Good morning,
The Maltese Newspapers report that the Malta Financial Services Authority said that Ali Sadr Hasheminejad’s arrest in the US “immediately compromised” Pilatus Bank’s entire operation and made it “fall foul of a myriad of provisions”. The authority’s reaction came after an attempt by the bank’s directors to regain control, insisting the gravity of the situation warranted all the measures taken. We also read about the outrage which followed the deatha of a cyclist in the newly built Kappara Junction, especially in view of ‘lack of security for cyclists’. One also reads about ‘concerns’ about Malta’s rule of law which according to MEPs Ana Gomes and Sven Giegold now are “even stronger”. The two MEPs had a day of meetings with the major political parties and civil society on the state of Malta’s institutions and the progress about several investigations including the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia.
The new Italian Government was sworn in, almost 90 days after the election. The new government, led by Professor Giuseppe Conte is backed and bound by the programme agreed in the contract of work reached between Di Maio’s Movimento Cinque Stelle and Matteo Salvini’s Lega.
In Spain Pedro Sanchez was appointed Prime Minister, after Mariano Rajoy lost a no-confidence vote in Spain.
In a letter to Conte and Sanches, EU Council President Donald Tusk emphasised on unity and solidarity in Europe.
The VISA payment network was restored after its crash led to payment issues across the UK and parts of Europe.
The US President Donald Trump announced that the summit between North Korea and the USA was back on track.
There might be a solution to the impasse between the UK and the EU on the Brexit negotiations following a possible joint EU/UK status for Northern Ireland.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex had to return €7 million worth of gifts in view of official guidelines.
The European Union, Canada and US businesses expressed their dismay and concern following the decision by Trump to impose trade tariffs.
The UK seems to be set to bank ‘guilt lanes’ in the UK supermarkets in its attempts to fight obesity.
A 21 year old voluntary nurse was killed by Israeli soldiers. Israel army investigating reports
Two UN Security Council resolutions about the Middle East failed to pass in what can be interpreted as ‘isolation of the US’ on the issue. In a separate development, the United Nations Secretary General welcomed Paris declaration on Libya, while concerns have risen in view of the worsening humanitarian situation in Derna.
Saudi Arabia is threatening military action against Qatar, following negotiations between Qatar and Russia for the purchase of arms.
The European Commission announced a 60% increase in EU funds for the EU programme for the environment and climate action.
A man has been charged with smuggling after a child was found in a suitcase at the Port of Dover.
Two lions, two tigers, a bear and a jaguar escaped from a German zoo.
A Transavia flight had to do an emergency landing after passengers felt sick from another passenger’s odour.
Jesmond Saliba
Managing Editor
