Newspaper Review

Malta: GWU recognised as Malta Air employees union

L-Orizzont announces that the General Workers Union has been recognised as the major union representing Cabin Crew and Crew Supervisors employed with Malta-based Ryanair subsidiary Malta Air. The paper compares…

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Malta: Delia vows to stay on

In-Nazzjon leads with comments by PN Leader Adrian Delia after losing a vote of confidence in the parliamentary group. Delia said he will stick by the choice of party paid…

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Malta: NAO says Vitals deal was agreed in advance

Malta Today leads with a report by the National Audit Office which concludes that a multi-million deal to transfer three public hospitals to Vitals was ‘predetermined’. The NAO said that…

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Malta: Auditor’s Office blames Konrad Mizzi for VGH fiasco

The Times reports on the findings of a report by the National Audit Office which says that failure in good governance in the deal with Vitals Global Healthcare ‘rests squarely’…

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Malta: Economic forecast sees 6 percent decline this year

The Independent quotes a European Commission report which says that Malta’s economy had started to slow down before the start of the Covid-19 outbreak, predicting a 6 percent decline in…

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Malta: More than 20,000 arrivals in the first week

L-Orizzont says that more than 20,000 inbound tourists visited Malta in the first week since the reopening of ports. There were 220 flights and 11 trips by catamaran, with the…

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Malta: Libyan PM attends migration office inauguration

L-Orizzont reports on the inauguration of an immigration coordination centre by Prime Minister Robert Abela and Libyan counterpart Fayez al-Sarraj. The two countries will cooperate to stem the flow of…

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Malta: Attorney General cautioned against retrieval of evidence from Nexia BT servers

The Times reveals that Attorney General Peter Grech advised against steps by the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit to seize Nexia BT’s servers in the wake of the Panama Papers revelations…

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Malta: Robert Abela hails Malta-Libya relationship

The Independent quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who, during a visit by Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj said that Malta considers Libya its friend. Abela announced that the countries would…

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Malta: Air Malta employees flag unequal treatment

In-Nazzjon says that Air Malta employees are complaining about preferential treatment towards some colleagues at a time when the company is downsizing its staff and cutting back on employment benefits.…

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Malta: Migrants kept at sea aboard livestock carrier

The Times speaks to the captain of the ship carrying migrants that was ordered to moor in Maltese territorial waters while the government negotiates relocation with EU partners. The captain…

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Malta: Coronavirus tests surpass 100,000

L-Orizzont says that there have now been more than 100,000 swab tests for Covid-19 since March. There are currently 11 active cases from a total 672 registered infections which saw…

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Malta: Adrian Delia says he will not cave in to government attacks

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that media reports about WhatsApp chats between himself and Yorgen Fenech were a government tactic. He said he will not be silenced…

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Malta: PN Leader denies exchanges with Yorgen Fenech

The Independent quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who says that messages between him and businessman Yorgen Fenech published by The Sunday Times are fake. He challenged the paper to publish…

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Malta: Yorgen Fenech offered to spill the beans on Macbridge

Malta Today says that Yorgen Fenech told police he was prepared to reveal information about secret company Macbridge which, along with his own 17 Black, was listed as a target…

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Malta: Financial industry concerned about upcoming Moneyval deadline

The Independent on Sunday speaks to practitioners in the financial services industry who were skeptical of claims by the Prime Minister that Malta would pass the Moneyval test easily. The…

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Malta: GWU calls for more flexibility in the workplace

It-Torċa quotes General Workers Union secretary general Josef Bugeja who said that a new legislative framework is necessary to provide more flexibility to industrial relations. He said the Covid-19 emergency…

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Malta: Adrian Delia vows to repeal hospitals deal

Il-Mument quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said he is committed to the return to the public the three hospitals privatised by the government. Delia said that the concession to…

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Malta: Government to ditch IIP passport scheme

The Independent reports that the government published amendments to the Citizenship Act on Friday that will scrap the current cash-for-passports scheme and introduce a new residence by investment system. Another…

