The following are the top stories in the national and international press today.
Times of Malta says that Arriva has until tomorrow to react to a technical report on the safety of bendy buses, which the Government has ordered off the roads. In another story it says that blackmail over a compromising photo and exorbitant loan repayments led a desperate Jason Galea to kill Matthew Zahra, 27, of Valletta.
In-Nazzjon says that a minister’s relative was one of 16 people arrested at a party last Sunday after he was found in possession of ecstasy. In another story it says that the Police Commissioner and the head of the Secret Services are under pressure following several reports about what it said is being considered as one of the biggest drug trafficking operations ever to take place in Malta.
The Malta Independent says that Arriva buses are to remain off the roads at least until an inquiry into what caused three fires a few days ago is concluded. In another story it quotes British linguist and world traveller Richard Lewis describing the Maltese as lively, loquacious people who do many things at once.
L-Orizzont quotes Economy Minister Chris Cardona saying that business success is achieved through worker respect and not abuse. In another story it says that the Government’s energy plans should lead to a significant improvement in the country’s air quality.
International news
The New York Post reports Russia and Syria have embraced US Secretary of State John Kerry’s suggestion that the Syrian government could avert a US attack by placing its chemical weapons under international control, pending the Obama administration’s efforts to sharpen its case for military action.
President Obama conceded that the idea of monitoring and ultimately destroying Syria’s arsenal “could potentially be a significant breakthrough”. He told NBC News in an interview that he remained sceptical that Syria would follow through and turn over its stockpile, so he was taking a statement from Damascus “with a grain of salt initially”. Obama told CNN that any diplomatic effort must be serious.
Meanwhile the US Senate is delaying a test vote on authorising US military strikes against Syria. Senate majority leader Harry Reid told ABC News it would not be beneficial to hold the vote while international discussions continued on Syria’s use of chemical weapons. Reid’s action comes amid increased opposition in the Senate to a US military intervention in Syria. A Reuters/IPSOS poll shows that 63 per cent of Americans were against military action, up 10 per cent since August 30.
Russia Today TV reports Syria’s Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem gave a warm reception to Russia’s proposal, but stopped short of outlining any concrete action.
In other news...
Norway shifted right in elections on Monday, ending eight years of centre-left rule and setting the stage for a new Conservative-led government with the populist anti-immigration Progress Party as junior partner. Aftenposten says incumbent Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg of the Labour Party conceded defeat late in the day, while his challenger, Conservative leader Erna Solberg, hailed “a historic election win”. With three quarters of the votes counted, Solberg’s coalition had won 96 of 169 seats in parliament. Stoltenberg's three-party coalition controlled 72, with one seat going to an independent environmental party.
The African Standard reports Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto has left for The Hague to face the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity. His trial begins today amid doubt over Kenya’s cooperation with the ICC. President Uhuru Kenyatta also stands accused but will remain in Kenya ahead of his trial in November.
Ansa says a boat carrying 178 Syrian refugees was escorted into Syracuse on Monday by Coast Guard patrol boats. The immigrants, who included 41 women and 82 children, were transferred to a facility in the town after medical checks and assistance.
The US government spied on Brazilian state-run oil giant Petrobras the world's leader in deep-water oil exploration, according to intelligence documents released by Globo TV. No details were immediately available about the nature of the spying, other than that the information was based on US National Security Agency documents dated June 2012 leaked by Edward Snowden.
Tennis: Euronews reports Rafael Nadal claimed his second US Open title and 13th Grand Slam crown when he defeated world number one Novak Djokovic, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 in a lung-busting, big-hitting final. Nadal, 27, added the 2013 trophy to his 2010 triumph, when he completed a career Grand Slam, and capped a year which has now seen him capture 10 titles and stretch his season winning record to 60 victories and just three losses. Monday's win also earned him a total of $3.6 million, which takes his career earnings through the $60 million mark and also edged him closer to Roger Federer's record of 17 majors.