Morning Briefing

Muscat praises PL election process: The Headline – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont quotes Joseph Muscat who said that, while the election for a new party leader has united the PL, it had fragmented the PN. Muscat praised the ‘open and civil…

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Fenech attended wedding in Italy with Muscat and Schembri: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon says that businessman Yorgen Fenech was a guest at the wedding of Pilatus Bank’s chairman in 2015, along with Keith Schembri and Joseph Muscat. The paper says that the…

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Suspicions over failure to locate missing phone: The Headlines – The Independent on Sunday

The Independent on Sunday quotes sources who question the Secret Service’s inability to find Keith Schembri’s phone. The paper says that the police are usually able to locate a missing…

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Yorgen Fenech footed treatment bills for Keith Schembri: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today reveals that Yorgen Fenech paid bills totalling €24,000 for Keith Schembri to receive treatment for an eye tumour in 2016. The paper says that the businessman also accompanied…

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Caruana Galizia investigation risked being thwarted: The Headlines – The Sunday Times

The Sunday Times says that investigators caught self-confessed middleman Melvin Fenech moving key evidence of the Daphne Caruana Galizia plot out of his home just before he was arrested in…

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Rental prices experiencing a dip: The Headlines – It-Torċa

It-Torċa says that there has been ‘downward movements’ in the price of property rentals over the last weeks. The paper reports that landlords are accepting to negotiate lower rents for…

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Seven in ten PL members prefer Chris Fearne: The Headlines – Illum

Illum publishes a survey showing that PL leadership candidate Chris Fearne enjoys just over 70 percent backing among party members, while Robert Abela has almost 30 percent. Fearne musters greater…

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Clashing testimonies in the Egrant inquiry: The Headlines – Kulħadd

Kulħadd publishes details in the Egrant report which recommends criminal action against some of the ‘protagonists’ for giving inconsistent and contradictory testimonies before the magisterial inquiry. The paper also carries…

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Delia blames Muscat for political instability: The Headlines – Il-Mument

Il-Mument quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that the country finds itself in a ‘great political crisis’ for which the government of Joseph Muscat is entirely to blame. Another…

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Opposition Leader publishes Egrant report: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent leads with the publication of the Egrant report in full by Opposition Leader Adrian Delia. The Constitutional Courts on Monday ordered the Attorney General to hand over a…

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Magisterial inquiry recommends investigation of Karl Cini: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today reports that the Egrant inquiry recommended that the police investigate Karl Cini from Nexia BT following prima facie documentary evidence that he might have lied under oath. A…

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Keith Schembri to testify in court today: The Headlines – The Times

The Times says that former chief of staff Keith Schembri will testify in court today in connection with the Caruana Galizia murder case. He was summoned on Wednesday but when…

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Adrian Delia says he took responsible decision to publish full report: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon quotes Opposition Leader Adrian Delia who announced that he was going to publish the Egrant report in full. He said that he took the decision responsibly and argued that…

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Labour Party chides Adrian Delia for publishing Egrant report: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont quotes the reaction by the Labour Party to the Opposition Leader’s declaration that he was going to publish the Egrant report in full. The PL said that Adrian Delia…

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Egrant inquiry decision is a victory for the people: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon says that the Constitutional Court decision ordering the Attorney General to give a copy of the Egrant report to the Opposition Leader represents a victory for Adrian Delia and…

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Muscat wants safeguards for publication of Egrant report: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont reports that the Prime Minister is in favour of the publication of the Egrant report, but with the ‘necessary safeguards’ in place. Joseph Muscat said that information in the…

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Opposition Leader says he is free to publish full Egrant report: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent says that Opposition Leader Adrian Delia consulted legal experts to see whether it is permissible at law to publish the Egrant report in full. Delia said that there…

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Fearne against calling an early general election: The Headlines – The Times

The Times carries an interview with PL leadership candidate Chris Fearne who said that he would not seek an early election if he becomes Prime Minister. He argued that the…

