The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press:
The Times reports how the former Sliema Mayor Nikki Dimech was sentenced to a year in jail. It also reports that the Labour Party has agreed to electoral silence over the festive period.
The Malta Independent gives prominence to the evidence given in court yesterday against the founder of the Association of Abandoned Animals Freddie Fenech over neglect and misappropriation.
In-Nazzjon also leads with the jail term for Nikki Dimech and the PN statement on the case. It also focuses on the inauguration of the new AFM hangar.
l-orizzont says the increase in duty on fuels removed price cuts which Enemalta had planned.
The overseas press
AFP reports Eurogroup head Jean-Claude Juncker has announced he was stepping down as eurozone finance ministerial chairman as of the end of the month. He has held the post since 2005 and his current term officially runs until July 17. France and Germany, the eurozone's biggest, have not managed to agree so far on his successor, with Paris resisting a suggestion from Berlin that German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble be given the nod.
Al Thawra says the Syrian Foreign Ministry has reiterated its pledge not to use chemical weapons against its own people. The ministry was reacting to a warning by Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, in Prague, that that the use of such weapons would “cross a US red line”. Damascus urged Washington to “stop fabricating” such claims, noting the US made a similar claim about Iraq before it invaded the country in 2003.
Fox News reports President Obama also warned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad of "consequences" if he ordered the use of chemical weapons in the country's 21-month conflict. Addressing at the National Defence University in Washington, the US President did not elaborate on what exactly the consequences were. The warning came after US intelligence detected movement of chemical weapons. Sources said Syria's stockpile is believed to include sarin nerve agent, mustard gas and cyanide.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg says the UN was suspending operations in Syria and withdrawing all “non-essential” staff members from the country due to growing security concerns. Eight UN employees have been killed since the conflict began in March 2011 between anti-government protesters and President Assad. Eighteen volunteers of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent also have died.
The Jerusalem Post reports Israel has rejected a wave of US and European condemnations over plans to build thousands of new homes in West Bank settlements, vowing to press forward with the construction in the face of widespread international opposition. Israeli ambassadors were summoned for consultations in five European capitals, and European officials warned of other potential measures against Israel. Italian Premier Mario Monti and French President François Hollande issued a joint statement, saying they were “deeply worried” by Israel’s settlement plans.
The news that the Duchess of Cambridge is expecting a baby next year features heavily on the front pages of many of the world’s media – not less the British nationals. Under the heading "We're Expecting", The Times says the pregnant Duchess has been admitted to hospital suffering from acute morning sickness. The Daily Express says that even the Queen did not know that Kate was expecting until she was rushed to hospital. The Daily Mail has a Royal Baby Special Edition, showing a very anxious husband who has been at his wife’s bedside. Under the heading “Kate Expectations”, The Sun says the baby will be the third in line to the throne.
Time says bookies have wasted no time in offering some novelty wagers on the birth of the future British monarch. The most popular bet would likely be on what name Kate and William choose for the baby. The current favorites are John and Robert at odds of 10 to 1, followed by Anne, Francis, George and Charles at 12 to 1, with Louis, Robert and Mary following at 14 to 1.
L’Avvenire reports Pope Benedict XVI has joined Twitter under the username @Pontifex and will tweet in eight languages beginning December 12. Within two hours of the announcement being made, the pontiff had garnered some 60,000 followers.
France 24 says six workers from the French humanitarian organisation Zoe’s Ark went on trial in Paris on Monday, accused of trying to bring 103 children illegally to France for adoption, claiming they were orphans from troubled Darfur. They face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to €750,000 if they are found guilty.
Belfast Telegraph reports two police officers were injured when hundreds of loyalists tried to storm Belfast City Hall after councillors voted to remove the Union flag. An angry crowd forced its way through the back gates and tried to kick the door down minutes after elected members agreed to fly the flag on designated days. Police used batons and brought in dogs to push the protesters, who had thrown firework, bricks, bottles and other missiles.
The Irish Independent reports mobile phone operators in Ireland have admitted breaking data protection regulations by sending unsolicited text messages and “spam” emails to customers. The companies pleaded guilty at Dublin District Court following investigations by the Data Protection Commission and they faced the possibility of being fined up to €5,000 per offence. The watchdog prosecuted them after getting complaints from customers who had received unsolicited promotional texts and emails and could not opt out from getting the messages.
Nieuws says a Dutch linesman has died after being attacked as he officiated at a youth match in which his own son was playing. Three players aged between 15 and 16 were arrested after Richard Nieuwenhuizen, 41, collapsed at the Dutch club Nieuw Sloten in the town of Almere on Sunday. The death came almost exactly a year since a Dutch amateur footballer fatally kicked a 77-year-old supporter following a match.