champion of the Kurdish cause. He was 92.
O Globo reports the International Olympic Committee said Saturday it was to create a mourning area in the Olympic Village at next year’s Rio next where participants can remember family or friends while a “moment of reflection” will be held at the closing ceremony. IOC president Thomas Bach unveiled the plan at a news conference following the IOC’s executive board meeting in the host city to assess preparations for the first ever Olympiad in South America.