Updated 0850
Parliament begins Summer Recess After Approving Two Bills Linked to EU funds: Parliament rose for its summer recess on Monday after MPs approved two Bills tied to Malta’s commitments under the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), extending the legislature’s final sitting beyond last week’s planned adjournment. The reforms, presented by Justice Minister Clifton Grima, aim to strengthen the rule of law, democracy and access to justice. One law removes the government’s role in appointing members of specialised administrative tribunals, handing responsibility to an independent commission through a merit-based process. The second expands judicial oversight of decisions by the Attorney General not to prosecute certain criminal cases. Grima said the measures were developed in consultation with the European Commission and fulfil both the government’s electoral pledges and Malta’s RRF obligations. (Maltatoday)
Parliament begins Summer Recess After Approving Two Bills Linked to EU funds: Parliament rose for its summer recess on Monday after MPs approved two Bills tied to Malta’s commitments under the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), extending the legislature’s final sitting beyond last week’s planned adjournment. The reforms, presented by Justice Minister Clifton Grima, aim to strengthen the rule of law, democracy and access to justice. One law removes the government’s role in appointing members of specialised administrative tribunals, handing responsibility to an independent commission through a merit-based process. The second expands judicial oversight of decisions by the Attorney General not to prosecute certain criminal cases. Grima said the measures were developed in consultation with the European Commission and fulfil both the government’s electoral pledges and Malta’s RRF obligations. (Maltatoday)
Morning Briefing
Keith Schembri told Police what devices to seize, Court told
Police officers who searched former OPM Chief of Staff’s Keith Schembri’s Mellieħa villa during the investigation into the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia were instructed to seize only electronic devices identified by Schembri himself, a court heard on Monday. A scene-of-crime officer told jurors in the Yorgen Fenech trial that two mobile phones photographed during the search were not taken because they were not among the devices handed over by Schembri. The instruction was reportedly issued by Assistant Police Commissioner Keith Arnaud, who led the murder investigation. The testimony formed part of ongoing proceedings against Fenech, who is accused of masterminding the 2017 assassination. The court has been hearing evidence related to the investigation process, including how searches and evidence collection were carried out. (Times of Malta)
PM pledges continued grid investment after power cuts as Chamber calls for wake-up call
Prime Minister Robert Abela said the government will continue investing in Malta’s electricity network after recent power cuts exposed growing pressure on the grid, insisting the country must not “pull the brake” on infrastructure spending. Speaking during a meeting with the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Abela said ongoing investment in energy generation, distribution, healthcare and other infrastructure was essential to support a more digital economy, even as higher electricity demand was expected. He also defended the need for a balanced labour migration policy that supports economic growth while maintaining labour market stability. During the meeting, the Chamber urged the government to treat the recent outages as a “wake-up call”, warning that Malta could not build a modern, AI-driven economy on infrastructure struggling to meet current demand. It also called for a shift towards a higher-value economy, greater transparency and long-term planning. Questioned by the media, Prime Minister Robert Abela said he has faith in Energy Minister Miriam Dalli.
PN renews call for Dalli resignation over power cuts
The Nationalist Party has renewed its demand for Energy Minister Miriam Dalli to resign, accusing the government of failing to address repeated power cuts that have affected households and businesses during periods of extreme summer heat. PN MPs Mark Anthony Sammut and Darren Carabott made the call during a press conference outside the Energy Ministry on Monday, criticising Dalli’s response to the crisis and her insistence that previous Nationalist administrations should share responsibility for the situation. The Opposition said the minister must be held politically accountable after another summer marked by widespread electricity disruptions. It also confirmed that the Opposition Whip had requested time at Parliament’s House Business Committee to discuss a previously tabled motion calling on Parliament to condemn Dalli’s handling of the issue. (The Malta Independent)
Italian authorities expand Sicily-Malta drug trafficking investigation
Italian authorities have expanded an investigation into an alleged organised drug trafficking network operating between Sicily, Calabria and Malta, with several suspects accused of being involved in the supply and transport of cocaine, cannabis and marijuana. The investigation, codenamed “Abisso”, has already led to the arrest of 15 people and the seizure of assets worth around €700,000. New precautionary measures have now been imposed on six additional suspects, including individuals from Catania allegedly involved in trafficking drugs towards Malta. According to investigators from Italy’s Guardia di Finanza, the group had established a structured supply route between the province of Catania and the Maltese archipelago, while also supplying criminal groups linked to the Santa Panagia clan in Syracuse. The suspects are alleged to have links with the Cappello-Bonaccorsi criminal group in Sicily and face accusations including organised drug trafficking, illegal weapons possession and threats. (Newsbook)
