Articles by Karl Azzopardi

Technology

Surveillance leads to 76kg cocaine bust with estimated street value of €9 million

A 45-year-old Croatian national was arrested after police discovered approximately 76kg of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of around €9 million. The arrest followed several days of investigations and surveillance by the police into suspicious activities between Malta and Gozo. On Tuesday, officers stopped a vehicle at the Mġarr Harbour in Gozo. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 18kg of a substance suspected to be cocaine. Further searches were conducted at the suspect’s residence in Xagħra, where police found an additional 58 kilograms of suspected cocaine, along with several vehicle registration plates linked to different cars. Magistrate Simone Grech LL.D was informed of the discovery and has launched a magisterial inquiry. The man is expected to appear before the Gozo Court at around 2:30pm on Thursday, presided over by Magistrate Dr Simone Grech LL.D.

Technology

Borg nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg has revealed he has nominated US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his role in helping to broker peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Borg said he met with Trump and his wife in New York two weeks ago. As chair of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in 2024, Borg said he had worked extensively on the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, which reached a peace settlement earlier this year. “I presented the American President with a letter I wrote in my own name, in which I informed him that, like many others, I have nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize,” Borg said in a statement. “I also encouraged him to continue working on the Middle East and Ukraine.” Borg added that he was encouraged by what he described as a growing commitment to peace efforts around the world. “I am pleased today to see greater commitment that is bringing us closer to peace,” he said.

Technology

eCabs Technologies launches strategic partnership in Australia

eCabs Technologies on Thursday announced the official launch of its first strategic partnership in Australia, with its ride-hailing platform now powering RooRides, an operator based in Western Australia. Live and operational since August, RooRides is piloting its service in Esperance, a popular Australian holiday destination, with plans to expand into additional vacation hotspots across the state. For eCabs Technologies, the partnership with RooRides marks another milestone in its international expansion, with its platform now live in seven markets globally. Commenting on the launch, eCabs Technologies CEO Matthew Bezzina said the entry into Australia demonstrates not just the adaptability of its technology, but also the depth of its expertise in brand building and market launches. “This partnership is a clear example of how our years of operational experience in marketing, branding, and launching mobility services can be harnessed to help operators succeed. Despite the geographical distance, our tech is designed to be deployed quickly and seamlessly into any market, with customisation second nature to us. RooRides has big ambitions, and that is exactly the type of operator our platform was built to empower: fair, innovative, and deeply connected to its community,” Bezzina said. Steve McMullen, CEO and Founder of RooRides, said partnering with eCabs Technologies made the launch possible. “After researching numerous tech companies, eCabs Technologies stood out for their advanced white-label ride-hailing platform. Partnering with them was a game-changer for launching RooRides. Their cutting-edge technology, industry expertise, and exceptional support in operations and marketing enabled us to launch successfully and deliver a seamless experience for our riders and drivers,” he said.