Good morning
Your morning briefing for today’s chilly morning. In fact a number of areas in Malta were covered in white after a brief hail storm. Temperatures are currently 6 degrees and expected to reach a high of 10.
The Latest Stories
Maltese Government reacts to Di Maio’s comments after Di Maio asked Malta to disembark women and children on board two boats in Maltese territorial waters so that Italy takes them. Di Maio’s decision met resistance and opposition from Salvini.
Rehearsals for ‘no-deal’ Brexit to start on Monday
Trump says he is prepared to keep Government shut for months or even years
5 girls dead, 1 hurt in a fire that broke out at an Escape Room game location in Poland
New guidelines for European Parliament to ensure a gender-neutral language
Criticism after Yellow Vest leader arrested by French police
European illegal migration falls to lowest level in five years
Arrest warrants issued for 37 suspects over attacks on key oil ports in Libya
The Newspapers Review
The Malta Independent picks up a Facebook post by PN Leader Adrian Delia declaring defiance to anyone trying to damage him. The Opposition Leader said that attacks from inside and outside will only serve to strengthen his resolve.
The Times says that an application to develop a row of townhouses on a historic garden in Lija has been rejected by the Planning Authority. The paper says that the proposal to build on the 17-century site, which includes protected trees and walls, had received firm objection from residents and organisations.
The Times follows a case in court in which an 18-year-old pleaded guilty to having stolen €54,000 from his mother. The man was given a suspended sentence of three years and was warned by the magistrate that he was facing imprisonment if he broke the law again.
L-Orizzont writes about the case, too, and says that the teenager’s mother forgave him and declared that she did not wish to proceed further because it would harm him more.
The Malta Independent says that one of the migrants on board the Sea-Watch 3 jumped into the sea in a desperate attempt to reach land. The man was immediately helped back onto the ship, and the paper says the cold water and distance from shore would have made it impossible for him get safely to land.
L-Orizzont carries an interview with counsellor Matthew Bartolo who expressed concern that the growing presence of massage parlours may cause an increase in HIV. Bartolo appealed for more people to take the HIV test.
In-Nazzjon quotes economist Dario Cacopardo who said in a TV interview that one in five houses around Malta are empty. Cacopardo said that a significant share of this is state property but said the government does not know what it owns.
In-Nazzjon reports that a man escaped from police custody in Qormi on Friday. Handcuffed, the 45-year-old Libyan national somehow managed to flee from the police station where he was being held to assist in an ongoing investigation. The police have launched an intensive search operation.
The News Portals main stories :
Adrian Delia vowed to remain leader of the Nationalist Party in a rhythmic Facebook post picked up by MaltaToday. The Opposition Leader said he would fight on against external and internal pressures and that the setbacks he has encountered have only made him stronger.
A delegation of German MPs and MEPs made a visit to the Sea-Watch 3 in an effort to resolve the impasse. CDU member Frank Schwabe said that, although the vessel is closer to land, people aboard are still suffering. Speaking to Newsbook, Schwabe said that people are looking weak after 14 days stranded at sea.
Meanwhile, The Malta Independent reports that one of the rescued migrants the ship jumped off board in a desperate attempt to reach land. The portal says he was quickly helped out again from the cold waters.
Glenn Bedingfield has officially closed his eponymous blog after months of inactivity. LovinMaltasays that the fiery MP could not keep up with the level of commitment the website demands due to government and constituency work. At the same time, he urged others to fill the gap.
The search is on for a man who escaped from police custody this afternoon. TVM says that the African national escaped with his wrists still in handcuffs and police are looking for him in the Qormi area. Net News also reports on the story, carrying an appeal for information by the police. The man was reportedly wearing a two-tone jacket in red and black.
A man sustained serious injuries after an incident at a construction site in Msida. The 61-year-old was completely buried under a pile of rock, reports One News, until he was freed by members of the Civil Protection Department and rushed to hospital.
An artistic steel structure is being proposed for Dwejra, in place of the collapsed arch forming the Azure Window. The Times reports that a Russian architectural firm has formally submitted the design consisting of polygonal mirrored metal sheets to the Environment and Resources Authority. In March last year, the government opened a call for artistic recreations of the landmark.
Residents pressure group ‘Inħobbu l-Gżira’ are objecting to the masterplan proposed by the Manoel Island project. The group said in a statement published by The Shift Newsthat “Gzira is a town of just one square kilometre with 11,000 residents, three schools and 150 building sites.”
