Good evening,
Malta’s journalism today mourns the death of sport veteran journalist Henry Calleja who passed away at the age of 77. Our editorial team salutes Mr Calleja and his family, in particular his son journalist Stephen Calleja at this particular moment. RIP
Jesmond Saliba
Managing Editor
These are today’s main news from Malta.
Twelve-year-old Mia O’Connell was found unharmed in Gozo this morning, after being reported missing on Thursday evening, The Malta Independent reports. The announcement was first made by the girl’s uncle in a Facebook post. The girl has last been seen by her mother when she was leaving the house in the afternoon.
The MFSA has launched a campaign to encourage individuals to open basic accounts with the major banks in Malta. The Times says that banks with five or more branches in Malta are obliged to offer payment account, but institutions largely resist the demand. The Authority is now applying to pressure on banks, raising public awareness about their obligations.
Rescue ship MV Aquarius will abandon its mission after it could not find a country willing to register the vessel under its flag. TVM reports that Panama withdrew it flag after pressure from the Italian authorities.
The public convenience in Strait Street, Valletta is more than a toilet, it’s “a theatrical experience.” Easyjet inflight magazine ‘Traveller’ has just crowned the toilet the best one in Europe, says LovinMalta. The space was redesigned in 2010 by architect Chris Briffa with an art installation by Norbert Attard.
Maltese NGOs are among 90 international bodies that are appealing to the EU to set up a sanctions programme against individuals and entities that violate human rights and anti-corruption laws. The Shift News says a joint letter was sent to the Foreign Affairs Council on December 5, maintaining that “where corruption is allowed to flourish, individuals are less safe.”
Minister Konrad Mizzi said on national TV that he intends to contest the next general election even if Joseph Muscat decides to move on.Newsbook followed the interview by Saviour Balzan on TV programme Xtra on Thursday and quotes the Tourism Minister who feels the government’s plan to modernise the country is not finished yet.
Prime Minister expressed his satisfaction at Malta’s economic performance in the third quarter, registering the highest growth rate in the EU. One News says that GDP grew by 3.6 percent and reached 7.9 percent compared to the same period in 2017. Eurostat figures also show that Malta’s 4.9 percent increase in employment compared to last year is another European top result.
A 2016 case about a bloody fight in Swieqi caused by political events in Libya was decided by magistrate Josette Demicoli today. The accused was cleared of attempted murder after the magistrate ruled that he had stabbed a compatriot in self-defence. MaltaToday says the victim had entered the house of the accused and attacked him with a metal rod blaming “his people” for the disappearance of the victim’s brother in Libya.
A man was arrested in Pozzallo, Sicily before he could board the catamaran to Malta. Net News said the 27-year-ol from Modica was stopped by Italian police after he was found with three kilogrammes of marijuana in his suitcase and will now face drug trafficking charges.
