The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas media today.
Times of Malta reports how Corinthia is to absorb Island Hotels Group is a €50m deal.
The Malta Independent says fire safety is lacking in Maltese clubs, according to a fire consutlant.
In-Nazzjon reports that former port workers are insisting on action from the GWU on pension funds they are entitled for.
l-orizzont says Gozo Minister Anton Refalo has complained of delays in Victoria centre works.
The overseas press
Le Monde reports Europe is in full alert as security forces raided suspected Islamic militant groups in Belgium, Germany and France, arresting 29 people amid a crackdown following the attacks on Paris last week. The sweeping actions appeared to be part of a coordinated effort across Western Europe to stamp out potential threats amid fears that Islamic militants may be planning additional strikes.
NSBC says Europe’s heightened security and aggressive counter-terror actions were a major talking point for President Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron, who held a press conference on Friday afternoon following a formal meeting at the White House. But Obama warned against rushing to curb civil liberties, adding there should not be an “overreaction” to the atrocities in Paris. He also suggested that European countries needed to make sure their Muslim populations were better “assimilated”.
The Guardian reports police across Britain have been put on high alert and warned that they might be targeted in terror attacks following the foiled assault on officers in Belgium by Islamists with links to Syria. Police patrols of Jewish communities in Britain were also to be stepped up and extra security measures will be taken at Jewish schools.
According to Le Sahel, at least four people have died and dozens have been wounded in violent protests in Niger against French newspaper Charlie Hebdo’s publication of a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed. Other demonstrations against Charlie Hebdo took place in Mali and Senegal.
Het Parool reports the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in The Hague has opened a preliminary probe into possible war crimes in Palestinian territories. Fatou Bensouda said in a statement she would conduct the preliminary examination in “full independence and impartiality”.
Kathimerini says two of Greece’s top four banks have asked for emergency cash injections from the European Central Bank, anticipating a shortage of funds tied to uncertainty over snap elections. Eurobank and Alphabank confirmed requests for the temporary liquidity injections, known as emergency liquidity assistance which are to be examined next week when the ECB holds its monetary policy meeting on Thursday.
Donetsk News Agency quotes the defence ministry of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) claiming Ukraine’s army used phosphorus bombs during the attacks on the Donetsk airport on Friday. A Donetsk self-defence soldier had phosphorous vapour intoxication and had to seek medical assistance.
Bloomberg reports Standard & Poor’s has agreed to pay $1 billion to settle US charges that the ratings agency defrauded investors ahead of the housing bust. The settlement would resolve a 2013 US Department of Justice suit accusing the ratings agency of misrepresenting as safe high-risk securities linked to subprime mortgages.
The Financial Times says the former owner of a disputed Caravaggio has lost his battle for compensation from Sotheby’s auction house. Lancelot William Thwaytes sold “The Cardsharps” at Sotheby’s in 2006 for £46,000 after being told it was by a follower of the Old Master. The new owner subsequently insured the painting for millions – after a close friend, an art expert, claimed it was in fact an original Caravaggio. Sotheby’s maintains the painting is not by the artist.
Reuters reports a Beverly Hills rare coin dealer purchased a 1792 American penny for nearly $2.6 million (€2.25 million) – the highest price ever paid for a one-cent piece at auction. Named after its engraver, Robert Birch, the so-called "Birch Cent" was among the first pennies struck for the United States, part of a series of prototype coins. Only 10 are believed to exist and collector Kevin Lipton said the coin he purchased is in the best condition of those 10.
The Daily Telegraph says the UK’s Attorney General has ordered the Crown Prosecution Service to investigate whether criminal offences have been committed in relation to identifying the victim in the Ched Evans rape case. Footballer Evans was released from prison last year after serving two-and-a-half years for the rape of a 19-year-old woman in a hotel, but continues to protest his innocence. Since Evans’ conviction, his victim, who has a legal right to anonymity for life, has moved home five times as online trolls repeatedly tracked her down and revealed her new identity.