Press review • February 10

The Times of Malta

Maltese clients’ secret HSBC $687m revealed

Maltese authorities asking Swiss counterparts for information about $687 million held by HSBC for 71 Maltese clients in Geneva, following by allegations of tax evasion made by international journalist group. Published documents show that prior to 2001, some 100,000 clients from around the world were using the HSBC private bank in Switzerland to evade tax from their own countries, with $687 million belonging to Maltese clients.

Two men cleared of stealing toys, 23 years later

Two men have been cleared of charges of theft from a toy warehouse in 1989. The magistrate ruled that the prosecution hadn’t been able to prove their accusations against the two men. The magistrate had only started hearing about the case in February 2013, as the case had been bounced from one Magistrate to another. In July 1992, the two men were charged with stealing over €2,300 worth toys from a store in Marsa belonging to Trade- ways Limited.

In-Nazzjon

Muscat victim of his own statements

Opposition leader Simon Busuttil reveled in Parliament, the Prime Minister is a prisoner of his own statements since four years ago he had collected people for a public protest against fuel prices, whereas he is now allowing the exaggerated prices to linger on and burden Maltese people when international fuel prices have almost been halved.

L-Orizzont

MCESD says that the hedging agreement was a unanimous decision

Following a meeting at the MCESD, social partners were given information about the government’s hedging policy, which has determined the drop in prices in the past and kept fuel prices form fluctuating. Fuel prices have already dropped towards January and they are expected to drop again in March and April.

The Independent

Tancred Tabone named as HSBC Swiss Private Bank Holder

€687.4 million are being linked to bank accounts in Malta have been deposited in HSBC Private Bank in Switzerland. One of the named Maltese account holders is former Enemalta Chairman Tancred Tabone, whose lawyer has denied wrongdoing by his client.

Government shoots down PN’s motion calling for cheaper fuel prices

Government defeats a PN motion calling for cheaper fuel prices, and Opposition leader Simon Busuttil, accused the Prime Minister of being inconsistent.