Morning Briefing

Malta: Food prices above EU average

The Independent says that food prices in Malta were around 12 per cent higher than the EU average in 2020. Figures by Eurostat showed that Malta has the eight highest…

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Malta: Cabinet approved €320 Covid-19 recovery plan

L-Orizzont reports that the Cabinet approved a €320 million recovery plan, part of the EU Covid-19 allocation. The government will now present the plan in a special meeting of social…

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Malta: Bernard Grech says government is not committed to national consensus

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech that the Prime Minister is rejecting the opposition’s offer to build a national consensus on the way forward after the FATF verdict. Grech said…

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Malta: Prime Minister sees opportunity in FATF downgrade

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela that the government is committed to turning the challenge of the FATF greylisting into opportunity. Speaking on Sunday, Abela said Malta will aim for…

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Malta: Highest rate of early school leavers in the EU

The Independent quotes Eurostat figures showing a 16.7 per cent rate of early school-leaving in Malta, the highest across member states. The EU average stood at 9.9 per cent last…

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Malta: Lands Authority auditor accuses board of obstructing her work

The Times reports that the head of the internal head chief at the Lands Authority slammed the board for lack of transparency and good governance. In her annual report, chief…

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Malta: Chamber of Advocates stand their ground on government Bill

Il-Mument publishes an interview with the president of the Chamber of Advocates, Louis de Gabriele, who criticised the government’s proposal to remove the warrant for lawyers not practicing in court…

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Malta: Credit agency positive about progress on governance

Kullħadd says that credit agency DBRS expressed confidence about Malta’s progress in the area of good governance. The latest report by the company pointed towards a series of legislative reforms…

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Malta: Airport CEO hopes to return to 80% of pre-pandemic levels by 2022

The Sunday Times quotes Malta International Airport CEO Alan Borg who said that around 150,000 arrivals are expected from Britain by the end of the year. He projects that total…

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Malta: 10 new graduates from the Caritas rehab programme

It-Torċa reports that 10 people will graduate from the San Blas drug rehabilitation programme on Wednesday. Paul Caruana from Caritas looks forward to the occasion and says that the community…

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Malta: Financial services practitioners call for a common effort on FATF

The Independent on Sunday speaks with representatives of the Institute of Financial Services Practitioners who called for all stakeholders to come together to lift Malta out of the FATF greylist.…

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Malta: Hotels encouraged by UK activity

Illum speaks with the CEO of the Hotels and Restaurants Association Andrew Agius Muscat who said that after months of hardship, the opening of the British tourism market is a…

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Malta: Almost €1 million in tax arrears considered uncollectable

Malta Today quotes a 2019 report by the Inland Revenue Department alerting authorities to €1.3 billion in tax arrears spanning several decades. A total €997 million of the accumulated arrears…

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Malta: Chamber of SMEs concerned for business climate after FATF verdict

In-Nazzjon quotes a statement by the Chamber of SMEs warning that doing business will become more difficult after the negative verdict by the FATF. The Chamber urged politicians to address…

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Malta: Tourism sector lobby upbeat about rate of arrivals

L-Orizzont speaks with the president of the Hotels and Restaurants Association Tony Zahra who expressed confidence that tourism will reach 60 per cent of the figures in 2019 by December.…

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Malta: FATF report highlights shortcomings in AML implementation

The Times follows a press conference by the FATF president Marcus Pleyer who said that while Malta had the right anti-money laundering legal framework, implementation of the legal provision is…

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Malta: Health authorities ironing out vaccine certificate system with UK

The Independent says that health authorities are in talks with their British counterparts over the Covid-19 vaccination certificates. Currently, the government only recognises certificates issued in Malta and arrivals from…

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Malta: Record number of scam reports in one day

In-Nazzjon says that the police have received a record number of 40 complaints in 24 hours, reporting scam messages which stole a combined €50,000 from personal accounts. Perpetrators are posing…

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Malta: UK adds Malta to safe-travel group

The Times reports that the UK government has lifted the requirement for quarantine for travellers returning from Malta. Health authorities said that arrival from Britain must present a vaccination certificate.…

