Morning Briefing

Melvin Theuma points finger at Yorgen Fenech: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent follows Melvin Theuma’s testimony in court where he said that, as far as he is concerned, businessman Yorgen Fenech was the mastermind in the assassination of Daphne Caruana…

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PL Leadership nominations close with two contenders: The Headlines – The Times

The Times says that nominations for the Labour Party leadership closed on Wednesday, with Chris Fearne and Robert Abela the only contenders. Paid-up party members will elect the new leader…

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Businesses considering their Malta investments – The Headlines – Business Today

Business Today quotes Abigail Mamo, CEO of the Chamber of SMEs – GRTU, who says that the current political crisis is having a negative effect on business. Mamo warned that…

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Konrad Mizzi defies court order to exhibit hospitals report: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon reports that Konrad Mizzi failed to present the evaluation report about the transfer of public hospitals of Vitals despite orders by the courts. The case filed by Opposition Leader…

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Keith Schembri breaks the silence: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont quotes former chief of staff Keith Schembri who said that he only saw the typed note implicating Minister Chris Cardona in the Caruana Galizia murder when he was in…

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Pawlu Lia no longer represents Keith Schembri: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today reports that lawyer Pawlu Lia has renounced his legal brief for former chief of staff Keith Schembri. Lia has assisted Prime Minister Joseph Muscat in legal cases on…

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Typed note directs Caruana Galizia investigation towards Chris Cardona: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reveals that a four-page note handed to the police by Yorgen Fenech claims that Economy Minister Chris Cardona is behind the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia. Fenech says…

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Family members testify in Caruana Galizia public inquiry: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent follows the second hearing of the Caruana Galizia public inquiry in which several family members of the journalist testified and described how she was ‘dehumanised’ for years before…

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PL looking for third leadership contender: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon quotes PL MP Silvio Parnis who replied that he is ‘a mediator’ when asked about the leadership candidate he supports. The paper says that there are efforts within the…

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Judge rebukes Fenech’s lawyers: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont says that the Judge Lawrence Mintoff rebuked the lawyers representing Yorgen Fenech on Tuesday for playing for time. The businessman is arguing for the removal of inspector Keith Arnaud…

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Protestors occupy Castille: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reports with a sit-in by Moviment Graffitti at Castille, occupying the side entrance from St Paul’s street for five hours on Monday. The protestors demanded the immediate resignation…

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President can appoint new PM if Muscat steps down now – The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent speaks to former European Court of Human Rights Judge Giovanni Bonello about the political impasse. Bonello argues that the President is empowered to appoint a new Prime Minister…

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GWU express solidarity with injured AFM soldier – The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont speaks to General Workers Union official Theo Vella who condemned any form of violence on anyone ‘carrying out their duties.’ Vella was reacting to incidents between demonstrators at Castille…

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Malta registers decline in annual openness report – The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon quotes the latest report by global civil society alliance Civicus which names Malta as a ‘country of concern’. The paper says that the annual report now classifies the country…

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Joseph Muscat goes on farewell tour: The Headlines – The Independent

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Thousands converge on Castille demanding clean government: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reports on an anti-corruption protest in Castille square on Sunday afternoon which drew thousands of people. The event was supported by NGOs from different sectors as well as…

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Muscat says he may have carried more responsibility than warranted: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont leads with a message by Joseph Muscat as he met supporters in Naxxar, Żebbuġ and Paola on Sunday. The Prime Minister said that he carried responsibilities he had to,…

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PN raises €400,000 in fundraising marathon: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon announces that the Nationalist Party collected over €400,000 in a fundraising drive on Sunday. Party leader Adrian Delia said that the country is going through a constitutional crisis and…

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PL Leadership nominations open tomorrow: The Headlines – It-Torċa

It-Torċa says that the process for a new leader of the Labour Party starts on Monday with the submission of nominations until Wednesday. Paid-up members will finally choose the leader…

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Robert Abela enters PL Leadership race: The Headlines – The Independent on Sunday

