Updated 1645 – Newsportal Review
The Times of Malta reports that a new charter airline calling itself Valletta Airlines has announced it has been issued an Air Operator’s Certificate. The Malta-based airline plans to launch later this year, initially flying a single Airbus A320. It plans to grow its fleet to three Airbus A320-200 and two A330-200 by the end of 2023.
Maltatoday quotes an NSO survey which found that over 55% have a positive view of police but 45% retain a “moderate” trust in the force.
Newsbook says that Karl Cini, of Nexia BT will be facing today the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee after Speaker Anġlu Farrugia insisted that he should reply to all questions that do not in any way incriminate him.
The Malta Independent reports that according to Culture Minister Owen Bonnici, works on the previously announced Carnival Village will start once Malta obtains EU funding,
Updated 1235
Malta Enterprise looking at possible abuse on wage supplement
Malta Enterprise is looking at more than 1,500 grants of the COVID-19 wage supplement for potential abuse. During the course of the COVID-19 wage supplement scheme, over €800 million was distributed to approximately 120,000 employees by the agency. “As part of an ongoing exercise throughout the scheme, Malta Enterprise kept reviewing applications… to stop any abuse wherever beneficiaries were found to be ineligible,” a spokesperson said. (Times of Malta)
Rent Subsidy Scheme extended, funding doubled
An extended Rent Subsidy Scheme will see a doubling of assistance for eligible companies, increasing from €25,000 to €50,000 per undertaking. Over the last two years, 27 companies were assisted under the scheme against an investment of over €600,000. The Rent Subsidy Scheme supports undertakings that require industrial space as a temporary, or permanent, solution to support their business activity and aid is awarded in the form of a cash grant or in the form of a tax credit. (Newsbook)
Pressure on BCA Chair after project conflict
The Building and Construction Agency Maria Schembri Grima is being pressured to resign from her post after a stop notice was issued for a project she is architect of. In her private capacity, Schembri Grima is one of the architects of developer Joseph Portelli, and earlier this week, the Agency issued a stop notice for excavation works on a Joseph Portelli project she is also the architect. Sources told Maltatoday that “this situation is causing problems of credibility because of the conflicts that keep arising with her involvement in some of the major projects”. (Maltatoday)
Morning Briefing
Political leaders trade words on Standards czar appointment
PM Robert Abela and Opposition leader Bernard Grech faced-off in a heated exchange over the appointment of a new Standards Commissioner. The Prime Minister accused Grech of reneging on an agreement to back the nomination of ex-chief justice Joe Azzopardi. Grech retorted that no such agreement existed. Abela decsribed Azzopardi’s track record as chief justice as better than those of his predecessors. After recent changes introduced by Government, Azzopardi will be appointed by a simple parliamentary majority should two subsequent votes fail to garner a majority backing his appointment. The role has been vacant since September after George Hyzler was nominated to serve on the EU’s court of auditors. (Times of Malta)
CPD rescuers return from Turkey
32 CPD rescuers returned from Turkey where they spent a week searching for victims of two massive earthquakes that left more than 30,000 people dead.
The members of the Civil Protection Department were situated in the Turkish city of Malatya with chief Kevin Pace describing the devastated city as a “like war zone”. “There was a devastating atmosphere, just like a war zone. We worked 24/7 on various sites, amid freezing weather and in a very delicate atmosphere,” Pace told reporters on arrival. The Maltese team managed to recover 18 dead bodies. “Unfortunately, we found no one alive and with each passing day it becomes more unlikely for a buried victim to survive,” Pace said. A second Maltese team is expected to leave for Turkey in the coming days.(Maltatoday)
Bullying may become a criminal offence – Justice Minister
Government is looking into the possibility of making bullying in schools a criminal offence, justice minister Jonathan Attard has revealed. In reply to a parliamentary question by government backbencher Carmelo Abela – who asked whether government is considering following in the footsteps of France and make it a criminal offence – Attard did not exclude the possibility, adding that a decision would be taken after holding talks with stakeholders. (Newsbook)
