These are the main news from Malta as reported by the country’s news portals.
The Armed Forces seized a merchant ship that was hijacked by migrants off the coast of Libya as soon as it entered Maltese territorial waters. The Malta Independent reports that the 108 migrants on board disembarked at Boiler Wharf in Senglea while five suspected ring leaders behind the assault were arrested.
Activists pitched up tents outside the Planning Authority offices in Floriana where they intend to camp for the weekend to protest the lack of progress on the fuel service station policy. The Times says that the group is laying a symbolic siege on the PA, arguing that Malta is under siege by ‘senseless development’.
The European Parliament approved a 7-point resolution demanding concrete action to strengthen rule of law in Malta, including publishing the Egrant inquiry, investigating 17 Black, and setting up a public inquiry into the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia. MaltaToday says that the resolution passed with 398 votes to 85, with PN MEPs voting in favour and PL MEPS voting against.
Huge fires have engulfed a boatyard in Ħal Farruġ, critically injuring a man and destroying more than 30 boats. One News says that a second injury has been reported but the condition of the victim is unconfirmed.
Agreement has been reached between the European Parliament and member states over a new ‘Metsola Law’ related to border protection. Net News says that the legislation authored and negotiated by PN MEP Roberta Metsola is a victory for Malta.
The Government has been asked by the Council of Europe to make public an anti-corruption report by monitoring body GRECO. The Shift News says that findings can only be published with the government’s consent, and that Sweden and North Macedonia have also not yet published their reports.
The National Statistics Office published findings for the 2019 Regional Statistics, showing an affluent but ageing population. Newsbook says that the 10-19 age bracket is shrinking at the fastest rate while the majority are reaching middle-age.
Author Mark Calleja won this year’s edition of the Kitba għaż-Żgħażagħ award for literature with his entry ‘Karma Red’. TVM reports on the award ceremony at the start of the Book Festival on Campus. The annual prize is awarded by the National Book Council and Aġenzija Żgħażagħ.
Part of Tower Road in Sliema has been cordoned off after a wall collapsed this afternoon. LovinMalta says that no one was injured in the accident, but officials have not yet established what caused the structure to come down.
