Good morning,
Your morning briefing with the latest headlines and news from Malta, Europe and around the world.
Start Your Day Informed.
British Prime Minister announced new plans in an effort to come down on crime, as Juncker warns that Britain will be hurt most in a no-Deal Brexit scenario.
Matteo Salvini starts campaigning on the Italian beaches, while declaring that leaving the Euro is not an option.
In the USA, the Attorney General has asked for an investigation into the death by suicide of minor-sex-trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
In Russia, tens of thousands protested demanding fair elections in Moscow.
Hong Kong braces itself for more protests, while at least 90 were killed in India‘s floods. Meanwhile, the typhoon in Eastern China left 30 fatalities.
Police are worried about the fate of the Irish girl lost in Malaysia.
In Romania, thousands rally on the anniversary of the violent protests in the country.
In the Middle East, Israeli troops fired on armed Palestinians, caught sneaking intro Israel from Gaza.
In Libya, an agreement was reached on a plan to halt the clashes during Eid Al-Adha. Meanwhile a car-bomb in Benghazi killed UN workers.
In Norway, one person is held after a shooting incident in a Mosque.
Malta’s newspapers report the following headlines
Malta Today leads with an announcement by a US government spokesperson denying claims that the Americans are offering fuel smuggling suspects Darren Debono and Gordon Debono reprieve in exchange for information.
The Sunday Times quotes a draft Moneyval report on Malta highlighting lack of resources allocated to the fight against money laundering. The document says that authorities do not appear to prioritise anti-money laundering.
The Independent on Sunday says that land reclamation and embellishment works at Għar l-Aħmar in Marsaxlokk announced by Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi have been carried out without approval by the Planning Authority.
Illum reveals the presence of illegal laboratories in Malta manufacturing steroids. The paper investigates the operations and says that steroids are also being produced for exportation to some countries.
Malta Today carries a feature about changing attitudes towards tourists by the Maltese. The paper speaks to academics whose studies suggest that there is a growing concern about over-tourism.
The Sunday Times reports that the Rabat Local Council submitted a request to the Planning Authority to schedule a row of historic houses at the entrance of the town. The move seeks to stop a proposal to covert the properties into a hotel.
The Independent on Sunday speaks to expert arborist Ian Lansley who described the ecological situation in Malta as an ‘absolute nightmare’. Lansley said he will withdraw from any government consultation work after his advice has repeatedly been ignored.
It-Torċa speaks to Laurence Bernard from SOS Mediterranean who said that political negotiations should not take place while migrants are stranded at sea. The paper says there are currently three rescue vessels operating in the Mediterranean.
Kulħadd says that three out of four people in Malta feel they are middle class, the largest rate among populations in EU countries. The paper says that the share increased by 16 percent within a year.
Il-Mument reports that the number of people earning less than €9,000 a year rose by 16 percent, while those earning less than €6,000 increased by 3.5 percent. The paper says that the gap between lowest and highest earners is widening.
Illum publishes survey findings showing that just under 52 percent of people in Malta are in favour of the Central Link project. A fifth of respondents said they are against the development while the other third did not express an opinion.
Kulħadd says that 10,000 trees have been planted in one year, following the government’s pledge to plant a tree for every car imported. The paper says that 23,000 trees have been planted since 2014.
Il-Mument says that Castille is moving to replace Planning Authority CEO Johann Buttigieg with Charlon Gouder after a deterioration in relations. The paper says the Gouder has already started preparations to take the role.
It-Torċa reports a case of an English student in Malta who had his funds stolen after he left his bank card with a lady whom he met at a club in Paceville while he went to get a condom. The teenager said he was threatened by club security when he protested.
The Morning Briefing is provided by Ci Consulta Be Informed Media Monitoring Service.