The Independent on Sunday leads with Robert Abela’s decision to contest the Labour Party leadership pitting him into a two-horse race against Chris Fearne. The paper says that Prime Minister…

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Six in ten disagree with PM’s January timeline: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today publishes survey results showing that most people believe Joseph Muscat should resign. Two-fifths agree with his decision to step down in January; of those who disagree, a quarter…

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Muscat contemplated resigning next weekend: The Headlines – The Sunday Times

The Sunday Times reveals that Joseph Muscat has had to change plans of a hand-over to Deputy Prime Minister next week after MP Robert Abela announced his leadership bid. The…

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Up to 20,000 potential voters in PL Leader elections: The Headlines – Kulħadd

Kulħadd announces that there are 10,000 Labour Party paid-up members who are eligible to vote in the leadership election. Another 10,000 can participate if they regularise their payments covering the…

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Sandro Craus feels put in the middle: The Headlines – Illum

Illum speaks to the Head of Customer Care at Castille, Sandro Craus, after he was interrogated by the police over a fake job given to Melvin Theuma. Craus told the…

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PN announces national dialogue exercise: The Headlines – Il-Mument

Il-Mument leads with the launch of a ‘national dialogue’ by the PN to discuss good governance and the common good with wider society. Party leader Adrian Delia called an extraordinary…

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Victoria Buttigieg appointed Malta’s first State Advocate: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont announces the appointment of Victoria Buttigieg who will serve as Malta’ first State Advocate on the unanimous recommendation of an Appointment Commission. The paper says that the selection was…

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Peter Caruana Galizia says Electrogas led to Daphne’s murder: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent follows the testimony of the Caruana Galizia family before the public inquiry board. The journalist’s husband said that it appeared that her investigations into the Electrogas contract led…

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Chris Fearne confirms PL leadership bid: The Headlines – The Times

The Times leads with the announcement by Health Minister Chris Fearne to contest the race for leadership of the Labour Party, replacing Joseph Muscat as Prime Minister. The paper says…

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Opposition calls urgent meeting with MCESD: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon covers a meeting called by Opposition Leader Adrian Delia with social partners to discuss the national crisis. Delia said that the situation is not normal, and stakeholders cannot go…

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Miriam Dalli rules out PL leadership: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent quotes an announcement by MEP Miriam Dalli declaring that she will not contest for Labour Party leader. Dalli thanked everyone who encouraged her to enter the race but…

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Yorgen Fenech says he was informed about investigation progress: The Headlines – The Times

The Times leads with Yorgen Fenech’s testimony in court where he revealed that he was kept abreast of developments in the Caruana Galizia investigations through Keith Schembri. Fenech argues that…

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PN salutes the memory of Raymond Caruana: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia during a ceremony to commemorate the killing of Raymond Caruana 33 years ago. Delia said that cases of political murder happened when the Labour…

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Speaker says access to Strangers’ Gallery is not an absolute right: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont quotes House Speaker Anġlu Farrugia who said that access to the strangers’ gallery is not ‘by right’. The Speaker was reacting to criticism by lawyer Andrew Borg Cardona after…

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Chamber of Commerce concerned about political situation: The Headlines – The Malta Business Weekly

The Malta Business Weekly carries a statement by the Chamber of Commerce urging Prime Minster Joseph Muscat to step down following revelations that have implicated ‘his office and his person.’…

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Valletta business community dealt a blow: The Headlines – Business Today

Business Today says that Valletta shop owners are feeling the impact of the political situation after reporting poor sales performances. GRTU CEO Abigail Mamo said that Black Friday this year…

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Melvin Theuma gives testimony in court: The Headlines – The Times

The Times also reports from court as Melvin Theuma gave details of how the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia was plotted. He was instructed by Yorgen Fenech to contact the…

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Melvin Theuma was paid for a non-job with the civil service: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent follows the testimony in court of alleged middleman in the Caruana Galizia murder, Melvin Theuma. He said that he was given a ‘phantom job’ with the government after…

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Middleman names Yorgen Fenech as mastermind: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont reports from the compilation of evidence and quotes Melvin Theuma who said that he was paid and commissioned by Yorgen Fenech to serve as a middleman in the murder…