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Malta: GWU says grey-listing indicates room for improvement

L-Orizzont publishes a statement by the General Workers Union in reaction to the FATF vote. The union said that Malta has made important steps in transparency, rule of law, and…

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Malta: Gaffarena appeal on Valletta expropriation case thrown out

The Independent reports that Marco Gaffarena lost an appeal challenging a court decision to revoke a promise of sale of part of a property in Valletta. The original owners decided…

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Malta: Wealthiest earn four times more than poorest

The Malta Business Weekly reports on a conference discussing income inequality in Malta. A study by the university centre for employment studies showed that the richest 20 per cent earned…

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Malta: New funding to help with succession planning in family businesses

L-Orizzont reports on a new public scheme that helps family businesses implement succession plans. Minister Miriam Dalli said that a fund of €1 million will provide businesses access to professionals…

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Malta: Vaccinations sped up amid Delta variant concerns

The Independent reports that health authorities are fast-tracking the second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine to 7,000 as a precautionary move against the Delta variant, spreading rapidly in Europe. Read…

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Malta: PN Leader suggests a national task force after FATF result

In-Nazzjon leads with the reaction by PN Leader Bernard Grech to Malta’s FATF grey-listing. Grech called on the government to set up a joint National Task Force with the opposition…

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Malta: FATF moves Malta to the grey list

The Times reports on the decision by the Financial Action Task Force to put Malta on its grey list. Reacting to the news, Prime Minister Robert Abela said that the…

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Malta: Nearly 900 inspections at sea

L-Orizzont reports that the maritime enforcement unit within the transport authority carried out just short of 900 inspections at sea so far this year, taking steps against 238 people and…

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Malta: Tal-Maksar brothers deny links to hidden weapons stockpile

In-Nazzjon says that the Tal-Maksar brothers have strongly denied that weapons found at Miġra l-Ferħa in a police operation are theirs. The lawyer representing Robert and Adrian Agius said that…

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Malta: Public Standards Commissioner publishes guidelines on government ads

The Independent reports on guidelines for government adverts issued by the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life. The document says that media messages should be relevant to the public interest…

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Malta: Degiorgio brothers file cases after rejected pardon request

Malta Today says that George and Alfred Degiorgio filed two cases after their request for a presidential pardon was turned down by the Cabinet. The brothers claim to have information…

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Malta: Top government official holds last-ditch calls over FATF test

The Times says that the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Finance has held a telephone conversation with senior US officials ahead of the FATF vote today on Malta’s compliance…

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Malta: Laws are being drafted to counter SLAPP

The Independent follows a webinar discussing freedom of expression in Malta and Europe. Addressing the event, MEP Roberta Metsola announced that new anti-SLAPP legislation will be binding EU-wide. Read more:…

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Malta: Finance Minister cautiously confident ahead of FATF assessment

In-Nazzjon says that Finance Minister Clyde Caruana is cautious but confident ahead of the vote on Malta’s compliance with international anti-money laundering frameworks by the members of the Financial Action…

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Malta: Cabinet rejects second pardon request by Degiorgio brothers

L-Orizzont quotes a government statement issued on Monday announcing that the Cabinet of Ministers has advised the President against a pardon requested by George and Alfred Degiorgio. The brothers are…

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Malta: Police find hidden supply of weapons at sea

The Times leads with the discovery of a stockpile of weapons wrapped in waterproof bags on the seabed. The police believe the stash, which includes a detonator similar to the…

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Malta: Bernard Grech says FATF assessment has broad implications

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who said that he is doing everything within his powers to restore the country’s reputation. Speaking about the upcoming FATF vote on Malta, Grech…

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Malta: Surge in STIs in recent months

The Times quotes figures by the GU clinic showing a rise in sexually transmitted diseases in recent months as Covid-19 restrictions were being relaxed. Valeska Padovese, the head of the…

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Malta: Prime Minister defends management of Covid-19 risk

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that the government is taking a cautious approach to the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions. While acknowledging some frustrations from certain quarters, he…

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Malta: Crowdfunding campaign against Pembroke development raises €18,000

