Latest Update- News Portal Briefing
Times of Malta says a small plane used by a local flight school made a successful emergency landing at Malta International Airport on Monday afternoon.
MaltaToday reports Nationalist leader Bernard Grech says parliament should be discussing the country’s future, not scandals by ministers
Newsbook reports a road at Chadwick Lakes partially collapsed during the night, the Mtarfa local council announced as it warned motorists to drive carefully.
TVM says that the World Meteorological Organisation said that extreme weather including heatwaves and flooding have become the new normal
Updated 340pm – Bail for Fenech in money-laundering case, but will remain in jail
Tumas magnate Yorgen Fenech has been granted bail with regard to his money-laundering case, given that the his criminal record had been untainted so far and the sum involved was ‘very discreet’. However, he will remain in jail because of other criminal proceedings, namely the accusation of masterminding Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination.
The court, was presided by magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech. Fenech is suspected of having laundered €5000 through his casinos.
Mid-day Briefing
Covid-19 Update: 29 new coronavirus cases were reported on Tuesday, with 16 recoveries, taking the active case tally to 238. Meanwhile, an 83-year-old has passed away overnight while Covid-19 positive taking the death count to 462. Ten persons remain in hospital.
CBM introduces new cheque limits: The Central Bank of Malta has announced cheques of over €5,000 will no longer be accepted by banks. In a wave of changes applicable from 1st January 2022, the Bank said that should a cheque be issued post-dated, the cheque will be honoured on the day of the receipt, irrespective of the future date. It also said cheques exceeding €5,000 which are payable to individuals, should be deposited in the account of the person named on the cheque, and cannot be encashed. Cheques will remain valid for six months, and facilities will be discontinued for at least two years if, within one year, the client issues six cheques that cannot be paid out. In a bid to reduce the dependence on cheques, a lower limit of €20 has been imposed. (Maltatoday)
No damning info in prisoner dossier: A police spokesperson said that the police have found nothing incriminating in a dossier seized from a prison inmate which contains information about high-profile politicians, journalists, TV personalities, members of the judiciary and other prisoners. The police said that the document had been investigated but “no tangible evidence” was found that could be used to incriminate the suspect in court. The dossier was found in the cell of Keith Desmond Falzon, who stands accused on charges related to drugs and paedophilia charges. The police believe he collected the data from television, which he watched for long hours every day in his cell. It has been reported that tv set was taken away from him. (Independent)
Morning Briefing
Climate change can be overcome with collective effort – PM
PM Robert Abela said that the world will pay a significant price if the needed changes are not carried out. At the same time, climate change can be beaten if world leaders act together. Speaking on the national broadcaster following the first day of meetings at the COP26 Summit, Abela said that the present realities also bring the possibility of new opportunities. When you see the large number of leaders, you realize how everyone is understanding the importance of overcoming this problem,” the PM added. Abela is expected to address the Conference this afternoon.
Parliament has become toothless- Bernard Grech
Parliament has become toothless Opposition leader Bernard Grech said on Monday, noting how Ministers are no longer accountable to anyone. In a speech marking the 100th year of the Maltese Parliament, Grech noted how government’s backbench comprises MPs who are chairpersons of public entities or consultants on salaries higher than their colleagues who hold cabinet positions and who they are meant to scrutinise.
“This chamber should respect itself and ensure that the people’s right to request accountability is upheld,” he said.
Among the omissions of parliament, Grech listed the fact that former PM Joseph Muscat was never held accountable, as was the case for representatives of the police, the financial services watchdog and other players to be brought before parliament to explain what led to Malta being put on a so-called FATF grey list of untrustworthy jurisdictions. Grech also reiterated his call from the opposition to be given more resources to be able to carry out research and better meet its role as an alternative government. (Times of Malta / Independent)
Covid Update
Six new Covid-19 cases were recorded by the health authorities on the last day of October. Nine people have made a recovery, lowering active cases to 215. The authorities said ten people are currently hospitalised, with four of them in ITU.
