Times of Malta reports that no appeal was filed from a judgment acquitting two foreigners of illegal fishing in Malta’s conservation zone, leaving Maltese fishermen in a quandary.
In-Nazzjon says the public is expecting an answer over the lost EU funds earmarked for the Coast Road.
The Independent says a Libyan businessman has denied links with human traffickers.
L-orizzont accused rival daily In-Nazzjon of attacks to harm the Genera Workers; Union.
These are the main international news headlines:
The news of the Paris attacks immediately reverberated on newspapers’ websites and the printed international media.
Le Figaro carries the heading “Paris Undeer Attack: it’s a full-scale war”, superimposed on an entire front page picture conveying the horror of the carnage at the Bataclan concert hall, where a rock concert was being held.
CNN’s main story describes the attacks as “a bloodbath”.
The Spanish El Mundo talks of “a chain of terrorist attacks” echoing the BBC which shows images of the rescue. The German Bild, in big bold letters in yellow, puts the tragic death toll at 153, saying the figure was bound to rise in the coming hours.
Al Jazeera speaks of “shootings and explosions” and follows with a direct Twitter account showing two boys huddled together inside the Stade de France. While nothing has been said about who is responsible, Newsweek reports supporters of the Islamic State militants are celebrating the Paris attacks on Twitter.
One of the main hashtags about the attacks, #ParisIsBurning, seems to have been co-opted by supporters of ISIS, who are using the Arabic translation, #باريس_تشتعل., which roughly translates to Paris in flames or Paris ignites.
Some of the tweets containing the Arabic hashtag contain photos from the scenes of the shootings, while others say “Allah U Akbar” or “God is great”. In the light of the deadly attacks in France, many European countries have taken immediate steps to strengthen their internal security.
AKI reports Italian Interior Minister Angelino Alfano wrote on Facebook, Italian anti-terrorism units were in constant contact with their French counterparts to provide additional preventive interventions.
Le Soir says Belgium, France’s neighbour, has imposed new checks on its French frontier for rail and air travel and summond its security cabinet.
USA Today says New York, which suffered the 9/11 attacks, has strengthened anti-terrorism patrols at high-profile sites including the French consulate. French President François Hollande has declared a national state of emergency and has increased border checks.
Le Mattin reports say all medical personnel in the Paris region had been called to report wherever they can to help attend to tens and tens of very seriously injured persons. Over 1,500 troops have been mobilised and the mayor of Paris has asked people to stay at home.
They are using a hashtag “#portesouvertes” which translates into “#opendoors” for those who are out in Paris and are seeking safety from the attacks. As a sign of mourning, lights illuminating Paris’ ultimate symbol, the Eiffel Tower, have been switched off.
The shock of the attacks has also resonated throughout the diplomatic world. Fox News quotes President Obama speaking of “a heart-breaking situation” through this “outrageous attempt to terrorise innocent civilians”.
The Times reports British Prime Minister David Cameron said he was shocked and pledged to do whatever it takes to help. In other news… Libya Herald reports the Salafist Islamist militia group Ansar Al-Sharia has condemned the UN mission in Libya and its newly-appointed envoy, Martin Kobler, accusing them of representing “colonial hegemony” and “infidel” forces. Referring to Kobler’s professional background as a UN envoy, including stretches in Afghanistan and Iraq, Ansar said that he was “more dangerous” for Libya than his predecessor, Bernardino Leon.
Sicilia News 24 says Pope Francis has given a symbolic crucifix he received from Cuban leader Raul Castro to the Italian island of Lampedusa, which has become a hub for migrant arrivals.
The giant cross, 3.6 metres high, presents Jesus crucified on wooden oars bound up by rope, to symbolise the harsh reality of migrants who have crossed, or failed to cross, seas aboard unseaworthy vessels. Moscow Times reports Russia’s Athletics Federation has been provisionally suspended from international events because of doping allegations.
Russian athletes will not now be able to compete in the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil and Russia will not be allowed to host international athletics tournaments. AFP says thousands of men around the world have been sterilised in what organisers have described as a global “vasectomy-athon”, to encourage men to take a bigger role in family planning. Some 750 doctors in 25 countries performed the procedure on over 3,000 volunteers to mark World Vasectomy Day, with many operations provided free or at discounted rates.