Morning Briefing

Keith Schembri named in Saturday’s sitting: The Headlines – Illum

Illum says that the Court was asked to freeze all assets held by Yorgen Fenech and prevent any transfer, but the businessman’s legal team appealed against. Meanwhile, Keith Schembri was…

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Yorgen Fenech arraignment is first in half a century: The Headlines – Kulħadd

Kulħadd says that the arraignment of Yorgen Fenech in court is the first time in 50 years that a suspect was actually charged by the police for a car-bomb case…

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Prime Minister expected to step down: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reveals that Prime Minister Joseph Muscat is set to announce his resignation after revelations in the past weeks rocked the government. The paper says that Muscat briefed the…

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Government refutes talk of imminent resignation: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont says that the government described rumours about the Prime Minister’s imminent resignation as ‘pure invention’. In a statement on Friday the government denied that ministers expressed mistrust in Joseph…

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Yorgen Fenech confident truth will emerge: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent follows Yorgen Fenech as he exited the Courts on Friday after the first sitting in a case he filed against the lead investigator. The businessman told the media…

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Yorgen Fenech implicates Joseph Muscat in corruption crimes: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon reports that Yorgen Fenech has been given police bail for the fourth time since he was first arrested last week. The paper says that the businessman implicated Prime Minister…

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Keith Schembri released from arrest: The Headlines – The Times

The Times leads with the release of Keith Schembri from custody on Thursday night. A police statement said that there was no need for him to be kept under arrest…

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Yorgen Fenech wants removal of investigator: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent says that businessman Yorgen Fenech is calling for the removal of inspector Keith Arnaud from the investigation in the Caruana Galizia murder, arguing that he has close ties…

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Yorgen Fenech writes directly to the President: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont says that Yorgen Fenech has written directly to the President seeking a pardon to reveal ‘all the facts.’ Meanwhile, he filed a Constitutional case against authorities which is expected…

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Delia insists on the Prime Minister’s resignation: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that with every passing minute that Joseph Muscat remains Prime Minister, the risks for the country become higher. Delia warned that unless…

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Business community reacts to political events: The Headlines – The Malta Business Weekly

The Malta Business Weekly says that the business community in Malta has expressed concern at the recent event following the arrest of businessman Yorgen Fenech. The Malta Chamber of SMEs…

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Unease among financial industry professionals: The Headlines – Business Today

Business Today reports a ‘sombre mood’ among professionals in the financial services industry. The paper says that participants at a conference about combatting financial crime on Wednesday discussed the unprecedented…

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Yorgen Fenech claims Keith Schembri is assassination mastermind: The Headlines – The Independent

The Malta Independent reveals that investigators were conducting simultaneous interrogations with Yorgen Fenech and Keith Schembri on Wednesday to cross-check their claims. Fenech reportedly told police that Schembri is the…

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Keith Schembri considered ‘person of interest’ in murder case: The Headlines – The Times

The Times says that investigators in the Caruana Galizia case are treating Keith Schembri as a ‘person of interest’ following accusations by businessman Yorgen Fenech that the former chief of…

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Keith Schembri had escape plan for Yorgen Fenech: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon leads with claims by Yorgen Fenech that Keith Schembri has organised the escape of the former Electrogas director by boat from Gozo to Tunisia, where from he would have…

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Deputy Prime Minister praises country’s institutions: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont quotes Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne who delivered the opening address at the SiGMA conference on Wednesday. Fearne said that the events this week showed that rule of law…

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Daphne Caruana Galizia’s Assassination Investigations – The latest developments in Malta

Update 0830 - The police have arrested Yorgen Fenech’s family doctor Adrian Vella, on suspicion of having obstructed justice by admitting Fenech to hospital. Yorgen Fenech named Adrian Vella as being…

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A day of resignations, suspensions and power cuts: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today reports on a country in ‘meltdown’ after resignations by Chief of Staff Keith Schembri and Minister Konrad Mizzi, and a self-suspension by Minister Chris Cardona coincided with a…

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Angry crowds descend on Valletta: The Headlines – The Times

