1745 Latest Update- News Portal Briefing
Times of Malta reports that vaccinated visitors will be given priority when elderly homes re-open properly in the coming months, the Elderly Minister revealed on Tuesday, emphasising the importance of getting inoculated against COVID-19.
MaltaToday reports that 16-year-old Luana Borg has been reported missing to police for a second time over the past six months.
Newsbook reports that a group of 70 asylum seekers were brought to Malta on Tuesday afternoon
TVM reports that a 39-year-old man from Ħamrun ended up in court after allegedly attempting to attack his 70-year-old mother with a sword.
Updated 1403 – 70 Migrants land in Malta
A group of around 70 migrants, all men, landed in Malta on Tuesday after they were rescued in the Mediterranean.
The Home Affairs Ministry confirmed that a rescue was carried out by a patrol boat of the armed forces of Malta, but gave no further details.
Malta has not seen the same scale of migrant arrivals as other parts of the Mediterranean; more than 2,000 migrants landed on the Italian island of Lampedusa over the weekend.
Update1300
Covid-19 Update: Just six new COVID-19 cases were reported today while no new deaths were recorded. A total of 1,600 swab tests were carried out yesterday. 15 persons recovered, with the active case tally going down to 204.
Former OPM chief of staff hospitalised: Former OPM chief of staff Keith Schembri is in hospital with a “serious condition”, according to his lawyer. Schembri missed a court hearing on charges of money laundering and fraud. He did not confirm whether Schembri had undergone a biopsy when asked by reporters. During the court hearing, police and officials from tax and accounting departments were asked to testify. Schembri and his business partner, Malcolm Scerri, are also being investigated by the tax compliance unit. Officials testified on Tuesday that both had made declarations of hundreds of thousands of euros after being audited by the tax compliance unit.
The court granted bail to Schembri and two of his associates accused of financial corruption in connection with a multi-million euro printing press deal.
Degiorgios file Constitutional case over Daphne Caruana Galizia murder pardon: The Degiorgio borthers have filed a constitutional case against the Maltese government and the President of the Republic. They filed this case after their request for a presidential pardon was refused. The two brothers stand accused of having been the triggermen in the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia. Another accomplice, Vince Muscat, has pleaded guilty. George and Alfred Degiorgio asked the Court to recognise that the Cabinet abused of its power when it refused them a pardon.
Update 0920 – Keith Schembri hospitalised, to miss court hearing
Former OPM Chief of Staff Keith Schembri was hospitalised and missed his scheduled court hearing this morning, where charges of money laundering and fraud were expected to be brought against him.
Newspaper Briefing
The Times quotes Health Minister Chris Fearne who informed parliament that the government has ordered booster shots of the Covid-19 vaccine in case they were needed towards the end of the year.
The Independent speaks with Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo who revealed that his ministry is collaborating with the health and foreign affairs ministries to secure Malta’s place on the UK’s travel green list.
In-Nazzjon quotes Opposition Leader Bernard Grech who raised questions in parliament about the government’s use of EU funds allocated for wage supplement schemes. Grech pledged the opposition’s backing for stronger support measures.
L-Orizzont announces a new collective agreement for the employees of Malta Enterprise negotiated by the General Workers Union. The new agreement introduces better conditions including career development support.
The Times reports that the police are investigating a couple suspected of misappropriating thousands of euros in donations meant for the treatment of a life-threatening disease developed by their child.
In-Nazzjon quotes a statement by that hotels and restaurants association expressing disappointment at the British government’s decision not to include Malta on the travel green list. The association said this was an “unexpected blow” to the tourism sector.
L-Orizzont carries a statement by the association of catering establishments welcoming the half-day reopening of restaurants this week. Depending on the rate of Covid-19 cases, establishments will be allowed to serve dinner from May 24.
The Independent quotes Animal Rights Minister Anton Refalo who said that he is for dialogue, not threats. His comments came after the hunters’ lobby warned the Animal Welfare Commissioner and Child Commissioner that they would seek their resignation.
Morning Briefing
Coronavirus Update
The anti-coronavirus vaccine will be made available to all persons over the age of 16 in May, Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne announced in Parliament on Monday. Fearne also said that COVID-19 vaccine boosters for the winter season are already on order. He said that only Israel will have reached this stage before Malta.
Fearne added that health authorities were expecting herd immunity to be reached soon.
11 new Covid-19 cases were reported on Monday, while 23 persons recovered. The active case tally has gone down to 213. 1,524 swab tests were carried out on Sunday. No deaths were reported.
Country needs economic plan that benefits all – Bernard Grech
Malta needs an economic plan from which all could benefit and that transforms the current challenges in opportunities. Speaking in Parliament, PN leader Bernard Grech said that significant chunks of society are being left behind, recalling a recent survey which has shown that there are 80,000 people who do not know what to do if they incur an unexpected cost of €700.
“The PN has been consistent and will remain consistent in supporting any aid given to help families and workers”, Grech explained. However, the Opposition leader sought to deny Government’s claim that the pandemic-related assistance was being paid out from the country’s surplus. He explained that the Government reported an increase in the defict of €1.3 billion while the debt level increased by €1.26 billion. This shows that every penny the government used to fight the pandemic had to be borrowed, Grech said, accusing Government of squandering money on shady deals, such as SVPR contract.
The PN leader remarked that the fact that Malta is seeking EU funds proves that the Nationalist Party was right in successfully campaigning for Malta to become part of the EU 17 years ago.
Witnesses claim Gafa offered 350k to shutdown claims
Former OPM official Neville Gafa allegedly offered 12 Libyan war casualties €350,000 each for them to back down on their claims implicating him in a medical visas scandal back in seven years ago.
Two witnesses testified via video conference in libel proceedings instituted by Gafa against the former editor of The Malta Independent on Sunday, David Lindsay.
CDE News