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Malta: Joseph Muscat found in breach of ethical behaviour

The Times reports that a parliamentary committee could impose sanctions on MP Joseph Muscat for receiving expensive gifts from businessman Yorgen Fenech. The former Prime Minister said he disagreed with…

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Malta: Murder suspect arraigned in court twelve years from the case

L-Orizzont reports that John Paul Woods has been arraigned in court accused of the murder of Charlene Farrugia, twelve years ago. The remains of the victim’s body, aged 25 at…

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Malta: Witness says no due diligence in hospitals deal was conducted

In-Nazzjon follows the case in court into the deal to privatise three state hospitals. Nexia BT partner Manuel Castagna, who sat on the evaluation and adjudication board of the deal,…

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Malta: PM upbeat about upcoming Moneyval deadline

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who said he was confident that Malta will pass the Moneyval test. Addressing the PL General Conference, Abela said the government will be focused…

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Malta: Former economic crimes head transferred to another unit

In-Nazzjon reveals that Assistant Police Commissioner Ian Abdilla, who has been removed from the Economic Crimes Unit, has now been appointed director of the IT and Communications department. Another story…

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Malta: Report on gifts received by Joseph Muscat finalised

The Times reports that the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life submitted the findings of an investigation into gifts from Yorgen Fenech to former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. A parliamentary…

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Malta: Owen Bonnici reiterates his trusts in the judiciary over Konrad Mizzi

The Independent asks Owen Bonnici whether he had any concerns over deals made by Konrad Mizzi while he was Justice Minister. The now Education Minister said he has faith in…

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Malta: Retail sector in dire straits

Business Today reports that retail business is struggling to survive, and some workers have already been laid off. Business in Valletta is down to around 15 percent of last year…

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Malta: First commercial flights since travel ban

The Malta Business Weekly reports on the arrival of the first commercial flight in Malta since the airport was shut down in March. More than 80 flights are expected this…

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Malta: Satabank loses banking licence

The Independent reports that Satabank has had its licence withdrawn by the European Central Bank on recommendation of the Malta Financial Services Authority, Satabank has been under charge of Ernst…

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Malta: Attorney General denies claims made in court

L-Orizzont carries a statement by Attorney General Peter Grech who rejected claims that he had ordered the police to ‘tread carefully’ in their Panama Papers investigations and accused PN MP…

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Malta: Caruana Galizia public inquiry probes former top investigator

The Times follows the Caruana Galizia public inquiry during which former police assistant commissioner Ian Abdilla failed to reply when asked about reasons why Keith Schembri and Konrad Mizzi were…

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Malta: Employers’ body warns about grey-listing threat

In-Nazzjon picks up comments by Employers’ Association president Doris Sammut Bonnici who said that Malta should never have found itself risking grey-listing by Moneyvay. She warned that the consequences would…

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Malta: 700,000 visitors expected by end of year

Malta Today quotes Tourism Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli who said that the authorities are expecting 700,000 tourists by the end of the year. Last year, Malta attracted 2.7 million tourists.…

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Malta: Five traffic police officers indicted

The Times says that the court declared that was enough evidence to place five traffic police officers under a bill of indictment. The accused superintendent, two inspectors, and two sergeants…

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Malta: Finance Minister contradicts Moneyval extension reports

The Independent quotes Finance Minister Edward Scicluna who categorically denied claims that the government is seeking an extension on the Moneyval deadline. The minister is part of the task-force implementing…

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Malta: PN daily paper turns 50

In-Nazzjon carries an interview with PN secretary general Francis Zammit Dimech to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the paper. The first edition was published under the title ‘In-Nazzjon Tagħna’ on…

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Malta: Jason Azzopardi will not retract breach of privilege claim

L-Orizzont reports that Opposition MP Jason Azzopardi was found in breach of privilege by the House Speaker over claims the former Prime Minister knew of the Caruana Galizia murder plot.…

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Malta: Dar Tal-Providenza director out temporarily

