Good morning
Your morning briefing for Friday with a roundup of the news from Malta and around the World news outlets.
Lates News Headlines
13 Candian citizens have been detained in China since the Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou was arrested
More than half of Tories prefer a ‘no-deal’ Brexit rather than May’s Brexit plan
Documents show how Google uses Dutch shell company to move funds to Bermuda to reduce tax bill
First Pelosi led sitting passes ‘US $ 1 for a wall’ plan to re-open government
Naples Mayor ready to defy Salvini and let Sea-Watch dock in the city
270 containers including chemicals and toys fall of cargo ship MSC Zoe
18,000 documents related to September 11th stolen by hackers
Malta’s Newspaper headlines
The Malta Independent announces a request for bail by Alfred and George Degiorgio, who are also seeking compensation for breach of human rights after their previous requests were turned down. The brothers are facing charges for the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia and separate cases of money laundering.
The Times says Mater Dei Hospital is preparing itself for an influx of patients in the coming days as a wave of mild influenza is expected to reach its peak. During flue season last year, almost double the patients were being admitted to hospital every day compared to the rest of the year.
The Times reveals that only five drivers were subjected to the breathalyser test on New Years eve, three of whom were found to have illegal levels of alcohol. reply to questions by the paper, the police said that the breathalyser test can only be conducted if there is enough reason to suspect that the driver had been drinking.
The Malta Independent follows the case in Saudi Arabia about the killing of journalist Jamal Kashoggi and says that five people will face the death penalty. The Arab state had said that 18 people were arrested in connection with the murder, giving only few details about the hearings in court.
L-Orizzont carries an interview with Colombia Care CEO Nicholas Vita who said that Malta is one of the best places to start a business in the EU. Colombia Care recently announced its investment in the medicinal cannabis sector.
In-Nazzjon says that prices for the handling and disposal of construction material will increase significantly. The paper says that this will negatively affect property owners and those who seek to buy.
In another story, L-Orizzont says that nine minors every month suffer a crisis caused by pornography. The paper speaks to Dr Mark Xuereb, head of Crisis Team Malta, about the effects that pornographic material is having on children.
In-Nazzjon announces that PN Leader Adrian Delia has filed a libel against LovinMalta for defamation. The Opposition Leader is accusing the website of spreading unfounded and malicious content about him, citing anonymous sources.
Malta News Portals
Top PN officials have come to the support of embattled party leader Adrian Delia with strong messages of loyalty on their social media pages. Media head Pierre Portelli said there is no one better suited to lead the Nationalist Party than the present leader, in a post picked up by LovinMalta. Meanwhile, MaltaToday quotes General Council president Kristy Debono who cautioned not to ‘jump the gun’ on allegations related to Delia’s separation proceedings in court.
Alfred and George Degiorgio have filed another request for bail, including a demand for compensation for breaches of human rights. The Malta Independent reports the brothers are asking to be electronically tagged instead, a system not introduced in Malta. Net News says that the brothers have made several applications for bail. The two have been charged with the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia and separate cases of money laundering.
The Netherlands offered to welcome some of the migrants stranded at sea aboard the Sea-Watch 3 rescue ship. Newsbook reported earlier that the EU Commissioner for Migration was speaking to member states individually to resolve the situation. 300 academics from around the world have called on the EU to shoulder responsibility.
Three bidders have submitted for the construction of a pedestrian and cycle bridge linking Blata l-Bajda to Ħamrun and Marsa. TVM picks up a post by Transport Minister Ian Borg announcing the average value of the bids standing at €2.4 million.
A newly-formed pressure group ‘Inħobbu l-Gżira’ are demanding changes to the Manoel Island project, claiming that the submitted plans will eat up part of the town’s promenade. The Timesreports on a statement by the group saying that the development will reduce 40 percent of the benches to make way for access roads to the island.
Health Minister Chris Fearne visited the Mellieħa cemetery as a project to enlarge the facility has reached an advanced stage. The Minister said that expansion works are also expected to start at the Addolorata cemetery, increasing capacity by 2,800. One News says there is currently a demand for 2,000 places.
The probe into Danske Bank has extended to Italy as prosecutors in Milan are investigating the bank’s activities in the country. The Shift News says that the institution is also facing investigations in Denmark, Estonia, the UK, and US after suspicion about activities involving funds from Azerbaijan which have been described the ‘biggest money laundering scandal in history’.
