The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press.
Times of Malta reports how the co-pilot of a Germanwings flight flew the plane deliberately into a mountain.
The Malta Independent says the EU commissioner on migration is not optimistic about Libya.
In-Nazzjon leads with a meeting which Simon Busuttil had with the Gozo Tourism Association and his commitment to continue to work for the Gozitans.
l-orizzont says government workers have confirmed in court how they were told to whitewash the PN club in Zurrieq during office hours on orders of Toni Bezzina.
The overseas press
Deutsche Welle quotes police in Germany saying they had made a “significant” discovery at one of the homes of Andreas Lubitz, the Germanwings pilot who apparently flew his Airbus aircraft into a mountain side. No details were given of the find but a number of Lubitz’s possessions, including a computer, were taken away for analysis.
Meanwhile, AFP reports the Montreal-based International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has said pilots must have regular mental and physical check-ups. The UN world aviation body said if there was any concern from this medical screening then a further, more specialised, assessment could be undertaken that might include neuropsychological testing.
Euronews says European airlines have announced new safety measures following the crash, including a provision that two people should be in the cockpit at all times. This is already standard procedure in the United States.
Le Soir says the European Court of Justice has ruled migrants may qualify for benefits only under special circumstances. EU member states may stop benefits to EU migrants unless they have already worked in the host country.
Al Arabiya reports Yemen’s foreign minister has said airstrikes by a Saudi-led coalition against Houthi rebels should end as soon as possible. Riad Yassin said the campaign could end within days if the Houthi advance was halted. However, Saudi Arabia said it would continue the campaign until the military capabilities of the rebel has been severely diminished.
Press TV says Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has appealed to the leaders of the six world powers engaged in talks about his country’s nuclear programme, to seize a unique opportunity to reach a deal. He said lifting all the sanctions against Iran was the main basis to reach an agreement.
British Prime Minister David Cameron has conceded he has failed to hit all his targets during his five years in office. He made his remarks during a special pre-election TV interview. The BBC says he appeared unsettled during the encounter but was judged to be more convincing by a Guardian poll of voters than his main rival, Labour leader Ed Milliband.
Xinhua announces the Chinese government has unveiled an initiative called “Sky Net” to better coordinate its fight against suspected corrupt officials who have fled overseas, and to recover their dirty assets, the latest step in its fight against graft. China Daily said the Chinese government has given the United States a “priority” list of some 150 “economic fugitives” suspected of corruption and who are believed to have fled there.
The New York Times says an apartment building has collapsed in New York City and burst into flames following a gas explosion. Initial reports say 19 people were hurt, four of them critically.
According to Fortune magazine, Tim Cook plans to donate his wealth to charity after providing all the expenses for the education of his 10 year-old nephew. The Apple CEO said he had already begun to make donations and wanted to devote himself to the development of a systematic approach to philanthropy. According to the American magazine, Cook’s wealth amounts to about $785 million.
Ansa says Italy has chosen the Neapolitan pizza as its candidate for protection under UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The Italian National Commission for UNESCO decided to recognise “the art of Neapolitan pizza makers” in tribute to their culinary skills. The Neapolitan pizza was invented in the southern Italian city between 1715 and 1725.