L-Orizzont leads with appeals for help by Dar tal-Providenza following a decrease in donations. Director Fr Martin Micallef will also be step temporarily aside for health treatment and the organisation…

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Malta: Government may seek extension from Moneyval

The Times reveals that Malta is set to request a six-month extension on its Moneyval assessment deadline. The original review has already been postponed by three months to October because…

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Malta: Authorities eye UK travel safe list

The Independent reports that authorities are holding talks with the British government to include Malta in the UK travel ‘green list’ which exempts Britons from going into quarantine upon return…

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Malta: Adrian Delia says PN can be government-in-waiting

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia during a fundraising effort on Monday who said that the party’s renewal document adopted last week will transform it into an alternative government. Keep…

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Malta: Prime Minister denies information on Macbridge ownership

The Independent reports on an interview with Prime Minister Robert Abela who denied any knowledge of the ownership of Macbridge. The company was listed along with 17 Black as a…

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Malta: Enemalta refuses freedom of information request on direct order

The Times says that a freedom of information request into a direct order given by Enemalta to local company Beat Ltd. was turned down by the energy company. Beat Ltd.…

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Malta: Prime Minister calls for prudence by MPs

L-Orizzont quotes the Prime Minister who appealed for House representatives to exercise prudence with their parliamentary privilege, Robert Abela said that MP’s privilege has served Malta’s democracy well. Another story…

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Malta: PN Leader suggests extra paid leave for front liners

In-Nazzjon reports that PN Leader Adrian Delia called on the government to grant front liners in the coronavirus pandemic three days of paid leave as a sign of gratitude for…

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Malta: Yorgen Fenech offered police information on corruption

Malta Today reveals that murder suspect Yorgen Fenech told police he was prepared to reveal information about corrupt deals involving Electrogas, the Montenegro deal and a Hong Kong transaction, in…

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Malta: Joseph Muscat to exit politics in October

The Sunday Times claims that former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat is set to resign from parliament around October. The paper says that plans to step down this month were delayed…

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Malta: Enemalta denies paying €10 million for Mozura project

The Independent on Sunday speaks to Enemalta representatives who defended the price paid for shares in a Montenegro wind farm which, the company insisted, was €3 million not €10 million.…

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Malta: Increase in online fraud cases

Illum carries an interview with the Police Cyber Crime Unit which said there were more than 200 reports of online fraud since the beginning of the year, a ‘substantial increase’…

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Malta: Rule of law reform to be presented this week

It-Torċa quotes Justice Minister Edward Zammit Lewis who said that the government is going to present a bill to reform the rule of law in parliament this week. The minister…

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Malta: Upgrading project for Wied iż-Żurrieq

Kullħadd reveals that the government is set to announce a major embellishment plan for Wied iż-Żurrieq. The paper says that the destination attracts around half a million visitors every year.…

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Malta: Adrian Delia hails party statute reform

Il-Mument quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that reform in the party statute adopted this week was an historic moment for the party. Delia added that he will not…

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Malta: FIAU investigations to bypass police

The Times reveals that the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit will be given investigative powers to be able to launch probes into reports independently of the police. The results would then…

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Malta: Finance Minister says government focused on FATF deadline

The Independent quotes Finance Minister Edward Scicluna who said that Malta is doing its best to avoid being grey-listed by the Financial Action Task Force and that the government is…

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Malta: Changes to employment law guarantees leave for IFV procedure

L-Orizzont reports that a new legal notice now guarantees 60 hours leave for persons undergoing an assisted procreation process. Minister Carmelo Abela announced the amendments to the Employment and Industrial…

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Malta: Swimmer completes Sicily-to-Malta challenge

In-Nazzjon says that a large crowd gathered in St Julian’s to welcome swimmer Neil Agius, who crossed successfully from the south of Sicily. The paper says that the initiative shows…

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Malta: PN adopts new statute

In-Nazzjon leads with the amendments to the PN statute adopted by the General Council on Thursday. New articles concern the governance, financial administration, and policy-making of the party. Keep in…

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