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Watch: Mavericks hold off Bucks to snap 18-game NBA win streak

December 17, 2019, 6:25 am
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Dallas Mavericks' Kristaps Porzingis (right) drives to the basket ahead of Milwakee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Seth Curry and Kristaps Porzingis each scored 26 points and the Dallas Mavericks snapped Milwaukee's 18-game NBA win streak Monday 120-116 despite 48 points and 14 rebounds by Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Mavericks, lacking Slovenian star big man Luka Doncic due to an ankle sprain, held off the host Bucks, who made a furious rally with a late 17-6 run that fell just short.   Latvia's Porzingis, who scored 11 in the first quarter, shot 9-of-19 from the floor and 4-of-8 from 3-point range as well as grabbing 12 rebounds while Curry, brother of injured Golden State star Stephen Curry, came off the bench to spark the Mavs. Bucks reserve Kyle Korver had 17 points, hitting 5-of-7 3-point shots. Porzingis said the Mavericks are playing better as they adjust to playing without Doncic for a while. "Without Luka, we got used to him. It threw us off a little bit not having him out there," Porzingis said. "Tonight we looked a little better. We want to keep getting better and we want him to get better and come back as soon as possible." Milwaukee settled for the second-longest win streak in team history, two shy of the club's record run from the 1970-71 NBA championship...
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Watch: Pogba's recovery from injury hit by illness, says Solskjaer

December 17, 2019, 6:49 am
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Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a fresh Paul Pogba headache, revealing illness has delayed the midfielder’s return from injury ahead of Wednesday’s League Cup quarterfinal against giant-killers Colchester. The France World Cup winner has been sidelined for most of the season with an ankle injury, playing just six times for United after a summer of speculation following his statement that it could be time for a “new challenge”. But after the United manager spoke, videos appeared on social media of Pogba dancing and showing few ill effects at his brother Florentin’s wedding. Pogba, 26, had been due to resume first-team training this week but Solskjaer said: “Of all things he’s struck down ill now.” “He’s been off for two or three days, three days probably, so that’s not beneficial. That’s probably set him back quite a bit,” the Norwegian boss said, looking ahead to the meeting with fourth-tier Colchester. “As I’ve said so many times, Paul’s a top, top player that we want to see playing his best football at Man United,” Solskjaer said. “We just need to get him fit and match fit. It might be half an hour, 45, 60, 90 -- who knows, the first game. We’re working...
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Woman hit in the face as she resists muggers

December 17, 2019, 6:59 am
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Two men who tried to rob a woman of her handbag in a busy street in Ta’ Xbiex on Tuesday morning ran off empty-handed after a pedestrian leapt to her defence. The police said the mugging took place in Abate Rigord Street. The woman, 35, from Paola, ran into Msida police station to report that while walking in the street at about 7.30am two hooded men stopped her and tried to take her handbag. When she started screaming, one of them hit her in the face. “A person who happened to be nearby and went to the woman’s assistance was instrumental in scaring off the aggressors,” the police said. Nothing was stolen from the woman, who was later treated at a health centre. A search for the aggressors is underway. The police said they are also investigating a hold-up in the same street at close to the same time.  Officers were informed shortly before 8am that a hooded man armed with a knife had entered a shop in Abate Rigord Street and demanded money from a 43-year-old cashier. He made off with some cash. Several other people were in the shop. No one was hurt.
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Why do many gambling providers from all over the world use Maltese licences?

December 17, 2019, 7:04 am
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With more gaming companies moving online and other new ones springing up at a high rate, Malta has become a centre for gambling companies worldwide.  There are various reasons why so many gaming providers use Maltese licences. First, the Malta Gaming Authority is one of the world's respected gaming control boards and holding a Maltese licence is considered as a vote of confidence worldwide. Additionally, the procedure for applying the licence is fast and offers a stable regulatory and legal framework for gambling providers, online players and service providers.  In 2018, the government of Malta introduced several changes to the Gaming Act. The changes simplified the licensing process in the country. It now provides for two types of licences only: B2C and B2B. The B2C licence is classified depending on the types of games provided and eliminates the need for requiring a new licence for every class of game. Under these laws, a B2C licencee can add on various game types without having to go through the full Maltese licensing procedure every time. The Gaming Act also extended the validity period for Maltese licences from five to 10 years.  Over the last three years, Malta has...
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The dark side of Japan

