Updated 1645
The Times of Malta reports that Darren Debono, known as it-Topo, who was sentenced to six months imprisonment for refusing to reveal his accomplices in the failed HSBC heist 12 years ago, despite a plea bargain, has had his term reduced by half.
Maltatoday says that a woman’s heavily decomposed body has been found off Marsalforn, but the police have been unable to establish the identity.
Newsbook highlights the reaction of the Church’s Truth and Justice Commission to the 2023 Budget presented on Monday, where the commission hit out at the government for slashing funding for the Standards Commissioner by half.
TVM says that Wes Brown, one of Manchester United’s legendary players, is the new face in the new campaign launched today by VisitMalta and Manchester United, with the theme 48 Hours in Malta.
Updated 1215
Maltese people exercise less, healthy eating drops further
The Maltese approach to healthy living faced a series of red flags with an EU index showing a significant drop in terms of physical activity and fruit or vegetable consumption. The European Health Interview Survey, which is carried out every five years, has shown that women and men taking part in physical activity for at lest 150 minutes a week or consuming five portions of fruit and vegetables per day declined from over 42% give years ago to below 22%, the biggest drop in the EU. On the other hand, Malta registered an increase in persons that do not smoke or drink heavily. According to this year’s index, 73.5% of women and 58.5% of men in the country do not smoke or engage in heavy drinking, compared to 70% of women and 56.3% of men in the previous index. (Times of Malta)
NGO claims threats by Libyan coastguard in Maltese waters
Migrant rescue NGO Sea-Watch has claimed that a Libyan coastguard vessel threatened its crew with the use of arms whilein Malta’s search and rescue zone.
In footage uploaded on its social networks, a member of the Libyan Coast Guard crew is heard saying “Get out of Libyan territory”. The NGO alleged that the Libyan coastguard’s action stemmed from the urge to avoid documentation of an illegal pullback. “The EU and Italy have spent millions of euros supplying and training the so-called Libyan Coast Guards – directly financing illegal pullbacks of people to Libya and their return to arbitrary detention, violence and torture.” (Maltatoday)
APS registers improved profit, warns of economic challenges ahead
APS Bank has posted a €21.7 million pre-tax profit at Bank level, (€16 million in 2021) for the nine months ending 30 September 2022. As at the end of the reporting quarter, total assets stood at €3.1 billion, further expanding by €46.2 million during 3Q and a year-to-date growth of €305.5 million. In a statement, the bank’s CEO said that the lifting of the FATF grey listing in June also helped create a more benign outlook for the Maltese economy. But the challenges of sustainable economic growth, and of skills and job attrition, are weighing in heavily and are not to be under-estimated. (The Malta Independent)
Morning Briefing
Constitutional Courts rejects Yorgen Fenech arguments on bail denial
The Supreme Court has decided that Yorgen Fenech’s rights have not been breached when he was repeatedly denied bail, arguing that his continued detention was grounded on relevant and sufficient reasons. Fenech had field an appeal claiming bail was rejected over “arbitrary objections” to his release. The Court said that those decrees were always well-reasoned and detailed, taking into account any fresh evidence produced at different stages throughout the criminal process. (Times of Malta)
Government to issue call for renewable projects on sea
Minister for Energy Miriam Dalli stated that next year a call will be issued for offers in the renewable energy sector on Maltese waters with the objective of increasing the contribution of clean energy to Malta’s overall production. The Minister added that Malta today has over 10.7% of energy coming from renewable sources, compared to 3.7% in 2013. During the last nine years, the Government invested in a diversified energy mix, which it is now optimising to reduce the impact of the cost of imported electricity, she added. (Maltatoday)
Syrian gets suspended sentence for helping wife enter Malta illegally
A 26-year-old Syrian was handed a suspended sentence after helping his wife to enter Malta in an irregular manner. In September the wife was among a group of persons who entered in a boat at Delimara and later the accused accompanied her to apply for asylum status. She explained how she entered the country and her husband was arrested. The Prosecution did not insist on an effective prison sentence and Magistrate Galea Sciberras condemned him to two years’ prison suspended for a period of two years. (TVM)
