Morning Briefing

Government billed over €300 million in EU environment taxes: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent quotes Eurostat figures which reveal that Malta paid €322 million in EU environmental taxes in 2018, accounting to more than eight percent of the total government’s revenue that…

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Prime Minister optimistic about EU budget talks: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who said he is confident of reaching ‘a fair deal’ for Malta on EU funds. Abela said that it would have been unrealistic to…

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Details of papal visit emerge: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon reveals details of the Pastoral Visit by Pope Francis in May. The paper says that the Visit has been extended to two days and that the Pope has insisted…

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Police Commissioner met middleman’s ally in secret: The Headlines – The Sunday Times

The Sunday Times reveals that former Police Commissioner Lawrence Cut ajar held two secret meetings with Edwin Brincat, a close friend and confidant of Melvin Theuma. The paper says that…

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Millions in healthcare guarantees forgone by government: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today reports that former Minister Konrad Mizzi had waived a €9 million ‘performance guarantee’ from Steward Healthcare when the US group took over the hospitals’ concession. VGH, before it,…

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Police officers’ arraignments expected soon: The Headlines – The Independent on Sunday

The Independent on Sunday says that claims by Melvin Theuma that the burner phones used by the men charged with the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia contained former minister Chris…

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PA to set up dedicated enforcement panel: The Headlines – Illum

Illum reveals that the Planning Authority is setting up an Enforcement Panel that will work in parallel with the Revision Tribunal. The paper says that enforcement procedures are usually the…

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Government working on national waste strategy: The Headlines – It-Torċa

It-Torċa says that the government is planning to introduce a national waste management strategy by the end of the year. Environment Minister Aaron Farrugia told the paper that management-by-crisis is…

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Opposition extends olive branch on hospitals concession: The Headlines – Il- Mument

Il-Mument quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that the opposition is prepared to work with the government to withdraw the hospital’s contract with Steward Healthcare. Delia said he wants…

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PN Electoral Commission representatives step down: The Headlines – Kullħadd

Kullħadd reports that the PN representatives on the Electoral Commission, Angelito Sciberras and Antoine Portelli, have resigned in a joint letter. The paper says that the two were close to…

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Malta’s Editors’ Viewpoints

The Editorials of the four papers in print today in Malta highlight four different themes which have been on this week’s news agenda. The Times of Malta welcomes the recent…

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Four others possibly implicated in Caruana Galizia assassination plot: The Headlines- The Independent

The Independent leads with the testimony by Melvin Theuma in court who revealed that there may be other people involved in the Caruana Galizia murder plot. Yorgen Fenech was heard…

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Ombudsman website flagged for security risks: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reports on a ‘security vulnerability’ in the Ombudsman’s website which allows potential attackers to view submitted complaints and identify the person filing them. The Data Protection Commissioner has…

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Keith Schembri ordered to testify in court: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon reports that the court ordered Keith Schembri to testify in the next sitting of the Caruana Galizia case. Former OPM security officials Johann Cremona and Kenneth Camilleri will also…

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PM attends EU Budget summit: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont reports on the Prime Minister’s participation in a leader’s summit about EU Budget ig Brussels. The paper says that negotiations are expected to be tough following the UK’s departure…

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Malta’s Editors ViewPoints

Today’s Editorials make up for some interesting reading with a variety of themes ranging from air pollution to autism, today’s EU Summit and the permanent tunnel link between Malta and…

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Chamber suggests alternative to Gozo tunnel: The Headlines – Business Today

Business Today leads with a proposal by the Chamber of Commerce to scrap plans for the Gozo-Malta tunnel in favour of a multi-modal transport infrastructure that includes a metro link…

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Malta registers decline in financial transparency: The Headlines – The Malta Business Weekly

The Malta Business Weekly reports that Malta placed 18th in the world for financial secrecy according to global index by the Tax Justice Network. The paper says Malta bucks the…

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Police internal investigation launched: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reports that Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri has ordered a probe by the police Internal Audit and Investigations Department following revelations about overtime fraud by the traffic control…