December 17, 2019, 7:51 am
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Yamaha's MT models have changed the landscape of the motorcycle world. Launched in 2013, the iconic MT-09 introduced a radical new look and attitude to the street. Since then Yamaha's hyper naked class has continuously expanded, and now offers one of the strongest selection of models from 125cc through to 1,000cc. With signature Japanese heritage, athletic bodywork and torque-rich engines, Yamaha MT models deliver the ideal blend of naked aggression, in-your-face attitude and contemporary style. Aimed at unconventional riders, each MT model captures the spirit of the dark side of Japan, and open up a thrilling new way of life. With radical new bodywork and an intimidating look with their bold twin-eye position lights, the all-new MT-125 and MT-03 bring pure hyper naked attitude. Featuring a powerful new 125cc engine as well as a new Deltabox frame and 41mm upside down forks, the MT-125 is Yamaha's ultimate naked lightweight - while the MT-03 comes with new upside down forks and next-generation mass-forward design. With their ultra-aggressive new looks and advanced specifications, these models are designed for thrill-seeking riders who want the real deal from the moment and step...
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Delia publishes Egrant report: 'Disgusting' facts were not tackled

December 17, 2019, 8:03 am
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Dr Delia receiving a copy of the Egrant report on Monday.

Adrian Delia announced he had published the Egrant inquiry report in its entirety on Tuesday and said that "disgusting" elements the authorities failed to act up were the reason why it was kept hidden for 18 months. "I am frankly disgusted by facts, possibly criminal, found in the report, which the attorney general and the prime minister knew about but did not act upon, involving people who had an office in Castille. Those people were  allowed to stay in their position with absolute impunity. That is the reason why the report was hidden for 18 months," Dr Delia said. He included a link to the report in a Facebook post. "Corruption breeds in silence and in order to smash this criminal, corrupt clique we need all the facts to come out fully and immediately," Dr Delia said. He said he would let the people reach their judgement. Many of the claims were based on an account by former Pilatus Bank employee Maria Efimova. The inquiry, however, also found that no member of the Muscat family had accounts at Pilatus Bank. Declarations of trust handed to the investigating magistrate contained falsified signatures, the inquiry found. “A hundred suspicions do not amount to a single piece of...
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What is the Egrant inquiry report (and what to expect next)? 

December 17, 2019, 8:10 am
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Adrian Delia announced on Tuesday he will release the conclusions of the magisterial inquiry into allegations that Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s wife Michelle was the owner of the once-secret offshore company Egrant.  As the country prepares to go over the report, Ivan Martin goes over how we got here.  What is Egrant?  Egrant Inc. was a mystery company with a structure set up in Panama alongside Hearnville and Tillgate - two other companies which the Panama Papers revealed were owned by former minister Konrad Mizzi and the Prime Minster's former chief of staff, Keith Schembri.  In April 2017, the late journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia had alleged that the company was owned by the prime minister’s wife Michelle, prompting Dr Muscat to request a magisterial inquiry into that claim.  What followed a year later, in the summer of 2018, was what has become known as the Egrant inquiry report.  So what is the Egrant report?  The 1,500-page Egrant inquiry document is the result of what is known as an in genere inquiry into the material evidence of a potential crime – in this case the alleged money laundering of Mrs Muscat. It was conducted by a magistrate that is designated as being...
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Van Nistelrooy, Stekelenburg join Dutch staff for Euro 2020

December 17, 2019, 8:45 am
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Ruud van Nistelrooy will join the Dutch national team's coaching set-up for Euro 2020.

Ex-Netherlands internationals Ruud van Nistelrooy and Maarten Stekelenburg will join the national team's coaching set-up for Euro 2020, the Dutch Football Association (KNVB) announced on Tuesday. Former Manchester United striker Van Nistelrooy, 43, will be released from his role as PSV Eindhoven's youth coach for the competition. "It is a wonderful opportunity for me as an assistant coach to be part of the staff of the Orange for this final tournament," van Nistelrooy said in a KNVB statement. Stekelenburg, 47, starts his role alongside boss Ronald Koeman immediately. "After all the great years with the KNVB youth teams, this is of course an excellent opportunity to work at the highest level," said Stekelenburg, who coached the Dutch under 19 side.A After friendlies against the United States and Spain, Koeman's side face Austria, Ukraine and one of the four playoff winners in Amsterdam in Group C.  Forward Memphis Depay is a doubt for the Netherlands' first major finals appearance since 2014 after he was ruled out for up to six months with a knee injury suffered last weekend playing for club Lyon.
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Offshore structure for Malta-China investment uncovered in Egrant inquiry

December 17, 2019, 9:12 am
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Cheng Chen (right) shakes hands with then-minister Konrad Mizzi back in 2014.

