Updated 1745 – News Portal Briefing
Times of Malta says that a court has declared that although landowners have a right to enjoy property held under protected leases, the State has a “very wide discretion” to maintain the agricultural sector and prevent its collapse.
MaltaToday says that a judge has dismissed a case for the dissolution of a rural lease filed by the owner of a field in Qrendi in a landmark ruling protecting farmers from eviction.
Newsbook says that criminal proceedings against former EU Commissioner John Dalli have been delayed yet again at the prosecution’s request, with the presiding magistrate insisting that there should be no further deferments going forward.
TVM says that a foreign worker, whose identity is still not known, died tragically early this afternoon after he was involved in a fatal accident at work in the limits of Ħal Għaxaq
Updated 1244
Covid-19 Update: A staggering 386 new COVID-19 infections were reported on Tuesday, the second-highest ever daily total and the first time more than 300 cases were notified in one day since March. There are currently 40 patients in hospital, with five requiring intensive treatment. Active cases have now exceeded 2,500.
I will not be silenced on tax matters – Grech
PN Bernard Grech accused Labour of trying to silence him, insisting that he will keep speaking about tax matters. “The Labour Party claims I have no right to speak about tax evasion. Not only did I pay all my dues, but I also paid what I was previously contesting, once I found out that the government was going out of its way to stop me from contesting for PN Leader,” Grech worte on Facebook. “While a Labour MP can get away with simply not contesting the next election, today we have people being charged with money laundering for minor tax issues that should be dealt with administratively. But to protect the big fish, Labour got Malta greylisted. And to keep protecting the big fish, they make a show of the little guy. I will not let the bullies win at everyone else’s expense,” he added.
Morning Briefing
Everyone should shoulder responsibility, says PM
The Prime Minister said “everyone should shoulder their own responsibility” when asked whether retaining the Education Minister was hindering government’s efforts to promote good governance. “Everyone, every MP, particularly those in the executive, have to shoulder their responsibilities, and on that I was clear since my first day as prime minister,” Abela told reporters on Monday, in a comment to questions on whether the beleaguered Education Minister, found guilty of an ethics breach by the Standards Commissioner, should resign. (Maltatoday)
Labour MP resigns
Labour MP Silvio Grixti has resigned from parliament after being interrogated by the Police’s Financial Crimes Investigation Department over an investigation into irregular medical sick notes. He was released on bail. On Facebook, Grixti said that “I do not want to occupy a parliamentary seat at a time when I will not be focused 100% on representing my constituents and patients”. While the PN described the situation as a demonstration of a government in disarray, PN MP Jason Azzopardi appeared to take the MP’s side, saying that because of a single false certificate, for which he received no payment, a magisterial inquiry was opened, an arrest warrant was issued, a search warrant was issued on his office and Grixti himself was arrested for more than 10 hours”. (Newsbook.com.mt)
Majority of recent infections concerned people who travelled – Gauci
The majority of people recently infected with coronavirus had travelled, according to Health Superintendent Prof Charmaine Gauci. She also revealed that some 85% of people recently diagnosed with COVID-19 showed no symptoms other than a cough and runny nose. She re-iterated claims by Deputy PM Chris Fearne that the new Omicron variant has still not been found in Malta but the expectation is that it will be identified very soon. She attributed the increase in infections to the fact people had increased in gathering and socialising. The authorities were seeing more infections among households, with the infection spreading before the carriers knew about it, Gauci said. (Times of Malta)
Maltese El Chapo imprisoned
Jordan Azzopardi, 32, from Iklin, was sentenced to seven months in jail after he was found guilty of threatening two people and beating up a man, leaving him naked in the street. The self-styled Maltese El Chapo pleaded guilty only after 33 sittings, with Magistrate Nadine Lia pointeding out that he was never sorry for his behaviour, never apologised to his victims and never compensated the man for the damage he had caused him. (TVM.com.mt)
Covid-19 Update
252 new cases were reported on Monday, health authorities said, with 42 persons now in hospital, five of whom in ITU. With 80 recoveries, the total number of active infections has reached 2190.
CDE News
