Updated 1230
Two Covid-19 deaths reported
Two persons have died while they were positive for coronavirus, according to the report issued by health authorities on Sunday. Covid has claimed the lives of 817 persons. There were 30 new cases reported over the past 24 hours bringing the number of active cases to 299. 167 new Covid-19 cases were detected in the past seven days. (Newsbook)
President Vella will not travel to avoid abortion vote – reports
President George Vella appeared to deny rumours that he would take the easy way out and travel abroad to avoid voting on the acrimonious abortion amendment. According to a report in today’s Times of Malta, Dr Vella would be prepared to cancel scheduled overseas trips in the coming weeks if they coincide with the parliamentary vote on the abortion amendment. The President had resorted such solution to avoid signing another controversial vote concerning IVF. The report suggests that he would be prepared to sign the amendments if certain modifications are implemented.
50k crowd celebrates NYE in Valletta
According to the Ministry for National Heritage, over 50,000 people attended the festivities organised in the capital city, Valletta, and surroundngs.
Various Maltese singers and musicians took part in the live broadcast of the country’s New Year’s Eve festivities from St. George’s Square. The celebrations also marked the end of a month’s worth of activities put on by the Valletta Cultural Agency as part of the Christmas in the Capital program. (Maltatoday)
890 roadblocks on NYE
Police carried out just under 900 roadblocks across Malta and Gozo on New Year’s eve. The police said that in traffic inspections held together with members of the Armed Forces of Malta, some 890 vehicles were stopped in different localities around Malta and Gozo. In a statement, police thanked the public for their cooperation and for following traffic regulations. No serious accidents were reported last night.
A Very Happy New Year to our Readers!
Morning Briefing
PM, Opposition leaders deliver New Year Messages
PM Robert Abela sought to strike an optimistic note, saying that along with economic recovery and growth, the government is committed to strengthening civil liberties, with Abela stressing on the importance of women’s rights. “Challenges are inevitable, but we have shown, time after time, that as a country we are able to address any given situation and transform challenges into opportunities,” he argued. Hinting at the abortion debate, Opposition leader Bernard Grech called for stronger efforts to safeguard families as a key foundation to building a strong society and it was on this strength that Maltese people throughout the generations have managed to overcome insurmountable challenges. He added that the PN “cannot remain passive about growing poverty, hardships faced by the most vulnerable and a drowning environmental situation”. The Times of Malta has the full details.
Two interrogated after Paola shooting
Two men were arrested in connection with the shooting incident this morning at a field close to the Addolorata cemetery. The police said that the men, aged 66 and 30, are a father and his son who live in Paola. The victim, aged 57, is also a Paola resident. The victim, who was shot in his face, is being treated at Mater Dei hospital. He reportedly suffered grievous injuries. The two men were interrogated at the Police headquarters on Saturday evening. (TVM)
Court rules against fuel trader in bid to suspend proceedings
Fuel trader Gordon Debono, his wife, Yvette and a number of companies have lost a bid to suspend criminal proceedings against them, including the seizing of their assets, until their claim related to breaches of their human rights is decided. The Times of Malta reports that in one of the last hearings of the year, Mr Justice Neville Camilleri turned down the request to suspend the proceedings, ruling that the Debonos had not satisfied the requisites for the court to issue an interim measure until their claims are decided by the constitutional court. (Times of Malta)
Government sends condolences to Vatican after Pope Benedict’s death
The Government of Malta has formally iits condolences to the Vatican State. In a statement, Government said that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI became linked to Malta after canonizing Ġorġ Preca in 2007, the first Maltese to receive sainthood. Pope Benedict XVI visited Malta in April 2010, and thereafter expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome he received from the people in Malta and Gozo. PM Robert Abela said he remembered fondly his own meeting with Pope Benedict XVI during his apostolic visit to Malta, and also remembers the important meetings held during this same visit, including with Maltese youths. PN leader Bernard Grech recalled Benedict’s appeal in Malta where he had called on socierty to defend the values that have been close to the heart of the local population for thousands of years. (DOI, Facebook)
