Update 2000h
Malta to send civil protection teams to Turkey
Malta will be sending members of the Civil Protection Department (CPD) to Turkey to help in zones affected by Monday’s 7.8 magnitude earthquake. Malta’s effort is part of the EU’s civil protection mechanism that has mobilised to assist Turkey.
Updated 1200
Man critical after Ta’ Xbiex fight: A 30-year-old Bulgarian national is fighting for his life after he was hit by a hard object during a fight in Ta’ Xbiex. In a statement this morning, the police said the incident occurred on Triq ix-Xatt at 10pm. The Pieta resident sustained injuries during an argument outside an outlet in the area with unidentified individuals that had fled the scene by the time the police arrived.pdated:
PN wants more transparency in FIAU nominations: The Opposition will be submitting an amendment to the anti-money laundering act for more transparency and accountability in the appointment of the members of the Board of Governors for the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU). The PN wants the Minister to be obliged, when he appoints members of the board, to present in parliament the list of persons who have been nominated to him through three lists presented by the governor of the Central Bank of Malta, by the Chairman of the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) and by the Chairperson of the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA).
Morning Briefing
NGOs call for reversal of migration ‘murderous’ policy
The government’s “murderous policy” of delaying and avoiding migrant rescues leads directly to the loss of life at sea and this needs to be “reversed,” 47 organisations said. “The murderous policy adopted by the Maltese authorities must be reversed.” During a commemoration to those lost at sea on Sunday, the 47 organisations condemned the government for refusing to uphold its search and rescues (SAR) responsibilities and asking for this to change as it is causing the death of many asylum seekers. (The Malta Independent)
Maltese increase positive outlook towards EU
The Maltese citizens have a more positive image than the average EU citizen of both the European Parliament and the EU as a whole, according to a recent Eurobarometer study. 64% of the 507 citizens surveyed in Malta between October and November last year reported an overall positive image of the EU, compared to an average of 47% across the group. This figure reflects a 6% increase on last year. (Times of Malta)
Man dies in traffic accident
A 90-year-old man was killed in a traffic accident in St Paul’s Bay on Sunday. The police said the accident happened in Triq San Pawl at 2.20pm. The victim was hit by a Peugeot 208 that was being driven by a 47-year-old man who lives in Ħamrun. The victim died on the spot. (Maltatoday)
