Updated 1700
The Times of Malta reveals that plans to build a five-storey apartment block that would tower just 200 metres away from the protected Ġgantija Temples in Xagħra have been put on hold on the request of the applicant’s architects following a barrage of objections to the project
Maltatoday reports that a man was arrested after travelling to Malta with 100 cocaine capsules in his stomach. Police made the arrest on Saturday, shortly after 10:30pm while inspecting passengers returning from a direct flight from Brussels, Belgium.
Newsbook leads with a story suggesting that Archbishop Scicluna has defended the late Pope Benedict XVI’s record on handling clerical sex abuses.
The Malta Independent says that a biker was injured this morning after he lost control of the bike he was riding in Burmarrad and crashed, the police said.
Catering, hospitality industry reports positive festive period
The hospitality and tourism industry has reported a positive and busy New Year’s Eve, according to the SME Chamber.
“We’ve heard very good reports from Valletta and St Julian’s as well as from across the rest of the country,” said Chamber of SMEs deputy president, Philip Fenech. Firms offering catering for private parties, such as those taking place in homes and rented villas, also experienced high demand, according to the trade lobby. Clubs, bars and restaurants enjoyed a positive performance after two difficult festive seasons, according to operators. (Times of Malta)
Uncollectable unpaid tax tops €1.2 billion – NAO
Some €1.2 billion in unpaid income tax has been classified as “uncollectable” in Malta by th National Audit Office. The estimate resulted from an analysis of tax arrears which shows that government is now chasing over €422 million in taxes owing to the State. The figure of arrears owing to the State grows exponentially when it comes to VAT, with over €4.5 billion left unpaid and at least 92% (€4.1bn) now considered to be not collectable by the VAT department. (Maltatoday)
Three men injured after Zabbar brawl
A brawl between two groups of men in Zabbar ended with grievous injuries for three men. The argument reportedly broke out yesterday, around 11pm, in Triq Santa Tereża. TVM, the national broadcaster, reports that three victims are Indians – 31, 30 and 26 respectively. The men went to a health centre for treatment where they were certified to have suffered grievous injuries.
Morning Briefing
Scores in distress in Malta’s SAR zone
A boat with at least 50 people on board is in distress in Malta’s search and rescue zone on New Year’s Day. The alert was raised by humanitarian NGO Alarm Phone, that alerted Maltese authorities and urged them to launch a rescue operation. (Newsbook)
KM flight forced back to airport after bird strike
An Air Malta flight from Berlin was forced to return to the airport shortly after take-off after encountering a bird strike.
In a statement, the airline said flight KM377 operating from Berlin to Malta encountered the strike shortly after take-off.
“The A320 aircraft, carrying 165 passengers, five infants and six crew, was turned around and landed safely back in Berlin,” it said. (Times of Malta)
Lawyer challenges Legal Notice in Nadur property saga
The lawyer running a 17th century foundation to administer a series of Gozitan lands claimed by the heirs of a noblewoman, has filed a constitutional challenge to a Legal Notice that would see its controversial claim over large swathes of land in Gozo being struck off .The case was filed as a reaction to the introduction of Legal Notice 73 of 2022 in February, which resulted in the revocation of all land registrations in a large area of Nadur, which included the Abbazia’s titles. Maltatoday has followed this story and provides further detail and background here.
