4 Plead Not Guilty In AFM Drug Heist Case

Feb 27 2025

Four men have pleaded not guilty to charges related to the theft of 226kg of cannabis resin from an Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) facility in Safi.

The suspects—Sean Attard (30), Carlos Pace (23), Yousef Essesi (33), and Cleaven Pace (19)—were among 12 arrested during police raids on Tuesday and Wednesday. Another suspect is set to be charged separately.

The accused face multiple charges, including theft, criminal association for drug trafficking, and cannabis possession. Carlos Pace also breached prior bail conditions.

Police tracked them down using vehicle surveillance, leading to a raid in Żebbuġ where several arrests were made.

Officers found 35kg of cannabis in Attard’s car, 33kg with Pace, and 10kg with Essesi. No drugs were found on Cleaven Pace, though he admitted to being at the crime scene.

The court denied bail and issued a freezing order on the suspects’ assets.

Meanwhile, AFM commander Brigadier Clinton O’Neil was suspended, and an inquiry into security failures has begun. Opposition leaders have called for the resignation of Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri, vowing a tougher stance on drug crime.

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Rachel Cuschieri Marks 100th Appearance For Malta Women’s Team

Feb 27 2025

Ahead of the Malta Women’s National team last Tuesday, Rachel Cuschieri became the latest player on the squad to be presented with her ‘100th cap’ as commemoration of the milestone.

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The milestone was reached in a match against Portugal last July, and was presented by Malta FA President Bjorn Vassallo with a purple and gold cap as well as a 100 football kit shirt.

‘Rachel is an encouragement to all the female youngsters wanting to take football not only as a means of engagement in a football club, but as a career’, wrote Vassallo.

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‘I remember her on the dusty pitches of my once home club, day after day kicking the ball with that dream of making it a professional pathway.’

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New Diabetes Research Project Launch: INNO-Diab

Feb 26 2025

During a recent press conference, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research, and Innovation, Keith Azzopardi Tanti, unveiled a new research initiative aimed at tackling critical health issues in Malta, including diabetes, diabetic foot ulcers, and cholesterol.

This project, titled INNO-Diab, is the fourth such project launched this year and has received an investment of €60,000. It will be led by Professor Joseph Borg and his team from the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Malta.

With diabetes currently affecting 11% of the adult population in Malta, the INNO-Diab project seeks to improve the quality of life for those impacted by this widespread condition.

By harnessing cutting-edge technology and new biological testing methods, the project aims to accelerate the healing process for diabetic wounds and reduce the need for amputations associated with diabetes and high cholesterol levels.

In his speech, Keith Azzopardi Tanti highlighted the importance of research in addressing the country’s health challenges. He stressed that technology plays a crucial role in overcoming these issues.

“Diabetes is a significant problem in Malta, affecting many families, and this project will ensure that healthcare facilities continue to evolve to better meet the needs of those affected,” said Azzopardi Tanti.

He also praised the Government’s commitment to advancing public health, noting that the funds are being directed toward research that improves lives. “We are committed to leading the way in healthcare innovation through these types of research projects,” he added.

Professor Joseph Borg also expressed his satisfaction with the Government’s investment, emphasising the transformative potential of scientific research.

Through collaborations with both local and international partners, the project is making great strides in developing new approaches to managing diabetes. Borg highlighted the success of the Maleth Project, which focuses on foot ulcers and genetic research, as an example of how these efforts are yielding promising results for improved diagnoses and treatments.

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Perlina TV Launches With Maltese Content For Kids Of All Ages!

Feb 26 2025

At the primary school in Msida today, Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research, and Innovation, Clifton Grima, and Minister for National Heritage, the Arts, and Local Government, Owen Bonnici, launched Perlina TV, an innovative app offering content entirely in Maltese, aimed at children of various ages.

This initiative creates a new platform to provide children with the same quality content found on foreign platforms, exposing them more to the Maltese language while having fun at the same time.

The app features content specifically designed for children under 10 years old, including animated series, toy games, vlogs by kids, puppet shows, and even presentation-based programs.

The initiative is being carried out in partnership with Sharp Shoot Media. Minister Grima explained, “This initiative is part of a series aimed at strengthening the Maltese language and exposing our children to their native tongue.

By focusing on quality, we aim to encourage children to watch and follow a variety of programs in our language, without feeling they are watching something inferior compared to foreign platforms.”

He emphasised the importance of preserving the Maltese language, which is key to the nation’s identity, while also ensuring children can speak other languages.

Minister Owen Bonnici added that this was a concrete step by a government that truly believes in safeguarding and promoting the Maltese language, with clear investment in ensuring that the language has a place on digital platforms, particularly among children.

Perlina TV, also funded by the Malta Arts Council, is available to the public online, as well as through an app on the App Store and Google Play. The Ministry for Education has paid for a one-year subscription for all state, church, and independent schools.

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