Good morning,
The rising tensions in Ukraine, to the difficult economic period being forecast with Brexit, the situation in the relations between the US and Saudi and Europe’s ambitious climate neutral economy target dominate international news. However the story of the boy who stole the scene at the Vatican, is the only constant, and perhaps a needed dash of joy.
In Malta, as expected, the publication of the NAO report on the ElectroGas power station dominates the front pages.
Here’s your morning briefing for Thursday.
The Headlines
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Ciao Papa (e mamma) – guarda come mi diverto – The story of the boy who stole the scene at the Vatican – CD
A Clean Planet for All – EU aims for climate neutral economy by 2050 – CD
Russia – Ukraine escalation of tensions – An explainer – CD
US motion to end support to Saudi forces in Yemen passes – CD
May is set to face a grilling from senior MPs over her Brexit agenda – CD
British economy will be worse off under any Brexit scenario – CD
French Prime Minister ready to meet Yellow Vest protestors – CD
Pelosi nominated to lead Democrats in new Congress – CD
U.S.’s Bolton to meet far-right Brazilian leader Bolsonaro – Reuters
Georgia elects Salome Zurabishvili as first woman president – BBC
South Korean Court Orders Mitsubishi of Japan to Pay for Forced Wartime Labor – New York Times
Trump won’t rule out pardon for Paul Manafort – POLITICO
Thousands evacuated as WWII bomb defused in Cologne – DW
News Paper Review
The Malta Business Weekly reports that Malta registered the fourth-highest increase in the EU in overall tax-to-GDP ratio, behind Cyprus, Luxembourg, and Slovakia. 15 member states registered increases, with the EU average standing at 40.2 percent in 2017 up from 39.9 percent the previous year.
The Times leads with a story on the published report by the National Audit Office about the selection process that awarded the new power station project to Electrogas in 2013. The report says that Electrogas was allowed to proceed to a further phase of the bidding process, eventually winning the contract, despite several ‘instances of non-compliance with minimum requirements.’
The Malta Independent, also covering the report, says that the NAO found that Malta is paying €50 more per MWh supplied by Electrogas than it would have from the interconnector. In reaction, Konrad Mizzi who was then Energy Minister, said that he disagreed with the report’s conclusions on pricing.
In a statement published by In-Nazzjon, Opposition Leader Adrian Delia said that the country is paying €200 million more for the energy – adding that there are now another 200 million more reasons why Minister Mizzi should be removed.
L-Orizzont says that the Auditor General’s report is confirmation that the energy project is an example of best practice, and that the selection process was well structured, fair, and transparent.
Another story in The Malta Independent reports that the rate of diagnosed HIV cases in Malta increased by 50 percent in 2017. Statistics show a larger increase among men, particularly those who are sexually active with other men.
The Malta Business Weekly says that New Zealand has rejected a proposal by Chinese tech giant Huawei for the introduction of 5G mobile infrastructure citing doubts about national security. The move follows other countries who have raised concerns over the company’s use of technology for espionage.
L-Orizzont quotes a spokesperson for the Occupational Health and Safety Authority who said that the fatality at a construction site on Monday was the third one this year. In another story, the paper says that one in every five who visit the Emergency Department in connection to drug use are women.
