Good Evening,
The news portals are dominated by the story which refers to the death of a 16-month-old baby has died after falling four stories. In another story, we read the latest developments related to the saga of the MV Aquarius, where the 58 persons on board will be disembarked in Malta and will be distributed to other countries. Another story refers to the db Group’s controversial project on the former ITS site in Pembroke, where we learnt that a member of the PA board was flown into Malta aboard a private jet to secure her vote.
These are the main news as reported by Malta’s portals.
A 16-month-old baby died in tragic circumstances on Tuesday when she fell off a landing of a block of apartments in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq on Tuesday afternoon. A police spokesperson confirmed the infant fell a height of four storeys through the stairwell of a block of flats. Her parents, Swiss nationals, are residents in Malta. A magisterial inquiry has been appointed. Police are investigating. – Times of Malta / TVM
A group of migrants currently on board the MV Aquarius will be distributed among four EU member states, the Maltese government said on Tuesday. The vessel is currently carrying 58 migrants, rescued within Libyan search and rescue waters. The ship had requested disembarkation of its passengers but was refused entry into Italy. “The 58 persons on board MV Aquarius will be disembarked on a Maltese asset in international waters—the persons will be disembarked in Malta and all of them will leave the country to be immediately redistributed in another four European Union member states,” the government said, adding that the operation would take place “as soon as it is logistically possible”. The government said it was participating in the effort on “purely humanitarian grounds and without prejudice to its position on SAR activities, which remain unchanged”. – MaltaToday. The story was also reported by NetNews and One News.
A voting member of the Board of the Planning Authority was ferried to and from Malta on a private jet so that she could vote on the db project application. Jacqueline Gili, a government appointee employed as a director in the Department of Contracts arrived in Malta on Thursday 20th September on a private jet that landed at Luqa at 09:30h and entered the public meeting somewhat late, at 10:45h. The jet, with a registration of OK-ZUB had arrived from Catania, where, it is understood, Gili had been holidaying. Gili stayed till the end of the hearing, voted in favour of the project and dashed out with members of the security team hired by the PA impeding Newsbook journalist from approaching or questioning Ms. Gili.
In a reaction late on Tuesday, a government spokesman said the Planning Authority took the decision without informing the government. “The government disagrees with the line of action,” spokesman Kurt Farrugia told Times of Malta.
The Attorney General has told a court that he had emailed a copy of the full Egrant inquiry to justice minister Owen Bonnici, despite refusing to give a copy to the Leader of the Opposition. AG Peter Grech took the witness stand before judge Robert Mangion for a lengthy grilling by lawyer Vince Galea, appearing for Opposition leader Adrian Delia, who is demanding a copy of the inquiry. The Attorney General has so far refused to pass on a copy. The Malta Independent
Archbishop Charles Scicluna has urged students to respect their teachers and never be an accomplice to injustice. In a message at the start of the scholastic year, the Archbishop urged the students to nurture friendships which make them grow stronger. He added “I augur that you show wisdom, intelligence and patience in your work, and that at the same time you share a sense of solidarity.” – The Malta Independent
A Tunisian man who threatened to bring down a passenger jet whilst being deported to his home country has been remanded in custody. 28 year-old Mahdi Ouerfelli had been a detainee at the Safi Detention Centre and was due to be deported back to Tunisia against his wishes early on Monday morning. In court it has been revealed that apart from violently, once on the aircraft, the man had created a great disturbance and had threatened that if the aircraft was to depart, he would make it crash. – MaltaToday