A proposal for a mystery entity "to promote and manage investment" between Malta and China but controlled entirely by an obscure offshore structure was uncovered as part of the Egrant inquiry.    According to a section of the 1,500-page inquiry report, which is based on an analysis by forensic accountant Miroslava Milenovic, communication that was reviewed uncovered a close relationship between former minister Konrad Mizzi, accountant Brian Tonna, former chief of staff Keith Schembri, and Cheng Chen who worked for a company that advised Shanghai Electric Power, the company which acquired a €320 million stake in Malta’s national energy corporation. Last year, Times of Malta reported how anti-money-laundering investigators in the British Virgin Islands had sought information on Mr Chen as part of a money laundering probe.  In the correspondence reviewed by the forensic accountant, a Public Private Partnership called ‘MACffiN’ was agreed to be set up as an entity for promotion of investment between China and Malta.  While this would be registered in Malta it was also agreed that this would be “100% controlled by a holding company based in the British Virgin Islands”.  This entity...
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Daphne “crossed the limit” – Keith Schembri testimony in Egrant inquiry

December 17, 2019, 9:25 am
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The prime minister’s former chief of staff Keith Schembri said slain journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia had caused him a lot of trouble in his personal life, saying he believed she had “crossed the limit”.  In his testimony as part of the Egrant inquiry, which was made public on Tuesday afternoon by the Opposition leader, Mr Schembri told the inquiring magistrate he was “living proof of Ms Caruana Galizia's lies”.  Ms Caruana Galizia had written in December 2016 that Mr Schembri has an inoperable tumour in the eye area. Telling the magistrate his comments about the journalist could be both on or off the record, Mr Schembri described her reporting on his medical condition as having “crossed the limit”.  “I don’t know how to hate but I do not have respect for people like that,” Mr Schembri said. He says that while he had promised himself he would not file for libel, a few days before giving his testimony he had initiated two cases against Ms Caruana Galizia.  “It can’t go on like this. There is a difference between subjective opinions about a person but then when you start going for the family, with my 13-year-old girl coming up to me telling me children at school are telling her...
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Arteta to travel with Man. City for cup tie despite Arsenal talks

December 17, 2019, 9:30 am
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Mikel Arteta

Manchester City assistant coach Mikel Arteta will travel with the squad for the League Cup quarter-final with Oxford despite holding talks over the vacant manager's role at Arsenal, Pep Guardiola confirmed on Tuesday. The City boss revealed in his pre-match press conference that Arteta had taken part in a training session with the cup holders and was due to head to Oxford on Wednesday. "We were so smart to pick him up and now the other clubs want him," Guardiola said. "I've said many times, he's an incredible person, a good manager, work ethic. That is why he is with us. "He's talking with Arsenal so I don't know what is going to happen." Arsenal's pursuit of their former captain became public when Gunners chief executive Vinai Venkatesham was pictured leaving the Spaniard's home in the early hours of Monday. Guardiola said Arteta had told him about the meeting, and that he would not be trying to influence the 37-year-old's decision. "He knows exactly what we want but at the end it's his decision. It's personal." "The organisation of the club is always live, it doesn't always stay the same, what works today might not work tomorrow," he added. "The people today maybe won't be...
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Ex-policeman with links to French president taken into custody

December 17, 2019, 9:53 am
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Vincent Crase.

A disgraced former policeman with links to French President Emmanuel Macron was taken into custody Tuesday in a corruption probe involving alleged business ties with a Russian oligarch, sources told AFP. Vincent Crase lost his job last year after he and a friend, Alexandre Benalla -- a former top security aide to Macron -- were filmed roughing up protesters during a May Day demonstration. Crase, former security head of Macron's LREM party, is suspected of having been involved in outside security work while employed as a government official. The Mediapart news site has reported that investigators were looking into links between Crase's security firm, Mars, and Russian oligarch Iskander Makhmudov, reputed to be close to Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Mediapart said officials were investigating payment by Makhmudov for the protection of his assets in France and Monaco. A source told AFP Tuesday that Crase had been questioned by economic crimes investigators on Makhmudov's activities. Crase has denied the charges, and said he has never met Makhmudov. His lawyer, Christian Saint-Palais, declined to comment on Tuesday. Revelations that Macron's office had known about Benalla and Crase...
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Abarth becomes Official Vehicle Partner of Dubai Autodrome

