What the Sunday papers say…

MaltaToday on Sunday says that Etihad Airlines is in advanced talks with the government about a strategic partnership with Air Malta and that this week, the national airline was asked to provide information on its workforce, wage bill, and other financial data to the Abu Dhabi based airline.

In another story, the newspaper reveals that pardoned oil trader George Farrugia has served a middle-man in the purchase of lighting systems for Transport Malta and was privy to sensitive information that put the companies he represented in a favourable position to win tenders. The newspaper also reveals that the Malta Environmental and Planning Authority approved the installation of Castille’s new lights in just a day.

Sunday newspaper Illum says Ram Tumuluri, the new owner of the Gozo General Hospital previously ran a company that defaulted and that he declared bankruptcy. In another story, the newspaper reports that 28 heads of state from the European Union and Africa will meet in Malta for the Valletta Summit, while on the backpage the newspaper reports that Opposition leader Simon Busuttil is not an exclusive club for Christians, and that has always been open to other religions.

The Sunday Times of Malta says a British fighter jet will be on stand-by reading to fly into action as a security precaution for the commonwealth and Valletta migration summits being held in Malta this month. In another story, it reports that Prime Minister Joseph Muscat avoided questions on whether he will fire parliamentary secretary Michael Falzon.

The Malta Independent on Sunday says the Algeria consulate visa scam is ‘multi layered’ and included consulate staff members, agents in both Algiers and Malta, as well as an English language school ion Malta. In another story, it reports how the European Court of Auditor’s microscope is on Malta after it withheld 11 million in funds for the Coast Road project. 

It-Torca says the driver of Ombudsman Joseph Said Pullicino is using the official state-funded car in an abusive manner, and that in spite of this abuse being flagged two years ago, these have continued.

Nationalist news organ il-mument says Algerians paid €5,000 to acquire a visa from the Maltese consulate, while in another story, the newspaper says the Libyan militant group which kidnapped Noel Sciberras for 47 days has links with dangerous Libyans residing in Malta.

Labour newspaper Kullhadd says the PN wants the Gaffarena petrol station permit in Qormi withdrawn despite having voted in favour of a policy that would have allowed this petrol station in June 2013.