Loan Repayment Dispute and Intimidation Claims Heard in Court A court heard testimony from witnesses alleging that cars were handed over to Keith Pace as part of informal loan repayment arrangements, amid ongoing criminal proceedings involving alleged usury and money laundering. The compilation of evidence continued before Magistrate Lara Lanfranco, with the accused identified as Keith Pace, his partner Maria Grixti, and brothers Carlos Pace and Cleaven Pace. One witness described a series of disputed loan agreements and repayment terms involving the family, while another gave a more serious account, claiming she was threatened, intimidated, and ultimately forced from her home. The witness initially resisted testifying, stating that matters had already been settled in earlier proceedings involving the same individuals. The court, however, reminded her that she was obliged to give evidence as a witness. The case forms part of wider proceedings examining alleged financial coercion, informal lending practices, and disputes linked to repayment enforcement.
Flight Cancellations and Delays Hit Malta–Italy Routes Amid Air Traffic Strike A strike affecting air traffic control staff in Italy has led to widespread disruption for flights between Malta and Italian cities, including Milan, Rome, and Bologna. A Malta–Milan Linate ITA Airways flight scheduled for early afternoon was cancelled, along with its return service. Other flights, including Ryanair services to Bologna and Milan-Malpensa and a Wizz Air flight to Rome, were delayed with no confirmed departure times. The disruption comes as Italian unions representing ENAV air traffic control staff and Techno Sky employees staged a national strike over pay and working conditions, citing inflation and increasing workloads. According to ITA Airways, more than a quarter of its scheduled flights were cancelled as a result. Airports including Milan Linate Airport and Milan Malpensa Airport experienced significant disruption, affecting passengers across multiple routes, including services linked to Malta.
Medical Experts Call for Stronger Safeguards in Malta Advance Care Law A group of academics from the University of Malta and medical professionals from Mater Dei Hospital has urged stronger safeguards in Malta’s proposed law on Advance Medical Directives, warning that the absence of a robust proxy system could create ethical and clinical gaps. In a position paper, the group argues that a trusted representative should be appointed to interpret a patient’s wishes in complex medical situations, particularly when circumstances cannot be anticipated by written directives. They stress that end-of-life decisions should not rely solely on fixed instructions, but must be interpreted within a broader ethical framework grounded in clinical judgment, proportionality of treatment, and human dignity. The paper also highlights challenges surrounding artificial nutrition and hydration, noting that different medical contexts require distinct ethical assessments. While supporting the intent of the legislation, the experts warn that its effectiveness will depend on strong safeguards protecting vulnerable patients, especially the elderly, from subtle pressure in decision-making processes.