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OPM employee contacted Melvin Theuma: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon says that Rabat Mayor Sandro Craus, who works at the Office of the Prime Minister, has been named by Melvin Theuma in his testimony. He claims that it was…

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OPM confirms exchange between PM and Yorgen Fenech: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent questions the Prime Minister about text messages sent to Yorgen Fenech after the businessman was named in the Caruana Galizia investigation. A spokesperson confirmed reports but said messages…

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Fenech claims that Schembri tried to block incriminating information: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today reports that Yorgen Fenech filed a court application accusing Keith Schembri of making ‘considerable efforts’ to stop him from passing on incriminating information to the police, including through…

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EP delegation in Malta on a fact-finding mission: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reports that a European Parliament delegation held a series of meetings with senior public officials on Tuesday, including the Prime Minister, the President, the Attorney General and senior…

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Protestors put pressure on Police Commissioner: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon reports on a protest held by civil society NGOs outside the Police Headquarters on Tuesday. Protestors called on the Police Commissioner to arrest and interrogate Keith Schembri. The paper…

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Middleman accuses Schembri and Fenech in hand-written note: The Headlines – The Times

The Times publishes a hand-written letter by alleged middleman Melvin Theuma found by the police, in which he claims that murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia was commissioned by Yorgen Fenech…

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Opposition walks out of parliament: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent reports that the opposition walked out of parliament on Monday after leader Adrian Delia declared that it will not participate in sessions as long as Joseph Muscat remains…

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Caruana Galizia family wants Muscat investigated: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon reports on a judicial protest filed by the Caruana Galizia family on Monday calling for the Prime Minister to be investigated and for the preservation of any evidence by…

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PM praises FBI role in investigations: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Joseph Muscat who said that, without the help of the FBI, the Caruana Galizia case ‘could not have been solved.’ Speaking in parliament, Muscat said that…

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Malta close to a standstill as drama unfolds in parliament, court and on the streets

Employers have expressed their concern about the present political situation that has brought the country “close to a standstill” and have requested a meeting with President George Vella over the…

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PL MPs back Prime Minister on exit strategy: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today reports that the PL parliamentary group agreed unanimously on a timeframe in the lead-up to party leadership elections on January 18. The group met at Girgenti Palace on…

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Muscat to step down in six weeks: The Headlines – The Times

The Times leads with a televised address by Joseph Muscat announcing that he will step down as Labour Party Leader on January 12 and as Prime Minister ‘in the days…

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New PL Leader to be elected on January 12: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent quotes the Prime Minister who said he has written to the president of the Labour Party to initiate a process to elect a new party leader. He has…

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Joseph Muscat set to leave ‘on a high’: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont says that Joseph Muscat will leave ‘at his best’: while public approval in him is at its highest. The paper quotes the Prime Minister who, in his national address,…

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PN to boycott activities where Muscat is invited

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that the Prime Minister’s position is no longer tenable and called for his immediate resignation. The paper announces that the PN will…

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Yorgen Fenech charged with complicity in assassination: The Headlines – The Independent on Sunday

The Independent on Sunday leads with the arraignment of Yorgen Fenech on Saturday night facing multiple charges of complicity in the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia. The businessman pleaded not…

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‘Angry’ ministers want Keith Schembri investigation – The Headlines – The Sunday Times

The Sunday Times reveals that cabinet ministers are ‘furious’ after plans by Keith Schembri to pin the Caruana Galizia assassination on minister Chris Cardona surfaced. The paper says ministers have…

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Yorgen Fenech facing life sentence: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today follows the court sitting during which Yorgen Fenech looked ‘impassive’. Lawyer Jason Azzopardi who is representing the Caruana Galizia family argued that complicity in murder carries a sentence…

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Labour Party would win election by 40,000 votes: The Headlines – It-Torċa

It-Torċa publishes survey results indicating that the Labour Party has the same support it had at the last general election in 2017. The paper says the PL would receive 55.5…

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