Updated 1745 – News Portal Briefing
Times of Malta says that one in every seven people believe it is “justifiable” for politicians to make “morally dubious” decisions that show favouritism for individuals, according to a new University of Malta survey.
MaltaToday reports that an expansion plan announced by the economy ministry will see Centrecom creating 320 new jobs in the local economy over the next 24 months.
Newsbook reports that Yorgen Fenech is claiming he has suffered from what was described by his lawyers as irreparable damage following statements said by PN MP, lawyer Jason Azzopardi during an interview on 103 Malta’s Heart which was aired on Saturday 31st October.
TVM reports three Somali men were arrested in connection with assault and robbery in St Julian’s on the 21st October.
Updated 1233 – 102 new cases of coronavirus
The number of new COVID-19 cases reported today reached 102, the same number as Sunday. The Ministry of Health said 2,851 tests were made over 24 hours and 82 patients had recovered. The number of active cases remains stands at 1980.
Updated 1111 – Local firms seek to recoup €7 million from Turkish construction company
More than twenty local firms have filed legal proceedings to recoup a total of about €7 million they are owed by Turkish construction company TACA for building supplies and services rendered.
The Times of Malta today quoted court documents that show that the companies are insisting they are owed money ranging from a few hundred euros to hefty bills surpassing the €2 million mark.
One creditor filed a court case requesting a ruling for the dissolution of the company and the seizure of its assets in Malta. The Turkish company, which specialises in large construction projects, flew workers to Malta to work on projects including the Fortina development, the new wing at St Viincent de Paule and db Group’s City Centre project.
Valletta Christmas Programme launched – No mass events scheduled
“COVID-19 will not kill Christmas,” according to Jason Micallef, who chairs Valletta’s Cultural Agency. Speaking at the launch of Christmas in the City, a month-long programme of activities, Micallef explained that while no mass events are being planned, activities will include children’s choirs as well as adult ones, an opera show by locally and internationally renowned singer Nico Darmanin and other activities spread throughout the city.
Arts Minister José Herrera explained that this project shows the importance of a collaborative government seeing that both the Tourism Ministry and his ministry share a common goal: marketing Malta. “The creative and arts sector is undeniably suffering the most during this pandemic as it depends on interaction which is not possible at the moment. This industry provides for 7% of our GDP, thus it is my responsibility to find ways that will keep this industry on its feet. It is not enough to give handouts, we have to keep creative included in such projects.”
Fenech seeks remedy over Azzopardi comments
Yorgen Fenech, who stands accused of masterminding the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia, has asked the court for a remedy after lawyer Jason Azzopardi implied guilt during a radio interview. Filed before Magistrate Rachel Montebello this morning, Fenech’s application includes a transcript of an exchange between Azzopardi and radio presenter Andrew Azzopardi.
Fenech said that on 31 October, in a live broadcast, the lawyer, who is also parte civile for the Caruana Galizia family in the criminal proceedings, told Andrew Azzopardi that Fenech was guilty of masterminding the murder.
The application requests the court to order Azzopardi to testify about what he had said on the radio and to declare a breach of section 366C, as well as provide a remedy.
Updated 0820 – Newspaper Review
The Independent speaks to a Planning Authority spokesperson about a recent Eurostat report showing that a tenth of people in Malta consider their dwellings too dark, the highest rate in the EU. The spokesperson said that lack of natural light is not due to lack of planning.
In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who said that the party set up a Covid Action Team to advise on the health and economic issues arising from the pandemic. Grech said that the country cannot risk people’s health.
L-Orizzont follows a PL political event during which Prime Minister Robert Abela said that the government chose to invest in the country rather than resorting to a policy of austerity before the Covid-19 challenge.
The Times says that Turkish construction company TACA owes some €7 million to more than two dozen Maltese firms for building supplies and services. A creditor is requesting the courts to seize the company’s assets in Malta.
The Independent reports on a Park and Ride proposal in Xewkija which would operate a bus service to and from Mġarr. The facility is expected to have charging stations for electric buses and the application was filed by the Gozo Ministry.
In-Nazzjon reports on three deaths caused by Covid-19 between Saturday and Sunday. A 91-year-old woman and two men both aged over 70 years became the latest victims of the pandemic which has now claimed 78 lives.
L-Orizzont says that the Domestic Violence Unit within the police force has received an average five reports daily since it was set up on October 1. Inspector Eman Hayman explained that the unit assists victims with social work expertise.
The Times follows the homily by Archbishop Scicluna commemorating Remembrance Day where he drew parallels between the lives lost in the Wars and the coronavirus pandemic. The Archbishop said decision makers have a responsibility to keep death to the least possible.
Morning Briefing
Covid-19 Update
Three persons died from coronavirus yesterday in Malta. Following the death of a 91-year old woman reported early in the morning, authorities also gave news of two more men passing away later on Sunday, aged 79 and 71 respectively. These deaths take up Malta’s death tally to 78.
The authorities also reported 102 new cases over the past 24 hours. With practically the same number of recoveries (103) active cases remained stable at 1962. 2,952 persons were swabbed throughout yesterday.
PM Abela highlights economic results in Sunday’s address
Dr Abela remarked that since the economic regeneration plan was launched in June, unemployment has dropped week after week, even to the present day. The Prime Minister added that this came about in contrast to the rest of the world, where job losses and business closures are the order of the day.
Abela also tackled the recent European Commission’s economic forecast for Malta, which predicts a good level of growth in the next couple of years following a turbulent 2020. Abela said that these forecasts are evidence that Labour Party had shown that it can lead a government in good times, but also through challenging times.
Opposition leader expresses health concerns
Bernard Grech called out Robert Abela’s bluff policy that he says the Labour Party have used over the years. “When it comes to health we can’t bluff or take risks. We can’t play with the lives of people,” he said. Grech said this during a telephone interview aired on party radio, where he spoke on COVID-19 and the party’s vision on the environment.
“This ‘bluff’ politics that Robert Abela and the Labour Party have employed over the years has worked in some aspects, but we cannot play with people’s lives,” he said.
The PN added that a number of people had been informed that scheduled operations or pre-booked treatment were being postponed because of lack of human resources. Dr Grech noted how this was an indirect effect of Covid, even if these people were not infected by the virus.
Police officer suffers serious injuries
A police constable was seriously injured in Ħal Far on Sunday after losing control of his motorcycle. Police said the incident took place at around 1.40pm while the constable was on duty carrying out inspections in the Industrial Estate.
The officer, aged 33, was taken to Mater Dei Hospital for treatment. Investigations are ongoing. In a separate incident on Sunday, a 30-year old woman, also a motorcyclist, was hospitalised after suffering injuries in a collision in Imtarfa. Police said the Santa Venera resident was one of three drivers involved in the collision in Triq il-Maltin Internati u Eżiljati.
CDE News
