MEPs have ‘more concerns’
MEPs probing the state of the rule of law in Malta returned to Brussels more concerned than when they arrived for a two-day fact-finding mission. Green MEP Sven Giegold (right) said the visit made him even more worried. Asked whether this was a shared sentiment, Portuguese Socialist MEP Ana Gomes (left), who led the delegation, replied: “Unfortunately it is.” The MEPs said they believed the authorities’ lack of action was fuelling a widespread feeling of impunity.
What made the headlines
Man, 40, fatally stabbed: A Libyan man was fatally stabbed in Birkirkara early on Sunday morning in an argument involving three people. The man, who lived in Marsa, died at Mater Dei Hospital.
Electrogas in ‘serious’ default of €450m loan deal: The Finance Ministry in September raised concerns about a “serious” default by the new power station consortium on the terms of a €450m loan agreement covered by a €360m State guarantee, the Times of Malta revealed. Electrogas was granted a default waiver, initially refused by the banks, after the government extended its guarantee.
New HIV case rate double EU average: Malta has more than double the EU average rate of new HIV cases per capita. 75 per cent of the cases were non-Maltese. A report by the WHO and the European Centre for Disease Control found Malta registered about 15 new HIV cases per 100,000 residents last year, compared to the European average of six.
Air Malta losses surge to €13m: Air Malta’s losses rose from €4m in March 2016 to about €13m in the last financial year, the Times of Malta revealed. The airline posted over €16m losses in its last published audited accounts, for the year ended March 2015.
PN demands ex-police minister’s resignation: Opposition leader Adrian Delia called for Foreign Minister Carmelo Abela’s resignation, claiming he interfered in police work when he was home affairs minister. Dr Delia cited correspondence he said showed Mr Abela’s involvement in efforts to prevent ex-police inspector Jonathan Ferris, later of the FIAU, from doing his duty in May last year.
Daphne’s family accuses minister of breaking confidentiality: The family of Daphne Caruana Galizia accused Home Affairs Minister Michael Farrugia of “communicating confidential information” on the investigation into her murder. Dr Farrugia had told Parliament he was “informed the [inquiring] magistrate has access to certain personal items which belonged to Daphne Caruana Galizia”.
‘Unreliability and faults’ at new power plant: Enemalta chairman Frederick Azzopardi flagged “evidence of unreliability and faults” in the new power station’s construction and operation, the Times of Malta revealed. Sources said Mr Azzopardi wrote to Electrogas and the government in August, expressing doubts the plant could guarantee the security of the country’s energy supply.
Delia calls on PM to protect ex-FIAU official: Opposition leader Adrian Delia urged Joseph Muscat to ensure sacked FIAU official Jonathan Ferris is given maximum protection. Dr Delia said Mr Ferris, who was involved in several investigations, allegedly involving government officials, had said he felt both he and his family were in danger.
What trended
The price of half a passport
It looks like Renzo Piano is €300,000 out of pocket for his studio’s work on the Valletta City Gate project.
Not exactly chump change, but not the sort of figure you’d think a government would be willing to lose face over.
“We’re going to end up fighting with Piano for the price of half a passport,” wrote one cheeky reader. Others found different comparisons.
“€300,000 is the cost of that hideous ‘knot’ placed in Castille Square and also of the Las Vegas lighting of the Auberge de Castille,” one man wrote.
Not everyone thought that the government was wrong to keep hold of the purse strings, though.
“Perhaps they’re waiting for them to put a roof on the opera house,” ventured one reader, echoing many similar comments that suggested Mr Piano’s building workshop should get paid once City Gate actually featured a gate.
Another cut to the detractors’ chase. “Can’t he just take his ugly building back?”
Most dangerous driver on video
‘Malta’s most dangerous driver,’ as he’s been dubbed, was finally caught and hauled into courtthis week.
There were many cheers for the magistrate, who denied him bail, as well as a bit of con-sternation that it had taken the authorities so long to find a man in a 35-tonne white truck.
“It took a week?” one woman asked upon hearing that he had been arrested. “When I get a fine it gets to my letter box faster.”
Another reader noted that the man had only been caught because some motorists had filmed his antics and shared the videos online.
“If someone hadn’t uploaded the videos to Facebook every-thing would have continued as normal. Have we become the roadside police?”
What they said
“We have a dream of Malta, as a cosmopolitan place that is ready for the future. But there are things that cannot be achieved with just 400,000 [Maltese]. We need more people.”
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat telling Labour party supporters in Vittoriosa not to fear an influx of foreign workers.
“Socialist parties have lost their teeth. They have become very moderate and, in countries like mine, are forming coalitions with the conservatives. In the eyes of the workers, they are betraying them.”
Gerard Kester, a Dutch industrial relations expert, who was in Malta as a guest speaker at a talk organised by the Centre for Labour Studies at the University of Malta.
“Those who are not with the value of truth are with lies. We need truth, stability and transparency in governance, but first, we must also live with these values ourselves.”
Archbishop Charles Scicluna speaking during Mass on the feast of Christ the King at the Santa Venera parish church.
“Pembroke should remain the small town so loved by its residents and visitors, not an appendix to a massive project.”
A statement by the Pembroke local council calling for the downscaling of the proposed tower and hotel at St George’s Bay.