Morning Briefing

Six in ten disagree with PM’s January timeline: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today publishes survey results showing that most people believe Joseph Muscat should resign. Two-fifths agree with his decision to step down in January; of those who disagree, a quarter…

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Muscat contemplated resigning next weekend: The Headlines – The Sunday Times

The Sunday Times reveals that Joseph Muscat has had to change plans of a hand-over to Deputy Prime Minister next week after MP Robert Abela announced his leadership bid. The…

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Up to 20,000 potential voters in PL Leader elections: The Headlines – Kulħadd

Kulħadd announces that there are 10,000 Labour Party paid-up members who are eligible to vote in the leadership election. Another 10,000 can participate if they regularise their payments covering the…

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Sandro Craus feels put in the middle: The Headlines – Illum

Illum speaks to the Head of Customer Care at Castille, Sandro Craus, after he was interrogated by the police over a fake job given to Melvin Theuma. Craus told the…

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PN announces national dialogue exercise: The Headlines – Il-Mument

Il-Mument leads with the launch of a ‘national dialogue’ by the PN to discuss good governance and the common good with wider society. Party leader Adrian Delia called an extraordinary…

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Victoria Buttigieg appointed Malta’s first State Advocate: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont announces the appointment of Victoria Buttigieg who will serve as Malta’ first State Advocate on the unanimous recommendation of an Appointment Commission. The paper says that the selection was…

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Peter Caruana Galizia says Electrogas led to Daphne’s murder: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent follows the testimony of the Caruana Galizia family before the public inquiry board. The journalist’s husband said that it appeared that her investigations into the Electrogas contract led…

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Chris Fearne confirms PL leadership bid: The Headlines – The Times

The Times leads with the announcement by Health Minister Chris Fearne to contest the race for leadership of the Labour Party, replacing Joseph Muscat as Prime Minister. The paper says…

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Opposition calls urgent meeting with MCESD: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon covers a meeting called by Opposition Leader Adrian Delia with social partners to discuss the national crisis. Delia said that the situation is not normal, and stakeholders cannot go…

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Miriam Dalli rules out PL leadership: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent quotes an announcement by MEP Miriam Dalli declaring that she will not contest for Labour Party leader. Dalli thanked everyone who encouraged her to enter the race but…

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Yorgen Fenech says he was informed about investigation progress: The Headlines – The Times

The Times leads with Yorgen Fenech’s testimony in court where he revealed that he was kept abreast of developments in the Caruana Galizia investigations through Keith Schembri. Fenech argues that…

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PN salutes the memory of Raymond Caruana: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia during a ceremony to commemorate the killing of Raymond Caruana 33 years ago. Delia said that cases of political murder happened when the Labour…

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Speaker says access to Strangers’ Gallery is not an absolute right: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont quotes House Speaker Anġlu Farrugia who said that access to the strangers’ gallery is not ‘by right’. The Speaker was reacting to criticism by lawyer Andrew Borg Cardona after…

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Chamber of Commerce concerned about political situation: The Headlines – The Malta Business Weekly

The Malta Business Weekly carries a statement by the Chamber of Commerce urging Prime Minster Joseph Muscat to step down following revelations that have implicated ‘his office and his person.’…

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Valletta business community dealt a blow: The Headlines – Business Today

Business Today says that Valletta shop owners are feeling the impact of the political situation after reporting poor sales performances. GRTU CEO Abigail Mamo said that Black Friday this year…

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Melvin Theuma gives testimony in court: The Headlines – The Times

The Times also reports from court as Melvin Theuma gave details of how the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia was plotted. He was instructed by Yorgen Fenech to contact the…

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Melvin Theuma was paid for a non-job with the civil service: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent follows the testimony in court of alleged middleman in the Caruana Galizia murder, Melvin Theuma. He said that he was given a ‘phantom job’ with the government after…

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Middleman names Yorgen Fenech as mastermind: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont reports from the compilation of evidence and quotes Melvin Theuma who said that he was paid and commissioned by Yorgen Fenech to serve as a middleman in the murder…

