Updated 1900
The Times reports that students and concession Tallinja card holders who currently use public transport for free are no longer required to top up their Tallinja cards as Malta Public Transport prepares to roll out the service for free from next month.
Maltatoday says that awyers for an Albanian man resisting extradition to Greece, over a horrific double homicide, have called for the removal of a report compiled by a Greek fingerprint expert on the grounds that an outdated method was used to analyse the prints.
Newsbook quotes economy minister Silvio Schembri who has shrugged off allegations of nepotism within the Lands Authority as “incorrect.”
TVM says that the Nationalist Party said the theme for this year’s Independence feast is ‘Il-kwalita’ tal-ħajja li tixirqilna’ (Quality of life that we deserve). Deputy leader Alex Perici Calascione said that an emphasis on the national nature of the Independence achievement will be made this year because today’s celebration understands and is aware of all its aspects in what the people are experiencing today.
Updated 1300
Catering lobby group says plans for new tourism school should not be scrapped: The Association of Catering Establishments described the freezing government funds for the construction of a new tourism school in Smart City as “a huge blow” for the industry. The catering lobby group was reacting to news reports suggesting a freeze on large public investments as a result of spiralling energy subsidies. It said the decision would add “insult to injury” for a sector struggling to identify and attract enough talent.
PN to scale down Independence Day activities: The Nationalist Party said it will be scaling down its traditional Independence week activities, with a source telling the Times of Malta that this was a “financially responsible decision” to take. The PN will not hold its traditional mass meeting and will instead organise a number of discussions with the participation of party officials and various constituted bodies.
Opposition wants Mizzi to testify again after SOCAR agreement revealed: Opposition MPs want former energy minister Konrad Mizzi to testify again before the Public Accounts Committee. The PN said it will be forwarding this request after The Shift News published a copy of the once secret Security of Supply agreement. The Security of Supply Agreement, which was not offered to other bidders, was never disclosed in Parliament and was kept hidden from the European Commission, was signed personally by Mizzi.
Covid-19 Update: Health authorities said that active cases have continued to decline over the past days, and now stand at 105, the lowest for a year. However, the death tally has registered another victim on Monday, with the toll reaching 802.
Morning Briefing
Five admit to theft attempt in Marsa, one refused bail
Five men who were arrested on Saturday morning while trying to steal from bonded stores in Marsa admitted to the criminal wrongdoing upon arraignment on Sunday. Magistrate Ian Farrugia in a lengthy address urged the men to get their life in order. He granted bail to four of them, while a fifth was refused bail due to his criminal record. The court adjourned the case for judgment later this month. (Times of Malta)
Russian submarine between Malta and Sicily – reports
A Russian attack submarine or cruise missile submarine is thought to be operating in the Mediterranean sea between Malta and Sicily. Naval News – a naval intelligence publication – which had reported that while the Russian Navy is building up forces in the Black Sea – a fact which is well known, it seems that it has started building up forces in the Mediterranean. Italian newspaper La Repubblica said the submarine spent hours on Friday during which an intense activity of patrol aircraft of the US Navy followed.(Newsbook/Maltatoday)
Man electrocuted in Paola
A 25-year-old man resident in Birżebbuġa is in danger of losing his life after suffering an electric shock while carrying out some maintenance work.
The man was given medical assistance by a medical team and was taken to Mater Dei by ambulance where he was certified to have sustained serious injuries. The incident happened in a property in Paola. (TVM)
