LATEST UPDATE Updated 1745- News Portal Briefing
Times of Malta reports that Edward Scicluna was confirmed as Central Bank governor
MaltaToday reports that the DB group project has been downscaled to 17 storeys
TVM reports that the Prime Minister inaugurated a second fibre optic cable
Newsbook reports that The Kunsill Studenti Universitarji (KSU) and the Malta Medical Students Association (MMSA) have expressed concern that when Barts Medical School reaches full capacity, another 180 students will be added to Mater Dei’s ‘already stretched resources’.
Updated 1233 – Covid-19 update
A total of 101 people tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, with 150 recovering. These cases, identified from 2,978 swab tests, take the active case tally to 1,761 according to health authorities. A total of 174 people have died after contracting the virus, with the latest five deaths being registered on Sunday.
Updated 1155
Criminal proceedings against Pilatus personnel in the offing
Timesofmalta.com reports that a magisterial inquiry into the now defunct Pilatus Bank has been handed to the State Prosecutor and is being assessed for possible criminal action.
The paper’s sources said the hefty inquiry was concluded by Magistrate Ian Farrugia earlier this month and recommends criminal proceedings be initiated against a number of bank personnel.
The magistrate’s findings will also support an ongoing police investigation which is understood to be at an advanced stage.
Keith Schembri justifies Panama accounts in Caruana Galizia inquiry
Former OPM Chief of Staff Keith Schembri justified the opening of offshore accounts in Panama, suggesting that due to his business background, it was normal to open an offshore structure. “Maybe I was naive to keep on thinking as a businessman. I was tempted to leave politics and go back to business,” he argued during today’s sitting of the inquiry into Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination.
To justify his argument, he explained that the big four accounting firms have 10 shell companies each set up abroad just in case they need one at short notice. “This happens regularly. The fact that they are set up doesn’t mean that they have plans to use them,” he said”.
Questioned on Macbridge and Egrant, Schembri said he had no idea to whom the former belongs, while adding that he was informed that Egrant was one of the shell companies set up by Brian Tonna and was never used”.
He added that he chose Panama to create an asset company as it was the fastest route. “It was a temporary measure. In fact, when I saw the problems at opening accounts and so on, I had gone to Nexia and told them to stop,” he insisted.
Updated 0900: Newspaper Review
Morning Briefing
The Times reports that a magisterial inquiry into Pilatus Bank has been concluded earlier this month and is now being assessed by the State Prosecutor. The paper says that the ‘voluminous’ inquiry document recommends criminal action against bank officials.
The Independent quotes President George Vella in his Republic Day address who said that the primary challenge for Malta was to ensure that justice is served for those behind the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia.
In-Nazzjon follows the traditional Republic Day ceremony on Sunday during which President George Vella said that the country needs to ‘clear its name’ in the world by investigating and prosecuting all allegations of criminal activity.
L-Orizzont quotes Eurostat figures which show that Malta’s economic recovery in the second and third quarter this year was higher than the average in the euro area, and the fifth highest among member states.
The Independent speaks to a Foreign Affairs Ministry official who said that travel between Malta and the UK will not be interrupted even in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The EU may impose a travel ban on the UK after the transition period ends on December 31.
The Times reports on an agreement between the European Commission and the British government to abandon an original deadline for a Brexit deal which was set for Sunday. Ursula von der Leyen and Boris Johnson agreed on the extension over a telephone conversation.
L-Orizzont carries an interview with family doctor Joseph Ferriggi who had contracted the coronavirus in October and came close to 70 percent probability of dying. The doctor describes the difficult experience of Covid-19 patients.
In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who said that reforms to the divorce law proposed by the party are directed at the wider implications on children and their parents. Grech said that the Opposition will present amendments to the maintenance system.
L-Orizzont publishes a reply by the Institute of Journalists to complaints that veteran journalist Sam Sammut, who died earlier this year, was not mentioned in the Journalism Awards. The Institute explained the ‘oversight’ and promised to salute Sammut next year.
Morning Briefing
Mario Grech, Charmaine Gauci lead Republic Day honours list
Former Bishop Mario Grech, who was recently made a Cardinal by Pope Francis, was made a Companion of the National Order of Merit in recognition of his contribution in the Catholic Church and to his pastoral work.
He joined three health leaders in being rewarded on Republic Day, with Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci, virologist Dr. Christopher Barbara, and infectious diseases specialist Dr. Charles Mallia Azzopardi being made Officers of the National Order of Merit.
The ceremony took place at the President’s Palace in Valletta. Eleven members were awarded The National Order of Merit, and seven others the Midalja ghall-Qadi tar-Repubblika.
AFM head Brigadier Jeffrey Curmi was also made an Officer of the National Order of Merit. Maestro Paul Abela, Professor Charles Briffa, Anthony Cassar Darien, Professor Stephen Montfort, James Henry Pearsall, and Mons. Joseph Vella Gauci were all made Members of the National Order of Merit.
Opposition leader says vaccine will not ensure normality on its own
Dr Bernard Grech, PN Leader, said that the vaccine on its own is not the solution to the pandemic, taking the Prime Minister to task for insisting that this was the case. “The prime minister is giving us hope that the vaccine on its own will be the solution… however, we have a civic duty to follow the health authorities’ guidelines.
“The vaccine on its own will not be the solution and a prime minister who keeps saying so is irresponsible. Yes, the vaccine is a solution, however, only if we all do our part. If I take the vaccine and don’t follow the guidelines, I could harm myself and others. It is the responsibility of all of us to take care of each other,” he warned.
Grech urged people to keep in touch with others, noting that the country was just keeping afloat when faced by economic challenges. He warned Malta could go underwater in the coming months and people needed to look out for each other. Grech also urged a collective sense of remedial to the damaged reputation of the country, suggesting: “we cannot leave it up to labour, the party that led us to the situation we are in, to solve the issue”.
Covid-19 Update
52 new cases of Covid-19 were reported on Sunday, while three more Covid-19 patients have passed away.
Health authorities said that 90 people meanwhile have recovered from the virus, meaning that the number of active cases now stands at 1,815. Malta has now had a total of 11,153 cases of Covid-19. 9,169 of those have recovered while 169 have died.
CDE News
