News Updates
PN asks Naxxar Mayor to resign over ‘undeclared conflict of interest’
The Nationalist Party has requested the Naxxar mayor to resign because of an “undeclared conflict of interest”. The request follows the mayor’s vote in favour of a massive residential and commercial complex on the parking lot of the former Naxxar trade fair grounds. The approved project will be split into two elliptical blocks – measuring eight and 10 floors high – and will include a public open space in between the two towers. Times of Malta
Covid-19 Update
78 new coronavirus infections were recorded on Sunday, figures published by the health ministry show. During the last 24 hours, an 82-year-old male died while COVID-19 positive. Total deaths number 471. There are currently 16 patients currently being treated at Mater Dei Hospital, two of whom are in the ITU. MaltaToday
Omicron and Influenza set to bring perfect storm
Health Minister Chris Fearne this morning sounded a strong warning about the Covid-19 pandemic, saying that “everyone is terrified” about the omicron variant, which spreads more easily and on which little is known. Coupled with the onset of the influenza season, the coming weeks could bring about a “perfect storm”, he said. Speaking on the Labour Party’s TV station during the programme Paperscan, Fearne was referring to a meeting he had with European health ministers a few days ago, during which all expressed their preoccupation about the development of the pandemic. “The biggest fear is when you don’t know. When you know, you can plan,” he said. Malta Independent
Suspected smuggler to be extradited to Italy
The Maltese courts have ordered the extradition to Italy of a suspected smuggler and shipper, Paul Attard, who is wanted to face trial over the trafficking of 10 tonnes of hashish on his fishing vessel, the Quest. MaltaToday reports how the Dutch-flagged vessel was intercepted in international waters after departing Malta in 2018, for Algeria on a voyage allegedly organised by Maltese drug traffickers. It changed its route when it arrived in front of the Moroccan coast and started to proceed towards Alexandria, Egypt. 10 tonnes of hashish were found in the vessel’s cold room. After investigating the massive drug haul, the Italian authorities issued a European Arrest Warrant for Paul Attard in connection with the drugs bust. He was subsequently taken into custody in Malta. The court ordered that Attard be returned to face justice in Italy under the original European Arrest Warrant, specifying that he be held in custody until his return takes place. MaltaToday
Prime Minister’s sister-in-law, Alison Zerafa Civelli, to contest general election
Bormla mayor Alison Zerafa Civelli has announced she will be contesting the upcoming general election on the Labour Party ticket in the second district. “Today I am officially announcing that I will be contesting the next General Election, on the second district,” she said in a Facebook post on Sunday morning. MaltaToday
Malta Police Union to discuss right to strike ignored by Government
Requests to discuss the possibility of granting police unions the right to strike have been ignored by government, the secretary of the Malta Police Union Neville Mercieca told The Malta Independent on Sunday. Mercieca said that the Union does not have full collective bargaining rights as, when negotiating, it does not have the deterrent of a strike, such as having the possibility of closing an office or limiting the opening hours of that office, if agreement is not reached. This, he said, puts police unions at a disadvantage when negotiating with government or police management when compared to other trade unions. Malta Independent
Hotels, restaurants want wage supplement to continue into 2022
Hotels and restaurants have urged the government to continue paying wage subsidies that have been covering their payroll during the pandemic. In a statement, the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association said the hospitality industry would suffer “irreparable damage” if wage subsidies that support thousands of workers’ salaries are stopped. The association wants the subsidies to be extended until at least March 2022. Times of Malta
‘Who sows wind, reaps a whirlwind’: Bishop Galea Curmi on cannabis reform
Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Galea Curmi urged legislators to listen to the concerns raised by civil society and professionals and shoulder responsibility in the cannabis debate. “Whoever has the responsibility – and it is a great responsibility – now is the time to shoulder it. I call on you to truly recognise the consequences of our actions. Remember that who sows wind, reaps the whirlwind,” the Auxiliary Bishop said. Newsbook.com.mt
Morning Briefing
Doctors want tougher legislation on drug-driving charges
Doctors for Road Safety has called on Government tighten legislation relating to driving under the influence of drugs, stating the increased availability of cannabis will lead to more traffic accidents. The association quoted recent studies to highlight that cannabis is associated with a rise in traffic related deaths. In a statement D4RS pointed to Colorado and Washington in the US where traffic deaths involving drivers who tested positive for cannabis had doubled since the drug was legalised, adding that cannabis results in impaired judgement, poor motor coordination and reaction time, and studies have found a direct relationship between the level of THC in the blood and impaired driving ability. (Times of Malta)
PN wants Caruana report published
The PN has called for the immediate publication of the Standards Commissioner’s report into an alleged breach of ethics. It is understood that the Standards Commissioner has found that Caruana breached ethics by assigning a €5,000 a month contract to former footballer Daniel Bogdanović.
The Commissioner does not circulate any case reports to the complainant or the person under investigation, but only to the Standards Committee. “It is for the Committee to decide on subsequent circulation of the report. “Malta needs an education minister who prioritises better pay for teachers, not €5,000-a-month jobs for their boyfriends,” the PN said. (Maltatoday)
Covid-19: Active Covid-19 cases were up to 1408 after 111 new infections were registered on Saturday, health authorities said. This was the highest number for the past nine days. However, hospitalised patients dropped to 21 – three of whom in ITU.
CDE News
