Morning Briefing

Malta: Prime Minister teases debate on Electoral Districts

The Times quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela calling for a revision of electoral Districts, hinting that their number may be reduced but stopping short of revealing any government proposals on…

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Malta: Teachers protest court injunction by education ministry

In-Nazzjon covers a press conference by the union of teachers criticising the education ministry for filing a court injunction to block union directives issued to its members. Union president Marco…

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Malta: Education minister denies claims by union of teachers

L-Orizzont says that 45 new classrooms have been introduced this scholastic year to abide by health authority directives. Addressing a press conference, Education Minister Justyne Caruana dismissed concerns about a…

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Malta: Prime Minister announces aid scheme for low-income families

L-Orizzont follows an address by Prime Minister Robert Abela announcing support measures of up to €400 for couples with low income. Abela said that the government is committed to build…

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Malta: Off-roading track planned for Aħrax

The Independent says that the Planning Authority Board is set to discuss an application for the conversion of a disused quarry in l-Aħrax into an off-roading site. The project is…

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Malta: PN proposes combined leave for new parents

In-Nazzjon leads with a PN proposal to extend parental leave to fathers, with a minimum period that coincides with that of the mother in the first weeks after birth. PN…

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Malta: Police to investigate fraud claims into late notary

The Times reports that the police have opened an investigation into late notary Ivan Barbara following claims of fraud and misappropriation by clients. The notary died suddenly in April after…

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Malta: EU study finds Maltese among most optimistic

Kullħadd quotes a Eurofound statistic which finds a rising level of optimism about the future among people in Malta in the year before Covid-19. The results placed the Maltese as…

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Malta: PN raises alarm over cost of living

Il-Mument reports an increase in the cost of living affecting many products and services. A statement by the Nationalist Party warns that rising costs have an impact on families and…

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Malta: Football leagues lament MFA neglect

The Independent on Sunday speaks to teams playing in the lower-tier football leagues who complained that they feel neglected by the association since the pandemic. Players and officials said that…

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Malta: Concerns about online abuse by minors

It-Torċa speaks to a social worker who notes a rise in the number of minors abusing other children online. He called for a nationwide study to establish the extent of…

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Malta: Inquiry raises Egrant question again

The Sunday Times says that an inquiry in Pilatus Bank is recommending further investigations into once-secret Panamian company Egrant. US authorities are expected to interview former bank employee Maria Efimova…

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Malta: Activists under police protection for more than a month

Illum reports that blogger Manuel Delia and NGO’s Repubblika president, Robert Aquilina, have had security detail for the past five weeks following reports they filed with the police. The pair…

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Malta: MP lied about London property to impress Yorgen Fenech

Malta Today reports that Labour MP Ian Castaldi Paris had exchanged text messages with Yorgen Fenech in 2019 claiming to own a multi-million real estate portfolio in London. He later…

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Malta: Social welfare foundation saw more than 1,500 cases per month last year

L-Orizzont says that the Foundation for Social Welfare Services registered over 19,000 cases in 2020, an increased from the year before. Family Minister Michael Falzon warned that the effects of…

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Malta: PN wants VAT reduction for tourism sector

In-Nazzjon says that the PN is calling for a reduction in VAT for business in the tourism sector from 18 per cent to 7 per cent. Party spokesperson Peter Agius…

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Malta: St Julian’s council scraps Balluta stairs design

The Times reports that the St Julian’s local council will issue a fresh tender for the design of the Balluta stairway following criticism over the cost of the proposed project.…

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Malta: Valletta Cultural Agency demands ban on fossil fuel cars in ten years

The Independent says that the Valletta Cultural Agency is proposing a ban on combustion engine vehicles in Valletta by 2030. The agency said that restricting car access to electric vehicles…

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Malta: Environment ministry officer pours cold water on afforestation proposal

The Independent speaks to an Ambjent Malta officer who expressed scepticism about an afforestation project proposed for the Indawar Park. The officer said the plans do not sufficiently consider the…