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OPM employee contacted Melvin Theuma: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon says that Rabat Mayor Sandro Craus, who works at the Office of the Prime Minister, has been named by Melvin Theuma in his testimony. He claims that it was…

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OPM confirms exchange between PM and Yorgen Fenech: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent questions the Prime Minister about text messages sent to Yorgen Fenech after the businessman was named in the Caruana Galizia investigation. A spokesperson confirmed reports but said messages…

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Fenech claims that Schembri tried to block incriminating information: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today reports that Yorgen Fenech filed a court application accusing Keith Schembri of making ‘considerable efforts’ to stop him from passing on incriminating information to the police, including through…

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EP delegation in Malta on a fact-finding mission: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reports that a European Parliament delegation held a series of meetings with senior public officials on Tuesday, including the Prime Minister, the President, the Attorney General and senior…

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Protestors put pressure on Police Commissioner: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon reports on a protest held by civil society NGOs outside the Police Headquarters on Tuesday. Protestors called on the Police Commissioner to arrest and interrogate Keith Schembri. The paper…

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Middleman accuses Schembri and Fenech in hand-written note: The Headlines – The Times

The Times publishes a hand-written letter by alleged middleman Melvin Theuma found by the police, in which he claims that murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia was commissioned by Yorgen Fenech…

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Opposition walks out of parliament: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent reports that the opposition walked out of parliament on Monday after leader Adrian Delia declared that it will not participate in sessions as long as Joseph Muscat remains…

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Caruana Galizia family wants Muscat investigated: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon reports on a judicial protest filed by the Caruana Galizia family on Monday calling for the Prime Minister to be investigated and for the preservation of any evidence by…

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PM praises FBI role in investigations: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Joseph Muscat who said that, without the help of the FBI, the Caruana Galizia case ‘could not have been solved.’ Speaking in parliament, Muscat said that…

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PL MPs back Prime Minister on exit strategy: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today reports that the PL parliamentary group agreed unanimously on a timeframe in the lead-up to party leadership elections on January 18. The group met at Girgenti Palace on…

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Muscat to step down in six weeks: The Headlines – The Times

The Times leads with a televised address by Joseph Muscat announcing that he will step down as Labour Party Leader on January 12 and as Prime Minister ‘in the days…

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New PL Leader to be elected on January 12: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent quotes the Prime Minister who said he has written to the president of the Labour Party to initiate a process to elect a new party leader. He has…

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Joseph Muscat set to leave ‘on a high’: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont says that Joseph Muscat will leave ‘at his best’: while public approval in him is at its highest. The paper quotes the Prime Minister who, in his national address,…

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PN to boycott activities where Muscat is invited

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that the Prime Minister’s position is no longer tenable and called for his immediate resignation. The paper announces that the PN will…

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Yorgen Fenech charged with complicity in assassination: The Headlines – The Independent on Sunday

The Independent on Sunday leads with the arraignment of Yorgen Fenech on Saturday night facing multiple charges of complicity in the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia. The businessman pleaded not…

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‘Angry’ ministers want Keith Schembri investigation – The Headlines – The Sunday Times

The Sunday Times reveals that cabinet ministers are ‘furious’ after plans by Keith Schembri to pin the Caruana Galizia assassination on minister Chris Cardona surfaced. The paper says ministers have…

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Yorgen Fenech facing life sentence: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today follows the court sitting during which Yorgen Fenech looked ‘impassive’. Lawyer Jason Azzopardi who is representing the Caruana Galizia family argued that complicity in murder carries a sentence…

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Labour Party would win election by 40,000 votes: The Headlines – It-Torċa

It-Torċa publishes survey results indicating that the Labour Party has the same support it had at the last general election in 2017. The paper says the PL would receive 55.5…

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Delia says Muscat cannot restore stability: The Headlines – Il-Mument

Il-Mument quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that the country cannot return to normality until Joseph Muscat remains Prime Minister. Delia accused Muscat of ‘creating instability’ by holding on…

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Keith Schembri named in Saturday’s sitting: The Headlines – Illum

Illum says that the Court was asked to freeze all assets held by Yorgen Fenech and prevent any transfer, but the businessman’s legal team appealed against. Meanwhile, Keith Schembri was…

