Court orders police to examine new evidence after Fenech acquittal
The Criminal Court has ordered police to examine testimony heard during Yorgen Fenech’s murder trial to determine whether other people could face criminal proceedings in connection with Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination. The order was issued by Judge Edwina Grima in her judgment acquitting Fenech on Wednesday. A nine-member jury found him not guilty of complicity in the journalist’s murder and associating with others to commit a crime, with both verdicts returned by eight votes to one. While acquitting the former Tumas Group CEO, the court ordered copies of trial testimony to be passed to the Police Commissioner for further investigation into the possible criminal liability of third parties. The evidence will also be placed before two existing magisterial inquiries, concerning alleged leaks of information by public officials and the 2017 car bomb explosion in Bidnija which killed Caruana Galizia. (Times of Malta)
Malta to get new €10.2 million reverse osmosis plant at Pembroke
The Water Services Corporation has issued an EU-funded €10.2 million tender for a new seawater reverse osmosis plant at its existing Pembroke facility. The new plant will have a nominal capacity of 11,200 cubic metres of potable water daily, with the potential to increase production to at least 13,000 cubic metres. This represents a 20% increase in the capacity of the Pembroke plant. The facility will consist of two independent and identical reverse osmosis systems, while the existing plant will remain fully operational throughout construction, testing and commissioning. WSC CEO Karl Cilia said the project formed part of the corporation’s National Investment Plan to strengthen Malta’s water production capacity. The Pembroke project follows a recently issued tender for a new reverse osmosis plant at Għar Lapsi and forms part of a wider programme to expand Malta’s freshwater production infrastructure. (The Malta Independent)
Government launches five-year strategy to improve financial capability
The Social Policy Ministry has launched a six-week public consultation on a new National Financial Capability Strategy aimed at helping people make better-informed financial decisions. Covering the period between 2026 and 2031, the strategy seeks to strengthen coordination between organisations involved in financial education while promoting an approach based on research, evidence and collaboration. Social Policy Minister Michael Falzon said the country needed to build resilience and help future generations understand the importance of long-term financial planning. The strategy also includes support for people experiencing debt difficulties through Flusi Malta, a debt advice service offering professional guidance to individuals and families. An accredited training programme for debt advisers was developed with MCAST, with the first group receiving their certificates on Thursday. The initiatives stem from ĠEMMA, the ministry’s financial capability platform, working alongside several national and European partners. (Maltatoday)
