Corporate Dispatch Morning Briefing and Newspaper Review

Good morning

The New IRA admits responsibility for the killing of journalist Lyra McKee, an earthquake shook buildings in Mexico and Libya National Army calls reservists to open fronts on Tripoli. The launch of the European Parliament campaigns in Malta, the proposed gender-balanced parliament mechanism and its possible use for back-door state party financing and the ineffective tools for domestic violence feature on the front pages of today’s newspapers.

Northern Ireland The New IRA has admitted responsibility for the killing of 29-year-old journalist Lyra McKee. In a statement given to The Irish News, using a recognised code word, the group offered “full and sincere apologies” to her family and friends.

Mexico An earthquake shook buildings in Mexico City but authorities said there were no initial reports of damages.

Libya- The Libyan National Army (LNA), announced that they were calling in reservists to open new fronts on Tripoli and said the LNA  would use artillery and infantry in the next days.

These are the stories from the front pages in Malta’s newspapers.

The Times leads with a story about the proposed mechanism for a more gender-balanced parliament, which legal experts said will be used as a back door to allow state party financing. Lawyers said that party financing should be treated as a separate discussion.

The Malta Independent says that political parties have begun their campaigns leading to the elections on May 25. This is the first time that local council elections will be held in all localities and the first time 16-year-olds will participate in the MEP elections.

The Times speaks to a person who was previously attended dog fights which, he said, drew a large crowd. The unnamed individual revealed how the illegal activity was held in isolated areas at early hours.

The Malta Independent reports that the government will continue to use a tool to assess domestic violence incidents that recent studies have shown to be ineffective. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Equality said that the DASH method will be used until a better tool is introduced.

L-Orizzont quotes Gozo-Malta tunnel committee chair, Franco Mercieca, who said that the proposed link will be able to carry up to 1,500 vehicles an hour. He also said that tolls will be paid using automated systems.

In-Nazzjon announces the official start of the PN campaign leading to the May 25 elections, running the theme ‘Together for our country’. Speaking at a press conference, party leader Adrian Delia said that the government does not care about families in Mala and Gozo.

L-Orizzont says that works on a new €40 million health centre in Paola has started and are expected to take three and a half years. Health Minister Chris Fearne said that this investment is part of a chain of initiatives in the primary health sector.

In-Nazzjon says that the PN has rolled out its first billboards for the electoral campaign, directing criticism towards government for rising cost of living and claiming that corruption is a €725 million tax.

In Other news

The North Korean state media confirmed that the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will visit Russia for a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Smartphone maker Samsung Electronics Co Ltd announced it will delay the public roll-out of its Galaxy Fold without giving a new release date.

CD