22

Dec

Malta: Rosianne Cutajar case brought before Standards Commissioner

The Independent reports that the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life is evaluating a request for an investigation into allegations that junior minister Rosianne Cutajar received a cut on a…

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22

Dec

Malta: Bernard Grech calls for extension of travel ban

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who urged the government to impose a travel ban on other countries where the new Covid-19 strain has been detected, beside the UK. Grech…

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22

Dec

Malta: Flights from the UK suspended: The Headline – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont reports that flights from the UK have been suspended after a new variant of the Covid-19 virus was discovered in Britain. Maltese nationals may still return to Malta, but…

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22

Dec

Malta: No cases of new Covid-19 variant detected

The Times asks Health Minister Chris Fearne whether the new Covid-19 strain discovered in the UK has also been found in Malta. The minister said that no cases have been…

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21

Dec

Malta: Government ordered to return expropriated land in Qajjenza

The Times reports that the European Court of Human Rights has ordered the government to return a parcel of land in Qajjenza to its original owners. The plot was expropriated…

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21

Dec

Malta: PM says he will protect Caruana Galizia public inquiry

The Independent quotes Primes Minister Robert Abela who said he looks forward to the final report by the Caruana Galizia public inquiry, adding that he will protect the process. Abela…

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21

Dec

Malta: Pfizer vaccine set to be delivered on Saturday

L-Orizzont says that the Covid-19 vaccine is expected to arrive in Malta on Saturday 26, with the first inoculations starting the day after. Prime Minister Robert Abela said that development…

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21

Dec

Malta: PN Leader calls for Rosianne Cutajar’s resignation

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who said that Junior Minister Rosianne Cutajar should step down after allegations of a financial transaction over the transfer of a property to businessman…

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20

Dec

Malta: Government planning new employment policy

It-Torċa carries an interview with Finance Minister Clyde Caruana who said that the future of Malta’s economic growth depends on productivity and high-value workers. Caruana revealed that consultation on a…

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20

Dec

Malta: 10 MPs representing a quarter of 2017 votes will not contest again

The Independent on Sunday says that ten MPs who pulled a combined 24 percent of first-preference votes in the last election will not contest another election. Another three veteran MPs…

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20

Dec

Malta: Junior Minister chased for finder’s fee refund

The Sunday Times reveals that a property seller who signed a promise-of-sale with Yorgen Fenech is chasing Parliamentary Secretary Rosianne Cutajar to return a €50,000 broker’s fee she was paid…

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20

Dec

Malta: Air Malta’s weary situation exacerbated by Covid-19

Illum says that the government is expected to take ‘drastic measures’ to avoid having to shut down Air Malta. The paper says that the dire financial situation of the national…

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20

Dec

Malta: Economy reached EU average in 2019

Kullħadd quotes a Eurostat report which shows that Malta reached the wealth per capita EU average in 2019, rising by 13 percent since 2013 and 17 percent since 2004. The…

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20

Dec

Malta: Yorgen Fenech sought to acquire Mdina property last year

Malta Today says that Yorgen Fenech signed a promise-of-sale for a property in Mdina last year with a fiduciary company run by Pierre Lofaro, the husband of a public inquiry…

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20

Dec

Malta: PN announces social dialogue exercise

Il-Mument speaks to the Nationalist Party’s outreach chief, Ivan J. Bartolo, and political research president, Martina Caruana, who announced a new consultation exercise with organisations that will inform the PN’s…

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19

Dec

Malta: Ambulance Department planning to overhaul fleet

L-Orizzont says that the Ambulance Department has issued contracts for new vehicles that will change the current fleet shortly. Sources within the department told the paper that a new collective…

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19

Dec

Malta: Public Health Superintendent urges caution over Christmas

The Independent quotes Professor Charmaine Gauci who urged people to observe Covid-19 restrictions over the festive period. The Public Health Superintendent said that we are close to a vaccine, but…

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19

Dec

Malta: St Vincent de Paule resident dies from Covid-19

In-Nazzjon reports on the death of a 92-year-old man from Covid-19 on Friday. The 183rd victim of the disease was being treated at St Vincent de Paule home.  The paper…

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19

Dec

Malta: Vaccine to reach elderly homes by end of year

The Times quotes Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci who said Covid-19 vaccinations will start being administered to residents and carers at homes for the elderly before the end of the…

