Malta News Roundup

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Malta News ROUNDUP

Health Minister Chris Fearne announced that Malta reached herd immunity as 70 per cent of the population received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. He said that rules on facemasks will be eased from July.

A 2017 deal to build and manage new residential blocks at the St Vincent de Paul residence was slammed by the Auditor General. The €274 million contract was awarded to a consortium formed by James Caterers and DB Group.

Five language schools ceased operations following months of uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The federation of English language schools said that the decision by the unnamed organisations shows the severity of the situation.

House Representative Marlene Farrugia tabled a Private Member’s Bill proposing the decriminalisation of abortion. The independent MP said that she remains pro-life but argued that women should not be imprisoned for seeking an abortion.

The president of the catering lobby, Tony Zahra, said that the return to business after a two-month ban was better than expected. Zahra said that restaurants are looking forward to a good season, especially towards late summer.

Electrogas director Paul Apap Bologna was summoned by the Public Accounts Committee to answer questions about the power station. He denied allegations that a pre-electoral deal for the project had been reached with the Labour Party.

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An inmate reported that he was taken into solitary confinement and banned from using the prison telephone after making public claims that the Corradino Correctional Facility management was using systematic terror and torture.

Foreign Affairs Minister Evarist Bartolo called for a ceasefire in Gaza during a meeting with Palestinian counterpart Riyad al-Maliki. Bartolo expressed concern about the escalation in the territory and reiterated Malta’s support for the two-state solution.

Minister Carmelo Abela confirmed that he was called in for questioning by the police following claims that he was involved in an attempted heist on HSBC bank in 2010. The minister rejects the allegations.

The Finance Ministry dismissed claims that businessman Charles Polidano was granted a reduction to his tax bill after a meeting with senior government officials. Reports said that the construction tycoon has accumulated €40 million in arrears.