Updated 1730 – Afternoon Portal Review
Times of Malta quotes MIA CEO Alan Borg who said today that Malta’s airport connectivity is currently the lowest compared to other countries in the Mediterranean, and which are often considered the island’s direct competitors. Malta airport’s connectivity had decreased by some 34 per cent from what it was in 2019, Borg explained during a mid-year briefing.
Maltatoday reports that PN leader Bernard Grech described President George Vella’s decision to let his stand-in, Frank Bezzina, sign into law the IVF reform, an action which has rendered parliament ineffective. The Opposition leader was referring to Vella’s reluctance to sign the law approved by parliament that makes provisions for preimplantation genetic testing on embryos for inheritable diseases.
The Malta Independent says that the international media NGO Article 19 has expressed its concern that the government’s anti-SLAPP legislative proposals will not be “comprehensive enough” to address the challenges which journalists face when exercising their right to freedom of expression.
TVM News brings another tragic story where a 75-year-old man lost his life in a tragic accident early this morning when he fell down the stairs at his home in Ħaż-Żabbar.
Updated 1300 Mid-Day Briefing
Activists who seized deckchairs, umbrellas at Blue Lagoon warn of further action: Moviment Graffitti has threatened more action at Blue Lagoon, reiterating its calls for a ban on large boats and limiting the island’s kiosks. Graffiti activists dismantled deckchairs and umbrellas set up in Blue Lagoon in protest of operators encroaching on the public bay on June 11. Two days later, Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo announced that sunbeds will not be permitted on Blue Lagoon’s sandy beach. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Robert Abela claimed that the authorities had achieved “the right balance” between the rights of the people and those of beach service providers in Comino.
Judge ups architects’ punishment over Miriam Pace’s death: The Criminal Court has increased the punishment given to the two architects found guilty of causing Miriam Pace’s death. Pace died in the rubble of her Santa Venera home, which collapsed in March 2020, as a result of construction work being done on a nearby site. Roderick Camilleri, from Rabat, and Anthony Mangion were found guilty last year of causing Pace’s death through negligence and causing damage to neighboring buildings.
Covid-19 update: There were 98 new cases of Covid-19 as the number of active cases now stands at 2,397. Three people died, the health authorities reported.
Further drop in unemployment: Malta’s unemployment rate for June 2022 stood at 3.0%, the NSO said today. This reflected a drop of 0.1% from the previous month. The youth unemployment rate stood at 6.8%.
Morning News Briefing
Archbishop steps in over headmaster’s dismissal
Archbishop Charles Scicluna has offered to mediate in a dispute between St Albert the Great College and the Malta Union of Teachers after college headmaster Mario Mallia was sacked. “The archbishop is willing to mediate between the parties if they are willing to discuss and negotiate,” a Curia spokesperson said. The offer came hours after staff had urged the archbishop to intervene and educators, parents, and students protested outside the college in Valletta. The MUT also directed staff not to communicate with the college rector. (Times of Malta)
Police describe dramatic Marsa car chase in court
Police officers have given a court their account of the arrest of a wanted man who led police on a dramatic car chase from Hamrun to Marsa last week, detailing how the suspect’s vehicle drove on after colliding with a motorcycle, stopping only after one of its tyres was shot out. Inspector Lydon Zammit from the police CID took the witness stand, explaining how he had been informed of Cremona’s arrest by his subalterns, after he had led police on a car chase. (MaltaToday)
Covid-19 update: 97 cases of Covid-19 were announced yesterday and one person died
