The following are the top stories in the Maltese and overseas press.
Times of Malta leads with a reaction by former Police Commissioner Peter Paul Zammit to comments by Inspector Gafa’ about whether John Dalli should have been arraigned. Mr Zammit said Mr Gafa’ was subjective.
The Malta Independent says Marlene Farrugia has confirmed she will be voting against spring hunting.
l-orizzont said Victoria council had a debt of €60,000 for its works on St George Square in Gozo. There is also a court, dispute with a contractor objecting to the council’s plans to remove stained tiles on the square.
In-Nazzjon quotes Simon Busuttil saying the Paris attacks last week were an attack on European values and freedom. It also says that the government has removed Noel Vella, director of industrial relations, by not renewing his contract.
The overseas press
Belgian authorities were searching for clues early today after police killed two in raids aimed at jihadists returning from Syria who were planning to launch a terrorist attack against police installations. Le Soir reports the police were searching in Verviers, where the raid took place, and the greater Brussels area as part of a week-long investigation that started well before the terrorism spree in France.
France 24 reports a motorist deliberately hit and injured a police officer guarding French President François Hollande’s residence in central Paris, resulting in two arrests.
Extremist organization Islamic State (ISIS) has threatened further attacks in France and Europe in a new video. Ansa quotes the SITE Intelligence Group saying one of three French-speaking combatants in the video vowed ISIS would strike all over Europe, in Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland and in America.
Le Monde says five victims of the attack on French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo last week, including two cartoonists, have been laid to rest as the “reborn” satirical magazine flies off the shelves, sparking fury in some parts of the Muslim world for depicting the Prophet Mohammed. Some of the coffins were covered in messages and with cartoon tributes.
Charlie Hebdo’s special post-attack edition sold out in kiosks across Paris yesterday – the second day since its release. In Belgium the magazine sold out before dawn. The German news agency dpa quotes one kiosk owner as saying he had 150 people’s names on a waiting list.
Manila Times quotes Pope Francis saying killing in the name of God was wrong, as was mocking the religions of others. “You don’t kill in God’s name,” the pontiff said during a flight from Sri Lanka to the Philippine capital of Manila. He added that people should not “offend religion” but if that happens “you don’t react with violence”. However, Francis also stressed that, in his opinion, there were limits to freedom of expression.
Lebanese Shiite militia group Hezbollah has detained one of its own operatives who had confessed to spying for Israel. Its leader Hassan Nasrallah, told Beirut-based Al Mayadeen TV the man was detained five months ago and had confessed to working for Israel’s intelligence service, the Mossad.
Il Tempo reports the Italian Prime Minister’s office has confirmed that Italian hostages Greta Ramelli and Vanessa Marzullo had been freed after being abducted in Syria six months ago. The two were expected back in Italy later today. Canale 5 reported yesterday a ran som of €12 million had secured their release.
The Daily Telegraph says Britain and the United States will be creating a joint “cyber cell” so spies can tackle the growing threat of terrorists plotting online attacks on the West.
The Wall Street Journal reports the US government has eased restrictions on trade and travel to Cuba after the two countries agreed to restore diplomatic relations severed in 1961 at the end of last year. Under the changes, which will enter into force today, US citizens no longer need a special permit to travel to Cuba, can use credit cards there and bring home souvenirs, including tobacco.
The Daily Express says Britain is bracing for “a killer cold snap with temperatures falling to minus 15oC. The old and vulnerable were urged to take special care after fears a blast of Arctic air will bring the bitterest weather for years. Warnings were upgraded to a more serious amber alert and continue in place until Monday.