The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press:
The Times says that use of a seabelt mght have saved Fr Cilia's life in Sunday's traffic accident. It also focuses on Barack Obama's re-election.
The Malta Independent leads with the death of the Queen of Prison. It also says that the EU is to stop the Excessive Deficit Procedure in Malta.
In-Nazzjon reports how the EU autumn report shows how the Maltese economy is growing.
l-orizzont says the prime minister has stayed silent on the Brazilian company mentioned in Friday's debate. It also gives prominence to a mugging in Sliema which was captured on CCTV.
The overseas press:
The European Union's auditor has said that several billion euros were still being wasted every year by the 27 member states and the executive commission. The Irish Independent says the report of the European Court of Auditors said that errors in payments had risen to 3.9 per cent of the EU's €129.4-billion 2011 budget and that there were "too many cases of EU money not hitting the target or being used sub-optimally". ECA President Vitor Caldeira said it was essential for the region to disburse its current budget more efficiently.
VOA reports President Barack Obama is back in Washington on his way to the White House after celebrating his re-election early yesterday in his home town of Chicago. The President told cheering supporters he looked ahead to moving the country forward after a hard-fought presidential campaign with Republican challenger mitt Romney. The latest projected results from Tuesday’s ballot have Obama winning 303 while Romney has 206. The battleground state of Florida is still too close to call. President Obama’s re-election was broadly welcomed around the world. But shares in the US and Europe have fallen sharply.
Newsday says several US states made their own headlines yesterday by voting to legalise marijuana, allow gay marriage and keep public funding for abortions. The moves were decided among more than 170 ballot initiatives and referenda held across the country. In other closely watched initiatives, California rejected a move to ban the death penalty, and one to enforce labeling of genetically-modified foodstuffs – which would have been a US first if passed.
A car bomb has exploded in Benghazi, wounding Hussam al-Raaid, a former officer of the toppled regime's reviled internal security services. AFP reports the explosion, which shredded the driver's seat, was the second to rock Benghazi in as many days during a sensitive transition period with the government of prime minister-designate Ali Zeidan due to be sworn in next week.
China Daily reports that more than 2,000 delegates, representing the Communist Party's 82 million members, have begun a week-long congress that is expected to see Vice President Xi Jinping replace President Hu Jintao in a once-in-a-decade power transfer. Party spokesman Cai Mingzhao has said the congress would "be one of great importance, when China is in a crucial stage of building a modern and prosperous society in all respects".
Kathimerini says police fired teargas and water cannons to disperse a crowd of 100,000 demonstrators who had gathered outside the Greek parliament to protest against new austerity measures. The measures, passed early this morning, are part of an €18.5 billion effort to provide aid and avoid financial collapse. The legislation includes spending cuts, tax hikes and measures that make it easier to hire and fire workers – all of which will be implemented by 2016. Unions launched a 48-hour general strike on Tuesday which has halted public transportation, closed schools, banks and government offices, and left garbage piling up on the streets.
Deutsche Welle reports Chancellor Angela Merkel has called on EU leaders to solidify plans for economic integration over two to three years. She spoke in Brussels before visiting London for talks with PM David Cameron on the 2014-20 EU budget. In a speech to the European Parliament, Merkel said the eurozone must press reforms and draw a roadmap for unity. Ahead of a December EU summit to deal with the debt crisis, Merkel told lawmakers that countries must allow the European Union to police budgets when necessary if the bloc is to maintain prosperity.
Radio Praha announces that the Czech Republic’s center-right government has survived a taxation vote that turned into a "no-confidence" motion. Rebels from of Prime Minister Petr Necas’s own party eventually backed down, fearing a snap election. Lawmakers approved a one percent increase in sales tax on retail goods and a seven percent increase in taxes for the highest earners by 101 votes to 93. The Bill aims to bring the country's budget deficit below three percent of GDP.
France 24 reports the government has signed off on a Bill that could legalise same-sex marriage in France despite opposition from leaders of major religious groups. Same-sex couples in France have been able to enter into civil unions for over a decade, but the Bill would broaden their rights. Under the proposed legislation, approved by President François Hollande's Cabinet, all couples would have the right to marry and to adopt children.
Fox News says New York and New Jersey residents have been warned to evacuate their homes as a new storm hits the area still reeling from Sandy's devastating impact. The latest storm has already brought some snow, with forecasters also predicting heavy rains and high winds. At least 1,200 flights have been cancelled in and outside the New York metropolitan area. New York's main utility company, Consolidated Edison, has warned of further power cuts.
The Guatemala Times reports a 7.4 magnitude earthquake has struck off the coast of Guatemala, killing 39 people and wounding another 155. The quake caused evacuations as far north as Mexico City and a tsunami alert down south in El Salvador.
The Sun says Tour de France cycling champion and Olympic gold medallist Bradley Wiggins is recovering in hospital, suffering a number of broken ribs and cuts and bruises, after a collision with a car. Wiggins, 32, was thrown off his bike when the car pulled out of a petrol station and collided with him.
The Times announces the death in Portugal of actor Clive Dunn, best known for his role as Lance Corporal "Jonesy" Jones in Dad's Army. He was 92. Dunn became a recording star in 1971 when his record, Grandad, reached number one. He spent his last three decades in Portugal, where he occupied himself as an artist painting portraits, landscapes and seascapes until his sight failed.