Meridianbet Foundation’s Book Donation Campaign Expands Across Globe

Mar 10 2025

Bridging the Cultural Gap in Small Communities

The lack of funding for cultural institutions has forced many small libraries and community centers across the world to close their doors. However, there are also stories of hope that prove a different future is possible. One such story comes from Serbia, where a social media post inspired a positive change, leading the Meridianbet Foundation to take action.

In response, the foundation launched a major global campaign aimed at supporting small libraries and encouraging reading habits in local communities. As part of the campaign, Meridianbet employees collected books they had read and donated them to small libraries and culture centers.

A Catalyst for a Wider Regional Initiative

This local success has become the starting point for a larger regional campaign by the Meridianbet Foundation. With the goal of preserving cultural institutions, the campaign will focus on equipping small libraries with a diverse selection of books and encouraging communities to embrace reading once again.

“Preserving cultural institutions is a matter of great importance for the Meridianbet Foundation,” said Stefan Todorović, head of Global CSR at Meridianbet Foundation. “Our employees have once again demonstrated their willingness to contribute. A large number of books were collected through an internal campaign, now enriching the shelves of dozens of libraries across our markets. This is just one of many similar actions we hope to see more of in the future.”

Expanding the Campaign Across Regions

The campaign will be implemented across all markets Meridianbet, part of the Golden Matrix Group (NASDAQ: GMGI) operates. The aim is to enrich local libraries, support lifelong learning, and encourage reading habits, especially in underserved communities.

By donating books and resources, the foundation seeks to ensure that small libraries can continue to exist despite financial constraints. This initiative reflects Meridianbet’s broader commitment to corporate social responsibility and its mission to empower communities through education and culture.

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Jason Azzopardi’s Requests For Inquiry Into Minister Dismissed

Mar 10 2025

Lawyer Jason Azzopardi’s efforts to initiate magisterial inquiries into Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri’s alleged involvement in corruption and money laundering have suffered a setback.

Three separate applications, filed by Azzopardi, were dismissed by Magistrate Brigitte Sultana, who concluded that the requests did not meet the legal criteria for such inquiries.

The applications raised serious allegations involving Camilleri, his wife Deborah Camilleri, and ministry officials.

The first application referred to road works in Nadur, the second concerned berthing rights in Mġarr, and the third related to the construction of a swimming pool at the Gozo Sports Complex.

In all three cases, Azzopardi sought the seizure of mobile phones, servers, and devices to preserve evidence. However, the magistrate deemed these requests “extremely generic” and noted that they raised doubts about the reliability of the information presented.

The magistrate also pointed out that not all of the alleged offences carried a penalty of more than three years in prison, which is a crucial requirement for initiating a magisterial inquiry.

Azzopardi’s claims of a “web of corruption, money laundering, and bribery” were dismissed due to the lack of specifics on how these crimes were committed.

The magistrate emphasised that there was no evidence of money laundering or bribery, nor was any documentation presented to support claims of unexplained wealth.

Azzopardi had also referred to various media reports to back his allegations, but the magistrate ruled that these reports did not constitute legal evidence. The information presented was considered to be merely journalistic opinion, and the anonymous sources involved could not be used as valid evidence without proper authorisation.

The latest series of requests by Azzopardi was rooted in concerns regarding a significant overrun in the budget for a project involving the construction of a swimming pool at the Gozo Sports Complex.

This was the third time Azzopardi had filed a request targeting Camilleri. The first had connected Camilleri and his wife to alleged corruption in the distribution of mooring locations at Mġarr Harbour, while the second focused on the road works project in Nadur, which went over budget by approximately €10.5 million, bringing the total cost to €18.5 million.

Despite the dismissal of these inquiries, Minister Camilleri has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that he is the victim of political persecution.

He has further defended both the swimming pool and the Nadur road projects, arguing that the assessments of cost overruns did not account for other related contracts essential to the completion of the projects.

The legal setbacks for Azzopardi highlight the challenges faced by private citizens seeking to initiate magisterial inquiries into alleged misconduct. Nonetheless, the allegations surrounding Minister Camilleri and his ministry are likely to continue to fuel public debate and scrutiny.

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Take A Look At The Upgraded Xemxija Fire Station

Mar 10 2025

The Xemxija fire station has undergone a major renovation, modernising its facilities and equipping it with the latest resources to enhance emergency response services.

This upgrade improves both the quality of service for families and the working conditions for Civil Protection officials.

Since its establishment in the 1990s, the fire station had never seen significant refurbishment.

The recent project expanded its infrastructure to house new emergency vehicles and equipment while also introducing dedicated decontamination areas to ensure firefighter safety after incidents.

During a site visit, Minister for Home Affairs, Security, and Employment Byron Camilleri reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening emergency response capabilities. He highlighted that modernised infrastructure and equipment are vital to maintaining national preparedness for emergencies.

The renovation is part of a larger initiative to improve the Civil Protection Department. Recent advancements include new fire suits, immersion gear, and an expanded maritime fire station. Additionally, new fire stations are being developed in Floriana and Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, along with an expanded fleet of specialised emergency vehicles.

Minister Camilleri also addressed workforce conditions, noting ongoing negotiations for a new sectoral agreement.

This includes recognising the Civil Protection Department as a disciplined force, introducing a 25-year service tenure, and improving financial incentives such as full pay for all hours worked, career progression opportunities, and enhanced training.

These efforts have led to a significant increase in personnel, from 130 employees twelve years ago to 375 today.

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Potential Gozo Tunnel Would Export Maltese Traffic To Gozo States Arnold Cassola

Mar 10 2025

During SACES’ annual ‘Strip’ debate, Momentum Party leader Arnold Cassola argued that any proposed Gozo tunnel or physical link to Malta would result in Maltese traffic being exported to Gozo.

This year’s debate focused on Gozo’s future development and featured speakers including Cassola, Prof. Marc Bonello, Dean of the Faculty for the Built Environment, Gozo Regional Development Authority CEO Mario Borg, Malta Development Association CEO Dr. Leon Chetcuti, and Dr. Wendy Jo Mifsud, Lecturer in Spatial Planning and Infrastructure at UoM.

When asked about a possible physical connection, Cassola stressed that such a project should not be built between Ċirkewwa and Mġarr but from more distant points like Manikata to Nadur, which would endanger more land.

He also raised concerns over the safety of a one-way tunnel and its potential negative impact on Gozo’s economy, as more Gozitans might seek jobs in Malta, and tourists could opt for day trips instead of overnight stays.

Speaking to Malta Daily, Saces President Kyra Fsadni stated “This year we chose to focus on the recurring theme of Gozo, being an island in question, and wanted different panelists to voice their perspectives on the rapid change happening throughout our sister island.”

Fsadni concluded saying “Overall, the debate was very informative. These discussions are always important for the students to truly understand what is going on in our built environment, to learn from real context rather than textbook theory.”

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