Morning Briefing

Opposition refuses to collaborate on IIP regulator: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon says that the opposition turned down an invitation by the government to take part in a consultation process to appoint a new regulator for the IIP. Instead, it says…

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BOV hackers arrested in the UK: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reports that investigations in the UK led to the arrest of three people linked to the €13 million cyber-attack on Bank of Valletta in February 2019. A strain…

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Chamber of Commerce to discuss IIP with government: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent speaks to Chamber of Commerce president David Xuereb who called for reforms in the Individual Investor Programme. He revealed that talks with Minister Byron Camilleri and Parliamentary Secretary…

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Minister satisfied with refusal of Pietà hotel plans: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont says that Culture Minister Jose Herrera welcomed the unanimous decision by the Planning Authority board to refuse a development application proposing a hotel in Pietà, safeguarding the historic Giardino…

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Audio recordings link Caruana Galizia murder to Castille: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

In-Nazzjon follows the compilation of evidence in the Caruana Galizia murder case on Thursday where the court heard audio recordings with Yorgen Fenech secretly made by Melvin Theuma. The paper…

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Malta Airport development project takes off: The Headlines – The Malta Business Weekly

The Malta Business Weekly reports that the Malta International Airport set a €100 million terminal expansion project in motion. The development, which will include a 5-star hotel, will double to…

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Tourism Ministry to examine MTA contracts: The Headlines – Business Today

Business Today says that Tourism Ministry Julia Farrugia Portelli ordered a review of all recent contracts by the Tourism Authority “to check their validity”. The move comes after details of…

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Civil society groups hold protest in Freedom Square: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent covers a civil society protest outside parliament on Wednesday evening calling for justice to be served to those who “robbed the country of democracy”. Activists called for Konrad…

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Jonathan Ferris declares no confidence in top police officer: The Headlines – The Times

The Times quotes Jonathan Ferris who told the public inquiry board that he did not trust assistant Police Commissioner Ian Abdilla and recalled how he found the senior officer standing…

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Charity ship makes four rescue operations in one day: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont says that NGO Open Arms made four rescue operations a few hours apart on Wednesday to bring 282 stranded migrants safely to port. The paper reports that among the…

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Chamber of Commerce meets PN over good governance proposals: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon covers a meeting between the Chamber of Commerce and the PN to discuss a document on good governance produced by business representatives. PN Leader Adrian Delia said that the…

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Tourism Ministry strips Konrad Mizzi of consultancy role: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today leads with the termination of Konrad Mizzi’s contract as consultant to the Tourism Authority. Tourism Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli said that no payments have been made for the…

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Mizzi appointment creates discontent within PL camp: The Headlines – The Times

The Times says that the Tourism Ministry sought legal advice before revoking Konrad Mizzi’s €80,000 consultancy role. The unannounced appointment caused ‘anger and disgust’ among Labour Party members as well…

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Joseph Muscat was not present for meeting about his package: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent questions Joseph Muscat about his termination package. The former Prime Minister replied that he is not at liberty to reveal Cabinet discussions but said that he was not…

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Opposition wants to haul Mizzi before parliament committee: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon says that the Opposition is demanding that Konrad Mizzi appears before the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee over the consultancy role that he was given after stepping down from the…

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Two-fifths of businesses satisfied with 2019 performance: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont says that two in five businesses feel that their performance in 2019 was better than the year before. The paper quotes findings in the latest Business Performance Survey conducted…

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Adrian Delia demands return of hospitals to public: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon says that Opposition Leader Adrian Delia who called on government to cancel the contract with Steward Healthcare and return the hospitals to the public. The court case seeking the…

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Doctors urge authorities to take precautions against coronavirus: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont quotes doctors who warned that authorities would do better to screen people coming into Malta from countries where cases of the coronavirus have been reported. The epidemic has spread…

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Electrogas director named by Theuma steps down: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reveals that Turab Musayev, a director on the Electrogas board, resigned soon after Yorgen Fenech was charged with complicity in the Caruana Galizia case. Middleman Melvin Theuma testified…

