All four Caruana Galizia & Chircop murder suspects plead not guilty

Feb 25 2021

The 4 murder suspects Robert Agius, Adrian Agius, Jamie Vella and George Degiorgio have denied charges of their assassination of the late journalist and lawyer.

With Degiorgio and Vella being charged with carrying out Carmel Chircop’s murder in 2015, Agius the procuring of the assassins and Robert Agius, along with Vella, as suppliers of explosives, police commissioner Angelo Gafa stated that two vehicles were seized.

One vehicle contained up to €50,000 in cash and the other 350g of heroin, along with two cocaine sachets. Further research unravelled €20,000, a cash-counting device, 25 phones, firearms, documents and other technological devices.

The crimes remain unsolved and all suspects are pleading not guilty.

Is-Suq tal-Belt addresses pet issue

Feb 24 2021

Following the recent online discussion surrounding a viral Facebook post addressing Is-Suq Tal-Belt Valletta Food Market not allowing pets inside, the eating establishment has addressed the issue.

In a statement with local media platform Gwida, a staff member stated that since the food market is a concept with 12 open kitchens, it would not be in the best interest of health and safety to allow animals inside.

Despite this, guide dogs are an exception to the rule. For any other customer who brings pets along, the staff member stated that an outside area is available. According to the staff member, these regulations are in place to maintain safety and health a priority for customers.

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Oiver Friggieri to get street named after him

Feb 24 2021

PN Floriana councillor James Aaron Ellul took to Facebook to announce that part of Triq l-Argotti will be named after the late Maltese poet, writer and lecturer Oliver Friggieri.

Ellul expressed his satisfaction with the honour given to the writer as something he truly deserves due to his large volume of national work in literature. A marble plaque built into the building Friggieri called home is also being considered as a possibility, along with a monument.

Ellul says he is thankful for being able to call Friggieri a friend and now wishes to carry the writer’s legacy to the upcoming generations.

#MaltaDaily

Government COVID costs amounted to €900 million in 2020

Feb 24 2021

An approximate €900 million has been the COVID-19 pandemic cost toll for the Maltese government.

According to Finance Minister Clyde Caruana, the deficit for 2020 is foresighted to overreach 9.4%. The figure amounting to €1.22 billion as stated in last October’s budget speech, Caruana claimed these are provisional calculations.

With 2021 getting a 5.9% deficit projection, approximately €751 million, Caruana also stated that the government will be taking the necessary precautions to safeguard employment. Deficit projections will thus have to be revised over the upcoming weeks and months.

#MaltaDaily