The Independent says that a crowdfunding campaign by NGOs to challenge the Planning Authority decision in favour of the City Centre development in Pembroke has raised €18,000. Local councils in…

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Malta: Marsascala residents irked by MTA design competition

Il-Mument follows a press conference by activists and residents in Marsascala who raised concerns about a design competition launched by the tourism authority for sites in the locality. Residents said…

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Malta: Tourist bookings rise to a third of pre-pandemic levels

Kullħadd says that Malta is among the top five destinations for tourists in Europe along with Iceland, Albania, Serbia and Greece. The number of bookings is at around a third…

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Malta: Government making last-ditch bid ahead of FATF vote

Illum quotes sources assisting the government in its bid to avoid grey-listing by the Financial Action Task Force. The experts claim that influential countries including the US, Britain and Germany…

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Malta: Blockchain island generates €60 billion in crypto transactions

The Sunday Times says that around €60 billion in cryptocurrency moved through Malta while the country was branding itself a blockchain island. Analysts said that lax legislation on virtual assets…

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Malta: Gżira mayor warns about rising temperatures in urban centres

It-Torċa speaks with Gżira mayor Conrad Borg Manché who said that higher buildings and increased traffic are raising temperatures in urban centres. He warned that, unless the situation is addressed,…

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Malta: Environment Minister wants aesthetics policy

The Independent on Sunday speaks with Environment Minister Aaron Farrugia who said that he was to introduce an aesthetics policy for urban environments as a matter of priority. He said…

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Malta: PN leader pushes to replace deputies

View the latest edition of CorporateDispatchPro Malta Today says that PN Leader Bernard Grech is urging his two deputies David Agius and Robert Arrigo to step down in a bid…

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Malta: Tony Zahra appointed GWU pensioners’ association

L-Orizzont reports that former General Workers Union head Tony Zahra has been appointed secretary of the union’s pensioners’ association. Zahra said that he was delighted to serve the union in…

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Malta: PN Leader says good governance is vital to economic success

In-Nazzjon follows an address by PN Leader Bernard Grech during a conference by the employers’ association. He said that good governance is fundamental to the country’s economic performance. Read more:…

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Malta: Scientist raises concerns about air quality

The Times quotes atmospheric scientist Noel Aquilina who warned that construction and traffic are contributing to a rise in airborne toxic particles. He said that air quality is not being…

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Malta: Asylum requests dropped by 40 per cent last year

The Independent says that applications for international protection decreased by 40 per cent last year. With almost 2,500 requests for asylum, Malta registered the second-highest rate of applications per one…

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Malta: PN calls for excellence in mental health

In-Nazzjon covers a meeting between the PN and Richmond Foundation discussing the party’s proposals on mental wellbeing. PN Leader Bernard Grech said that Malta has to aim for excellence in…

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Malta: Planning Authority chastised for preferential treatment

The Times reports that the Planning Authority was ordered to compensate the original owners of a site in Luqa pointing to preferential treatment when their application for a garden centre…

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Malta: Ryanair subsidiary upgrades fleet

L-Orizzont announces that Ryanair subsidiary Malta Air has invested in six new Boeing 737 Max plans that will help the company to access new markets. Industry sources said that the…

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Malta: Lawyers slam proposed amendments to warrant rules

The Independent says that over 200 lawyers are objecting to proposed law amendments that would limit the warrant of advocates to professionals doing court-related work. The Chamber of Advocates is…

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Malta: Accommodation scheme provides housing for 330 families

L-Orizzont says that a government accommodation scheme is providing housing to 330 families. The Housing Authority is leasing empty property on ten-year contracts, offering minimum risk to owners while increasing…

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Malta: PN vows to cancel Gozo hospital deal

The Independent reports on a pledge by the PN to revoke the deal with Steward Health Care if elected to government and invest the money in new specialised health services…

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Malta: PN Leader writes to international anti-money laundering body

In-Nazzjon leads with an open letter by PN Leader Bernard Grech to the Financial Action Task Force, assuring delegates that an alternative government would rebuild Malta’s reputation as a top…

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