The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press.
Times of Malta reports how a man has been arrested for letting off gas spray which started the stampede in a Paceville night club. It also says Pauline Miceli will become new Children's Commissioner.
The Malta Independent reports how a victim spoke of moments of horror during the nightclub stampede.
In-Nazzjon says the owners of the Paceville club where a stampede took place on Saturday night are expected to be taken to court. It also reports that Tony Abela has been returned to Parliament.
l-orizzont also leads with the arrest in connection with the Paceville incident.
The overseas press
CNN reports the Paris terrorist attacks continued to prompt raids and arrests in Europe and pledges of solidarity with France. Pope Francis condemned the killings, British Prime Minister David Cameron convened a meeting of the emergency response committee, Russian leader Vladimir Putin sent condolences to France, The Netherlands increased border security and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel “stands shoulder to shoulder to France”.
Le Monde says French President François Hollande addressed a joint session of the French Parliament – only the third time a president has done so since 1848 – and called on the United States and Russia to join a global coalition to destroy ISIS. “France is at war,” Hollande said, adding he would boost the country’s paramilitary police force by another 5,000 positions, increase funds for national security and strengthen anti-terrorism laws.
The Daily Mirror leads with British Prime Minister David Cameron’s announcement of a plan for €2.85 billion in additional funding to be spent on the country’s military forces to fight terrorism. Speaking at the Lord Mayor’s Banquet, Cameron also addressed a controversial bill that would ensure British authorities have powers to follow terrorist movements by tracking and intercepting communications.
Metro reports the Paris terror attacks have deepened the anti-migrant mood in Central Europe and are threatening to create an atmosphere even less welcoming for those fleeing war in the Middle East. On the Slovenian-Austrian border, the armies of both nations strip-searched migrants on their westward march amid heightened security over the weekend, causing large numbers to build up at a refugee camp.
AP says at least 24 US states have said they won’t accept any refugees from Syria. The US State Department said it was taking the governors’ concerns seriously, but it remains “steadfastly committed” to bringing in 10,000 refugees next year. Officials in six states say they’ll continue accepting Syria’s refugees.
France 24 quotes French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve confirming 23 people were in custody and weapons, including a rocket launcher, and IT equipment have been seized after more than 150 police anti-terror raids were carried out in cities across France since Friday. He has ordered 104 people be put under house arrest.
BFMTV says a judge has released five of seven people detained over the weekend in Belgium. Mohammed Abdeslam, the brother of suspects Salah and Ibrahim Abdeslam, was among the five people released.
French radio station RTL announced that 27-year-old Abdelhamid Abaaoud was the organiser who financed and organised the coordinated terrorist attacks. The 27-year-old is considered “one of the most active extremists” of Islamic State in Syria. His name became popular around the investigation on the plotted terrorist attacks in Belgium. He is also one of the terrorists wanted in Greece since the start of the year.
Le Parisien reports the iconic Eiffel Tower lit up in Paris in the colours of the French flag. Other landmarks around the world have done the same in a showing of solidarity. “Tonight, we are all Parisians,” US Secretary of State John Kerry said at a lighting ceremony at the US Embassy in Paris.
The Sun says London’s Metropolitan Police will be increasing the number of officers on patrol at tonight’s England v. France football match at Wembley Stadium. The Daily Star carried the headline: “Balls to Terror – Wills and 90,000 footie fans to defy ISIS”.
In other news…
Six people, including a child, have been found dead on private property in Anderson County (southeast of Dallas County), according to CBS-affiliate KYTX. One person, William Hudson, has been charged with one count of murder in connection with the discovery. The bodies were all found on property next to land Hudson owns. He is not related to the victims and no motive for the murders is known.
Aviation Week says the International Space Station has taken a power hit, and spacewalking repairs may be needed. First, though, a replacement part must be delivered via rocket. Nasa said a short circuit in equipment on the station’s framework is to blame.
Charlie Sheen is to make a “revealing personal announcement” on a US breakfast news show, following tabloid claims that the actor is HIV positive. The 50-year-old star will sit down for an interview with Matt Lauer, the host of NBC’s Today programme. NBC did not disclose any further details of the announcement in a release heralding the exclusive interview, but US tabloid The National Enquirer has claimed in a cover story for its November 18 issue that Sheen is HIV positive.
Independent journalism costs money. Support Times of Malta for the price of a coffee.
Support Us