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Libyan PM expected in Malta as turmoil heats up Tripoli: Libyan prime minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah is expected n Malta today for talks with the the Prime Minister as tensions in the country rise following an increase in fighting in the capital in recent days. Dbeibah will be joined by the governor of Tripoli’s central bank. According to The Times of Malta, although there is no fixed agenda, the Libyan leader is expected to discuss Libyan monies that were held at the now-closed SataBank. The issue of flights between the two countries may also be addressed.
Malta on course to reach tourism targets – Minister: Malta was on course to reach its tourism targets which the authorities had set for Summer. Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo said that according to feedback from operators, targets will be reached”. “We will continue to remain focused because Malta seems to be recovering well, even when considering the uncertainties around us.” Earlier this year, the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) said it was aiming to draw 1.8 million tourists to the island this year as the industry recovers from the blow caused by COVID-19. That figure would be equivalent to tourist arrivals in 2015.
Major parties deny link to driving test scandal: The Labour Party has denied referring candidates for preferential treatment during driving tests in the wake of a corruption scandal that has rocked Transport Malta. It also denied having an organised system of passing on names of candidates waiting to undergo a driving test to Transport Malta officials. From its end the Nationalist Party has also issued a denial, with Transport spokesperson Adrian Delia saying that the Prime Minister should inform the public who the minister implicated in the case is and seek their resignation pending the outcome of police investigations.
Corruption seeping into every section of life – NGO: Corruption has seeped into every section of the country’s life and has become a source of great profit for a small group of people, rule of law group Repubblika said on Wednesday. Expressing its concern at the latest corruption scandal, Repubblika said “what we are seeing is another indication of the structural rot in our institutions, a result of the impunity that exists in our country. Filth is not only found when millions change hands but even when it comes driving tests.” The NGO that people have a right to know the full truth and “we expect that all necessary action will be taken against anyone who abused and betrayed the trust that was bestowed upon them.”
Morning Briefing
Police sifting through 200 names in driving test scandal
The suspected corruption in the driving test scandal continued to register new details with The Times of Malta revealing that police are sifting through more than 200 names of people suspected of having received favourable treatment. They were found in the office of Clint Mansueto, a 40-year-old director of the Land Transport directorate. Under questioning, Mansueto told police that he was pressured by ‘certain people’ to help specific persons. Mansueto was charged along with officials Raul Antonio Pace, 35, and Philip Edrick Zammit, 23, with corruption.
SVPR employee files judicial protest against authorities
Robert Belli, a St Vincent De Paul employee, suspended over the disappearance of a dementia patient who was found dead two weeks later, has filed a judicial protest, accusing the authorities of ignoring his warnings. The social worker, who is one of a number of employees suspended after the incident, described the internal inquiry as “very superficial”. Karmenu Fino, an 83-year-old dementia sufferer had walked out of the care home on the night of the 27 June, walking almost eight kilometres to the spot where his body was eventually found without life. (The Malta Independent)
18 migrants in distress rescued
18 people who were in distress in Maltese waters were rescued by by a civil search and rescue vessel, Geo Barents, operated by Doctors Without Borders (MSF). NGO Alarm Phone had urged Malta and Italy to launch a rescue operation, pointing out that it had lost contact with the people in distress on Sunday evening. (Newsbook)