The Times says that thousands of people gathered outside parliament crying ‘shame on you’ and ‘killers’ at MPs. A protest was then held in Castille Square demanding the Prime Minister’s…

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Caruana Galizia family wants Schembri prosecution: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent says that Keith Schembri was questioned by police as soon as he resigned his role as chief of staff. The Prime Minister thanked Schembri for his service, but…

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Joseph Muscat to address Labour Party rally on Sunday: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont says that the Labour Party has called a political activity in Fgura on Sunday that will be addressed by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. The paper says that this is…

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Adrian Delia says the Prime Minister must go: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon quotes Opposition Leader Adrian Delia who said in parliament that this is ‘the hour of the people’ as large crowds were forming outside parliament to express their anger. Delia…

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Caruana Galizia middleman granted presidential pardon: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent leads with a government statement announcing that the suspected middleman in the Caruana Galizia murder has been granted a presidential pardon in exchange of information on the case.…

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Prime Minister receives unanimous support by PL MPs: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reports that Prime Minister Joseph Muscat received the unanimous backing of his parliamentary group in an internal vote of confidence. The paper says that several MPs argued for…

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Government does not exclude Yorgen Fenech pardon: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont reveals that the government is considering offering a presidential pardon to 17 Black owner Yorgen Fenech about the Caruana Galizia murder, following the pardon granted to suspected middleman Melvin…

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Government rejects debate in parliament on Caruana Galizia investigations: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon quotes Opposition Leader Adrian Delia who said that the country deserves better than a government that ‘will not listen to the people’. Delia was speaking after a request for…

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Malta – Daphne Caruana Galizia’s Assassination – Review and Update

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Labour Party feeling internal pressure: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today says that the government is under pressure by Labour Party activists to remove Kith Schembri. The paper claims that the Prime Minister is adamant that he will not…

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Yorgen Fenech requests presidential pardon: The Headlines – The Independent on Sunday

The Independent on Sunday reports that businessman Yorgen Fenech requested a presidential pardon in exchange for information. Prime Minister Joseph Muscat is taking the advice of the Attorney General and…

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PM likely to step down in the coming months: The Headlines – The Sunday Times

The Sunday Times says that Labour Party insiders believe that leader Joseph Muscat plans to step down within the next six to nine months. Developments in the Caruana Galizia case,…

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Anxiety within Labour Party ranks: The Headlines – Illum

Illum claims that there is a growing sense of unease among Labour Party insiders over the ‘dramatic events’ in the Caruana Galizia case. The paper says that calls for Leader…

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Opposition call for urgent parliamentary sitting refused: The Headlines – Il-Mument

Il-Mument reports that the Leader of the Opposition requested an urgent parliamentary sitting on Saturday to discuss the latest revelations in the Caruana Galizia case. The government turned down the…

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Signs that institutions are functioning well: The Headlines – It-Torċa

It-Torċa says that the latest arrests in the Caruana Galizia case and Minister Chris Cardona’s questioning by the police show that the institutions are effective. The paper also says that…

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Caruana Galizia case is the biggest investigation ever: The Headlines – Kulħadd

Kulħadd describes the Caruana Galizia probe as the biggest criminal investigation in Malta’s history and says that the case is expected to encounter further complications. The paper reports that investigators…

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Adrian Delia meets President to discuss national situation: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon says that Opposition Leader Adrian Delia requested an emergency meeting with President George Abela. Delia is arguing that Prime Minister Joseph Muscat should not interfere in roles beyond his…

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Investigators mulling plea bargain with Yorgen Fenech: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent reports that investigators are considering plea bargaining with Yorgen Fenech after he was arrested for a second round of questioning on Friday. The paper says it is not…

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Thousands demand justice outside Castille: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reports that an anti-corruption protest in Castille square on Friday evening drew thousands of people demanding political responsibility for Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder. The protest was organised by…

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New people surface in the Caruana Galizia case: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont says that new names have emerged in the investigation into the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia. The paper quotes unofficial sources who said that the police are corroborating new…

