Updated 1300
Cassola files FOI on Abela-Magistrate chat: Independent candidate Arnold Cassola has filed a Freedom of Information request to obtain more details on the conversation Prime Minister Robert Abela had with a magistrate. Last Sunday, Abela said he had discussed matters pertaining to court issues with a magistrate whose name is as yet undisclosed. (The Malta Independent)
Activists put pressure on construction deaths: A banner bearing the names of victims of construction site tragedies was left on the steps of the Planning Ministry on Saturday, as activists flagged continued inaction about such incidents. Activists gathered following the death of 20-year-old Jean Paul Sofia, who died after an incomplete structure on a construction site in Kordin collapsed and buried him under the rubble last December. (Times of Malta)
Refurbished athletics stadium inaugurated: A 2.5 million euro investment in the refurbishment of the Matthew Micallef St John stadium was inaugurated this morning in Marsa providing a state-of-the-art home for athletics. The stadium will be hosting athletics events at the upcoming GSSE2023. (TVM)
Tremor wakes nation on Saturday: Another earthquake has been felt in regions across malta, reported with a magnitude of 5 on the Richter scale. The earthquake occurred at 7.04am in the center of the Mediterranean. The seismic center of the University of Malta is reporting that the earthquake was localized in the sea, with its epicenter being 35 kilometers outside Malta and at a depth of 14 kilometers. The earthquake was felt by many localities in the center of Malta including Mosta, Hamrun and Birkirkara. (Newsbook)
Morning Briefing
Magistrates swearing-in ceremony postponed after criminal case emerges
The swearing-in of four magistrates had to be postponed after it emerged that one of the new appointes faced criminal charges in the Ivory Coast in his role as official receiver at the Malta Business Registry. The Times of Malta has revealed the appointee to be Kevan Azzopardi. The matter is now being reviewed by the judicial appointments committee. It was not clear whether Azzopardi had informed the Judicial Appointments Committee about the issue. The Official Receiver told the court that the charges in the Ivory Coast were an attempt to intimidate him so that he does not fulfil his duties as official receiver according to law and in the execution of the assignment given to him by the court. (Times of Malta)
Labour MEP calls for transparency in political ads
Labour MEP Alex Agius Saliba has sent an open letter to all Maltese political parties, exhorting them to be transparent in the use of political advertising. Agius Saliba called for increased transparency in the use of personal data belonging to private citizens in the targeted ads that are used in political campaigns without the consent of the individuals concerned. He highlighted the serious risks associated with the unbridled gathering of personal data by political entities, if they do not adhere to the forthcoming rules protecting citizens’ privacy and the integrity of democratic processes. (Maltatoday)
Major development near Fortina launched
Temporary pontoons will be installed at Fortina Lido in Sliema for boats to dock, Economy Minister Silvio Schembri announced on Friday. Government is to invest more than €173 million on projects coming from the private sector, Schembri announced. Schembri will be bringing four parliamentary resolutions to launch four projects before the National Audit Office Accounts Committee. The projects will make a significant contribution to the economy of the country, he said. The project also includes the air space on the sea which is intended to complement the proposed development by placing temporary pontoons on the surface of the sea, linked to anchors placed on the seabed, to facilitate boarding and disembarkation from sea crafts. (The Malta Independent)
