Updated 1630
The Malta Independent quotes a filing to the Malta Stock Exchange by the Malta International Airport which shows that the MIA will be receiving €12 million in tax credits in order to compensate for losses sustained due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Times of Malta lead story claims that the police are investigating claims of sexual harassment at the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO). A spokesperson for the police said that a report had been filed and that police investigations are under way. The sexual harassment claims, first revealed by The Shift News, were made by a former member of the national orchestra who claimed that she was resigning due to “excessive stress caused by abuse and multiple incidents of sexual harassment that took place at the office and during work functions”.
Maltatoday says that although government has earmarked only €10 million next year for its €700 million urban greening plan, Environment Minister Miriam Dalli believes this will help attract further investment.
TVM reports that five Maltese nationals have been found not guilty of breaching EU sanctions when 20 persons entered Malta from Libya. The five accused were James Fenech, Bertrand Agius, Charles Bugeja, Konrad Agius and Michael Cauchi. Fenech was arraigned both in his own name and as representative of the Sovereign Charterers Limited company.
The Malta Independent quotes a filing to the Malta Stock Exchange by the Malta International Airport which shows that the MIA will be receiving €12 million in tax credits in order to compensate for losses sustained due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Updated 1200
Government income from passport sales drops significantly
Government is expecting to make €40 million less from passport sales next year, a significant drop of almost two-thirds in just two years. The figures emerged from the financial estimates that were published alongside Budget 2023. Malta made some €61 million from the Individual Investor Programme in 2021. The scheme, which has since been renamed as Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services, is expected to make €30 million by the end of the current year, dropping further to €20 million next year. (The Times of Malta)
Maltese maritime sector gets EU funding for green transition
Malta is expected to receive up to €23 million in EU funding specifically for the maritime sector. The monies, made available through the Fund for Justified Transition are expected to support the sector to counter climate change, reduce pollution transmission in Maltese ports while also creating new economic opportunities for the Maltese and those that live here. The EU Fund will also facilitate the decarbonisation of Maltese ports while providing energy provision for ships in ports.
Man fighting for life after Ħamrun car accident
A young man is fighting for his life after being hit by a car in Ħamrun yesterday evening. The Police said this morning that the incident happened at 9pm on Ħamrun’s main thoroughfare when the 18-year-old was hit by a car being driven by a 24-year-old man from Msida. The victim, who is Syrian and resides in Fgura, was helped by a medical team and taken to Mater Dei Hospital by ambulance. He is being treated for serious injuries.
Morning Briefing
Four men arrested on drug trafficking and money laundering
Four Maltese men with suspected ties to an organised group have been arrested over suspected drug trafficking and money laundering in a raid that took place on Tuesday morning. Police said that they were alerted to a vehicle being driven by a 40-year-old man from Pietà. The car was eventually stopped by police close to the Junior College and a search yielded more than a 100 cocaine-flled capsules. More capsules were found in the same man’s sho in Marsa, together with significant amounts of cash, designer clothes and an amount of jewellery. (TVM/Newsbook)
No plans to make helmets a requirements for e-scooter
Transport Minister Aaron Farrugia said that government has no plans to make helmet-wearing mandatory while riding e-scooters. He was replying to a parliamentary question, explaining that “for now” there is no plan to make helmet-wearing mandatory, despite recommendations by Transport Malta that helmets should be worn. He also revealed that there were 1,578 e-scooters licenced by June 21. (Times of Malta)
Parliament remembers Robert Arrigo
An official remembrance for the late Robert Arrigo was held in Parliament on Tuesday, with Opposition leader highlighting how “Robert gave this country years of service, not only as a local council member, mayor, MP and PN Deputy Leader, but also in the tourist and sports sectors which he loved so much”. Bernard Grech recalled that this was the second time in two years that a PN MP had succumbed to a terrible illness, referring to the late Frederick Azzopardi. Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne described Arrigo as an honest and credible politician who praised the good decisions taken by the government and expressed his concerns on those he did not agree on. (The Malta Independent)