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Malta: Prime Minister discusses budget measures with union representatives

L-Orizzont reports on a meeting between the Prime Minister and a delegation from the General Workers’ Union ahead of the Budget. Union secretary-general Josef Bugeja said that social dialogue is…

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Malta: PN launches proposals for oncology care

In-Nazzjon covers a series of proposals for oncology care announced by PN Leader Bernard Grech. The party wants to update the formulary to cover more and newer medicines in the…

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Malta: Dozens of primary classrooms without teachers

The Times says that the union of teachers filed a trade dispute with the education ministry after non-classroom teachers have been transferred to classrooms due to a shortage of teachers.…

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Malta: Start-up builder setting up locally

Business Today reports that an Israeli start-up platform is set to start operations in Malta in the next months in a project supported by Malta Enterprise. Venture Rocket specialises in…

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Malta: Bernard Grech says accountants should have a seat at the table

In-Nazzjon covers an address by PN Leader Bernard Grech at a conference on sustainable finance held by the Malta Institute of Accountants. He said that professionals should be included in…

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Malta: Education Minister says facemask decision follows advice by health authorities

The Independent asks Education Minister Justyne Caruana whether schools can expect any changes in Covid-19 protocols. The minister said that the requirement to wear facemasks will remain in place until…

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Malta: Għargħur residents raise alarm over development proposal

The Times says that residents in Għargħur are objecting to a high-rise project just outside the town’s urban conservation area. The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage and several NGOs have joined…

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Malta: Police arrest international pickpockets

L-Orizzont reports that three men were arrested by the police for a series of pickpocketing. The men, all Romanian nationals, were operating an international crime ring targeting cities with high…

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Malta: Responsible Gaming Foundation head outlines mission

The Malta Business Weekly carries an interview with the General Manager of the Responsible Gaming Foundation, Kevin O’Neill who spoke about the need to detect problems associated with excessive gambling…

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Malta: State commemorates Independence Day

In-Nazzjon reports on the official celebrations of Independence Day, marking the 57th anniversary on Tuesday. State authorities laid wreaths at the foot of the Independence monument in Floriana. Another story…

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Malta: Archbishop warns about culture of greed

L-Orizzont quotes Archbishop Charles Scicluna that Malta is suffering from ‘a disease of greed’. He was delivering his homily in the state service at St John’s Co-Cathedral on the occasion…

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Malta: Government considering 10-year plan to transform residential waste collection

The Times reports that the government is studying a proposal by the Local Councils’ Association to stop door-to-door waste collection and introduce a drop-off point system instead. This change would…

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Malta: PN discussing electoral district for former leader

The Independent says that the PN is considering the best electoral districts for Adrian Delia to contest. Sources told the newspaper that the former party leader may contest the 7th…

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Malta: Gozo tunnel bidders file objections

Malta Today says that two bidders for the Gozo tunnel filed objections after authorities shortlisted one competing consortium. One bidder said the selection process did not adhere to its own…

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Malta: PN Leader calls for radical change

The Independent covers a speech by PN Leader Bernard Grech on the eve of Independence Day. He said that the country is locked in a struggle for transformation, but radical…

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Malta: Robert Abela says PL ready to govern for years to come – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont reports on a PL political rally on Monday addressed by Prime Minister Robert Abela. He described the party as the only political force capable of renewing the country in…

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Malta: Bernard Grech addresses Independence Day event

In-Nazzjon features parts of a speech by PN Leader Bernard Grech during the Independence Day celebration in Floriana on Monday. He urged the public to unite as fellow Maltese and…

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Malta: Prime Minister hints at plans for metro project

The Times leads with an announcement by the Prime Minister that the government wants to start a national discussion about a metro system in Malta. He said that the country…

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Malta: PN Leader criticises Labour Party’s methods

In-Nazzjon follows an interview with PN Leader Bernard Grech by One News reporter Colin Deguara on Sunday. Grech criticised the Labour Party’s tactics and said the party knows the price…