December 17, 2019, 10:00 am
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National Auto, the exclusive distributor for Fiat and Abarth vehicles in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, has signed an agreement with Dubai Autodrome, Dubai's first fully integrated multipurpose motorsports and entertainment complex, for the high-performance Italian Brand Abarth to be the circuit's 'Official Vehicle Partner' for 2020. Transforming the ordinary into something extraordinary to offer the best products in the small sports car segment; this is the mission of Abarth - the brand with the Scorpion badge -, which has always been the byword for performance and iconic Italian style. National Auto has been the dealership for Abarth in Dubai and the Northern Emirates since 2018, and is fully equipped to supply their customers in the UAE with the limited editions, bespoke packages, spare parts and accessories to provide the ultimate Abarth experience. This exclusive partnership is another important tribute to the Abarth history and to the 70th Anniversary of the brand. It was in 1949 that Carlo Abarth, after a career racing motorcycles and cars, founded Abarth & C with Guido Scagliarini. The first vehicle produced was the 204 A, based on the Fiat 1100. It immediately won the...
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BMW Group shares AI algorithms used in production

December 17, 2019, 10:00 am
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The BMW Group uses a growing number of artificial intelligence (AI) applications in production. For instance, AI relieves workers of monotonous tasks such as checking whether the warning triangle is placed in the right spot in the trunk. This task is now performed by a camera and self-learning software that compares the camera’s live images with hundreds of stored images in milliseconds and can detect any deviations from the standard. [attach id=809692 size="medium" align="left" type="image"][/attach] The BMW Group has now shared selected algorithms from this area of artificial intelligence on an open source platform (github.com/BMW-InnovationLab). The algorithms are part of various AI applications, in particular in automated image recognition and image tagging. Making these publicly available allows software developers all over the world to view, change, use and improve the source code. "With the algorithms we are now publishing, the BMW Group has significantly reduced the development time for neural networks for autonomous transport systems and robots," says Dirk Dreher, Head of Logistics Planning. Neural networks independently compare live images in production and logistics...
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Egrant: Inquiry ordered police probes into Karl Cini, whistleblower and Pilatus

December 17, 2019, 10:20 am
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A 1,500-page inquiry had ordered the police to investigate Nexia BT partner Karl Cini for perjury, Egrant whistleblower Maria Efimova for calumny and Pilatus Bank’s operations for money laundering.   These conclusions, which were never published by the government, also order an investigation into who falsified and distributed documents linking the Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s wife Michelle to Egrant.  Judge Aaron Bugeja also saw the need for a police investigation into a proposed offshore structure to promote and manage investment between Malta and China. The inquiry never established who owns the secret company Egrant, though it had said it was not owned by the Prime Minister's family.  Karl Cini - Perjury The inquiry found prima facie evidence of perjury on Mr Cini’s part and ordered a police investigation into this.  It was found that Mr Cini used to “create” documents which would “purport” to come from Mossack Fonseca, the law firm at the heart of the Panama Papers leak.  Mossack Fonseca had refused a request by Mr Cini to rubbish claims about the prime minister's wife owning Egrant, Times of Malta revealed last year.  A forensic accountants report found Mr Cini, with...
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Deportation of children is 'in their best interests' ministers say

December 17, 2019, 10:22 am
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Seven year old Giuliana Overend, who attends Maria Regina College supporting school mates facing deportation.

The government has defended an Identity Malta decision to refuse a residence permit to 22 children whose parents already work here, saying that granting them a residence permit would put them at risk of living in poverty Parliamentary Secretary Julia Farrugia Portelli told a press conference that the decisions had been taken in the children's best interest. Times of Malta reported on Sunday that the mostly Serbian parents had been informed by  Identity Malta that since they did not satisfy financial requirements, their children could no longer stay in Malta. The policy requires expatriate workers to earn a minimum of €19,000 a year, as well as €3,800 extra for each child. Ms Julia Farrugia Portelli said it was important that people didn’t get carried away by 'sensational' stories. The policy, she insisted, was was there to protect children from living in poverty. “As a state we have to make sure that no child is held back. My heart goes out for every child, but there are some families of four who, after subtracting rent and NI from their salary, would end up with €150 a month.”  As a mother herself, she could sympathise with how hard it was to be separated from one's children.
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Britain: No Brexit transition period beyond end 2020

December 17, 2019, 11:10 am
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Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson arriving in the House of Commons in London, during the first sitting of Parliament since the general election.

