Newspaper Review

Infrastructure Malta defends Wied Qirda project: The Headlines – The Malta Independent

The Independent speaks to Infrastructure Malta after the Żebbuġ local council spoke out against the building of a country road in Wied Qirda. The state agency said that the council…

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Magħtab waste complex in ‘dire state’: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon says that the Wastserv site in Magħtab is in a ‘disastrous state’ and that the government is attempting to keep the situation under wraps. The paper says that Environment…

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NGOs lose appeal against Central Link: The Headlines – The Malta Independent

The Independent leads with a vote in the Environment and Planning Tribunal against the Central Link appeal filed jointly by several NGOs. The lawyer representing the applicants, Claire Bonello, said…

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Gozo Innovation Hub inaugurated: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont reports on the inauguration of the Gozo Innovation Hub, a ‘prestigious address’ for business in the technology sector. The €9 million project is expected to create around 120 jobs…

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Illegal batching plant ignores enforcement order: The Headlines – The Times

The Times says that an illegal batching plant in Gozo has been connected to the power grid and is in full 24-hour operation. The Planning Authority had imposed an enforcement…

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PN does not support recent nominations at MGA, MCA: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon announces that the Nationalist Party will vote against the nominations of the acting chairpersons at the Gaming Authority and the Communications Authority. The party said that these roles must…

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Cyprus to rescind citizenships of passport buyers: The Headlines – Business Today

Business Today leads with steps by Cyprus to revoke the citizenship of 26 individuals who have obtained passports via the country’s investment scheme. The Cypriot citizen scheme came under scrutiny…

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Malta pursuing MICE tourism strategy: The Headlines – The Malta Business Weekly

The Malta Business Weekly publishes an interview with Conventions Malta Director Christophe Berger who said that the country wants to carve a niche in MICE tourism. Berger referred to the…

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Criminal investigation into Vitals deal to include government ministers: The Headlines – The Malta Independent

The Independent says that the court upheld a request by civil society group Repubblika for fresh claims involving three ministers to be included in an ongoing inquiry into the government’s…

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Amnesty for illegal buildings considered: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reveals that a panel tasked with the ODZ planning reform stalled over a debate about the introduction of an ‘amnesty’ for illegal constructions erected in the countryside. The…

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ODZ construction policy out ‘within weeks’: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont reveals that a new policy regulating construction in ODZ has been handed to the Laws Faculty Dean for review. Minister Ian Borg said he expects the bill to be…

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Minister shows support for rural policy: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon quotes Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg who defended the 2014 Rural Policy which allowed the Planning Authority to approve the Qala development. The Minister said that the policy helps agricultural…

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Minister had no hand in Qala project renunciation: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today quotes Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg who denied claims of involvement in a decision by developers to withdraw a controversial project in Qala. Meanwhile, Borg complained about a delay…

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Opposition will not nominate a new PA board representative: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent leads with the decision by the Nationalist Party not to appoint a new representative on the Planning Authority board after MP Marthese Portelli withdrew from it. In a…

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Opposition withdraws from Lands Authority board: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon says that the Opposition’s representative on the Lands Authority board, MP Ryan Callus, has stepped down. Opposition Leader Adrian Delia said that the opposition will not be complicit in…

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No state compensation for wrongly jailed man: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reports that the courts have turned down a request for state compensation by a man who was wrongly charged and imprisoned for sexually abusing his daughter. Mr Justice…

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LESA employees get new collective agreement: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont announces a new collective agreement signed by the General Workers Union for the employees of the Local Enforcement System Agency. GWU head of section Theo Vella said the agreement…

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Judiciary-appointment method referred to European Courts of Justice: The Headlines – The Times

The Times leads with a Court decree by Mr Justice Mark Chetcuti who referred a case against the method of selection of the judiciary in Malta to the European Court…

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Allied Rainbow Community condemns attack on transgender woman: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent speaks to Allied Rainbow Community manager Clayton Mercieca after an offensive attack on a transgender woman. Mercieca said that Malta’s laws are among the most inclusive, but that…

