Major accident in Xemxija
A woman is understood to died after succumbing to serious injured in a traffic accident in that took place at around 8.30pm on Xemxija hill.
TVM reports that dynamics of the incident are still unknown, but it is informed that the woman is likely to have been run over. From first information reports, it appears that four other people were involved in the accident, among them two 14-year-old teenagers.
According to Times of Malta a spokesman for the police said the woman was hit by a Mercedes at Xemxija Hill just after 8pm.
Three parked cars were also hu damaged in the accident.
Covid-19 Update
Health authorities in Malta reported 32 new coronavirus cases. From the total of 565 cases in Malta 12 patients are hospitalised, two of whom are in intensive care.
Malta commemorates Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day was commemorated in Malta on Sunday morning, with the country’s top officials leading the tributes in the traditional wreath-laying ceremony in Floriana. President George Vella led proceedings at the ceremony, which took place at the foot of the War Monument in Floriana.
Archbishop urges pro-life stance
Archbishop Charles Scicluna urged politicians to make decisions which are in favour of life if society is to avoid sowing death, the same death and destruction which wars brought about. Delivering his homily during a Mass that marked Remembrance Day, Archbishop Scicluna warned that “War is not the only instrument of death,” and added: “there are many seeds in our hearts which sow death.” Newsbook.com.mt
Traffic Accident
A man is in a critical condition after being hit by a pickup in Marsa. The police said the accident happened at 12.45am in Triq Aldo Moro. The man, whose identity has not yet been established, was hit by a Toyota Double Cabin that was being driven b a 35-year-old man who lives in Santa Venera. The victim was given first aid by a medical team on site and then transferred to Mater Dei Hospital by ambulance. An inquiry is being held. The police are investigating. Times of Malta
Cultural walk around M’Scala Bay to protest marina plans
Marsascala residents participated in a cultural walk around Marsascala Bay this morning to protest government to plans to build a yacht marina in the area. “The participants had the opportunity to appreciate all that we would lose if Transport Malta’s proposal were to be carried out, in which every inch of the beach and shore will be taken by pontoons for the rich and their yachts,” a statement by the NGO Graffiti read.
John Dalli immunity waiver only sought last month, nine years on from scandal
The Times reports that Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà re-activated the former EU commissioner’s investigation following his appointment last year, with charges originally set to be issued in September. Prosecutors put in an 11th-hour request for the September case to be postponed, with another request for a delay made on Friday over a legal wrangle about whether Dalli’s EU immunity can torpedo the planned charges. – Times of Malta
IM says its tunnel rehabilitation project is running late
The Tunnel Rehabilitation Project will be finished in the “coming weeks”, a spokesperson for Infrastructure Malta (IM) told The Malta Independent, as works in the tunnels continue months beyond their initial targeted dates of completion. The project to upgrade Malta’s four main tunnels in Kirkop, Santa Venera, Tal-Qroqq and Ta’ Giorni, kicked off in August 2020 and Infrastructure Malta had initially said that all works would be completed by June 2021. Malta Independent
Inmate’s last words: ‘My life is gone’
The 35-year-old inmate who was found dead in his prison cell on Wednesday requested to have his belongings sent to his family in India in a suicide note he wrote. Jose who was under preventative arrest inside Corradino Correctional Facility wrote ‘my life is gone.” The note listed the objects in his possession, including a photo of his baby, and the contact details of his family in India. A total of 14 prisoners died while serving time at Corradino Correctional Facility over the past three years, while the Correctional Services Agency was being run by colonel Alex Dalli. Dalli auto-suspended himself this week following the third suicide in less than six months at CCF and he is reportedly subject to a police investigation following accusations of carrying loaded weapon and intimidating inmates while on duty. Newsbook
Driving test examiner caught asking for bribe
A driving test examiner has been caught on tape soliciting a cash bribe to give an aspiring motorist a passing grade. In the recording, heard by Times of Malta, the examiner tells the nervous driver that he is out of practice and is not doing well. However, he then tells him that in exchange for “a present” he is willing to “arrange the papers”. Times of Malta
MDA joins chorus of tax amnesty disapproval
The Malta Developers Association (MDA) has joined the chorus of disapproval regarding new taxation rules that will allow defaulting taxpayers to not pay any tax due on the transfer of property purchased before March 2021, against their arrears. The new measure would allow such defaulters to be exempt from tax on property transfers to the extent that they are in arrears. The MDA joined other institutions such as the Malta Chamber, the Malta Institute of Accountants, the Malta Institute of Taxation and the IFSP in describing the new legal notice as unfair: “Like every other scheme intended to bring taxpayers in order, this scheme benefits only the defaulters, and does not consider those who have their tax payments in order”, the developers said.
14-year-old hospitalised after Hal Far incident
A 14-year-old girl was hospitalised after a vehicle driver lost control of his vehicle at the Hal Far race track and crashed into a wall.
Television Malta reported that the vehicle went off the track and crashed into a wall. This may have resulted from technical reasons in the vehicle. The driver was taken to hospital to be medically checked. The girl was taken to Mater Dei Hospital for treatment. (Tvm.com.mt)
Malta continues to support EU leadership in international trade
Malta has reiterated its support towards stronger trade relations amongst WTO members and improved commercial ties between EU and US. During the EU Foreign Affairs Council on Trade in Brussels, Minister for the Economy and Industry Silvio Schembri called for the EU to safeguard its credibility as a reputable international trade partner. He said that Malta supports the strengthening of trade relations amongst the 164 World Trade Organisation country members and improved commercial ties between the EU and the US. During a discussion on trade agreements, Malta was among the countries which called for progress to finalise ongoing advanced Free Trade Agreement negotiations with countries such as New Zealand and Chile. “Our economies are dependent on international markets for goods and services, and investment is very important for growth and jobs,” said Minister Schembri. He welcomed the recent improvements in the trade relations with the US.
Covid-19 Update
51 new COVID-19 cases were reported by health authorities on Saturday, while a further 12 patients recovered.
Malta’s active case tally continues to increase, reaching 552.