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Keith Schembri waives libel suit against newsroom: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent reports that former chief of staff Keith Schembri dropped a libel suit he had filed against the newspaper over a story alleging that €750,000 were transferred into a…

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Minister to retain Jason Micallef as cultural agency chief: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent speaks to Minister for Culture and the Arts Jose Herrera who said that he is not considering removing Jason Micallef from chairperson of the Valletta Cultural Agency. Micallef’s…

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Doctors miffed by Muscat presence in Steward meeting with government: The Headlines – The Times

The Times quotes the president of the Medical Association Martin Balzan who expressed disappointment at the news that former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat is lobbying his successor on behalf of…

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Shortage in prison officials piling pressure on staff: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon says that officials at the Corradino Correctional Facility are being forced to work overtime because of a shortage of staff, leading to ‘exaggerated’ long hours. The paper claims that…

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Over 200 migrants brought safely to port: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont reports that the Armed Forces and NGOs saved six boats carrying migrants in the space of a few hours between Sunday afternoon and night. More than 200 people have…

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Robert Abela clears the decks at OPM: The Headlines – The Sunday Times

The Sunday Times reports that Prime Minister Robert Abela is cutting loose OPM staff who have close ties to Keith Schembri. The powerful role of ‘chief of staff’ has also…

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Joseph Muscat bridges talks between Steward Healthcare and government: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today says that former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat attended a meeting with his successor and the Health Minister alongside the president of Steward Healthcare International. The US group is…

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Justyne Caruana discusses her resignation: The Headlines – The Independent on Sunday

The Independent on Sunday publishes an interview with Justyne Caruana who said that resigning from Minister for Gozo was the hardest decision she ever had to take in her political…

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Louis Galea proposes new name for the PN: The Headlines – Illum

Illum reveals that Louis Galea is proposing renaming the PN as the National Popular Party but says that the idea might not even make it to the party’s General Council.…

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New method for judiciary appointments to be announced: The Headlines – It-Torċa

It-Torċa carries an interview with Justice Minister Edward Zammit Lewis who said that one of his top priorities is the reform in the system of appointments of the judiciary. The…

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Over 200 people applied for government home ownership scheme: The Headlines – Kullħadd

Kullħadd reports that more than 200 applicants have signed up to the Equity Sharing Scheme announced by the government. The Housing Authority helps individuals over 40 years who cannot secure…

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Adrian Delia calls for end to institutional crisis: The Headlines – Il-Mument

Il-Mument quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that ‘playing musical chairs’ in the Cabinet will not solve the institutional crisis and warns that the country needs sweeping reforms that…

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Arts Minister defends censorship of controversial carnival float: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent speaks to Minister for the Arts Jose Herrera after a carnival float featuring the archbishop was banned. Herrera said that the state has an obligation to protect citizens…

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Former Police Commissioner lands consultancy job at ministry: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reveals that former Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar has been put on a consultancy position with the Home Affairs Ministry on matters related to public safety and logistics. His…

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PM wants compensation mechanism for damage caused by developers: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that a mechanism is needed to respond to cases of damage to third-party property during construction works. He said he wants to…

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Minister dodges question about Police Commissioner selection: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon asks Minister Ian Borg on whether the government intends to seek the advice of the Venice Commission on the newly proposed system to appoint a Police Commissioner. The paper…

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Corruption Perceptions Index raises fresh concerns about Malta: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent reports on the publication of the annual Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International which warns that Malta’s democracy is being undermined and weakened by lack of political integrity.…

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Authorities monitoring coronavirus situation: The Headlines – The Times

The Times quotes Superintendent for Public Health Charmaine Gauci who said that Malta’s exposure to the deadly coronavirus is low since there are no direct flights from China. A national…

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Former Police Commissioner touted for ministry consultancy role: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon claims that ousted Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar is expected to be offered a consultancy role with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security. The paper says that sources…