Britain is seeking to outlaw any extension to the Brexit transition period beyond 2020, the government said on Tuesday, sinking the pound and leaving Brussels fearing a race against the clock to strike a new trade deal. Prime Minister Boris Johnson won a big majority in Thursday's general election on a promise to "get Brexit done" by taking Britain out of the European Union by January 31. An 11-month transition period will then follow, during which London and Brussels hope to negotiate a trade agreement before the end of December next year. Johnson pledged to work "24-hours-a-day, flat out" to deliver on his election promises. The EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said the bloc would do its utmost to meet the tight deadline. "We will do the maximum," he told reporters when asked if he could meet the deadline to seal the trade agreement and avoid a no-deal divorce that could punish the economy. Separately, European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis warned the deadline was "going to be very limited" to forge an ambitious deal. "It will be indeed rather problematic to hold negotiations and reach agreement on a comprehensive trade deal," he added, complaining...
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Flamengo come from behind to book Club World Cup final slot

December 17, 2019, 12:39 pm
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Flamengo's Gabriel Barbosa (centre) and Hilal's Yasser al-Shahrani chase for the ball.

Bruno Henrique scored one goal and made two more to book Flamengo's place in the final of the Club World Cup as the Brazilian giants came from behind to beat Asian champions Al Hilal 3-1 in Doha on Tuesday. Salem Aldawsari gave the Saudi club a deserved lead in the first half of this semi-final on a rare rainy night at the Khalifa International Stadium, but Flamengo woke up after the interval and equalised through Giorgian De Arrascaeta in the 49th minute. Bruno Henrique then headed home after 78 minutes and the Rio club made sure of their win when the same player's low cross was turned into his own net by unfortunate defender Ali Albulayhi with eight minutes to play. The Brazilians will play the winner of Wednesday's second semi-final in Doha, when Liverpool face Mexican club Monterrey. Fresh from winning the Copa Libertadores and the Brazilian title in the last month, Flamengo are now hoping to win this trophy for the first time. However, they did win the old Intercontinental Cup in 1981, a side captained by Zico defeating Liverpool 3-0 in Tokyo. A rematch between the clubs now looks to be on the cards, unless Monterrey can pull off a major shock. However, Liverpool manager...
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A Christmas message: Salvator Mundi - Martin Scicluna

December 17, 2019, 9:41 pm
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These are deeply troubling times for Malta. As we enter the last few days of Advent, we must hope sincerely that the one person, Joseph Muscat, who can bring a truce to the current political crisis acts in the interests of the greater good of his citizens, who are desperately seeking a period of tranquillity and calm over the Christmas holidays. More than at any other, this is a time for everyone to display the betterangels of their character by confronting hatred with tolerance and dispelling fear with hope. The nativity of Jesus Christ marks the birth of Christianity. As we celebrate the story of Mary and Joseph’s arduous journey from Nazareth along the valley of the River Jordan, past Jerusalem to Bethlehem, we should take some time from our family parties and present giving to recall that this world-changing event was simply the prelude to the life of one of the world’s greatest leaders. Jesus Christ was a simple man of humble origin. But the essence of his story is that he was one of the most charismatic leaders of all time. The story is well known to us, but bears recalling as we celebrate Christmas. Jesus was born in Roman-ruled Palestine during the reign of Emperor...
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Today's front pages - December 18, 2019

December 17, 2019, 9:47 pm
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The following are the main stories in Wednesday’s newspapers. Times of Malta says Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder suspect, Yorgen Fenech, walked away from 17 Black with two cheques worth €1.5 million, aided by a “stalled” magisterial inquiry and a botched attempt by the police economic crimes unit to obtain information from Dubai about the mystery company’s activities. In another story, the newspaper says the Prime Minister’s former chief of staff Keith Schembri is expected to testify on Wednesday in connection with Ms Caruana Galizia’s murder probe, a day after the police picked him up from his Mellieħa villa and hauled him to court after he failed to turn up for a hearing. In-Nazzjon says Opposition leader Adrian Delia has published the Egrant inquiry report. L-Orizzont leads with a Labour Party statement that the publication of the Egrant inquiry report will confirm the PN’s lies and prejudice investigations. The Malta Independent says that Prime Minister Joseph Muscat had not published all the conclusions of the Egrant inquiry report. Malta Today says that Mr Schembri is still being investigated by the police.
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