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18

Dec

Malta: Court fines Attorney General and Police over delays

In-Nazzjon says that the courts fined the Attorney General and the Police €5,000 for delaying procedures against a man charged with fraud for six years. The defendant’s lawyer argued that…

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18

Dec

Malta: Minister reverses resignation request for Book Council Chair

The Independent quotes Book Council chairman Mark Camilleri who said that the Education Minister withdrew a request for his resignation, after he apologised for using foul language in a message…

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18

Dec

Malta: GWU and gaming company reach deal on discharged employees

L-Orizzont reports on an out-of-court settlement between the General Workers Union and Evolution Gaming, which agreed to compensate 324 employees that were dismissed without notice last week. The paper reports…

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18

Dec

Malta: Vaccinations to start on December 27

The Times leads with an announcement by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that Covid-19 vaccinations in the EU will begin on Sunday 27. Health Minister Chris Fearne said…

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17

Dec

Malta: Farsons Group denies sacking employees because of the pandemic

Business Today speaks to Farsons Group CEO Norman Aquilina who rejected social media messages claiming that the company had to downsize because of the pandemic. Aquilina said that the management…

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17

Dec

Malta: PN Leader calls out Prime Minister over inquiry comments

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who said that the Prime Minister’s criticism of the Caruana Galizia public inquiry board is not only misplaced, but dangerous too. Grech accused Robert…

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17

Dec

Malta: Lands Authority chief to stay on despite police probe

The Times says that Lands Authority CEO James Piscopo will not face suspension despite being the subject of a police investigation following claims of bribery and corruption. Economy Minister Silvio…

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17

Dec

Malta: Former Chief Justice laments case overload

L-Orizzont carries an interview with Chief Justice Emeritus Joseph Azzopardi who said that the judiciary in Malta have three times the cases that counterparts in other countries have. He said…

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17

Dec

Malta: Covid-19 vaccinations entirely administered by public healthcare system

The Independent speaks to St James Hospital CEO Maria Bugeja who said that the administration of the Covid-19 vaccine will solely be managed by the state and the public will…

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17

Dec

Malta: More than 20,000 inspections at bars and restaurants

The Malta Business Weekly publishes an interview with Environmental Health Director Clive Tonna who said that some 20,000 inspections have been carried out at bars and restaurants by Covid-19 task…

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16

Dec

Malta: Education Minister does not take questions about the Cottonera university

In-Nazzjon says that Education Minister Justyne Caruana declined questions by the paper about the American University of Malta, which reported a loss of over €11 million in the period between…

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16

Dec

Malta: Customs acquiring new bag-scanner for airport

L-Orizzont says that the Customs Department is investing in new technology that scans luggage going through the airport. Customs head Joseph Chetcuti said that frequent flight from the UK after…

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16

Dec

Malta: Christmas sales expected to fall by up to half from last year

The Independent speaks to Chamber of SMEs CEO Abigail Mamo who said that, while retail sales over Christmas will be better compared with the rest of the year, businesses anticipate…

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16

Dec

Malta: Government says public inquiry will have to bear the consequences of extension

The Times quotes a government statement in reaction to the decision by the Caruana Galizia public inquiry board to extend beyond the December deadline set by the Prime Minister. The…

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15

Dec

Malta: Caruana Galizia public inquiry to go past original deadline

In-Nazzjon says that the Caruana Galizia public inquiry board announced that it will continue to assess the proof presented in the testimonies beyond today’s deadline. The inquiry has heard over…

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15

Dec

Malta: PM inaugurates fibre optic cable to Gozo

L-Orizzont reports on the inauguration of the second fibre optic cable to Gozo by Prime Minister Robert Abela. The paper says the €4 million project will increase connectivity and business…

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15

Dec

Malta: Surgeons raise concerns about industrial actions by nurses

The Times quotes a statement by the association of surgeons warning that industrial actions by nurses will have ‘tragic consequences’ for patients. The union of nurses issued directives reducing the…

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15

Dec

Malta: Keith Schembri says Joseph Muscat knew who 17 Black belonged to

The Independent reports on the Caruana Galizia public inquiry sitting during which Keith Schembri said that he had informed Joseph Muscat who the owner of 17 Black was, but he…

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14

Dec

Malta: President says that Caruana Galizia investigations are a national priority

The Independent quotes President George Vella in his Republic Day address who said that the primary challenge for Malta was to ensure that justice is served for those behind the…

