Updated 1745- News Portal Briefing
Times of Malta reports that Europol data extraction experts are facing questions from lawyers defending Yorgen Fenech on Wednesday, as the compilation of evidence against him continues.
MaltaToday reports that 29-year-old Shah Soko Moussa, one of the men behind the 2016 hijack of Afriqiyah Airways, has been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment.
Newsbook reports that Joseph Muscat has been summoned to the public inquiry.
TVM reports that 46-year-old Dennis Zammit of Marsa has been arraigned in court and charged with possession of three kg of cannabis which had been concealed in an animal feed sack, when he disembarked from a Gozo Channel ferry at Ċirkewwa.
Updated 1234 – Covid-19 Update
Malta has exceeded the grim landmark of 10,000 coronavirus cases after 126 new cases were reported today. With 139 new recoveries, the number of active cases has gone down slightly to 2,068.
2,686 swab tests were carried out throughout yesterday.
Joseph Muscat summoned by Caruana Galizia inquiry board
Former Prime minister Joseph Muscat has been summoned to appear before the Daphne Caruana Galizia inquiry board this Friday. The Inquiry Board’s Secretary said today that court bailiffs had handed the summons to Muscat’s father when they turned up at his residence. So far, the board has not heard any confirmation of attendance.
Today’s session was meant to see the chairman and secretary of the Permanent Commission against Corruption appeared but the witnesses said that they were precluded at law from testifying.
Updated 1042 – 30 years for Shannon Mak murderer
Jelle Rijpma, the man who admitted murdering his ex-girlfriend Shannon Mak, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Mak was found in a pool of blood with her throat slashed outside her Santa Venera apartment two years ago.
Rijpma pleaded guilty to the murder in October and confirmed the plea on Wednesday. The crime carried a maximum of life imprisonment but after plea bargaining and a joint application by the defence and the attorney general, Judge Consuelo Scerri Herrera sentenced him to 30 years imprisonement.
Rijpma had initially pleaded not guilty to the charges, but changed his plea to that of guilty last October, prompting the case to move for sentencing.
Updated 1000 – Five more deaths from Covid-19
Coronavirus has caused the death of five other patients in Malta, the Health Ministry said. This brings the COVID-19 death toll in Malta to 146. The fatalities are three men and two women.
Updated 0900 – Newspaper Review
The Times follows a press briefing by BOV where CEO Rick Hunkin announced that the bank is exploring alternative avenues in case of loss of US correspondence banking but admitted that the process would not be easy.
Malta Today quotes Bank of Valletta CEO Rick Hunkin who said he wants to avoid further litigation over a €363 million compensation claim by shipping company Deiulemar. The bank’s original offer of €50 million was rejected by the owners of the defunct company.
The Independent asks Transport Minister Ian Borg whether he would resign over a magistrate decision which found his testimony to be not credible. The minister brushed off the question and said he held reservations with parts of the court sentence.
L-Orizzont carries an interview with Chamber of SMEs CEO Abigail Mamo who said that businesses in the home furnishings category have registered a rise in sales during the Black Friday period, with more people staying indoors because of the pandemic.
In-Nazzjon reports that igaming company NetEnt informed nearly 300 employees that it was terminating their jobs with immediate effect on Tuesday. The paper says that the employees face an uncertain holiday season.
The Times reports that gaming company NetEnt is cutting 300 jobs from its live casino unit after it was acquired by another industry operator. A statement by the Economy Ministry said it is leading discussion to help redundant employees find new work.
The Independent quotes Justice Minister Edward Zammit Lewis who said there is proof that a stay at a Hilton hotel in France in 2014 had been paid for but fails to clarify by whom. Last week it was alleged that the bill was footed by businessman Yorgen Fenech.
Malta Today reports that the administration of methotrexate to end ectopic pregnancies requires a decision by a government board which is only available until 14:30, potentially delaying life-saving treatment for women.
In-Nazzjon says that international organisations are giving their support to the Nurses and Midwives Union following a judicial protest filed by the government to stop directives for members at Mater Dei hospital.
L-Orizzont reports that the number of Covid-19 victims climbed to 141 after four more deaths were announced on Tuesday. Meanwhile, there were 102 new cases and 83 recoveries yesterday.
Morning Briefing
Gaming company to lay off hundreds of employees
NetEnt, a gaming company which employs around 1,000 members of staff around the world, has shut down its studio in Malta and started a process through which hundreds of employees are expected to be made redundant.
This followed the takeover of the company by another operator. Reacting to this news, Government announced the setting up of a helpline to support the employees losing their job. In a statement, the Economy Ministry said that it had immediately started discussions with the relevant entities to facilitate the smooth transition of employees who maybe at risk of being laid off as a result of this restructuring.
Gaming Malta Foundation is also currently in talks with other gaming operators who have readily available job opportunities for affected persons.
Home Affairs Minister denies…and confirms use of punishment chair in prison
Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri denied a media report suggesting that the Corradino Correctional Facility made use of a ‘punishment chair’ which naked inmates were tied to.
However, Camilleri confirmed that one one occasion, an inmate was tied to a chair, after the prisoner in question was acting aggressively and was restrained on the advice of a prison medic who judged him to be a potential danger to himself and others.
PN Shadow Minister Beppe Fenech Adami said that this situation was reminiscent of notorious South American prisons.
Woman found dead in Bugibba
The police have launched an investigation after a 73 yeard old woman was found dead in the sea, off the cost of Bugibba.
Magistrate Marseanne Farruġia is holding an inquiry.
Medical assistance was immediately called for and a medical team and emergency doctor from Mater Dei Hospital went to the area but declared the woman was dead.
Covid-19 Update
102 new COVID-19 cases were reported by health authorities on Tuesday.
83 patients recovered. The new cases were found following 2,768 swabs. The number of fatalities reached 141.
CDE News
