The following are the top stories in the national and international press today.
The Times says that the Chief Justice failed to answer questions on whether he would be assigning Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco’s cases to another judge while he is being investigated by the Commission for the Administration of Justice. In another story it says that political parties have rallies planned for Monday.
The Independent says that President George Abela will be dissolving Parliament on Monday at 9.30am. It also says that Lawrence Zammit has filed a libel suit over a report that he has connections with the mafia.
In-Nazzjon says that the PL’s new deputy leader Louis Grech admitted on television that he had voted against EU membership. It also says that the party’s executive met to discuss the party’s electoral manifesto.
L-Orizzont says that the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses warned of industrial action if a promised agreement was not signed. It also says that the GWU has a dispute with the health authorities as a contract signed for G4S employees did not make it binding for these to be paid wages equivalent to those paid to government employees performing the same duties.
The international press
The Wall Street Journal reports the US Congress has approved almost $10 billion in disaster relief for victims of superstorm Sandy, which ravaged parts of the east coast last October. The measure was passed without opposition hours after the House voted for it by 354-67. The Bill now goes to President Barack Obama, who is expected to sign it.
The male companion of the woman who was gang-raped and murdered in the Indian Dehli last month has spoken publicly for the first time about the ordeal. In an interview with Zee News TV, he criticised the police for their slow response to the attack and passers-by who refused to help when she was bleeding by the roadside. The incident caused a national outcry, and there have been frequent protests calling for greater protection for women.
Hurryiet announces that US troops began arriving in Turkey on Friday ready to operate Patriot missile batteries deployed to counter any possible threats that might arise from the Syrian conflict. Over the coming days, some 400 personnel and equipment will arrive at the US Air Force Air Base in southern Turkey. The Germans, Dutch and Americans are deploying two Patriot surface-to-air batteries in order to help bolster NATO member Turkey's air defenses. Cross-border fire has already affected Turkey, Lebanon and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
Press TV says Iran has agreed to resume talks with six major powers aimed at curbing international concerns over its nuclear programme. The last negotiations broke off without any tangible results more than six months ago. The announcement comes more than a month after the so-called P5 + 1 powers, made up of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany, said that they were willing to re-open negotiations with Tehran.
Al Ayyam reports tens of thousands of Fatah supporters in the Gaza Strip and other towns across Gaza have marked the anniversary of the movement’s founding – the first time the party has held a rally in the territory since 2007. The fact that Hamas has allowed Fatah to organise the celebrations there is seen as part of efforts at reconciliation between the two sides, which have been at loggerheads since Hamas seized control of Gaza in June 2007. This came a year after Hamas won a parliamentary election.
The Independent reports the Church of England has lifted its ban on gay clergymen becoming bishops. Clergy in civil partnerships could take such positions provided they live in accordance with Church teachings.
Google is letting people peg their New Year's resolutions to an online map and see what promises others around the world have set out to keep in 2013. By Friday, a resolutions section at the California Internet giant's 2012 Zeitgeist website had logged half a million entries, more than a third of which involved desires to love or be loved. Vows to improve personal health were rife in the United States, while Russia was at the head of the class when it came to education- focused resolutions.
Le Parisien says former French film star Brigitte Bardot could become a Russian citizen in a row over two sick zoo elephants. She has threatened to move abroad unless France stops the elephants, which suffer from tuberculosis, being put down. On Thursday, the actor Gerard Depardieu obtained a Russian passport following a tax row with the French government.
Hollywood Reporter says the 2013 Oscars show on February 24 will include a tribute to the James Bond movie franchise, celebrating its 50th anniversary with the record-breaking blockbuster "Skyfall". Over the decades a number of 007 films have been nominated for the coveted golden statuettes – albeit generally in technical or minor categories. There has been speculation that "Skyfall" could secure a Best Song nod for British songstress Adele's theme tune, when nominees are announced next Thursday. The 1964 film "Goldfinger" won an Oscar for best effects and sound effects, while the following year "Thunderball" won for best effects and special visual effects.