1745- Latest News update
Times of Malta says there were probably other people involved in the Daphne Caruana Galizia assassination, the deputy Attorney General said in court on Tuesday while making his case against the latest bail request by two alleged hitmen in the murder.
MaltaToday says Steward Malta has ceded a case in which it was challenging the expectations of a €6 milion pay-out to a former Vitals Global Healthcare investor
Newsbook says Konrad Mizzi once again appeared in front of the parliamentary committee probing the auditor general’s report on the Electrogas deal.
TVM says that The MCAST Resource Centre has been inaugurated. Spread over an area of more than 1,900 square metres, the building contains an area for teaching and exhibitions that encourage research and innovation while promoting lifelong learning.
Updated 1300 – Mid-Day Briefing
Deputy Prime Minister comes out against Marsascala marina: Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne is opposing the proposed Marsascala marina. Fearne told Times of Malta he believes the undeveloped area around the bay should remain as is while the berthing area should be reorganised, taking into consideration the village’s traditions as well as those who have their moorings there. Objectors to the project believe Transport Malta’s plans for a Marsascala yacht marina will ruin the bay. Fearne contests the third electoral district, where the Marsascala yacht marina is proposed. Transport Minister Ian Borg has downplayed the comments, saying his position is identical to the Prime Minister and to Fearne.
Steward drops challenge to Vitals investor on day Joseph Muscat was set to testify: Steward Malta has unexpectedly ceded a case it had filed against one of the investors in the Vitals hospitals deal. The abrupt decision was communicated on the day that former Maltese prime minister Joseph Muscat, was expected to testify. The sitting was supposed to last 3 hours but only lasted minutes after the plaintiffs ceded the case. It is understood that no reason was specified in the note. None of the witnesses attended today’s sitting.
Covid-19 Update: One person died while infected with COVID-19 over the past 24 hours, while healthcare workers detected 122 new cases. There were 184 new recoveries. Three patients are in the ITU.
Morning Briefing
Government to take back Zonqor Point AUM land
The American University of Malta (AUM) will be returning back the land given to it at Marsaskala’s Żonqor Point in exchange for campus expansion at Smart City, Prime Minister Robert Abela revealed. During an interview on TVM News Plus’s XTRA, the PM said that no development will be taking place anywhere at Żonqor Point by the AUM. An area in Bormla that was slated to house AUM dormitories will also be handed back to the government. “In the last months I appointed a number of technical experts to sit together and see how this concession can be better aligned to this government’s environmental vision,” he continued. The deal is being concluded as we speak and will be taken to Cabinet, and eventually Parliament, for approval”, he explained. (Maltatoday)
PM Abela says property delay with alleged criminal was ‘a small parcel of land‘
Prime Minister Robert Abela sought to downplay recent stories relating to a property deal carried out with an alleged criminal who was recently arrested after a case of kidnapping. Reports said that Abela facilitated a property deal for Christian Borg, an alleged kidnapper who is also being investigated for money-laundering. The PM said the deal involved a “small parcel of land in Zabbar”, refusing to give details on its value. Instead, Abela sought to turn his guns on PN leader Bernard Grech, alleging that the atter had built a “villa with a pool” whilst declaring income of €6,000 yearly. Meanwhile PN MP Jason Azzopardi questioned if Abela has ever had deals with the tal-Maksar Brothers Adrian and Robert Agius, which Abela described as a blatant lie. (Times of Malta/The Malta Independent)
Covid-19 Update: 72 new cases of Covid-19 were reported on Monday, with 121 new recoveries. There are now 1,628 active cases. Three other men passed away overnight, aged 39, 92 and 103.
