The Times of Maltareveals that patients had to be wheeled past the source of a fire at Gozo General Hospital on Christmas Day because a fire exit on one of the wards was shut off. The fire broke out in an IT room near the entrance to the male ward at around 9pm on Sunday, leading to a mass evacuation.
Newsbook reports that documents relating to Pilatus Bank were held in a safe at the Malta Financial Services Authority, anti-corruption NGO president Robert Aquilina said on Tuesday night, adding that these were initially withheld from the inquiring magistrate Ian Farrugia.
TVM leads with news that hoteliers and restaurant owners report positive seasonal returns as almost reaching 2019 levels.
The Malta Independent reports that an average of 394 births per month was registered for this year according to statistics provided by the Health Ministry.
Morning Briefing
FIAU fines investment services firm for ML breaches
The FIAU has fined an investment services company, Triton Capital Markets Limited (previously FXDD Malta Limited) €226,902 after the anti-money laundering agency found shortcomings following an onsite compliance review in 2019. Prior to the compliance examination, Triton Capital Markets Limited was requested to provide its latest Business Risk Assessment (BRA) and evidence after its approval, however, the company did not provide it, the FIAU said in its statement. The compliance review also found that in 20% of the files reviewed, “the company had failed to obtain the necessary identification and verification of natural persons as required. (Newsbook)
Police warn on scam emails
The police has asked the public to ignore and immediately delete any scam emails that are sent mimicking the police. In a statement, the force said that these emails refer to phantomatic investigations or court cases, in one instance the recipients are being informed that they are being investigated for child pornography. The scam email is asking the receiver to contact a false email, such as policija1a@gmail.com. (The Malta Independent)
PN raises alarm of out of stock medicines
Several medicines are out of stock and the government is keeping the full extent of the problem hidden, the Nationalist Party said on Tuesday. The Opposition said that several antibiotics, insulin used by dabetics, stomach-related treatments and medicines used to treat cystic fibrosis are all out of stock. PN MPs Claudette Buttigieg, Ian Vassallo and Stephen Spiteri arguerd that government is trying to hide the extent of its problem, as it has not published a list of out of stock medications since November 7. (Times of Malta)
Two motorcyclists suffer grievous injuries
Two motorcyclists were grievously injured on Tuesday, with both involved in collisions with cars, on the Marsa/Ħamrun Bypass and Aldo Moro road respectively. Medical teams assisted the two motorcyclists before they were taken to Mater Dei Hospital and were declared to have suffered grievous injuries. (TVM)
