Updated 1630 – Afternoon Portal Review
The Times of Malta quotes a report by the Malta International Airport which shows that at 86.4%, September’s recovery of pre-pandemic traffic was similar to the recovery rates posted in July (86.3%) and in August (86.5%). In September, 89.5% of the seats available on the flights operated to and from Malta were occupied, marking an increase of 3.3% over the same month in 2019.
Maltatoday says that PN leader Bernard Grech has met with former leader Adrian Delia to clarify a recent spat between the two, while discussing “the party’s responsibility” in improving quality of life.
Newsbook leads with the story that the Permanent Anti-Corruption Commission launched an investigation into the Marsa flyover scandal following Opposition MP Karol Aquilina’s request.
TVM says that according to NSO data, disturbances by neighbours upset and annoy close to one-third of the population in Malta and Gozo.
Updated 1045
Young man dies after suffering heart attack at a football match
A young man tragically died on Monday night after suffering a heart attack while playing football with friends at St Aloysius College Sports Complex. While first aiders administered CPR on Justin Tabone, 22, on site, an AED defibrillator could not be located. The school later said it had two of these devices.
In a statement, the Malta Resuscitation Council said defibrillators need to be accessible to the public and easily located.
Judge wants financial crime inspector to testify about non-prosecution of Pilatus officials
A judge has ordered a police inspector from the Financial Crimes Investigation Department to testify about claims that the Attorney General issued instructions not to prosecute senior Pilatus Bank officials last year. She was also asked to exhibit correspondence exchanged between the department and Attorney General Victoria Buttigieg. Various media sources had reported that authorities had failed to send to law enforcement agencies abroad the International Arrest Warrants issued against Mehmet Tasli and Antoniella Gauci which had been issued by magistrate Ian Farrugia in February 2021.
PM defends media reform
Prime Minister Robert Abela denied that the media reform was pushed through without consultation, saying that there was continuous contact with Institute of Maltese Journalists. The bills were tabled in Parliament this week and have created controversy both for their contents and for the fact that the government has not opened a public consultation on them. The Prime Minister said that the IGM was continuously involved in the process. He also referred to meeting with members of the Caruana Galizia family. (Newsbook)
Morning Briefing
Three prime sites to be rebuilt by the private sector
Prime Minister Robert Abela said that Cabinet approved three projects for which public calls will be issued for the rebuilding of The Chalet in Sliema, the Valletta Fisheries and Evans Building. These will be undertaken privately as quality projects. He said the approval of these projects followed months of studies at technical levels. (TVM)
Just one student applies for four-year JC course
Only one student applied to study at Junior College over a four-year period. The initiative had generated debate among academics as well as on social media, with education authories saying that it was introduced for students who are unable to finish their studies in two years with one of the college heads indicating that some students were also breadwinners. PM Robert Abela said that he was sure only few students would make use of the scheme. “We wanted to give at least one student the opportunity to achieve their aspirations.” (Maltatoday)
Financial companies take FIAU to Court on fines
A number of financial institutions, including Lombard Bank, are challenging the legality of administrative fines dished out by the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU) in the court. Going a step further, claiming that its rights were breached in the FIAU’s applications of sanctions against it, Lombard Bank initiated legal proceedings in Malta’s Constitutional court. It argued that the FIAU is in breach of the Constitution and the European Convention for Human Rights.