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Malta starts receiving license applications from blockchain operators: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont says that 34 operators in the blockchain industry have submitted applications for a license in Malta. The paper quotes the CEO of a company in the fintech sector who…

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PN calls for overhaul in judiciary selection method: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon publishes a statement by the Nationalist Party urging the government to implement changes that allow the independent appointment of the judiciary. The party added that, for the sake of…

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Malta Gaming Authority goes four months without board: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reveals that the Gaming Authority has been operating without a board of governors since June, when the term of the last members expired. The paper says that relations…

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Teachers’ concern over possible change in conditions: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont reports unease among state teachers following comments by former Teachers Union president, John Bencini, that plans are underway to transfer teachers from the public service to another entity. The…

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Increase in reported cases of domestic violence: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent says that Aġenzija Appoġġ received 665 reports of domestic violence in 2018, more than a 150 increase over the previous year. The agency says that new laws and…

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Opposition Leader backs representative’s resignation from PA board: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon reports that the opposition representative on the Planning Authority board, Marthese Portelli, has resigned in protest with recent decisions. Opposition Leader Adrian Delia agrees with and supports Portelli’s resignation.…

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Caruana Galizia bomb device points to links with Balkan mobs: The Headlines – The Sunday Times

The Sunday Times says that investigators in the Caruana Galizia murder case believe that the bomb used in her car was assembled by two brothers known in the criminal world…

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Candidates for top PA post emerge: The Headlines – Il-Mument

Il-Mument says that Ian Castaldi Paris or Charlon Gouder are the frontrunners for the post of CEO at the Planning Authority. The paper says that outgoing Johann Buttigieg was removed…

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Qala project abandoned by developer: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today says that developer Joseph Portelli announced he will not go ahead with the construction of a planned villa in Qala, days after it was approved by the Planning…

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New equality commission to be established: The Headlines – Kulħadd

Kulħadd announces plans for the establishment of a Commission for Human Rights and Equality, with members nominated by parliament. The paper says the commission will ensure equality in every sector.…

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New body to regulate bouncers to be set up: The Headlines – The Malta Independent

The Independent on Sunday speaks to the Home Affairs Ministry about the setting up of a body to regulate club bouncers announced in 2017. The Ministry said that the drafting…

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Migrants suffer torture in Libya: The Headlines – It-Torċa

It-Torċa publishes an interview with a doctor aboard the Ocean Viking clinic who said that every patient had a story of violence at the hands of people asking them for…

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Identity Malta tender withdrawn: The Headlines – Illum

Illum reports that Identity Malta revoked a tender for auditing services after the newspaper highlighted a possible conflict of interest by the company that was awarded the contract. Illum says…

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Gozo developer bags two controversial approvals in a week: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reports that development magnate Joseph Portelli received the approval of the Planning Commission for a project in Sannat that was recommended for refusal by state and other non-governmental…

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PN representative voted against Qala development: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon says that the PN condemned the decision by the Planning Authority to approve a development project in a high landscape sensitivity zone in Qala. The paper says that opposition…

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Over 9,000 young people called national helpline last year: The Headlines – The Malta Independent

The Independent quotes Foundation of Social Welfare Services CEO Alfred Grixti who said that the number of callers on youth helpline 179 is increasing. More than 9,000 calls were received…

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Artist Mark Schembri speaks out against censorship of his work: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont picks up a social media post by artist Mark Schembri who complained that he has been censored for the fourth time for ‘challenging the status quo in Malta’. The…

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Voting migrants would promote integration: The Headlines – The Malta Independent

The Independent quotes Dr Ahmed Bugre, director of the Foundation for Shelter and Support of Migrants, who said that voting rights for asylum seekers and refugees would facilitate the integration…

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Steward Health Care not honouring commitments: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon calls the contract between the government and Steward Health Care a ‘€50 million scandal’ and says that the US company has not met any of its obligations since it…

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Unofficial Libyan currency found in Malta: The Headlines – The Times of Malta

The Times leads with the discovery of two containers full of unofficial Libyan currency that were likely on their way to the breakaway government led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.…

