PM rejects Home Affairs Minister’s resignation after major AFM drug theft
Byron Camilleri suspended the commander of the Armed Forces and tendered his resignation to the Prime Minister on Sunday following the theft of 200kg of illegal drugs from AFM premises on Saturday night. The theft occurred at Ħal Safi, in a facility guarded by the AFM, where a container holding illegal drugs seized last year was being stored. Speaking to journalists later on Sunday, Robert Abela stated that he had rejected the minister’s resignation and was launching an administrative inquiry into the incident. Earlier on Sunday morning, the Home Affairs Minister issued a statement outlining the sequence of events. He said he was informed of the theft that morning and, after seeking an explanation from the army brigadier, ordered his suspension. The drugs, seized in June 2024, were partially awaiting destruction. (The Malta Independent)
Citadel, Mdina targeted for UNESCO heritage list
The government is preparing to submit an application for Gozo’s Citadel and Mdina to be included on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Prime Minister Robert Abela also announced that in November, Malta will submit its candidacy for a seat on the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. The initiative to have these sites recognised as UNESCO World Heritage sites was first announced by Culture Minister Owen Bonnici in 2014. Malta’s existing UNESCO World Heritage sites include the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, Ġgantija, Mnajdra, and Ħaġar Qim temples, as well as Valletta. The World Heritage Committee, composed of 21 member states, oversees the implementation of the World Heritage Convention and allocates funding. (Newsbook)
Authorities plan to have Comino’s tourist numbers
Tourist numbers at Comino’s Blue Lagoon are set to be halved during the peak summer months, as the government plans to introduce a capacity limit for commercial boat operators. In an interview on Times Talk, a Times of Malta podcast, Tourism Minister Ian Borg pledged to “clean up” Comino, install sanitary facilities, and enforce stricter, fairer concessions for boat, kiosk, and deckchair operators as early as this summer. “We need to clean up Comino. In July and August, around 10,000 people flock to the Blue Lagoon daily, which is far too many,” he said in his first interview since becoming Tourism Minister last November. He added that Transport Malta is currently reviewing commercial operators serving Comino to assess their regulatory compliance, boat capacity, and trip frequency. (Maltatoday)