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14

Dec

Malta: Magisterial inquiry into Pilatus Bank handed to State Prosecutor

The Times reports that a magisterial inquiry into Pilatus Bank has been concluded earlier this month and is now being assessed by the State Prosecutor. The paper says that the…

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14

Dec

Malta: Economic performance above euro zone average

L-Orizzont quotes Eurostat figures which show that Malta’s economic recovery in the second and third quarter this year was higher than the average in the euro area, and the fifth…

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14

Dec

Malta: Opposition to present amendments to divorce law

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who said that reforms to the divorce law proposed by the party are directed at the wider implications on children and their parents. Grech…

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13

Dec

Malta: Keith Schembri claims Lands Authority chief has offshore account

The Sunday Times says that former chief of staff Keith Schembri alleged that Lands Authority CEO James Piscopo hid over €600,000 in an offshore account. Sources told the paper that…

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13

Dec

Malta: Opposition disagrees with new appointment of former finance minister

Il-Mument says that the Opposition is against the appointment of former Finance Minister Edward Scicluna as Central Bank Governor, arguing that his track record of inaction is harmful to Malta’s…

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13

Dec

Malta: Customs seize almost €180M in drugs since 2017

Kullħadd reports that the Customs Department has intercepted just under €180 million worth of drugs since 2017. The paper says that the success follows investment in new technology and equipment…

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13

Dec

Malta: Young man forced out of home for wearing pink bag

It-Torċa follows the story of a 20-year-old man who has been forced out of the house by his mother and her partner after going out with a pink bag. His…

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13

Dec

Malta: Public holiday brings boost in sales

Illum speaks to SME Chamber CEO Abigail Mamo who said that the retail sector performed well on the December 8th public holiday, when Christmas shopping traditionally begins in Malta. Mamo…

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13

Dec

Malta: American University registers €11M loss in two years

The Independent on Sunday says that the American University of Malta lost more than €11 million between 2018 and 2019. AUM Provost Professor Narcisa Roxana Mosteanu told the paper that…

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13

Dec

Malta: Pharma company says government breached EU procurement rules

Malta Today reveals a letter by pharmaceutical company Novartis to Prime Minister Robert Abela, accusing the government of flouting EU regulations by ignoring stockpiles by local importers and procuring similar…

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12

Dec

PN announces proposals for National Youth Policy: The Headline – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon quotes Opposition spokesperson for youth Robert Cutajar who said that young people are an important element in society. The Nationalist Party presented new proposals for the National Youth Policy. …

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12

Dec

Malta: Auditor General points to collusion in Vitals deal

The Independent reports on the testimony of Auditor General Charles Deguara in the Caruana Galizia public inquiry. He said that a probe by the National Audit Office revealed collusion on…

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12

Dec

Malta: Mass discharge of gaming company employees provisionally blocked

L-Orizzont reports that the court has provisionally upheld a warrant of injunction filed by the General Workers Union to stop the sacking of 300 employees by NetEnt. The mass layoffs…

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12

Dec

Malta: Court order tempers nurses’ union directives

The Times says that a judge has blocked planned industrial actions by the union of nurses in cases where they could put patients’ lives at risk. Other directives at Mater…

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11

Dec

Malta: Compilation of evidence against Santa Luċija murder suspect underway

L-Orizzont follows the compilation of evidence against Samir Almiri, accused of killing Victor McKeon in March before fleeing to Morocco. Investigators said that the Libyan used the victim’s credit cards…

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11

Dec

Malta: Lawyers irked by bill on the regulation of the profession

The Independent quotes a statement by the Chamber of Advocates expressing ‘utter dissatisfaction’ with a bill in parliament to amend laws regulating the profession. The Chamber said the proposals do…

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11

Dec

Malta: Yorgen Fenech wants Council of Europe to shut down public inquiry

The Times reports that businessman Yorgen Fenech has written to the Council of Europe requesting the ‘suspension or termination’ of the Caruana Galizia public inquiry, claiming that it breaches his…

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11

Dec

Malta: Owen Bonnici grilled about new ministry remit

In-Nazzjon says that Minister Owen Bonnici could not explain his new responsibilities when asked by the paper and said he would provide more details about the new ministry for research,…

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10

Dec

Malta: Guesthouses relying on government assistance

Business Today says that guesthouses are counting on the distribution of the vaccine to restart their business next year. Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo said that the government will keep supporting…

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