Good morning
Our briefing for today will lead with the European Commissioner for Justice Vĕra Jourová visit to Malta who said there were gaps in Malta’s implementation of the EU’s latest anti-money laundering laws. She said that the EU Commission would like to see Malta do more to improve its anti-money laundering systems. The European Commissioner is in Malta holding several meetings with government ministers, national entities and stakeholders to discuss the various dossiers which fall within her portfolio. She is in Malta also looking into concerns related to the rule of law as well as the ongoing investigation into the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.
On the Maltese papers we also read that the Nationalist Party’s electoral commission that was headed by former EU Commissioner Joe Borg has been dissolved according to PN general secretary Clyde Puli said on Indepth yesterday. Interviewed by The Malta Independent editor-in-chief Rachel Attard, Puli said: “At the moment, I and a small number of other people, are scouting to find the best candidates.” We also read that a Chinese recruitment agency has been hired to engage temporary captains and first officers for Air Malta, just weeks after a new collective agreement for cockpit crew was signed, this newspaper has learnt.
Aquarius – The rough seas forced the MV Aquarius to change its route and go to Sardegna. In the meantime French President Emmanuel Macron attempted to resolve tensions with Italy on Thursday. As a result of a ‘phone call’ between Macron and Conte, Friday’s meeting between the two will go ahead.
USA – President Donald Trump has given his approval for the United States to put tariffs on $50 billion of Chinese exports, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. An official announcement is expected on Friday. The president’s green light came after a meeting Thursday with top economic officials, including Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer.
The former F.B.I. director James B. Comey was “insubordinate” in his handling of the investigation of Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential election, a critical Justice Department report concluded on Thursday. But the report, by the department’s inspector general, Michael E. Horowitz, does not challenge the decision not to prosecute Mrs. Clinton. Nor does it conclude that political bias at the F.B.I. influenced that decision, the officials said.
The New York State attorney general’s office filed a scathingly worded lawsuit on Thursday taking aim at the Donald J. Trump Foundation, accusing the charity and the Trump family of sweeping violations of campaign finance laws, self-dealing and illegal coordination with the presidential campaign.
The Los Angeles District Attorney’s office is reviewing a criminal case from the Santa Monica Police Department involving Sylvester Stallone to determine whether charges will be filed, a spokesman confirmed Wednesday.
Libya – The National Oil Corporation in Libya (NOC) has declared a force majeure on Ras Lanuf and Sidra and evacuated its staffers from the two oil terminals for fear for their safety as heavy clashes broke in the oil crescent region with the advance of forces led by former commander of so-called Oil Facilities Guard (PFG) Ibrahim Jodran.
Turkey – Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to conduct an “operation” against Moody’s, less than two weeks after the ratings company placed Turkey on review for a downgrade, state-run media reported. The Turkish president was quoted by the Anadolu Agency as saying the operation would commence after elections scheduled for later this month, according to Bloomberg.
North Korea – Images of hundreds of North Koreans jubilantly clapping and waving flags as Kim Jong Un landed in Pyongyang Wednesday have been broadcast across the reclusive country as part of a lengthy state media documentary about his historic summit with US President Donald Trump.
World Cup – The 2018 FIFA World Cup officially kicked off on Thursday with host nation Russia beating Saudi Arabia five goals to none. Robbie Williams was the main celebrity, in a rather short but entertaining opening ceremony. However at the end of it, he had to reveal his middle finger.
In an opinion, we read how the Russian President Vladimir Putin sees the World Cup as a way to place Russia as a global power broker and not an outcast, that it’s an open, confident and generous nation — and not an isolated, repressive place hobbled by sanctions.
Corporate News – A wide range of key topics from Brexit to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) to taxation, through a panel of experts will discuss in detail the logical and the practical sides of the Professional Scepticism approach. Will be the themes of the annual joint conference organised by the ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and the Malta Institute of Accountants.
Other news – A British woman and her Australian partner have fallen to their deaths while taking a selfie on a wall at a beach in Portugal, according to reports.
Jesmond Saliba
Managing Editor
