Afternoon Briefing
The Times of Malta reports that murder suspect Yorgen Fenech was denied bail once more on Thursday, with Justice Giovanni Grixti turning down his request. The Magistrate was himself involved in controversy this morning after documents revealed by the family of murdered journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia have shown that he had purchased a yacht from Fenech’s father.
Maltatoday says that the widow of notary Ivan Barbara has denied benefitting from money held in escrow by her late husband or that the funds were used to adopt her daughter from India. Rosanne Barbara Zarb said in a letter sent to the media that she had no involvement or connection with her late husband’s profession.
Newsbook headlines with the arrest of four people following a major operation in Burmarrad during which the police seized 136kg of cannabis.
TVM reports that the timely intervention by lifeguards saves 10-year-old boy caught in dangerous current at Għajn Tuffieħa.
Mid-Day Briefing
Covid-19 Update: A 96-year-old woman and a 79-year-old man died from Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of fatalities since the start of the pandemic to 435. Meanwhile, health authorities reported 86 new infections from slightly less than 3,500 swab tests conducted yesterday.
There were 56 recoveries, leaving the number of active cases to 643, up from 615 on Wednesday.
Judge who will determine Yorgen Fenech’s bail request bought yacht from his father
Documents revealed by the family of murdered journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia have shown that a Judge Giovanni Grixti, who will be deciding whether Yorgen Fenech should be given bai, has bought a 50-foot yacht from the murder suspect’s father George. This news was immediately taken up by PN MP Jason Azzopardi, who is also the Caruana Galizia’s family lawyer, who said that the evidence has shown that judge Grixti had “done business” with Fenech’s father. Judge Grixti bought the 50ft motor yacht, Spensierata, from Fenech’s father, George, in 2008 when he was already a magistrate.
Malta only EU country not to accept COVID certificates
Malta is the only EU Member State refusing COVID-certificates for entry into the country. These certificates were meant to facilitate safe free movement while the bloc deals with the COVID-19 pandemic. The Times of Malta has reached to Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci, who defended the authorities’ position, insisting the island could not afford to be taking “additional risks”. “Yes, we do have more stringent measures than others. We want to protect our country as much as possible,” she said. The decision was criticised by Malta International Airport CEO Alan Borg who said that these restrictions are dampening recovery.
1,131 persons injured at work in first half of 2021
Data published by the NSO this morning has shown that 1,131 persons were involved in a non-fatal accident at work in the first six months of 2021. The majority of these non-fatal accidents occurred in the construction sector (17.2 per cent). Another 188 or 16.6 per cent of the accidents occurred in the manufacturing sector followed by the transportation and storage sector (146 or 12.9 per cent). When compared to the same period in 2020, the number of accidents increased by 27 in the administrative and support service activities.
Updated 0823 – Newspaper Review
The Malta Business Weekly publishes an interview with Marsascala mayor Mario Calleja who expressed shock at the plans for a marina in the seaside town proposed by Transport Malta. The local council unanimously rejected the project in a meeting on Monday.
The Times leads with a statement in court by the deputy attorney general accusing businessman Yorgen Fenech of purchasing a number of weapons, hand grenades, and ammunition on the dark web a year after journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was killed.
The Independent reports that the Attorney General has filed a bill of indictment against Yorgen Fenech, accusing him with complicity in the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia and or criminal association. The prosecution is seeking a life sentence.
In-Nazzjon follows the proceedings in court as the prosecution in the case against Yorgen Fenech is pushing for a life sentence for the Caruana Galizia assassination and an added minimum of 20 years for criminal association.
L-Orizzont says that Judge Giovanni Grixti is hearing arguments for and against granting Yorgen Fenech bail. The defence says that there is no chance of the suspect escaping while the prosecution said that the businessman had made plans to flee before his arrest.
The Times quotes Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci that Covid-19 infections related to travel stand at around one in ten, a sharp reduction from the 60 per cent rate observed when restrictions on tourism were introduced.
In-Nazzjon says that the PN is calling for the removal of the Corradino Correctional Facility senior management after another inmate committed suicide. Party spokesperson Peter Agius said that prison has been turned into a vindictive institution.
The Independent follows a press conference by the Nationalist Party demanding that prison director Alexander Dalli shoulders responsibility for a series of deaths and suicide attempts in the correctional facility.
The Malta Business Weekly speaks with the CEO of the Gozo Business Chamber, Daniel Borg, who said that the island must diversify its economy to sustain growth. He said it is time to reduce reliance on sectors such as construction and real estate.
In-Nazzjon carries an interview with teenager Kacey Wadge who left Malta to pursue a career in musicals. Having already performed in various theatres across Europe, Wadge has now enrolled in a prestigious UK university to further her studies in the field.
L-Orizzont carries the story of a fitness trainer from Texas, the US, who was infected with Covid-19 after he refused to take the vaccine. He said that virus is not to be taken lightly and appeal to the public to take the vaccine.
Morning Briefing
Judge Bugeja abstains from Yorgen Fenech trial
Judge Aaron Bugeja has abstained from hearing Yorgen Fenech’s trial for the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, because of his involvement in the Egrant enquiry. He was assigned the case after a bill of indictment against Fenech was filed by the Attorney General. Shortly afterwards, Bugeja noted that he had presided over an inquiry in which he had expressed his judgment on matters which are directly linked to Fenech’s defence. Bugeja had previously also abstained from presiding the trials of the Degiorgio brothers, who are accused of carrying out Caruana Galizia’s assassination.
PN calls for collective effort to get Malta off grey-list
The Nationalist Party has called for a collective effort for Malta to be taken off the FATF grey list and for the country’s name to be cleaned up before Mata’s reputation continues to suffer. In a press briefing on Wednesday, the PN said that citizens have ended up trapped without fault in a situation from which everyone is suffering. The party noted how awareness is growing among the Maltese that the damage by the Government in the financial sector has led to the destruction of Malta’s reputation. Indeed, a survey conducted by Misco found that 60 per cent of respondents are worried by FATF’s decision to grey-list Malta. Another third said they are either unconcerned or not interested in the issue. Of all respondents, 57 per cent blame the government for the downgrade while 26 per cent pin the result on the Opposition.
Covid-19 Update
More new infections were recorded today than recoveries, raising the total number of active cases to 615. Authorities reported 82 new cases, 71 recoveries, but no fatalities. This was the first time that there were fewer recoveries than new cases since July 25. Just under 3,200 persons were swabbed on Tuesday.
CDE News