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Education Dean supports extending schooling age: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont speaks to Education Faculty Dean Dr Colin Calleja about the proposal to continue obligatory schooling until 18 years. The Dean agrees with the concept but says education must be…

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Nurse shortage is getting worse – The Headlines: The Malta Independent

The Independent publishes an interview with the president of the Midwives and Nurses Union Paul Pace who said that every single nursing unit in Malta and Gozo is understaffed. He said…

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AUM attracted less that a fifth of projected students – The Headlines: The Times of Malta

The Times says that the American University of Malta enrolled 143 students since it opened three years ago – less than a fifth of the number of students it promised it…

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Government mulling new prison facility – The Headlines: L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont quotes Home Affairs Minister Michael Farrugia who said that the government is considering a new building for the correctional facility. He told the paper that the ministry is looking…

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Bittrex leaves Malta for Lichtenstein – The Headlines: The Malta Business Weekly

The Malta Business Weekly leads with the closing of the Malta office of crypto exchange Bittrex to relocate to Lichtenstein. The company did not give any reasons, but the paper…

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UĦM urges government to absorb Steward professionals – The Headlines: In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon carries a statement by UĦM Voice of the Workers appealing for government to absorb the healthcare professionals currently engaged by Steward Health Care. The Union said these do the…

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Steward Health Care refutes claims of quitting – The Headlines: Business Today

Business Today speaks to Steward Health Care after allegations that it threatened to leave Malta unless the government allocated more funds. The US operator categorically denied the claims and said…

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Teachers worried about implications of increase in compulsory schooling – The Headlines: L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont says that the Union of Teachers and the Union of Professional Educators raised concerns about proposals to extend compulsory schooling to age 18. The unions said that there already…

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Immigrants in court following Monday riots – The Headlines: In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon says that 21 immigrants are facing charges in court for riots at the Ħal Far open centre on Monday. The paper says the revolt caused damage of more than…

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How Malta’s electricity rates rank against other EU countries – The Headlines: The Malta Independent

The Independent quotes Eurostat figures showing that Malta’s electricity price per kilowatt-hour is the fourth lowest in the EU. The price for non-household consumers, however, is the fifth highest among member…

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Negative assessment of Steward deal by doctors – The Headlines: The Times of Malta

The Times quotes the president of the Medical Association of Malta who asked where the funds intended for a new state-of-the-art hospital in Gozo and the refurbishment of St Luke’s and…

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Unlicensed Paceville bouncer facing charges for violence – The Headlines: Malta Today

Malta Today follows the appearance in court of an unlicensed bouncer, accused of endangering the life of another man from Poland after he kicked him in the head. The attacker…

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White goods stored at Iklin batching plant – The Headlines: The Times of Malta

The Times leads with the storage of white goods at the batching plant in Iklin. Opposition spokesman Jason Azzopardi said in parliament that the facility run by Wasteserv was in…

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Five deaths in prison in a year and a half – The Headlines: In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon says that five inmates have died at the Corradino Correctional Facility over the past 18 months. Opposition Leader Adrian Delia asked the Home Affairs Minister whether there will be…

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Witnesses say Gafa’ demanded thousands for medical visas – The Headlines: The Malta Independent

The Independent follows a court case on Monday and quotes witnesses who said that government official Neville Gafa’ demanded €2,500 to issue medical visas. One of them said that he met…

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GWU registers industrial actions at NCPE – The Headlines: L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont reports industrial actions ordered by the General Workers Union at the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality. The union argues that the commission’s management is stalling discussions on…

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Protest by Senglea residents against development plans by the American University of Malta – The Headlines: In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon covers a protest on Sunday by Senglea residents against development plans by the American University of Malta. The paper says that demonstrators called out the absence of their mayor.…

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€815,000 spent to fly in 525 Maltese citizens and their dependants to vote in MEP elections – The Headlines: The Independent

The Independent publishes figures by the Electoral Commission showing that €815,000 were spent to fly in 525 Maltese citizens and their dependants to vote in May’s elections. The Commission said that…

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