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Two-thirds of retailers experiencing dip in sales: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent speaks to GRTU CEO Abigail Mamo who said that the drop in business currently witnessed by the retail sector is worse than that in the 2008 global recession.…

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Parliament fails to present audited accounts: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reveals that the House of Representatives failed to present audited accounts for 2018 because it did not recruit an accountant in time to carry out the job. The…

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Muscat calls for continuity in new direction within PL: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont quotes Joseph Muscat who said that the PL leadership election is a strong signal of democracy that will keep strengthening the party. Speaking at a political event, Muscat said…

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Delia outlines mission for PN: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said at a political event that the Labour Party is not only holding on to power but abusing of it too. Delia said…

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Fearne promises rule-of-law conference: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today quotes PL Leadership candidate Chris Fearne who pledged he would call a national conference on the rule of law within the first 100 days of his tenure, if…

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22 minors from lower-income families risk eviction from Malta: The Headlines – The Times

The Sunday Times reveals that several non-EU families have been told by Identity Malta that their children have to leave the country because parents do not make enough money to…

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Police believe Keith Schembri was aware of murder plot: The Headlines – The Independent on Sunday

The Independent on Sunday says that the investigators in the Caruana Galizia case are convinced that former chief of staff Keith Schembri was aware of the details of the murder…

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Muscat backed Labour Party ‘triumvirate’: The Headlines – Illum

Illum claims that the PL ‘diabolical pact’ MP Robert Abela had publicly denounced, had Joseph Muscat’s blessing. The paper says that a secret meeting decided on a ‘triumvirate’ of Chris…

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PL leadership candidates state their intentions: The Headlines – It-Torċa

It-Torċa carries interviews with PL leadership hopefuls Robert Abela and Chris Fearne. Abela says he wants to achieve national unity to bring the changes the country needs; Fearne talks about…

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PN approves party Reform and Renewal proposals: The Headlines – Il-Mument

Il-Mument leads with the approval by the PN’s General Council of the Reform and Renewal document presented by the party on Friday. Party leader Adrian Delia said that the country…

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Former priest flees to Germany following abuse allegations: The Headlines – Kulħadd

Kulħadd publishes a story about a defrocked priest who has been accused of sexual abuse on children in a home in Gozo. The paper speaks to one of the alleged…

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President Vella responds to criticism: The Headlines – The Times

The Times quotes President George Vella who said that Malta is going through ‘very particular circumstances’ than deserve the full attention of everyone. Addressing criticism about his perceived inaction, the…

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Chris Fearne commits to Equal Pay for Equal Work: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent publishes an interview with PL leadership contender Chris Fearne who said that, as Prime Minister, he would implement Equal Pay for Equal Work measures at all government entities.…

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No Republic Day holiday for protestors: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon reports on a protest by civil society groups in Valletta during the official Republic Day celebrations on Friday. The paper says that a large crowd attended the protest despite…

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GWU general secretary supports Right To Disconnect: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont quotes General Workers Union general secretary Josef Bugeja who said that the right to disconnect helps workers’ health. Bugeja was speaking at a conference in Brussels on the effects…

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Chris Fearne prepared to reconsider hospitals deal: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent quotes Labour Party leader hopeful Chris Fearne who said he would be prepared to cancel the privatisation contract of hospitals if the National Audit Office found any serious…

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Middleman says Keith Schembri kept Yorgen Fenech in the loop: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reports on the testimony in court of Melvin Theuma on Thursday during which he said that businessman Yorgen Fenech was updated on the Caruana Galizia investigation by former…

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Maltese community in Brussels stage protest: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon reports on a protest by the Maltese community in Brussels outside Malta House in the Belgian capital. The demonstration was held as Prime Minister Muscat was due to take…

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MCESD partners could not agree on common statement: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont says that the partners in the Council for Economic and Social Development agreed on a common position about the national situation but could not issue a statement after one…

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EU Innovation Council launches blended start-up fund: The Headlines – The Malta Business Weekly

