Crime Trending

In a move which can be considered as a breakthrough in the investigation into the murder of Malta journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, a renowned businessman, Yorgen Fenech, who was booked in connection with the case recently, has approached the president of the country, seeking a presidential pardon in exchange of a important lead he can give to take the investigation in the case to the next level.

His lawyer has recently approached a court seeking the dismissal of the chief investigative officer of the investigative team, which investigates the sensitive murder case, on the ground of his connection with some close supporters of Malta PM Joseph Muscat, who were recently found to have links with the brutal murder.

Interestingly, the businessman has not approached the cabinet with his pardon request, but has approached the president instead.

If the aforesaid developments are closely observed, what his possible revelation can be predicted.

Since the murder of the journalist, the Malta PM is under serious pressure to leave his seat of power.

Malta, a country which is not a fan of violent protest, has already witnessed some violent protest for the first time in its history in this issue.

It seems that the future of the present government in Malta hinges on the words of the arrested businessman.

There are reports that the government has already come out openly against the idea of offering pardon to the businessman in exchange of the lead he can provide to help the investigation.


Photo Courtesy: Google/ images are subject to copyright

Crime News

The resignations of high profile political leaders, including Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s top aid Keith Schembri, Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi and Economy Minister Chris Cardona, in connection with the investigation into the murder of acclaimed Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia known for her fearless articles against corruption has jolted the tiny European country of Malta.

Since the unearthing of the connection of some of the colleagues with the murder of the journalist, the popularity of the charismatic leader of the country has plummeted significantly.

The opposition has come out strongly against the supremo. The opposition MPs has called the supremo ‘mafia’ when he has reached the parliament to attend the session.

The protest against the prime minister is at its peak in the country. The protesters have even thrown eggs at the vehicle owned by the PM, clearly showing how far the popularity of the supremo has come down.

Recently, a business man was arrested dramatically in connection with the murder of the journalist. But, sadly, he was send off on a bail hours after the arrest.

Similarly, a middle man arrested in connection with the murder was pardoned by the Malta government on the ground that he offered some vital information about the crime in return.

The aforesaid realities are what that gives strength to the allegation that some top officials in the present Maltese government have connection with those who committed the brutality against the journalist.


Photo Courtesy: Google/ images are subject to copyright

Crime News

Triggering several speculations, the Maltese police have booked a leading businessman, Yorgen Fenech.

The arrest has been done in an adventurous manner. The police have chased the yacht, in which he was travelling, in a petrol boat.

Not only have the police arrested the businessman, but also they have conducted a thorough search inside the yacht.

At this juncture, it is not known specifically why has he been arrested. There is a rumour that he has been arrested in connection with the brutal murder of famous Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

The arrest has come shortly after the Maltese government declared that it was planning to pardon an alleged money lender who is suspected to have a middle man role in the crime.

Ms. Daphne was an investigative journalist. She was known for her relentless battle against the country’s corrupt system. She published several investigative articles, exposing the corrupt system.

The Maltese government has received serious criticism for the improper way in which it has handled the case.


Photo Courtesy: Google/ images are subject to copyright

Food Trending

The Lampuki Pie is a tasty Maltese food. It is a delicious pie made with the lampuki (mahi-mahi) fishes.

Ingredients:

  • 500g prepared puff pastry or shortcrust
  • 1½kg lampuki fish (mahi-mahi fish)
  • Flour, for coating
  • 2 sliced onions
  • Cooked peas
  • 2 tomatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 1 small cauliflower or broccoli, half boiled
  • 1kg fresh spinach, cleaned and cooked or 500g frozen spinach cooked, drained
  • 2 carrots, peeled and boiled till tender
  • 2 tbsp tomato puree (kunserva)
  • 2 tbsp capers
  • 2 tbsp sultanas
  • 6 black olives, pitted and chopped
  • 1 tbsp parsley
  • 1 tbsp basil
  • 1 tbsp mint
  • 1 tsp mixed spice
  • 1 lemon’s zest
  • 1 tsp mixed spice
  • Olive oil
  • Salt
  • Pepper powder

Preparation:

Cut the fish into portions, excluding the head and tail. Dip in seasoned flour. Heat oil, and shallow fry until they are cooked through. Allow the fish to cool enough to be able to handle it. Remove all the skin and bones carefully and cut up into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.

