1745- Latest News update
Times of Malta says almost 28,000 people in Malta struggle to meet their basic needs and are considered to be severely deprived according to an EU-wide metric, a study of poverty in 2021 has found.
MaltaToday says Randolph Spiteri, the right-hand man to former prison director Alex Dalli, says he is out on ‘personal leave and nothing more’ as sources suggest more changes in the offing at CCF
Newsbook says Qala mayor Paul Buttigieg, known for being outspoken in his relentless defence of Ħondoq ir-Rummien bay against proposed development, said that he has been attacked by an employee of a “well-known Gozitan developer”.
TVM says in a historic decision, the Constitutional Court has rescinded a five-year prison sentence for drugs trafficking that was handed down to Christopher Bartolo becasue in a statement he had made to the Magistrate he did not have the presence of a lawyer with him.
Updated 1255
Enemalta losses compensated ‘on monthly basis’ as energy costs soar: S&P Global Ratings has affirmed its ‘B+’ rating for Enemalta and removed the rating from Credit Watch with negative implications. The Maltese government is providing ongoing financial support to energy distributor Enemalta to sustain its liquidity position. “This was necessary because the regulatory framework in Malta does not automatically protect the company from the rise in commodity prices nor from decline in consumption volumes and also as it is the Maltese government’s policy is to keep prices stable,” S&P said. (Maltatoday)
Former head of media says next step for PN is insolvency procedure: The Nationalist Party must begin insolvency procedures, according to the former head of its media arm. Pierre Portelli has said the PN must begin what is known as “forced administration”.Administration is a business process normally initiated when a company has critical cash flow problems and is meant to settle pending dues. Portelli, who until 2019 headed the PN’s Media.Link which publishes the party’s media, was reacting to Sunday’s speech by party leader Bernard Grech. (Times of Malta)
Covid-19 update: There were 259 new cases of Covid-19 and 372 people have recovered. One new death was recorded. Active cases now stand at 4,420, down from yesterday’s 4,534.
Morning Briefing
Cabinet refuses pardon to men accused of Caruana Galizia murder
The Cabinet of Ministers has refused to grant a pardon to two men indicted over the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia “In line with the advice of the Attorney General and the Commissioner of Police, the Cabinet of Ministers today decided to advise the President of the Republic not to grant the request for a proclamation made on 4 April 2022 by Mr Alfred Degiorgio and Mr George Degiorgio,” a government statement reads. Brothers Alfred and George Degiorgio requested a presidential pardon in exchange for information about the involvement of a former cabinet minister in the murder. (Maltatoday)
Fires engulfs foodstuff warehouse in Sta Venera
A fire broke out at a foodstuffs factory in Santa Venera on Monday afternoon, with firefighters warning that the battle to completely douse the flames could go on all night. Multiple Civil Protection Department firefighting trucks were soon on the scene and were still working as of 8.15pm to restore a measure of order. More than 40 firefighters were involved in the operation. Nobody was inside the building when the fire broke out and no injuries were reported. A magisterial inquiry will investigate the blaze. (Times of Malta)
Covid-19 Update
Four people have died with Covid 19, data issued by the health authorities on Monday showed, taking the total number of deaths to 692. No details about the recent deaths were given. 178 new Covid cases were registered on Monday, The number of active cases currently stands at 4,534. (The Malta Independent)
