The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press.
Times of Malta and The Malta Independent report how a court ruled yesterday that there was no breach of the rights of Judge Farrugia Sacco in his impeachment case.
They also report on the evidence given yesterday in the case against the police instituted by Emanuel Camilleri over wrongful imprisonment, a story also given prominence in l-orizzont.
In-Nazzjon reports that retail sales have continued to decrease.
The overseas press
The BBC reports British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President François Hollande have met Russia’s President Vladimir Putin face to face for the first time since the annexation of Crimea to convey their concern about Russia’s actions in Ukraine. It quotes Cameron as saying he had delivered “an unequivocal message” to Putin that “Russian aggression must stop”.
Both leaders are in France for the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Le Monde says veterans of the Second World War have travelled to the beaches of Normandy where thousands of allied troops died as they began the liberation of France from Nazi rule. The main ceremonies will take place later today.
The Daily Telegraph leads on President Barack Obama's statement that he would prefer Britain to stay in the European Union and Scotland to remain in the United Kingdom. He said the US had what he called “a deep interest” in Britain remaining a united and effective partner with a seat at the European table.
Le Quotidien quotes Italian Interior Minister Angelino Alfano telling a meeting of European Interior Ministers in Luxembourg that al-Qaeda terrorists could be among immigrants landing in Italy after embarking from the Libyan coast. He warned Italy could not continue to shoulder the costs of patrolling and saving lives in the southern Mediterranean alone and called for increased resources for Frontex.
World Bulletin reports a prosecutor told the Libyan Supreme Constitutional Court on Thursday the election of Ahmed Maiteeq as Libya's new prime minister was conducted in violation of the country's temporary constitution. Libya is struggling with a political crisis as outgoing premier Abdullah al-Thinni has refused to hand over power to Maiteeq who was elected by parliament in a chaotic vote last month. The court issued no ruling and adjourned the session until Monday
The Financial Times leads with the package of unusual measures presented by European Central Bank President Mario Draghi to stimulate sluggish economic growth and fight the threat of deflation. The measures include two interest rate cuts and as much as €400 billion in new loans. The ECB also lowered the central bank's outlook for economic growth in the eurozone in 2014 as well as its expectations for inflation.
Ansa reports Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has said his government would take swift action to boost anti-corruption measures a day after Venice's mayor was arrested in a massive probe into alleged irregularities in the city's flood-protection system. Renzi told a news conference his government would “definitely take action on public contracts, anti-corruption measures and other specific issues”.
The Globe and Mail says Royal Canadian Mounted Police have intensified a manhunt after three officers were shot dead and two injured in a case of gun violence in Moncton. They are said to be looking for a 24-year-old “armed and dangerous” local man who since the shooting had been spotted three times near the crime scene. Police have warned residents to stay indoors.
A suspected Boko Haram attack on villages in northeastern Nigeria has reportedly left hundreds of people dead. The Associated Press reports at least 200 people had died, although some community leaders put the death toll at between 400 and 500. Witnesses said the gunmen from the Islamist militant group were dressed as soldiers.
The Daily Star says former pop star Gary Glitter is to be charged with eight new sex offences involving underage girls. Glitter, 70, is accused of four counts of indecent assault involving the first complainant, who was aged 12 or 13 at the time, in 1977. He is also accused of one count of “administering a drug or other thing in order to facilitate sexual intercourse” and one count of sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 between the same dates. He is also charged with two counts of indecent assault between 1 October 1979 and 31 December 1980 involving the second complainant, who was aged 13 or 14 at the time.
Metro reports the European Court of Human Rights has ruled that parents have no automatic right to stay in contact with children given up for adoption. The court rejected a German woman's attempt to re-establish contact with twins she had given up for adoption when they were just three weeks old.
Sky Sports quotes FIFA President Sepp Blatter saying he was confident that the football World Cup tournament in Brazil would be a success despite protests and delays. He urged the Brazilian people to do all they could to support the event which kicks off next Thursday. His comments came as San Paolo, where the opening match is going to be played, was paralysed by an indefinite metro strike.