Updated 1200
Appeal Court confirms six years prison sentence for Tyson Grech: A six-year prison sentence handed to Tyson Grech for the rape of a 19-year-old girl in 2019 was confirmed by an appeals court. Grech, who is also implicated in the No Deposit Cars scandal and its kidnap gang, had been on bail after filing an appeal against the prison sentence he had received for the rape. In his judgement, upholding the rape conviction and the six-year prison sentence, Mr Justice Neville Camilleri, presiding the Court of Criminal Appeal, dismissed each of Grech’s arguments and ordered him to pay the costs of appointing experts in the related inquiry.
TCNs irked at increase in application fees: Migrant workers have expressed disgruntlement at an increase in the application fees for single permits, mandatory for third country nationals residing and working in Malta. Applicants for single permits, emphasizing the dual function of serving as both a work and residency permit, are required to undergo annual renewal, with the fee seeing an increase from €280 to €300. Notably, live-in carers continue to benefit from a substantial discount, maintaining their permit fee at €27.50. The fee is non-refundable in the event of an unsuccessful application. Many individuals pointed out the ongoing escalation of fees and expenses, juxtaposed with stagnant salaries. Additionally, a significant number of third country nationals are required to secure a long-term visa for €100 to stay in Malta, a visa that also necessitates annual renewal.
FIAU collects less than half of fines issued in 2023: Finance Minister Clyde Caruana revealed in Parliament that the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU) collected less than half of the fines it issued last year. Responding to a query from Opposition MP Jerome Caruana Cilia, the Minister disclosed that in 2023, the FIAU issued 144 fines, totalling €3,360,814. However, by December 31, 2023, only 96 fines, amounting to €1,407,479, had been settled. Caruana explained that adjustments to FIAU-imposed fines might occur based on court decisions or appeals
Tax on income from book royalties reduced: The tax on income from book royalties has been decreased to 7.5% from its previous 15%, Education minister Clifton Grima announced. The Minister said that government wants to give all possible support to Maltese literature and authors. He explained that in recent years, the government has strongly invested in infrastructure to create new cultural and creative systems that contribute significantly to the well-being and economy. “We believe in the vital roles of artists at the heart of society. With what we are announcing today, we are seeing more investment in literary arts with the implementation of this measure,” Grima said
Morning Briefing
Malta-US flights unlikely in short term – Airport CEO
The CEO of Malta Airport, Alan Borg, argued that direct flights between Malta and the United States are unlikely in the near future. Borg explained that the current numbers do not justify such a connection, highlighting the significant cost difference between operating long-haul and short-haul flights. He noted that a direct connection to the US in the short to medium term is challenging, citing the considerable operational costs associated with long-haul flights. Prime Minister Robert Abela had previously discussed the possibility of Ethiopian Airlines using Malta as a stopover for flights to the United States in February of the previous year during a visit by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. Mr Borg also revealed that passenger volumes at Malta International Airport (MIA) are forecast to reach 8 million passengers by the end of the year. (Times of Malta/The Malta Independent)
New Maltese airline off to flying start
The recently established national airline of Malta, KM Malta Airlines, has reported that its summer schedule has already garnered 250,000 bookings. KM Malta Airlines, which started operating last December after the demise of Air Malta, was quoted as saying that sale of tickets so far has been beyond the airline’s expectations and this underlines the public has accepted the line the new airline will be taking. For the coming summer season KM Malta Airlines has scheduled more than 8,500 flights to cover 17 airports in 15 different locations. (TVM)
FIAU collects less than half of fines issued in 2023
Finance Minister Clyde Caruana revealed in Parliament that the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU) collected less than half of the fines it issued last year. Responding to a query from Opposition MP Jerome Caruana Cilia, the Minister disclosed that in 2023, the FIAU issued 144 fines, totaling €3,360,814. However, by December 31, 2023, only 96 fines, amounting to €1,407,479, had been settled. Caruana explained that adjustments to FIAU-imposed fines might occur based on court decisions or appeals. (Newsbook)