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Yorgen Fenech arraignment is first in half a century: The Headlines – Kulħadd

Kulħadd says that the arraignment of Yorgen Fenech in court is the first time in 50 years that a suspect was actually charged by the police for a car-bomb case…

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Prime Minister expected to step down: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reveals that Prime Minister Joseph Muscat is set to announce his resignation after revelations in the past weeks rocked the government. The paper says that Muscat briefed the…

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Government refutes talk of imminent resignation: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont says that the government described rumours about the Prime Minister’s imminent resignation as ‘pure invention’. In a statement on Friday the government denied that ministers expressed mistrust in Joseph…

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Yorgen Fenech confident truth will emerge: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent follows Yorgen Fenech as he exited the Courts on Friday after the first sitting in a case he filed against the lead investigator. The businessman told the media…

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Yorgen Fenech implicates Joseph Muscat in corruption crimes: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon reports that Yorgen Fenech has been given police bail for the fourth time since he was first arrested last week. The paper says that the businessman implicated Prime Minister…

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Keith Schembri released from arrest: The Headlines – The Times

The Times leads with the release of Keith Schembri from custody on Thursday night. A police statement said that there was no need for him to be kept under arrest…

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Yorgen Fenech wants removal of investigator: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent says that businessman Yorgen Fenech is calling for the removal of inspector Keith Arnaud from the investigation in the Caruana Galizia murder, arguing that he has close ties…

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Yorgen Fenech writes directly to the President: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont says that Yorgen Fenech has written directly to the President seeking a pardon to reveal ‘all the facts.’ Meanwhile, he filed a Constitutional case against authorities which is expected…

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Delia insists on the Prime Minister’s resignation: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that with every passing minute that Joseph Muscat remains Prime Minister, the risks for the country become higher. Delia warned that unless…

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Business community reacts to political events: The Headlines – The Malta Business Weekly

The Malta Business Weekly says that the business community in Malta has expressed concern at the recent event following the arrest of businessman Yorgen Fenech. The Malta Chamber of SMEs…

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Unease among financial industry professionals: The Headlines – Business Today

Business Today reports a ‘sombre mood’ among professionals in the financial services industry. The paper says that participants at a conference about combatting financial crime on Wednesday discussed the unprecedented…

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Yorgen Fenech claims Keith Schembri is assassination mastermind: The Headlines – The Independent

The Malta Independent reveals that investigators were conducting simultaneous interrogations with Yorgen Fenech and Keith Schembri on Wednesday to cross-check their claims. Fenech reportedly told police that Schembri is the…

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Keith Schembri considered ‘person of interest’ in murder case: The Headlines – The Times

The Times says that investigators in the Caruana Galizia case are treating Keith Schembri as a ‘person of interest’ following accusations by businessman Yorgen Fenech that the former chief of…

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Keith Schembri had escape plan for Yorgen Fenech: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon leads with claims by Yorgen Fenech that Keith Schembri has organised the escape of the former Electrogas director by boat from Gozo to Tunisia, where from he would have…

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Deputy Prime Minister praises country’s institutions: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont quotes Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne who delivered the opening address at the SiGMA conference on Wednesday. Fearne said that the events this week showed that rule of law…

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Daphne Caruana Galizia’s Assassination Investigations – The latest developments in Malta

Update 0830 - The police have arrested Yorgen Fenech’s family doctor Adrian Vella, on suspicion of having obstructed justice by admitting Fenech to hospital. Yorgen Fenech named Adrian Vella as being…

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A day of resignations, suspensions and power cuts: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today reports on a country in ‘meltdown’ after resignations by Chief of Staff Keith Schembri and Minister Konrad Mizzi, and a self-suspension by Minister Chris Cardona coincided with a…

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Angry crowds descend on Valletta: The Headlines – The Times

The Times says that thousands of people gathered outside parliament crying ‘shame on you’ and ‘killers’ at MPs. A protest was then held in Castille Square demanding the Prime Minister’s…

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Caruana Galizia family wants Schembri prosecution: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent says that Keith Schembri was questioned by police as soon as he resigned his role as chief of staff. The Prime Minister thanked Schembri for his service, but…

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