Good morning
Our Morning Briefing Newspaper Review from Malta.
The Malta Business Weekly leads with a story about ICE gaming expo in London, opening next week. Malta is the biggest exhibitor outside the host country, with 60 participants, followed by the US and Italy, 41 and 23 exhibitors respectively. ICE London is the foremost event in the gaming industry and this edition has attracted participants from 66 countries.
The Times carries a story about the burial of 27-year-old Johanna Boni, who died when her motorcycle collided in a truck. Her parents have now discovered that she was buried in a plastic bag and placed inside a coffin, while the clothes they specifically sent to dress her up in were bundled in a corner of the coffin.
The Malta Independent quotes a National Auditor’s Office report which notes that one in every four Algerians issued a visa in the period between 2015 and 2016, never returned home. The report said that the visa-granting process could not be fully investigated, precluding the NAO for having complete visibility.
The Times says that an investigation into allegations of wrongdoing at Mcast has been given a second extension, with findings now expected to be reported in March. The investigation was open after a senior staff member flagged irregularities verging on the criminal.
The Malta Independent reports on a video published by MEP Roberta Metsola who said that the European Commission does not endorse Malta’s Individual Investor Programme. Metsola said that buyers of passports are acquiring EU rights for their descendants in every EU member state.
L-Orizzont says the General Workers Union is in favour of the proposed measures in the EU directive on work-life balance. Secretary General says the union agrees with initiatives that support working parents.
In-Nazzjon announces that the Executive Committee of the Nationalist Party has declared unanimous support to party leader Adrian Delia. The paper says that the organ condemned the attacks against the leadership and the party itself.
L-Orizzont reports that four applications for separation were filed every day during 2018. The paper speaks to family therapist Dr Charlie Azzopardi who said he is not surprised by the figures.
In-Nazzjon quotes Opposition Leader Adrian Delia who said that Malta is inching closer to to the category of countries with their democracies under threat. Addressing parliament, Delia said that this is the price of corruption.
