Yorgen Fenech defence closes as prosecution begins final submissions
The defence in Yorgen Fenech’s trial by jury closed its case on Wednesday after calling three witnesses, paving the way for the prosecution to begin its closing submissions. Prosecutor Anthony Vella told jurors that the evidence presented over the past two months points in one direction, arguing that Fenech’s recorded conversations, payments and actions corroborate middleman Melvin Theuma’s testimony. Fenech has pleaded not guilty to complicity in the wilful homicide of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia and to criminal association to commit her murder. Caruana Galizia was killed in a car bomb attack on 16 October 2017. Vella also challenged the defence’s suggestion that businessman Keith Schembri was the mastermind, arguing that this theory must be reconciled with the evidence against Fenech, including recordings and discussions about money. (Maltatoday)
Malta’s economy grows by 4.5% in second quarter
Malta’s economy grew by 4.5% in real terms during the second quarter of the year, with services and domestic demand driving the expansion, provisional figures from the National Statistics Office show. GDP reached €6.5 billion between April and June, representing a 6.8% increase in nominal terms compared with the same period last year. Real growth accelerated from the revised 4.2% recorded in the first quarter. Services were the main driver, with gross value added increasing by 5% in real terms. Financial and insurance activities recorded the strongest growth at 12.2%, followed by information and communication at 9.2% and professional, scientific and technical activities at 7.5%. Domestic demand contributed 5.3 percentage points to GDP growth, while government consumption surged by 14.7%. (TVM News)
Rent subsidies to be phased out over two years
People receiving rent subsidies who later exceed the income eligibility threshold will no longer lose their benefits immediately under changes to Malta’s Housing Benefit Scheme. Housing and Lands Minister Owen Bonnici announced the new mechanism on Thursday, saying the changes were intended to ensure that Housing Authority schemes continue to reflect changing economic and social realities. Under the revised system, beneficiaries whose income rises above the threshold will see their subsidy gradually reduced instead of losing the full benefit immediately. The assistance will be phased out over a two-year period, giving recipients more time to adjust to changes in their financial circumstances. Bonnici said further reviews of Housing Authority schemes would continue, with the aim of ensuring that support remains responsive to people’s needs while taking wider economic and social conditions into account. (Times of Malta)
