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The Times of Malta reveals that three Gozo Ministry officials charged with the involuntary homicide of a man who died while at work last year will not be suspended, upon the specific request of the ministry.
Maltatoday says that a court has been asked to order five former top Pilatus Bank officials, including its Maltese former resident risk manager, to testify in ongoing money laundering proceedings against its former MLRO (money laundering reporting officer) and Head of Legal.
TVM reports that the Cabinet of Ministers has authorised Minister for Active Ageing Jo Etienne Abela, a surgeon, to perform a limited number of operations within the Public Health Service, for free.
Newsbook reports that ADPD’s chairperson Carmel Cacopardo has submitted his nomination for the casual election to fill the St Julian’s local council seat vacated by the PN’s newest MP Albert Buttigieg.
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Court annuls decision to hand Miżieb and Aħrax to hunters
The Courts have annulled a government decision to hand over management of the Miżieb and Aħrax woodlands to hunters’ federation FKNK. In two separate judgements issued on Wednesday, a judge found that the secretive 2020 deal was null “from the start” as it had not been done according to the law. The deal was signed in October 2022 by Ministers Ian Borg, Clint Camilleri and Aaron Farrugia should have been undertaken through an official public deed, an appeals court concluded. The appeal was brought forward by Birdlife Malta, Moviment Graffitti, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Friends of the Earth and Edward Mallia. They maintained that the deal was illegal as it effectively locked citizens out of public open space. (Times of Malta)
Manoel Theatre CEO suspended
The ministry for culture has suspended the Manoel Theatre CEO Massimo Zammit with immediate effect suspended on half-salary. The Ministry said that the recommendation to suspend Zammit came from an external and autonomous entity that has been appointed to examine various allegations. “In view of the content of these as well as other allegations, Minister Owen Bonnici has referred the matter to the Police,” the ministry said. A disciplinary board will be set up to hear and determine the case. Meanwhile, PN leader Bernard Grech has called for the resignation or removal of Minister Owen Bonnici following the Malta Philanthropic Orchestra and the Manoel Theatre cases. (Maltatoday)
Strong retail performance measured in September
Eurostat data shows that in September, Malta had the third largest increase in retail sales on an annual basis, at 7.4% when compared with the same month last year.
The EU statistical agency noted how on average the increase in retail sales in EU countries in September was 0.4% both in the EU and the Euro zone. On a month-by-month basis, Malta had the second highest increase in retail sales at a rate of 1.7% from August. (TVM)
Morning Briefing
€14,000 spent by Government for post-budget presser
Government has spent over €14,000 for the post-budget press conference which was held outside the Auberge de Castille by government. The details were revealed by PM Robert Abela in reply to a question by Nationalist MP Jerome Caruana Cilia. The government paid Que Sound Ltd €6,037, iCan €5,300 and Nexos €3,000 for their services. The Natonalist MP later described this expense of wasteful, at a time Government was asking the public to tighten its belts.
AG testifies behind closed doors in Pilatus case
Attorney General Victoria testified behind closed doors on Tuesday in a much-anticipated testimony about a decision not to prosecute top officials of Pilatus Bank. Her lawyers said that iIf the testimonies were to be made public, ongoing investigations could be endangered. The AG also objected to testify publicly due to restrictions imposed by an international tribunal where the Maltese State was strictly bound by confidentiality. “The foreign proceedings are secret and we are prohibited from presenting documents here,” explained the AG’s lawyer, Fiorella Fenech Vella, adding that if that confidentiality were to be broken, there would be negative repercussions for Malta. (Times of Malta)
Former PN MP TonyAbela passes away
Former Nationalist Party MP and Rabat notary Tony Abela has passed away at the age of 66. Abela was elected on the PN ticket a number of times, serving as parliamentary secretary for national defence within the Office of the Prime Minister. PN leader Bernard Grech described the notary as “a loyal person, who gave a lot to the districts he contested, to the country and to the Nationalist Party.” (Maltatoday)
