Good morning,
These are the main headlines and news from Malta’s Newspaper front pages and other news from around the world.
Quote of the Day
A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others – Ayn Rand
The headlines
Major global anti-Ndrangheta operation underway in various EU countries and South America
Backing for May’s Brexit deal dissolves, as government is found in contempt of Parliament while May lost three votes in Commons
Nigel Farage quit UKIP in view of anti-Islamic stance taken
Four criminally charged in a US government’s investigation into Panama Papers investigation
NATO accused Russia of breaching Nuclear Treaty, as US says it will suspend its participation
A major earthquake was registered in New Caledonia
CIA briefing on Khashoggi strengthens Senators’ view of Prince Mohammed’s complicity in journalist’s murder
Republicans tell FBI that they were victims of major cyber hack in midterms
The NewsPaper Front Pages
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MaltaToday details a report published by the National Auditors’ Office about the €28 million bill for the European Council Presidency in 2017. The NAO said it could not trace payments by the Central Bank, totalling €11.7 million, and that encountered obstacles in accessing departmental files to properly assess the spending.
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In-Nazzjon also leads with the conclusions in the NAO document which, the it says, comprises of 22 reports on the operation of ministries, departments, and government entities. The paper says that from a gross balance of €3.4 billion, only €526 million can be recovered.
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The Times reports from a Eurostat study which shows that families in Malta spend a fifth of their income on hotel stays and eating out, the highest rate among the member states. The EU average spend on these activities is 8.8 percent of income.
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MaltaToday says that Malta will look closely at Franco-German proposals to impose taxes on revenue from adverts by tech companies like Facebook and Google. The two states rejected EU-plans for a digital tax on companies in the industry. Malta was not in favour of harmonised taxation mechanisms.
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The Malta Independent reports that the Health Ministry issued more than €6 million in direct orders in 2017, with €5.5 million granted in the four weeks prior to the general election held in June. The direct orders vary in amount and type of service.
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Another article in MaltaToday follows the Panama Papers inquiry and says that Judge Giovanni Grixti has instructed the parties to make their final submissions in writing within four days. Judge Grixti is hearing appeals made by seven individuals including Prime Minister Joseph Muscat against a request by former Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil to start an inquiry into their involvement in the Panama Papers.
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Another story in The Times says that government official Neville Gafa’ was seen in Libya with one of the main militia leaders Haithem Tajouri. Gafa’ told the newspaper he did not hold any formal talks with the militant but may have “bumped” into him on the street.
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The Malta Independent reports that the PN MEP David Casa has formally written to Europol recommending the oversight and security of information on 17 Black held by authorities in Dubai, where the company was formed and held an account.
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L-Orizzont speaks to Dr Philip Carabott about recent reports of increasing cases of HIV. The GU clinic consultant said that it is caused by “the same old story” of unprotected casual sex which is often made more complicated by drug use.
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L-Orizzont reports that PL MEP Miriam Dalli is the first Maltese politician to have made it on Politico’s annual list of 28 most influential individuals in Europe. The MEP told the paper that her work is an opportunity to represent the country in the best way.
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Another story in L-Orizzont says that Malta will host a summit about Digital Economy and said that it led six other EU countries to sign a declaration on Distributed Ledger Technology.
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In-Nazzjon says there is a “mix-up” in stipends for students at MCAST, The Higher Secondary, University, and Junior College. The paper says that many students have reported inconsistencies in the monthly allowance.