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Malta: Plans to extend pharmacy opening hours on Sundays

L-Orizzont quotes Health Minister Chris Fearne that the government is conducting a consultation to keep pharmacies on the Sunday roster open all day, not just in the morning. He said…

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Surge in Covid-19 infections among the elderly

The Times reports that the rate of Covid-19 infections among elderly people stood at 235 per 100,000 in the last 14 days, rising higher than that in younger age groups…

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Malta: Local Councils want to end door-to-door waste collection

The Independent says that the local councils’ association is proposing a gradual shift to point-based waste collection. Association president Mario Fava said that the current system of door-to-door collection creates…

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Malta: PN hints at education reform proposals

Il-Mument quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech that the party is soon launching proposals for the education sector. Grech said the policies include a reform of the salaries and conditions for…

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Malta: Father of suicidal inmate to initiate legal procedures

The Sunday Times says that the father of a woman who died after attempting suicide in her prison cell is expected to take legal steps against Corradino Correctional Facilities. Martin…

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Malta: Roads agency awarded over €40 million in direct orders in 30 months

The Independent on Sunday says that Infrastructure Malta has awarded nearly €42 million in direct orders in two and a half years. A spokesperson for the agency said direct orders…

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Malta: Robert Abela opens 20-point lead in trust ratings

It-Torċa publishes survey results showing that the Prime Minister enjoys a trust rating of 52 per cent, 20 percentage points more than the Opposition Leader. Robert Abela gained 1.2 points…

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Malta: Dramatic decline in lampuki catches this season

Malta Today says that lampuki catches have fallen drastically this year, raising prices per kilogram by almost a third. A fisherman said the industry normally delivers more than 1,000 crates…

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Malta: Nearly all young adults feel there is too much development

Illum publishes survey results showing that 85 per cent of people believe that there is too much development going on. The sentiment was shared among all age groups, but it…

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Malta: Top unionist says policy should seek careers not jobs

L-Orizzont follows a speech by General Workers Union secretary-general Josef Bugeja who urged policymakers to focus on the creation of careers, rather than jobs. Bugeja said that the pandemic has…

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Malta: Prime Minister says PL ready to mend ways

The Independent quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela that the Labour Party will address mistakes made in the last years. Speaking at a PL event on Friday, Abela said that the…

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Malta: PN announces national conference on the environment

In-Nazzjon says that the PN will hold a national conference on the environment on September 29. Party leader Bernard Grech said that environmental issues must be at the top of…

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Malta: Keith Schembri’s wife charged with money laundering

The Times reports that businesswoman Josette Schembri Vella has been charged with money laundering offences arising from transactions between 2008 and 2020. The 45-year-old is the wife of former chief…

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Malta: PN proposes changes to VAT exemption rules for businesses

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech that a Nationalist government would raise the VAT exemption ceiling to €60,000. Grech said that thousands of businesses are exceeding the current €30,000 limit…

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Malta: Government to issue tax refund cheques

L-Orizzont says that the public will start receiving cheques from today as part of a tax refund scheme. Announcing the exercise, the Prime Minister said that more than 250,000 people…

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Malta: Inmate who attempted suicide had broken ribs

The Times speaks with the father of the 29-year-old inmate who died in July after attempting suicide in her cell. He said that the young woman suffered abuse and bullying…

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Malta: EU Commission chief calls for end to passport programme

The Independent quotes the President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, that Malta’s passport-selling scheme must be scrapped. She raised concerns about the effects on other EU members…

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Malta: More than nine in ten persons fully vaccinated

L-Orizzont says that 91 per cent of the eligible population is fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as a programme for booster jabs is underway in nursing homes. Health Minister Chris Fearne…

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Malta: Visit by Pope Francis expected in first week of December

In-Nazzjon says that Pope Francis is expected to visit Malta on December 4 and 5, following a two-day trip to Cyprus. The church in Malta has not yet confirmed the…

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