Good morning,
The Maltese newspapers lead with the story of the seizure of more than 10 tons of cannabis resin stashed on a boat that had departed from Malta. We read that the European banking watchdog is investigating the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit’s supervision of Pilatus Bank. The European Banking Authority said yesterday the formal investigation started at the end of last month and follows an ongoing preliminary inquiry.
We also read that Commissioner for Health Charles Messina said that the Ombudsman’s recommendations to the Ministry for Health are taking “far too long to be implemented, if ever implemented,” while replies to the first request for comments “take ages. He expressed his disappointment with the ministry’s approach to the office, especially with regards to ignored recommendations, in the Ombudsman’s Annual Report for 2017. He said he is also still hoping that he will, someday, receive the full text concerning the privatisation of health services, more so now that the private administrators of the Gozo General Hospital, Karen Grech and Saint Luke’s have changed again.
We also read about another Fintech company, YOVO which will be setting up its HQ in Malta and the investigations related to a man from Mali who was found that in the Maltese prison.
The importance of Social Dialogue, Economic Performance and Governance stressed byMalta Employers’ Association Director Generalduring the 107th session of the International Labour Conference.
The leaders of the Group of Seven rich nations are set to clash with a combative U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday when they pressure him to lift sanctions on steel and aluminum they fear could lead to a trade war.
If a ‘twitter’ exchange is to be seen as the overture for this meeting than the setting is rather full of animosity. Canada and France have taken a strong position against the US. The US president did not shy away and upped the ante.
King Felipe VI on Thursday swore in Spain’s new cabinet. A lot of of emphasis has been made on the gender of the cabinet members. But gender balance is not the only element which got the attention of commentators. The cabined of Sanchez is also pro-European and anti-Catalan separatist.
The European Asylum Support Office (EASO) Management Board appointed Mr. Jamil Addou as interim Executive Director of Agency. The decision was taken by EASO’s management board, which is the governing body of the Agency, on Wednesday to release the Executive Director, Mr. José Carreira, from his duties with immediate effect, following his resignation of 6 June.
Uzbek man sentenced to life imprisonment by Swedish Court after terrorist attack in Stockholm in 2017.
Easing of sanctions against Russia, the relations with the US and the European Union were the main topics discussed during a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Austrian chancellor, Sebastian Kurz.
The British Prime Minister Theresa May told Israel’s Prime Minister she is “concerned” about the loss of Palestinian lives during recent clashes at the Gaza border. During Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Downing Street, Mrs May said she “absolutely recognises” Israel’s right to self-defence, but called on him to take action to improve the situation.
Nasa’s veteran Curiosity rover has found complex organic matter buried and preserved in ancient sediments that formed a vast lake bed on Mars more than 3bn years ago.
A fear of mutual destruction should stop global powers from attacking each other and prompting World War III, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday during a public phone-in.
The “London Fire Brigade and its senior officers are facing a police investigation over the “stay put” policy which resulted in Grenfell Tower residents being told to remain inside their homes.
Argentina’s decision not to play the football match against Israel was criticised by various opinion writers. One particular opinion claimed that Argentina shouldn’t play the World Cup out of principle.
We read about reports that in the battle over the rule of law, Poland is splitting the European Commission at its highest level.
Next week’s European Parliament plenary week in Strasbourg could be disrupted by a series of strikes by interpreters, who plan to stop work for “one or two hours” a day, according to several officials and trade union members.
At least 18 people are thought to have been killed and over 90 wounded after an explosion at Baghdad’s Sadr City district mosque.
Britain’s Supreme Court said that Northern Ireland’s abortion laws are incompatible with human rights legislation but can’t force change.
Amazon.com has won rights to show English Premier League soccer matches for the first time, granting members of its Prime Video service access to 20 matches per season.
President Donald Trump’s attorney, Rudy Giuliani, said Stormy Daniels’ claim she had sex with Trump in 2006 isn’t credible because she’s a porn actress with “no reputation.”
Queen Maxima of the Netherlands’ sister was found dead of an apparent suicide at her apartment in Buenos Aires on Wednesday night, according to reports, including the BBC. She was 33.
House of Fraser is to close more than half its UK stores, putting a further 6,000 jobs at risk and dealing another hammer blow to the high street.
Jerry Maren, the last surviving munchkin from the classic 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz” and the one who famously welcomed Dorothy to Munchkin Land, has died at age 98.
Last but not least, today is expected to be another sunny day in Malta is expected with highest temperature reaching 28°C.
Jesmond Saliba
Managing Editor
