In the Press: EU to increase funding for search and rescue operations

The headlines today are dominated by reports on yesterday's emergency EU summit, held in the wake of one of the worst tragedies in the Mediterranean sea since WWII. Between 700 and 900 migrants are believed to have died at sea after their vessel capsized. 

EU leaders agreed to a tripling of financial resources to operations Triton and Poseidon, a rapid repatriation scheme and voluntary burden-sharing, amongst others.

The Times of Malta

The relatives of murdered taxi driver Matthew Zahra have demanded compensation for a gold chain belonging to the victim, which had gone missing from the evidence locker at the police headquarters. The piece is estimated to be worth €25,000.

In-Nazzjon

The bodies of 24 migrants who died at sea were laid to rest yesterday. Bishop Mario Grech and Imam Mohammed El Sadi presided over the ceremony, which was attended by dignitaries and migrants who had survived the perilous journey across the sea. 

L-Orizzont

The GWU said that several Freeport workers had joined the union after becoming disillusioned with the UHM. The main factor, said Secretary General Tony Zarb, was the delay in reviewing their collective agreement.

The Malta Independent 

Muhammed El-Ghirani, a representative of the Libyan National Salvation Front, said efforts to meet with foreign affairs minister George Vella had proved futile. The issue of migration has been going on for a long time, he said, and diplomatic efforts by the LNSF were rejected because the Tripoli-based government is not recognized by the United Nations.