Your morning briefing brings you with the main news hitting the headlines around the globe and a review of Malta’s newspapers and portals.
Breaking News:
Italy, Germany, France, Portugal, Luxembourg, the Netherland and Romania are reported to have expressed their commitment to take the people stranded off Malta in the diplomatic stand-off which is seeing 49 persons on board two vessels.
The news agency ANSA is saying that they will take the persons if Malta allows them in.
The Latest headlines (click on headline for more details):
Today’s Malta’s newspapers front-pages are dominated by the stories related to the Nationalist Party.
The Times says that PN officials distanced themselves from any initiatives by leader Adrian Delia to secure financing through loan schemes. Sources told the paper that the financial committee was unaware of any dealings conducted by Adrian Delia.
The Malta Independent reports that PN Leader Adrian Delia ‘has no intention of resigning’ amid allegations surrounding his position. The paper publishes a message sent to the party’s administrative council on Monday morning which has been interpreted as a warning to members who do not back him.
The Times speaks to the Marsaxlokk hawkers about the proposal to close the market at 15:00. The sellers are enraged by the plan and described it as a death sentence to the 300 families who depend on the market. Marsaxlokk residents are set to vote in a referendum on the issue.
The Malta Independent quotes Home Affairs Minister Michael Farrugia who said that the European Commission has taken it upon itself to coordinate a burden sharing arrangement among members to save the 16 migrants currently sitting in Maltese waters. The Minister also said that Italy is sending mixed messages about its readiness to take migrants.
L-Orizzont reveals that a study is underway by the government considering offering gender reassignment surgery to transgender people. The paper says that 30 people are already making use of the services at the Gender Wellbeing Clinic in Mtarfa, opened four weeks ago.
In-Nazzjon leads with an article published in the UK’s Daily Mail on Boxing Day by Peter Oborne. The political commentator singles out Malta as a dishonest country compared to the UK. In-Nazzjon says that the country’s reputation is now becoming a risk for the EU.
L-Orizzont says that recent criticism by the PN party media of Occupy Justice activists has split the party. The paper says that MP Chris Said and MEP Roberta Metsola have come out against the attacks on civil society.
In-Nazzjon follows a court case in which a 25-year-old man is being accused of raping his cousin aged 10.