Fry the sliced onions in olive oil until they become soft and transparent. Add the peeled chopped tomatoes, cook for 1 min after which add the cooked chopped cauliflower, the cooked chopped carrots, cooked chopped spinach and the peas. Add some water and simmer until all the vegetables are tender.

Add all the lemon zest, olives, herbs, spice, tomato puree, sultanas, and capers. Season and allow to simmer another 5 mins. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Roll out the pastry and line a shallow round, square or rectangular oven dish remembering to keep one third of the pastry for the top of the pie.

Take half of the vegetable mixture and spread out on top of the pastry base, then place the fried lampuki pieces evenly over all the vegetables, and finish off by spreading the remaining vegetables as a top layer over the fish.

Roll out the remaining pastry and place over the top sealing the edges well. Prick all over the pastry lid with a fork. Bake in a hot oven 200°C for 15 mins, then lower the heat to moderate 180°C and cook further until the pastry is golden brown. Let the pie settle for 10 mins and serve it warm.

Image courtesy: tescomamalta.com / images are subject to copyright

Natural Disaster News

Gale-force winds lashed Malta early on Sunday morning, uprooting trees, demolishing walls and damaging power lines, but no injuries were reported. There occurred several destruction across the country as a result of these high winds.

The wind had a high speed of 101km/h. Trees were uprooted, walls got toppled and seafronts flooded in the violent gusts. It caused damage to electricity networks and forced road closures across the whole island.

The Civil Protection Department officials were sent to around 300 sites for clearing roads, removing dangerous walls and evacuating people from flooded residences. People advised to stay indoors.

The Maltese Islands Weather site said on Sunday morning that the northeast wind was appeared to be the strongest in many years. The 101 km/h (Force 10, almost Force 11) gusts measured by the site’s weather station in Għarb were an all-time record. The storm had gradually died down as the night fell.

Sunaya Paison
Photo Courtesy: Binoy Krishna

News

The Bank of Valletta (Malta) has suspended all of its services in light of a hacking attempt. The bank has officially said in a brief statement that all their banking systems including ATM services and online banking had been shut down temporarily, and all BOV (Bank of Valetta) branches had closed early. The bank’s mobile app was back online on Thursday morning.

The bank added that it local and international police are investigating the attempted hack. The bank said that the client’s funds are safe. The fraudulent transactions had been traced and were “being reversed”, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat told parliament later on Wednesday. The attack was detected shortly after the start of business on Wednesday morning, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat told parliament, when it noted reconciliation problems regarding international transfers.

“Bank of Valletta apologises to its clients for any inconvenience caused and will be keeping its customers and the general public informed of developments,” the bank said in a statement reported by the Times of Malta. It added that customers’ funds “are in no way impacted or compromised” by the breach.

Sunaya Paison
Photo Courtesy: Google/ images are subject to copyright

Lifestyle Travel

Malta, the extremely beautiful Southern European island country, is an archipelago made of three major islands. Officially known as the Republic of Malta, It lies 80 km (50 mi) south of Italy, 284 km (176 mi) east of Tunisia,[12] and 333 km (207 mi) north of Libya. Malta is the world’s tenth smallest and fifth most densely-populated country. Valletta, the capital of Malta is the smallest national capital in the European Union.

“Malta is a sod of a place” – David Niven (Actor and Novelist)

Malta is known for its historic sites related to a succession of rulers including the Romans, Moors, Knights of Saint John, French and British. Numerous bays along the indented coastline of the islands provide good harbours. The landscape consists of low hills with terraced fields. Malta is a popular tourist destination, with 1.2 million tourists per year. In recent years, Malta has advertised itself as a medical tourism destination,[27] and a number of health tourism providers are developing the industry.

Sunaya Paison
Photo Courtesy: Binoy Krishna