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Neville Gafa’ felt slighted by Daphne Caruana Galizia: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent quotes former government employee Neville Gafa’ who told the Caruana Galizia public inquiry board that posts he made about the assassinated journalist were retaliation for ‘hurtful’ blog entries.…

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Former person of trust used diplomatic passport: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon says that Neville Gafa’s testimony in court on Wednesday exposes his ‘close ties’ with Keith Schembri. The paper says that Gafa’ was a person of trust in the Health…

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PN Deputy Leader says discussions will be kept within the party: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont speaks to PN Deputy Leader David Agius following reports that fresh disagreements have emerged between him and new party secretary general Francis Zammit Dimech. Agius told the paper that…

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Malta is leading the way in field of Fintech – The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont leads with a report by Finnovating which found that Malta is leading the way in terms of investment in the field of Fintech. Malta attracted more than 9 million…

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Elizabeth Ellul’s days chairing the Planning Authority ODZ commission are numbered – The Headlines – Times of Malta

The Times of Malta claims that Elizabeth Ellul’s days chairing the Planning Authority’s ODZ Planning Commission were numbered. The commission assesses Outside Development Zone and Urban Conservation Area planning applications.…

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Malta needs to provide evidence that it is addressing its shortcomings – HSBC CEO – The Headlines – MaltaToday

Maltatoday’s midweek edition quotes HSBC Malta’s CEO Andrew Beane, who yesterday insisted that it was crucial that Malta to start providing evidence and clear outcomes in its efforts to address…

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Simon Busuttil renders tribute to Daphne Caruana Galizia in farewell speech in Parliament – The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

The fight against corruption takes prominence in today’s In-Nazzjon’s front page with two articles dedicated to this theme, one quoting PN Leader Adrian leader in a televised interview yesterday evening,…

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Malta’s Editors’ Viewpoints

Abortion, the environment, corruption and the fight for justice are the themes which have inspired today’s Editors. This is what they shared with readers today. In today’s Editorial, the Malta…

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No Coronavirus infections in Malta so far – The Headlines – The Malta Independent

The Malta Independent highlights a re-assuring statement by Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne indicating that were no coronavirus infections in Malta so far, but two people were currently being held…

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Rebellion against PN leader lacks strategy – The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont gives prominence to the testimony of its former editor, Josef Caruana, who in Court yesterday stated that he had always followed the press law and always avoided any trouble.…

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88-year-old Maltese stranded on Coronavirus stricken cruise liner – The Headlines – Times of Malta

The Times of Malta reveals the unfortunate story of an 88-year-old Maltese man stranded on a cruise liner in Cambodia that is linked with at least one case of coronavirus.…

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Controversial testimony during Daphne Caruana Galizia’s inquiry by former PM’s communication officer – The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon describes former Pm's Communications Officer Matthew Carbone’s testimony as “controversial”, claiming that Carbone appeared to change versions when asked to identify the individuals who had blocked journalists in Castille.…

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Today’s Maltese Editors’ Viewpoints

Today’s English-language Editorials tackle two social concerns of growing importance – domestic abuse and the raising incidence of cancer. Politics are in focus in their Maltese counterparts. The Malta Independent…

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PN’s priority is to ensure country has a Police Force which acts as a shield – The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon quotes Nationalist Party leader Adrian Delia during yesterday’s Party event at Zabbar. Dr Delia promised that the PN’s priority was to ensure the country had a Police Force that…

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PM Abela expecting action and not excuses from Police – The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont takes excerpts from Prime Minister Robert Abela’s speech during yesterday’s Labour Party General Conference, highlighting his disappointment on the allegations of abuse within the Police Corps, and insisted that he…

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Malta Police to recruit Victim Support Officer – The Headlines – Malta Independent

The Malta Independent reveals that the Malta Police Force is currently looking for a Victim Support Officer to provide support to crime victims, including domestic violence, and train police officers…

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One in Five Maltese children report online sex abuse – The Headlines – Times of Malta

The Times of Malta leads with data sourced from the EU Kids Online 2020 survey, which has revealed that 1 in 5 Maltese children have reported receiving requests of a…

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Six in ten PN members want Delia to stay: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today carries the results of a survey showing the 57 percent of PN paid-up members believe that party leader Adrian Delia should stay on. The strongest opposition to his…

