The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press.
Times of Malta leads with comments at a press conference on the closure of CHOGM. It says leaders are targeting young people to combat terrorism. The newspaper also reports that the Montekristo incident has revived calls for better health and safety laws in the country.
The Malta Independent says NGOs have lashed out at the 'Montekristo outrage'.
In-Nazzjon reports on the conclusion of CHOGM.
l-orizzont reports that CHOGM member states said in the final declaration that controlled migration can yield economic benefits.
The overseas press
Los Angeles Times announces that the US and 18 other countries have pledged to double funds for clean energy research to a total of $20 billion over five years, increasing the prospects for successful agreement at the Paris climate negotiations that start today. The countries include the UK, Canada, China, Brazil, India and South Africa.
AFP reports more than half a million people around the world took part in climate change marches over the weekend as protesters urged politicians to take action. From Sydney to Stockholm and Cairo to Cape Town, an estimated 570,000 took to the streets in 2,300 separate events across 175 countries – a new record for a set of global marches.
Le Figaro says more than 200 people have been arrested at Climate Change protests in Paris described as ‘scandalous’ by President Hollande as he has blamed far left activists for hijacking the demonstrations. Protesters at Place de la Republique pelted officers with bottles and candles that had been left in tribute to the victims of the recent terror attacks.
Le Soir quotes European Council President Donald revealing that 1.5 million people had entered EU countries illegally this year. Speaking at a EU-Turkey summit, Tusk spoke of his hopes of finally finding a way to ease the chaotic migrant situation. EU leaders signed an agreement with Turkey offering cash, visas and closer ties in exchange for Turkish help in reducing the numbers of refugees entering the continent.
The Daily Mail reports the devastating terror attacks in Paris have left France and other European countries’ tourism industry struggling. The French government believes the country has suffered an estimated €2 billion worth of losses as a result of the terror attacks. Belgian broadcaster VRT says as much as €51.7million a day had been lost in Brussels following the sudden closure of the city’s metros, schools and shops. Italy and Germany have also seen a drop in the number of Christmas shoppers as fears of possible terror attacks and bad weather hamper businesses.
Journal de Bangui says Pope Francis has issued an appeal for all the fighting factions in Central African Republic and elsewhere to lay down their weapons and instead “arm yourselves with justice, love, mercy and authentic peace”. Bangui is awash in weapons as a result of more than two years of sectarian violence between Christian and Muslim militants that has forced more than a million people to flee their homes.
Haaretz reports Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he was suspending contacts with European Union bodies involved in peace efforts with the Palestinians after the bloc started requiring the labelling of exports from Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Contacts with individual EU countries like, Germany, France and Britain, would not be affected.
Le Pays says some five million Burkina Faso voters went to the polls yesterday to vote for the president and deputies for the National Assembly. Transitional president Michel Kafando hailed the vote as a victory for the country and its young people. Provisional results should be known by this evening.
Al Watan reports women in Saudi Arabia running for public office for the first time in the country’s history have started campaigning. Around 900 women are standing in the municipal elections on 12 December. In another first, women will also be able to vote in the contest.
Metro says two activists have climbed on to a roof at Buckingham Palace in a protest over fathers’ rights. Martin Matthews, 48, and Bobby Smith, 33, scaled the roof of the Queen’s Gallery, a public art gallery at Buckingham Palace, and held a banner which read: “I am Harry’s dad”. The demonstration is part of a joint campaign by the groups New Fathers 4 Justice and Stop The War On Dads.
Adele’s new album “25” has sold 3.38 million copies in its first week, smashing single week sales records, according to Nielsen Music. As reported by Billboard, “25” is the first album to sell more than three million copies in one week in Nielsen’s history, which has been tracking first week purchases since 1991. .
Tennis: LBC says Andy Murray has helped guide Great Britain to victory in the Davis Cup – the first time in 79 years. World number two Murray defeated David Goffin 6-3, 7-5, 6-3 to give the team an unassailable 3-1 lead over Belgium in the final in Ghent.
The majority of the residents of the German Hamburg have voted against the city’s bid to host the 2024 Summer Olympics. Bild says that the results of the public referendum showed almost 52 per cent said ‘No’ to Hamburg’s participation in the competition as a host city. After the German city’s withdrawal from the race, Rome, Los Angeles, Paris, and Budapest will vie for the honour of holding the Summer Olympics. The victorious city will be announced in September 2017.