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Studies confirm Paceville violence against LGBTIQ: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont says that studies by the Malta Gay Rights Movement and the Allied Rainbow Communities confirmed reports of violence against LGBTIQ in Paceville. The associations have put a series of…

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Central Link works make archaeological find: The Headlines – The Times

The Times says that works on the Central Link project have been temporarily suspended by Infrastructure Malta after archaeological remains were unearthed in Attard. The roads agency said the discovery…

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PM committed to Malta’s corporate tax system: The Headlines – Business Today

Business Today says that Prime Minister Robert Abela dismissed reports that he favoured a change in the tax regime for foreign companies. Abela said that it would be ‘suicidal’ for…

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IIP applicants decrease by almost 6%: The Headlines – The Malta Business Weekly

The Malta Business Weekly reports that applications for Malta’s Individual Investor Programme fell by almost six percent between July 2018 and June 2019, compared to the previous year. The Malta…

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Giovanni Bonello questions new system to appoint Police Commissioner: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent speaks to former ECHR Judge Giovanni Bonello about the new system to appoint a Police Commissioner. He said that the ‘bottom line remains the same’, with the power…

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Airport seeking guidelines on Coronavirus: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont says that the Malta International Airport management will abide by guidelines issued by health authorities on the Coronavirus. Nine people have died so far in China with the virus…

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Dar Tgħanniqa t’Omm opens in Mosta: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon reports the opening of Dar Tgħanniqa t’Omm in Mosta, welcoming pregnant women going through challenging times. PN Leader Adrian Delia was present for the inauguration and thanked volunteers for…

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New system to appoint Police Commissioner launched: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today says that the Cabinet approved a new method for selecting the Police Commissioner. A public call will be issued, and candidates will face a grilling in parliament, in…

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Malta downgraded for the first time in the Democracy Index: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reports on the results in the Democracy Index and says that Malta is the only one among 167 countries to drop from a ‘full democracy’ to a ‘flawed…

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NGOs praise Aaron Farrugia’s proposal for transparency register: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent reports that several organisations have voiced their support for a transparency register proposed by Environment and Planning Minister Aaron Farrugia, promising to log meetings with lobbyists. A second…

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Anton Refalo takes oath of office: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont reports on the oath of office of Anton Refalo as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights. The new Minister said that the sector is very important to Malta…

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PN insists on two-thirds vote for new Police Commissioner: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon quotes the PN’s reaction to the new selection process for Police Commissioner arguing that the choice will still rest in the hands of the Prime Minister. The party criticised…

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Minister for Gozo steps down: The Headlines – The Times

The Times leads with the resignation of Gozo Minister Justyne Caruana following reports that her husband, former Deputy Police Commissioner Silvio Valletta, kept a friendly relationship with Yorgen Fenech after…

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Former FIAU chief hints at government interference: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent follows the testimony of former FIAU director Manfred Galdes before the Caruana Galizia public inquiry board. He said that there had been ‘indirect influence’ by the government in…

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Prime Minister says government follows high ethical standards: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that the resignation of Justyne Caruana on Monday sends a ‘clear and concrete signal’ of the ethical level expected by the government.…

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Opposition files bill on choice of Police Commissioner: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon reports that the opposition submitted a bill in parliament proposing changes in the method of appointment of the Police Commissioner. The bill recommends that nominations are approved by a…

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Government has plan for police corps reform: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that the government has a vision for the police reform, including the method to appoint the Commissioner. He warned, however, that the…

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Silvio Valletta filmed by Yorgen Fenech: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reveals that investigators found a video of former Deputy Police Commissioner Silvio Valletta on Yorgen Fenech’s phone. Valletta was ‘fooling around’ pretending to be driving the businessman’s Rolls…

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PD MPs file motion on e-scooter legislation: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent reports that PD MPs Godfrey Farrugia and Marlene Farrugia have filed a parliamentary motion to revise the legal notice governing e-kickscooters issued in December. They argue that that…

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