Corporate Dispatch Morning Briefing and Newspaper Review

Good morning,

Our morning briefing brings you a round up of the latest news, today focusing on New Zealand’s massacre, the reports on Malta’s newspapers’ front pages and a quick review of news from around the world.

Start your day informed.

The Latest from New Zealand. 

Turkish authorities have opened an inquiry after it emerged that the man behind the Christchurch shootings made several visits to Turkey. A similar investigation has also been opened in Bulgaria.

A 28-year-old man, who in his social media posts, the suspect calls himself as Brenton Tarrant, was charged with murder in relation to this attack has appeared in Christchurch District Court this morning. (Local Time). 

The day after more than 40 were killed in mass shootings at two mosques in New Zealand in one of the worst mass shootings in the nation’s history, the country’s prime minister vowed to strengthen the country’s gun laws.

Italian authorities have warned that there is a risk that the terror attack in New Zealand that killed at least 49 people may spur copycat attacks or reprisals in Italy.

In Malta’s Newspapers, we read the following stories.

The Times reports that the Malta Tourism Authority is investigating unregistered accommodation listed on websites such as Airbnb, following pressure from hoteliers. Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi said that more than 1,500 people registered their offerings with the MTA in the past months.

The Malta Independent says that Bank of Valletta reported a pre-tax profit of €146 for the financial year ending in December. Chairman Taddeo Scerri said the bank made a €75 million provision for litigation.

The Times follows the story about cyber-attack on Bank of Valletta in February, with the bank reporting that €5.6 million of the stolen €13 million has been recovered. The bank’s chairman explained that the attack resulted from a bank employee opening a phishing email.

The Malta Independent reports on a mass shooting at a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, which left 49 people dead. An Australian man claimed responsibility, describing himself a racist. He had the words ‘Malta 1565’ inscribed on two of the weapons he used to carry out the attack.

L-Orizzont reveals that Tourism Ministry is working on a new vision for the industry in Malta, with a strategic view until 2025. The paper says Malta is positioning itself to attract visitors from new markets like China and Japan.

In-Nazzjon covers a political event in Mġarr addressed by PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that farmers are essential to the country and reiterated the PN’s commitment to the agriculture sector.

L-Orizzont reports on the refusion of taxes for cars registered in 2018, describing the move the ‘end of an injustice’. In another story, the paper quotes psychiatrist Anton Grech who says that homosexuality is not a disease.

In other headlines we read:

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has re-confirmed Malta’s stance that it will agree to the UK’s request for a Brexit extension, providing the request is justified and would help lead to an orderly exit.

President Donald Trump has vetoed a measure from Congress revoking his declaration of a national emergency at the US-Mexico border.

The people of Slovakia head to the polls on Saturday to pick a new president. Slovak media regard this as a pivotal election will determine the future of the country. Commentators believe the election will decide whether Slovakia will stay a country mired in corruption and clientelism, or finally move towards the rule of law and democracy.

Nations have agreed to significantly curb items such as plastic bags and straws by 2030. But environmental groups warned that the measures do not go far enough, with the US reportedly blocking efforts for more radical action.

Robert Mueller has revealed “several” investigations are still ongoing connected to the probe into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election of Donald Trump, contradicting widespread reports the process had effectively been concluded.

A Moroccan-origin model who was a key prosecution witness in the ‘Ruby’ underage prostitute trials involving ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi has died after claiming to have been poisoned. Toxicological tests confirmed that she has taken a mix of radio active substances.

FIFA will go ahead with a new 24-team Club World Cup starting in 2021, the ruling body’s President Gianni Infantino said on Friday, setting the global body in conflict with Europe’s top clubs. Infantino, speaking at a news conference, said FIFA had made the decision at its council meeting on Friday.

Lewis Hamilton set a new track record – and then beat it again – as he took pole position for the Australian Grand Prix. He will start alongside team-mate Valtteri Bottas. Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel qualified third.

The Morning Briefing is part of Corporate ID Group Media Monitoring Service.

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Cover Photo Cartoon by Arcadio Esquivel from Costa Rica – via Global Cartoons