The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press.
Times of Malta reports how adverts for a casino have sprouted even though no permit has been issued yet.
The Malta Independent says a Maltese doctor has revealed a blood test that can determine prostate cancer therapy.
l-orizzont reports how Partners HealthCare has joined the group investing in healthcare services in Malta.
In a related story, In-Nazzjon reveals details of the agreement the government has reached with the group which will run Gozo Hospital and the revamped St Luke's Hospital.
The overseas press
More evidence has emerged that an Islamic State bomb was smuggled on to a Russian jet in passenger luggage before it exploded over Egypt. According to ABC News, “new intelligence” including “intercepts” had caused American counter-terror experts to revise their view it was a bomb, not a mechanical failure, which brought the plane down. US satellite evidence had ruled out a missile attack on the plane.
The New York Times reports more world leaders acknowledged the possibility that a bomb took down a Russian plane shortly after take-off. The Daily Telegraph has learnt that an Islamic State bomb plot was uncovered by British spies, as Obama says a bomb “certainly possible” – yet Russia and Egypt insist it is too early to say.
Britain, Ireland, Germany and the Netherlands have suspended flights to and from Sharm al-Sheikh – leaving thousands of European tourists stranded in the Red Sea resort. The Independent says that following a day of negotiations between the UK government, Egyptian leadership and the airlines, they will start to be flown home today but only hand luggage will be permitted. Larger bags would be returned using secure flights arranged by the government.
ABC TV reports the long-awaited text of the landmark Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal has been released. If approved by all 12 member countries the agreement would establish international standards for copyright enforcement, labour practices, environmental regulations, and eliminate 98 per cent of all tariffs between the 12 nations.
Libya’s Islamist authorities have demanded an explanation from the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, after The Guardian revealed that the UN envoy to their country had accepted a job from the United Arab Emirates. The Islamist-backed government, which is based in Tripoli, said the UAE’s hiring of Bernardino León to lead a state-backed thinktank cast doubt on the UN envoy’s credibility. The Tripoli faction said the revelations “threatens to destroy the political track during this sensitive time”.
Berliner Zeitung reports the heads of Germany’s grand coalition have announced a basic agreement on the treatment of migrants, including faster processing of asylum requests. Officials are set to create registration centres for the newcomers, speeding up the processing of asylum applications. Refugees would be requested to stay in predetermined areas near the centres, harming their chances of a successful application if they broke the residency rules.
The Daily Mail says at least 49 protesters were arrested at the “Million Mask March” in central London, including two for assaulting police officers, after protesters threw missiles and set off fireworks and flares. The Metropolitan police said three officers were taken to hospital after being injured, while some protesters were treated for injuries and given first aid at the scene.
Avvenire quotes the head of the Italy’s Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, saying attempts to isolate Pope Francis and portray a rift between him and the rest of the Catholic Church would be “diabolical”. His comments came on the day that Italian journalist Gianlugi Nuzzi’s explosive book “Merchants in the Temple” was published. It
alleges the Vatican is a “black hole” of mismanagement and greed where millions of euros are lost and defenders of the status quo would stop at nothing to thwart Francis’ financial reform drive.
LBC reports Sir Cliff Richard has been re-interviewed by South Yorkshire Police after meeting with officers voluntarily. The veteran entertainer was first questioned under caution by detectives last year over an alleged sex crime involving a young boy in the 1980s. He was not arrested or charged. The singer’s Berkshire home was also searched as part of the investigation.
The Inquirer says a Philadelphia woman has been sentenced to 80 years in prison for kidnapping mentally disabled people, keeping them prisoner in her basement, and starving at least two of them to death. Prosecutors said the woman and her cohorts drugged, beat and abused their captives, and forced them to sign over their Social Security disability checks and state benefits. Linda Weston, 55, pleaded guilty to all charges
Fancy a job as a Christmas tree light untangler? The Daily Post reports a Tesco store in Wrexham, Wales, is recruiting a “passionate” applicant for the role of untangling Christmas tree light wires. Tesco says the candidate should be able to untangle three metres of Christmas lights in under three minutes, be “properly presented” and “be persistent and