Updated 1240
26 people in distress in Malta SAR: Emergency NSO Alarm Phone has reported that 26 people find themselves in distress, on a boat taking water in the Maltese search and rescue area. The NGO added that the migrants were also out of food and water after three days at sea. It added that it has alerted authorities, but no response was available so far. Meanwhile, a separate NGO, Sea Eye, said that Italy has let in 58 migrants who were denied rescue in Malta’s search and rescue zone on Sunday. “That Malta refuses to coordinate maritime emergencies and does not respond to calls or emails is an unacceptable state of affairs. The ongoing violations of duty must lead to legal and political consequences,” the rescue NGO said.
BOV agrees to request of physical AGM: Bank of Valletta has stated that it will convene a physical meeting for shareholders in which the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee will be present. BOV shareholders will be able to ask questions on recent events in the bank’s business, including the latest developments leading to the out-of-court settlement in the “Deiulemar” case, according to the bank. The Bank explained in a lengthy question and answer document on the Deiulemar case that it settled the case – for which it will now have to pay €182.5 million – because it feared that, among other things, the hostile environment in Naples would influence the appeals court in Naples to rule against it.
Covid-19 Update: 64 new Covid-19 cases were reported by health authorities with active cases standing at 2,281. No new deaths were reported overnight.
Women dies at construction site
On Sunday, a 64-year-old Paola woman died at a building site in Marsa. The collision occurred around 2.15 p.m. at Triq Azzopardi, according to the police. A medical crew administered first treatment to the woman, who had fallen from a height of about one floor, but she was pronounced dead on the scene. The woman’s presence at the building site was not explained. (Times of Malta)
Archbishop Charles Scicluna calls on parents to accept children as they are
Archbishop Charles Scicluna appealed to parents to accept their children’s sexual orientation, refering to the commandment to “love one another just as I have loved you”. During mass at the Mdina Cathedral, Mgr Scicluna recalled that Tuesday, 17 May marked the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. He referred to Pope Francis’ words in a recent letter, that “God does not disown any of his children”.
“My appeal to parents is this: accept your children as God the Father has done. Jesus is looking at your children – as he looks at each and every one of us – when he tells us that he is giving us a new commandment to love one another,” the Archbishop said. (Newsbook)
NGO laments Malta ignoring its obligation after Italy takes 58 migrants in
Italy has let in 58 migrants who were denied rescue in Malta’s search and rescue zone on Sunday, NGO Sea Eye has said.
“That Malta refuses to coordinate maritime emergencies and does not respond to calls or emails is an unacceptable state of affairs. The ongoing violations of duty must lead to legal and political consequences,” the rescue NGO said. The NGO added that to say that on 6 May, a distress at sea was reported, with the container ship Berlin Express answering to the call. “Since Malta refused to coordinate the distress at sea in its search and rescue zone, the MRCC Bremen finally stepped in. (Maltatoday)
Covid-19 Update
On Sunday, Malta reported 62 new coronavirus infections. The number of known active cases has reduced to 2,323 after 124 recoveries.
According to data provided online by the Superintendence of Public Health, no additional fatalities were reported, leaving the total number of deaths since the start of the epidemic to 713.
