Updated – Malta News Briefing – Friday 19 July 2024

Updated 1200

Airport warns of travel delays after worldwide IT outage
Malta International Airport has alerted travellers to expect delays on Friday due to an IT outage that grounded flights and disrupted businesses worldwide. Several banks, airlines, telecommunications companies, and other large-scale enterprises experienced significant service interruptions as a result. In a statement, MIA said it was striving to minimize major disruptions for passengers, but delays “are expected. (Times of Malta)

Temporary power station to be fully operational by mid-August

A temporary 60-megawatt diesel power station, costing €37 million, is set to be fully operational in Malta by mid-August, according to Enemalta’s executive chair, Ryan Fava. The plant aims to prevent power cuts experienced during heatwaves last year and recent weeks. It will take two to three weeks to be operational once it arrives in Malta. The plant, provided by UNEC Ltd, will operate until a second interconnector with Sicily is completed by 2026-2027. Enemalta has also reinforced the power grid by laying 82 km of new cables and creating new connections between substations. Fava mentioned a “Plan B” involving portable generators in case of failures. (Maltatoday)

Morning Briefing

Fearne refused to guarantee immunity to Muscat, former MP claims

Chris Fearne refused to guarantee immunity for Joseph Muscat and to retain Steward Healthcare in Malta, former MP Jason Azzopardi has claimed. According to Azzopardi, this refusal ultimately cost Fearne the Labour leadership, which he lost to Robert Abela in January 2020. In an on Smash TV, Azzopardi recounted an anecdote in which Fearne, a former deputy prime minister, allegedly revealed that Muscat had asked him for these two guarantees. Muscat, however, denied making such demands, calling Azzopardi’s claims “total hogwash” in a brief statement. (Times of Malta)

OHSA inspects 4,000 workplaces in first six months

Nearly 4,000 inspections were conducted by the Occupational Health and Safety Authority in the first half of 2024, according to Justice Minister Jonathan Attard. During a press conference on the new health and safety law, Attard stated that over half of these inspections targeted construction sites. “The goal is for the OHSA to expand its surveillance,” he said, noting that the authority also inspected catering establishments, offices, and healthcare workplaces. (Maltatoday)

NGO wants investigation on allegations relating to social benefits fraud

Allegations that officials in the police and government were aware of social benefits fraud and attempted to cover it up are extremely serious and warrant a public inquiry to uncover the full truth, Repubblika President Vicki Ann Cremona stated during a press conference outside Castille. Cremona said that Repubblika and other NGOs are calling on Prime Minister Robert Abela to initiate a public inquiry to investigate the actions of public authorities after the benefits abuse was discovered and to determine if there were attempts to obstruct investigations to keep the abuse concealed. (The Malta Independent)