The following are the top stories in the national and international press today.

Times of Malta quotes former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi saying that the controversial waiver clause in the final agreement over Mater Dei Hospital in 2009 was not put to Cabinet for approval. In another story, the newspaper says Brussels is today expected to announce a number of measures, including some affecting Malta directly, to tackle migration problems in the Mediterranean.

MaltaToday also quotes Dr Gonzi saying he would never have authorised such a blanket waiver.

The Malta Independent says the government is still considering whether or not to accept a proposal put forward by the Tripoli government that would see Libyan factions meeting in Malta to try and form a unity government.

L-Orizzont says that a group of breast cancer researchers from the University of Malta made new discoveries which should improve therapy.

In-Nazzjon says the whistleblower confirmed in court yesterday he never spoke with Opposition leader Simon Busuttil about ‘works for votes’.

International news

Libya’s internationally-recognised Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni has survived an assassination attempt reportedly carried out shortly after he left a session of his nation’s parliament. He told al-Arabiya that shortly after he left parliament in the town of Tobruk and drove away, gunmen in several cars followed his motorcade and opened fire. He was not injured but one of his bodyguards was wounded in the assault.

Human rights group Amnesty International has accused the Islamist group Hamas of potential war crimes, using its 2014 Gaza war with Israel to “settle scores” with rival Palestinians through murder, abductions and torture. First Post says the London-based group issued a report detailing a “brutal campaign of abductions, torture and unlawful killings against Palestinians accused of ‘collaborating’ with Israel.” Amnesty claims Hamas killed at least 23 Palestinians and tortured dozens of others.

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi told the Ballarò TV talk show yesterday the EU would show its true face at the June 26 summit on the migrant emergency. He said EU leaders, who would have to contend with public opinion at home, were “a little afraid and concerned” when the issue of migrant quotas crops up. The quota system is set to be approved by the Commission today, and is expected to dominate the agenda when EU leaders meet on next month. Some European countries have been vocal in opposing the EU proposals.

The Financial Times says British Prime Minister David Cameron will use the Queen’s Speech today to set out plans to fast-track an EU referendum bill through the House of Commons. The Daily Telegraph reports he would also pledge to “not waste a single moment” in cutting taxes for 30 million people.

L’Avvenire quotes Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin saying last weekend’s referendum in which Irish people voted to legalise gay marriage was a “defeat for humanity”. Cardinal Parolin said the Church must take account of this reality, but in the sense that it must strengthen its commitment to evangelisation. Catholic doctrine considers homosexual acts to be sinful and the Church is against moves to equate gay unions with traditional marriages between men and women.

The Washington Post reports President Obama has told Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg that the US and the alliance must look to the south as well as the east in the face of Islamic State advances in Iraq and Syria and the ongoing crisis in Libya. “We must increase defence capability along with countries like Iraq and (Gulf) countries interested in working with us, as well as the African Union,” said Obama, adding the US was committed to supporting Iraq in it is battle against ISIS. Stoltenberg said, “Nato is ready to aid Libya when the conditions are right.”

Unicef has reported an “alarming spike” in suicide bombings by girls and women used by Boko Haram in north-eastern Nigeria. World Bulletin quotes a statement by the UN children’s agency saying women and children carried out three quarters of the 26 suicide attacks reported in 2014 and the 27 seen in just the first five months of this year.

The Hindustan Times carries a full page picture of melting tarmac in one of Dehli’s busiest roads as a result of the heat as temperatures neared 50oC. At least 800 people have died in the major heatwave that has swept across India. Hospitals were on alert to treat victims of heatstroke and authorities advised people to stay indoors, with no end in sight to the searing conditions.

AP reports at least 30 people are missing after the great flood that is affecting Texas. According to authorities, people are missing along the Blanco River, in the central area of the state. The dead instead rose to nine between Texas and Oklahoma. Authorities in Houston have activated the highest level of emergency as more than 25 cm of rain fell in a few hours, overflowing rivers.

Ansa says Pope Francis on Tuesday told Catholics to pay loving visits to their grandparents. “We can observe the Fourth Commandment by loving visits to our aging grandparents,” Francis wrote on Twitter. The pope’s nine-language @Pontifex account on the microblogging website now has over 20 million followers.

As part of an attempt to reduce the spread of sexually-transmitted diseases within the industry, new state proposals in California would have all porn actors and actresses wear protective eye gear during filming. The Los Angeles Daily News reports the 21-page draft calls for condoms and other barriers – including the eye gear – to be used in all sex scenes. It also requires producers to pay for medical visits and hepatitis B vaccines for adult film performers. There are concerns within the industry that ‘excessive’ regulation will damage business and force directors and producers underground or out of state.

 

 

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