The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press.
Times of Malta, l-orizzont and the Malta Independent report on the announcement that Kate Middleton is pregnant and the questions raised over whether her visit to Malta is still on.
In-Nazzjon features the story of a man who has to borrow money to buy fruit.
The overseas press
The New York Times reveals President Obama is preparing a three-phase campaign against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria – and that could take at least three years to complete. The paper says the first phase, that of air raids, was already in place. The second would start probably this week, as Iraq formed a new government, and would target training on equipment and military forces in Iraq, the Kurdish fighters and maybe even some Sunni groups. The final phase was that of the destruction of the IS army in Syria, and this may not be completed before the advent of the next administration.
Al Sumaria TV announces that the Iraqi parliament has approved a new inclusive government, chaired by Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi, a moderate Shia after months of impasse after Kurds and Sunnis had accused his predecessor Nouri Maliki of monopolizing power for the Shia majority. Al-Abadi also aims to tackle Islamic State militants who have seized large parts of the country.
Islamic fighters in Iraq have killed hundreds of children, including in summary executions, and used some as suicide bombers. Fox News quotes the top UN envoy on children and armed conflict, Leila Zerrougui, telling the UN Security Council that “up to 700 children have been killed or maimed in Iraq since the beginning of the year”. She said Islamic State fighters were recruiting boys as young as 13 to carry weapons, guard strategic locations and arrest civilians.
As the pound sterling reached a 10-month low amid anxiety about the outcome of this month's Scottish Referendum, The Daily Telegraph reports British Prime Minister David Cameron is under pressure to ask the Queen to speak out in support of the Union. The news comes after former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown made what The Independent described as a “dramatic intervention” in the Scottish independence battle, issuing a timetable for Scottish “home rule” in the event of a No vote. Metro speculates about whether the royal baby announcement will be a boost for campaigners hoping to keep Scotland in the UK.
EU ambassadors meeting in Brussels has agreed a new package of sanctions against Russia in view of its continuing support for rebels in eastern Ukraine. Le Soir quotes outgoing Council president Herman von Rumpoy revealing the new sanctions would come into force in the new few days and would be reviewed “if necessary”.
Tribune de Genève says the WHO has warned Liberia to expect thousands of new cases of Ebola in the coming weeks. In a statement it said the virus was spreading “exponentially” in Liberia where it has already killed more than 1,000 people.
Dawn reports rescue workers in boats and helicopters worked to save thousands of people trapped in homes and on rooftops Monday after floods and landslides killed more than 320 people in the Himalayan region of Kashmir and eastern Pakistan. Six days of torrential rains have soaked both sides of the divided territory of Kashmir, which India and Pakistan each claim.
Two men and two women are being detained in Israel on suspicion of exploitation after the police bust a prostitution ring in which Jewish some 15 women were allegedly forced into having sex with non-Jews, including Palestinians, by a messianic sect. The police told Haaretz the victims were brainwashed into believing that having sex with non-Jews would “save the Jewish people and bring about redemption”. Some were believed to be minors.
An Israeli court has convicted polygamist cult leader Goel Ratzon of sex crimes after he kept a harem of 21 women who bore him dozens of children in a state of near total obedience. The Jerusalem Post says Goel Ratzon was convicted of rape, incest and other offences, but acquitted of an enslavement charge – sparking cries of outrage in the courtroom.
L’Equipe reports FIFA has revived the possibility of staging the 2022 World Cup in January and February. Three possible time slots were discussed for the tournament as a FIFA task force, set up specifically to decide once and for all when the finals should take place.