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Speaker promises heightened security: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont speaks to House Speaker Anġlu Farrugia who said he will take steps to ensure ‘more security’ following protests outside parliament on Wednesday. The paper shows damages to Owen Bonnici’s…

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Yorgen Fenech released on bail: The Headlines – The Malta Independent

The Independent reveals that businessman Yorgen Fenech who was arrested on Wednesday has been released on bail after just under 48 hours in police custody. The paper says that Fenech…

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PA turns down AUM development proposal: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reports that the Planning Authority board unanimously turned down a development application by the American University of Malta. The plans were strongly opposed by residents in Cottonera and…

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Proof of direct contact between businessman and middleman: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon says that Yorgen Fenech has been granted bail and left the police depot at around 21:00 on Thursday. A second story in the paper says that there are recordings…

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Businessman Yorgen Fenech arrested: The Headlines – The Malta Business Weekly

The Malta Business Weekly leads with the arrest of businessman Yorgen Fenech as his yacht was intercepted by the police leaving Portomaso early on Wednesday. Investigators into the Daphne Caruana…

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Business community in Malta shocked by arrest: The Headlines – Business Today

Business Today says that the arrest of Yorgen Fenech ‘sent shock waves’ in the business landscape in Malta. The paper says Fenech stepped down as director of Tumas Group of…

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Prime Minister will not speculate on arrest: The Headlines – The Malta Independent

The Independent quotes Prime Minister Joseph Muscat who said he ‘would not speculate’ on the reasons that led to Yorgen Fenech’s arrest, adding that he wanted to be cautious not…

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Caruana Galizias welcome Yorgen Fenech arrest: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reports on an eventful day on Wednesday following the arrest of Yorgen Fenech, with anti-corruption protestors rallying outside Castille later in the evening. The paper says that the…

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Opposition Leader says people expect political responsibility: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

In-Nazzjon quotes Opposition Leader Adrian Delia who, in reaction to the arrest of Yorgen Fenech, said that people expect the Prime Minister to tell what he will do with Chief…

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Prime Minister says no politicians involved in Caruana Galizia murder: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont covers a statement to the press by the Prime Minister following news that Yorgen Fenech was arrested. Muscat said that from information he has, no politicians are involved in…

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Prime Minister commits to pardon for middleman in Caruana Galizia murder: The Headlines – The Times

The Times leads with an announcement by the Prime Minister that a pardon will be offered in exchange for information to a man suspected of acting as a middleman between…

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Suspect middleman has a trail of loan sharking: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today names the suspected middleman in the Caruana Galizia murder as Melvin Theuma, who works as a taxi driver. The paper says the 41-year-old has a history of court…

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Engineers raise concerns about change to professional Act – The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent quotes a statement by the Chamber of Engineers which warns that changes in the Engineering Profession Act will lower standards and might have ‘serious implications’ on general health…

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Prime Minister promises pardon in signed letter: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont reports that Prime Minister Muscat signed a letter promising the suspect a presidential pardon if he reveals who commissioned Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination in 2017. The paper says that…

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PPE Summit to present climate emergency resolution: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon says that PN Leader Adrian Delia will today address a summit of the PPE which is being held in Croatia. PPE leaders are expected to discuss ‘an important resolution’…

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Economic sectors reliant on non-Maltese workers: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent quotes findings by the Central Bank that several sectors in Malta depend on non-Maltese workers. Third Country nationals make up almost a third of the construction workforce while…

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Luxury Paceville hotel operating without license: The Headlines – The Times

The Times says that H Hotel in Paceville, which was opened by the Prime Minister last June, has been operating without the required license by the Malta Tourism Authority. The…

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Attorney General only handed Egrant inquiry to Prime Minister: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon follows the case in court about the publication of the Egrant report. The Attorney General denied claims that he handed copies of the inquiry to other people besides the…

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GWU Secretary General hits out against gender pay gap: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont quotes General Workers Union secretary general Josef Bugeja who said that it is ‘disgusting’ that we are still discussing the gender pay gap in 2019. Bugeja was addressing a…

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