Two COVID-19 patients died overnight, bringing the number of people who died in Malta while positive up to 426.
The victims were a 63-year-old woman and a 77-year-old man. Both were unvaccinated, the health authorities said in their daily update. TimesofMalta
The government is already working on a budget which will see no increase in taxes, the Prime Minister Robert Abela revealed on Sunday. “The next budget should build on last years’ budget, which also saw no increase in taxes,” he said on party radio station ONE Radio. Abela said that as other European governments increase their taxes on energy and fuel, while raising the VAT, this administration is already working on next year’s budget, which will see no tax increases.” – Malta Today
PN leader Bernard Grech said that the longer Edward Zammit Lewis stays on as Justice Minister, the longer it will take for Malta to be removed from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list, and onto its white list.
Dr Grech said this during an interview on Net FM. The PN leader also stated that after messages were revealed between Zammit Lewis and Yorgen Fenech, if the Minister refuses to step down, Prime Minister Robert Abela should strip him of his ministerial duties, if he truly loves Malta. Newsbook
34 birds were confiscated by the Environmental Protection Unit (EPU) and the Wild Bird Regulation Unit, after it transpired that these were being sold illegally at Floriana’s open market.
The birds, which belong to different species, were confiscated during a number of inspections earlier this morning. – Newsbook
Updated 0900 – Newspaper Review
The Independent on Sunday carries an interview with the president of the Labour Party Ramona Attard who said that there have been significant changes in the state since the Caruana Galizia inquiry started.
The Sunday Times reveals that the police are reviewing the Caruana Galizia inquiry report to assess whether there are enough grounds to act against former Assistant Commissioner Ian Abdilla, who was suspended last week.
Malta Today speaks with embattled Justice Minister Edward Zammit Lewis who apologised for describing voters as fools in private messages with Yorgen Fenech. During the interview, he dismissed calls to step down over his friendship with the businessman.
Illum quotes Justice Minister Edward Zammit Lewis that he is being targeted by persons who do not want him to serve in the role. Zammit Lewis defended his track record pointing to a series of reforms in the judicial system.
Kullħadd reports on the unveiling of the Grand Harbour regeneration project by Capital Projects Minister Ian Borg. The plan seeks to open new public spaces along the shore, incentivise new maritime industries, and modernise existing infrastructure.
Il-Mument reports that credit rating agency Moody’s has downgraded its outlook for Malta from stable to negative. The agency warned of pressures on the economy if the country does not make it out of the FATF grey-list by the end of 2022.
It-Torċa reports on Prime Minister’s Robert Abela response to the A2 credit rating by Moody’s. Abela said that the result reflects Malta’s economic resilience and a programme of institutional reform.
Malta Today says that a ministerial inquiry that led to the suspension of a senior HR manager at MCAST four years ago has still not been published. The college official is still believed to be on full wage.
The Independent on Sunday says that the government has drafted plans to retake Malta off the FATF grey list. Finance Minister Clyde Caruana said that discussions about the strategy are in their final stages.
The Sunday Times carries an interview with the outgoing president of the developers’ association, Sandro Chetcuti. He rejected suggestions that the industry is corrupt and said that it is politicians who often expect donations from developers.
It-Torċa speaks with Minister Carmelo Abela about the planned reform at the Public Broadcasting Services. He says that TVM and TVM News+ will have distinct identities but they will be equal in terms of quality and investment.
Illum speaks with marine biologist Alan Deidun who warned that the Mediterranean Sea is becoming increasingly tropical, making it more favourable for invasive alien marine species and which could have devastating effects on biodiversity and the economy,
Kullħadd says that a new alerts system using artificial intelligence is being installed at nursing homes by the Social Care Standards Authority. Residents will be able to report issues, lodge complaints, and communicate with professionals.
Il-Mument reports that active Covid-19 cases stand at 1,058 following 71 new infections reported on Saturday. There are currently 33 patients treated at Mater Dei hospital, five of whom are in intensive care.
Morning Briefing
Ian Abdilla could face criminal repurcussions – reports
Besides the Public Service Commission’s review of the situation, police officials are looking into whether assistant commissioner Ian Abdilla should face criminal repercussions for his failure to investigate politicians exposed in the Panama Papers. This was revealed by The Times of Malta this morning, with the paper reporting that Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà has instructed a Deputy Commissioner to look into the testimony and findings of the public inquiry and assess whether there are grounds for criminal steps to be taken against Abdilla.
A public inquiry on the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia had found that the police “did hardly anything” to investigate media reports and that there was “direct and suspicious interference” by the prime minister’s former chief of staff Keith Schembri into police investigations.
Moody’s downgrades Malta’s position to negative
Credit rating agency has downgraded Malta’s position from stable to negative, at A2 level. It attributed this decision to increasing debt levels, the recent grey-listing by the FATF in view of Malta’s deficiencies in terms of combating money laundering and doubts related to the recovery of the tourism sector.
Moody’s added that an upgrade of the ratings was currently “highly unlikely given the negative outlook”.
In a statement, Government made no reference to the negative outlook insisting that “contrary to what the Opposition keeps saying, according to Moody’s, Malta has ‘a very strong governance profile’. In fact, the report says that ‘on the whole, the country benefits from a strong institutional environment”.
Covid-19 Update
Active cases declined further after 71 people tested positive for COVID on Saturday, while 147 recovered. The tally stands at 1058.
The health authorities also said that 33 people with COVID are being treated at Mater Dei Hospital, five of whom are receiving intensive care.
CDE News
