Savage winter storm

Widespread damage was reported across Malta as trees were uprooted, buildings flooded and boats and structures damaged by gale-force winds and large waves that lashed the island on Sunday. Several roads were closed, the power supply was cut in various localities and farmers reported extensive damage to crops.

What made the headlines

Fisheries racket – tuna rancher named: Spanish investigators stumbled upon evidence that a Maltese tuna rancher could also have been involved in an EU-wide fisheries racket during investigations into a rogue Spanish operator last year. According to documents submitted in a Spanish court, Malta Fish Farming Ltd (MFF) was also identified in wire tapped phone calls as a supplier of illegal tuna to the Spanish market alongside Spanish-owned company Mare Blu. The Spanish probe has also pointed a finger at former Fisheries director general Andreina Fenech Farrugia, saying she had allegedly solicited bribes from Mare Blu tuna farm in return for higher fish quotas. Both MFF and Dr Fenech Farrugia deny the allegations.

Police investigated following alleged ‘beating’: An internal police investigation is being conducted following serious claims of police brutality in Żebbuġ, the Times of Malta revealed. The claims are accompanied by video footage in which eight officers from the Rapid Intervention Unit are seen manhandling and violently pushing two men, a Sicilian businessman and his son, with two officers clearly seen punching and striking blows at the men. The businessman, Fabrizio Scirè, who has a construction company, said one of his trucks had caught fire and when he asked the police, who were already on site, to help him move his other vehicles he was called names, punched and kicked. A magistrate is also investigating the allegations.

db Group project gets conditional approval: The planning appeals tribunal ruled that the db Group’s St George’s Bay mega-development could go ahead, but demanded fresh clearance from the transport authorities. Deciding on an appeal lodged by NGOs and local councils opposed to the project, the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal confirmed the controversial permit issued last September for the €300 million project, which includes a 37-storey tower and 17-storey hotel. The EPRT, however, said Transport Malta would need to certify that the “existing road network” was sufficient to cater for the increased traffic that will be generated by the development.

BOV closing dollar dominated accounts: Bank of Valletta has been closing down a number of accounts during the past weeks, mostly in US dollar denominations, citing “client relationship reviews”, the Times of Malta revealed. A spokesman for the bank said that while BOV extends services in various currencies to a full spectrum of clients, it manages and maintains relationships and accounts within its risk appetite framework.

Brussels signals ‘limited economic progress’: The European Commission warned that the current economic growth registered by Malta needs to be accompanied by substantial reforms if it is to remain sustainable. In its annual assessment of Malta’s economic and social performance, the Commission insisted that progress was needed to tackle reputational problems connected to corruption and money laundering, as well as shortfalls in skills, labour and education attainment levels.

Man of Maltese descent stabbed to death in the UK: A man of Maltese descent was stabbed to death in the UK on Tuesday afternoon. St John Lewis, who turned 45 last Sunday, was attacked by a couple on his way home in his hometown in Bramley, Leeds, his father, Alfie Lewis, 72, who lives in Ta’ Xbiex, told the Times of Malta. A 48-year-old man and a 45-year-old woman have been arrested in connection with the incident. 

IMF warns against centralisation of power at MFSA: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned against the centralisation of supervisory functions around the MFSA’s CEO role. In a report it said Malta’s financial regulator should maintain a committee tasked with supervisory and enforcement powers to enhance checks and balances in the decision-making process. All supervisory powers currently vested in the MFSA’s supervisory council are planned to be transferred to the MFSA’s executive committee, chaired by CEO Joe Cuschieri and made up of five MFSA staff members, the IMF report noted.

Rising risk of poverty among vulnerable groups – IMF: Vulnerable groups like single women with children, low-income tenants and the elderly are experiencing rising risks of falling into relative poverty, according to a study by the International Monetary Fund. The IMF found that, as the share of population suffering from material deprivation had been declining, the proportion at risk of relative poverty (those earning less than 60 per cent of the median income) had been “increasing continuously”.

What trended

Weather dominates the headlines

It was a tough week for non-weather related news, with the storm of a generation soaking up headlines and readers’ attention.

As people huddled indoors, safe from the pounding wind and rain, Patrizia urged fellow readers to be considerate.

“Please be sensible to not order take aways,” she suggested, adding the people should also avoid needless driving as it might force tow-truck drivers onto the roads.

“They have families too!” she reminded people.

Frankie thanked the heavens for having opened up on a Sunday.

Weather is likely to become more extreme and more frequent in future

“Think about the aftermath for commuters if it would have happened during a midweek working day,” he wrote. “We would still be counting deaths and searching for dispersed people”.

With electricity supply disrupted, trees blocking roads and coastal areas flooding, a bus delay warning came as no surprise – least of all to witty Andre.

“That disaster happens 365 days a year,” he quipped.

As calm returned to Maltese shores, attention turned to the aftermath, as people began tallying up the destruction.

A kiosk-owning couple’s misery – their livelihood was reduced to a mere husk – prompted a flood of sympathy and notes of encouragement.

Not that everyone was positive.

“Amazing to see the public pavement free from tables and chairs. Maybe like it legally should be,” wrote C., who is clearly no fan of seaside kiosks.

Marianna argued it was time buildings close to the shore were built with such extreme weather events in mind.

“Weather is likely to become more extreme and more frequent in future,” she wrote, with climate change weighing on her thoughts.

They say every cloud comes with a silver lining, and for several carefree fishermen, this storm cloud’s bright spot came in the form of a bounty of escaped farmed sea bream.

No matter the health warnings, people rushed out to catch the fish, reminding Martin of a story about a similar incident in Oklahoma.

“A herd of goats invaded a cemetery and ate all the flowers. The rancher moved most of them out, leaving only a few stragglers to be rounded up later,” he wrote.

“The townsfolk, well accustomed to shooting wild deer, saved him the trouble by re-stocking their freezers”.

What they said

“It is not acceptable to be given accommodation in tents. This is out of the question completely.”

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, speaking on One Radio, where he made it clear that if adequate living conditions were not provided for non-EU nationals employed by the construction industry, no work permits would be issued.

“The wind was so strong and the waves were crashing in. You stand here seeing things get destroyed and you can do nothing. I felt helpless.”

Liliana Tanti, owner of a kiosk in St Paul’s Bay which was destroyed by the pounding waves and wind during Sunday’s savage storm.

“Is this the best of times, with children, the police and workers all in containers? Was this Joseph Muscat’s vision.”

Nationalist Party leader Adrian Delia, speaking on Net FM, where he criticised the fact that children were being taught in mobile classrooms, the Marsascala police station was in a mobile structure and workers were sleeping in mobile homes. 

“We need to incentivise people to ensure better forward planning. We cannot afford to have all of Malta become Buġibba and Qawra.” 

Malta Developers Association president Sandro Chetcuti addressing the lobby’s annual general meeting, where he said the country had failed at planning.

“Did you ever hear criticism against my male predecessors because of their attire, because they wore a red, black or grey tie? Women should be evaluated by their substance not by their looks.”

President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, who leaves office in April, speaking on Times Talk, where she claimed she had been unjustly criticised during her five-year presidency.