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Keith Schembri had no problem with Caruana Galizia murder: The Headlines – The Times

The Sunday Times says that investigators are weighing their options against Keith Schembri after businessman Yorgen Fenech is heard in secret recordings saying that the former chief of staff did…

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One-sixth of people in Malta prefer public transport: The Headlines – Illum

Illum reveals survey results showing that the preferred mode of transportation in Malta remains the private car. 14 percent of people say they choose the bus and the report says…

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Police overtime scandal fanning internal discord: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent on Sunday follows the situation within the police force after the emergence of the overtime scandal this week. The paper says that several police officers are facing accusations…

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Government spend on elderly raises by €264 in seven years: The Headlines – Kullħadd

Kullħadd says that the public spend on pensions and the elderly increased by €264 million since 2013. Minister Michael Falzon said that the government is giving elderly people back more…

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Chris Cardona to retire from politics: The Headlines – Il-Mument

Il-Mument claims that Chris Cardona is expected to resign as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party and Member of Parliament. The paper also quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said…

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John Dalli says PN’s problems accumulating since Fenech Adami left: The Headlines – It-Torċa

It-Torċa carries an interview with former EU Commissioner John Dalli about the situation in the Nationalist Party. He said the party’s implosion started when Eddie Fenech Adami stepped aside in…

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Main officer in police scandal steps down: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reports that the policeman at the heart of the overtime racket has resigned along with another six officers. Sources revealed that he was a veteran of the force…

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Police investigation held up by higher ranks: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent reveals that the police first opened a file about internal overtime abuse in October but dragged their feet for two months before an investigation was launched. A whistleblower…

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Louis Galea to present reform details to PN Executive Council: The Headlines – L- Orizzont

L-Orizzont says that the Galea Reform in the PN will weaken current leader Adrian Delia by installing a committee of former party leaders led by the most recent one, Simon…

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Around 750 migrant arrivals so far this year: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon says that the ‘immigration crisis’ continues and reports that over a hundred immigrants were brought to Malta by the Armed Forces on Friday, increasing the number of individual arrivals…

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Today’s Maltese Editors’ Viewpoints

There’s no time for romanticism in today’s Times’ Editorial as it reflects on the recent tribulations to hit the Police Force. The Editor calls these allegations as a serious abuse,…

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Chris Cardona’s number made hitmen’s contact list: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reports on the compilation of evidence in the Caruana Galizia murder case where it emerged that the only phone contact found on the suspected hitmen’s phone was former…

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Government ordered to pay €500,000 to Valletta property owners: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent leads with a decision by the European Court of Human Rights ordering the government to pay €500,000 in compensation to the owners of a property in Valletta which…

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Police officer managed protection money for the unit: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon reports on the investigation into traffic police corruption and says that construction and transport companies were bribing the unit by funnelling money into an account held by one officer…

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Industrial actions at asylum seekers agency: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont announces industrial actions ordered by the General Workers Unions at the Agency for the Welfare of Asylum Seekers after employees raised the alarm over safety issues in the Marsa…

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Today’s Maltese Editors’ Viewpoints

The Editors of today’s six local newspapers making their way to the newsstands have focused on completely different stories in their op-ed. The Malta Independent expresses its shock at the…

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Expats make almost a quarter of workforce: The Headlines – Business Today

Business Today reports that the workforce in Malta grew by 59,000 people between 2012 and 2018. Almost 70 percent of new workers were non-Maltese, increasing the total share of expat…

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Strong Economic Sentiment in Q3 2019: The Headlines – The Malta Business Weekly

The Malta Business Weekly quotes figures by the Central Bank showing that during the third quarter last year the Economic Sentiment Indicator grew from 96.7 to 101.6. The retail sector…

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Businessman touted for new PN role: The Headlines – The Malta Independent

The Independent says that businessman Ivan Bartolo is expected to fill one of the top positions to be created in the PN once the internal reforms recommended by Louis Galea…

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Police internal investigation extends to other units: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reports that the police are widening an investigation into false overtime claims beyond the Traffic Control Unit. Sources told the paper that as many as 300 officers are…

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