The Malta Business Weekly leads with the launch of a funding round for start-ups by the European Innovation Council, blending grant and direct equity investment. Two Maltese companies applied for…

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Melvin Theuma points finger at Yorgen Fenech: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent follows Melvin Theuma’s testimony in court where he said that, as far as he is concerned, businessman Yorgen Fenech was the mastermind in the assassination of Daphne Caruana…

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PL Leadership nominations close with two contenders: The Headlines – The Times

The Times says that nominations for the Labour Party leadership closed on Wednesday, with Chris Fearne and Robert Abela the only contenders. Paid-up party members will elect the new leader…

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Businesses considering their Malta investments – The Headlines – Business Today

Business Today quotes Abigail Mamo, CEO of the Chamber of SMEs – GRTU, who says that the current political crisis is having a negative effect on business. Mamo warned that…

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Konrad Mizzi defies court order to exhibit hospitals report: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon reports that Konrad Mizzi failed to present the evaluation report about the transfer of public hospitals of Vitals despite orders by the courts. The case filed by Opposition Leader…

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Keith Schembri breaks the silence: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont quotes former chief of staff Keith Schembri who said that he only saw the typed note implicating Minister Chris Cardona in the Caruana Galizia murder when he was in…

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Pawlu Lia no longer represents Keith Schembri: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today reports that lawyer Pawlu Lia has renounced his legal brief for former chief of staff Keith Schembri. Lia has assisted Prime Minister Joseph Muscat in legal cases on…

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Typed note directs Caruana Galizia investigation towards Chris Cardona: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reveals that a four-page note handed to the police by Yorgen Fenech claims that Economy Minister Chris Cardona is behind the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia. Fenech says…

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Family members testify in Caruana Galizia public inquiry: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent follows the second hearing of the Caruana Galizia public inquiry in which several family members of the journalist testified and described how she was ‘dehumanised’ for years before…

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PL looking for third leadership contender: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon quotes PL MP Silvio Parnis who replied that he is ‘a mediator’ when asked about the leadership candidate he supports. The paper says that there are efforts within the…

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Judge rebukes Fenech’s lawyers: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont says that the Judge Lawrence Mintoff rebuked the lawyers representing Yorgen Fenech on Tuesday for playing for time. The businessman is arguing for the removal of inspector Keith Arnaud…

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Protestors occupy Castille: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reports with a sit-in by Moviment Graffitti at Castille, occupying the side entrance from St Paul’s street for five hours on Monday. The protestors demanded the immediate resignation…

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President can appoint new PM if Muscat steps down now – The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent speaks to former European Court of Human Rights Judge Giovanni Bonello about the political impasse. Bonello argues that the President is empowered to appoint a new Prime Minister…

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GWU express solidarity with injured AFM soldier – The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont speaks to General Workers Union official Theo Vella who condemned any form of violence on anyone ‘carrying out their duties.’ Vella was reacting to incidents between demonstrators at Castille…

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Malta registers decline in annual openness report – The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon quotes the latest report by global civil society alliance Civicus which names Malta as a ‘country of concern’. The paper says that the annual report now classifies the country…

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Joseph Muscat goes on farewell tour: The Headlines – The Independent

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Thousands converge on Castille demanding clean government: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reports on an anti-corruption protest in Castille square on Sunday afternoon which drew thousands of people. The event was supported by NGOs from different sectors as well as…

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Muscat says he may have carried more responsibility than warranted: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont leads with a message by Joseph Muscat as he met supporters in Naxxar, Żebbuġ and Paola on Sunday. The Prime Minister said that he carried responsibilities he had to,…

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PN raises €400,000 in fundraising marathon: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon announces that the Nationalist Party collected over €400,000 in a fundraising drive on Sunday. Party leader Adrian Delia said that the country is going through a constitutional crisis and…

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PL Leadership nominations open tomorrow: The Headlines – It-Torċa

It-Torċa says that the process for a new leader of the Labour Party starts on Monday with the submission of nominations until Wednesday. Paid-up members will finally choose the leader…

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