Updated – Malta News Briefing – Monday 12 August 2024

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Woman killed in Swatar, ex-partner shot by police

A man and a woman were killed in separate but connected incidents early Monday morning. A police spokesperson stated that the circumstances surrounding both cases are still under investigation. According to initial reports, the woman was killed in her apartment on Triq Maestro Giuseppe Busuttil in Swatar, Birkirkara, at around 2 a.m. The suspect, an Irish man, was shot by police in Paceville near the Hilton Hotel during the second incident. Sources indicated that there had been no prior reports of violence between the two, although the woman had filed a harassment report against the suspect some time ago after receiving emails from him following their breakup. (Times of Malta)

According to a Maltatoday report, the victim was identified as Nicolette Ghirxi, while the Irish man, shot by the police, is Edward Johnston. The same report quotes sources that indicate that aggressor was shot four times in the chest after he aimed his weapon at the police with the intention to fire at them.

Morning Briefing

Property transactions stable in July

The number of final deeds of sale relating to residential property amounted to 1,035 during July 2024, meaning the level remained practically on the same level when compared to those registered a year earlier. Data by the NSO shows that during July 2024, 1,063 promise of sale agreements relating to residential property were registered, a decrease of 21 agreements over the same period last year. In relation to the amounts registered in July 2023, the final deeds of sale decreased by 0.8 per cent, whereas promise of sale agreements decreased by 1.9 per cent.

PN says PM silencing dissent with people’s money

Prime Minister Robert Abela is more concerned with silencing dissent by using taxpayers’ money than tackling the nation’s problems, PN leader Bernard Grech said on Sunday. Grech made these comments in response to the resignation of Labour Party CEO Randolph De Battista and his subsequent appointment as Malta’s ambassador to Geneva. “We have a prime minister who, instead of addressing the country’s needs, is playing musical chairs to appease and silence people,” Grech stated. The PN leader made these remarks during a telephone interview on NET FM, adding that De Battista lacks experience in diplomacy, and Abela is merely using public funds to keep him quiet. (Times of Malta)

Georgian found guilty of string Sliema thefts

A 50-year-old man from Georgia, residing in Qawra, was sentenced to 8 years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple thefts in Sliema between 2014 and 2015. Kartlos Dolaberidze, along with two others, was charged with committing 18 thefts in Sliema between July and September 2015, three of which were unsuccessful.
The thefts occurred across several streets in the seaside locality. (TVM)