Malta Headline

Malta: Over 70s to start receiving booster jabs in October

The Independent reports that people over 70 living in the community will be offered Covid-19 vaccine booster shots from October. Health authorities are assessing the situation before extending the programme…

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Malta: PN unveils new website

In-Nazzjon says that Pilatus Bank has been formally charged with money laundering activities following a magisterial inquiry into the bank’s operations. The court ordered the bank’s assets to be frozen.…

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Malta: Charges filed against Pilatus Bank MLRO

The Times reports that the police have pressed charges against the former head of legal at Pilatus Bank, Claude-Anne Sant Fournier, who also served as money laundering reporting officer. A…

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Malta: Pilatus Bank and official charged; inquiry recommends nine face action

The now-shuttered Pilatus Bank and a top official were arraigned on money laundering charges on Thursday. Claude-Ann Sant Fournier, 41, appeared in court following police investigations and a magisterial inquiry. Source…

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Malta: Three other companies leave Malta’s shores – MFSA

The financial services regulator has announced on its website that three companies have left Malta. Trumpington Street Investments SICAV plc, EMA Capital Limited and Northern Cross SICAV plc informed the…

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Malta: Blood required for babies at Mater Dei

The National Blood Bank is appealing for more than 100 bags of blood which is required for patients currently at Mater Dei, including babies. “This is a short, direct and…

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Malta: PN working group assessing injustice claims in public sector

In-Nazzjon says that a PN working group is reviewing claims of injustice in the public sector, promising redress to victims if the party is elected to government. The group is…

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Malta: Police open probe into spoofing onslaught

The Independent says that a police investigation into a series of spoofing attacks on newsrooms has been launched. A police spokesperson said the probe relies on the collaboration of foreign…

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Malta: Gozo Tourism Authority proposes airstrip

The Malta Business Weekly carries an interview with the CEO of the Gozo Tourism Authority, Joe Muscat, who said an airlink is essential to the island. The GTA is proposing…

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Malta: MFSA suspends listed company over unpublished reports

Business Today reports that the Financial Services Authority has suspended the listing of Melite Finance’s bonds for 10 days for failing to publish unaudited financial reports for the first six…

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Malta: Pilatus officials expected to be charged imminently

The Times says that the police are drafting arrest warrants for former senior officials at the now-shuttered Pilatus Bank. Sources told the paper that the police did not have an…

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Malta: Housing Authority introduces scheme for persons with past health conditions

L-Orizzont reports the launch of a Housing Authority scheme offering bank guarantees to people ineligible for home loans because of past health conditions. Announcing the project, Prime Minister Abela said…

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Malta: Spike in COVID cases could be down to Santa Marija holidays

An increase in COVID-19 cases could be linked to increased social activity surrounding the Santa Marija holiday period, public health chief Charmaine Gauci has said. Health authorities reported 76 new virus…

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Malta: Robert Abela pours cold water on November election but won’t rule it out

Robert Abela has insisted that he wants to oversee the implementation of Budget 2022, effectively pouring cold water on speculation that a general election will be held in November. However, the…

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Malta: Judge Edwina Grima turns down request by Yorgen Fenech for her to abstain

Judge Edwina Grima has turned down the request by Yorgen Fenech for her to abstain from his trial for the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia. Fenech’s defence team made this…

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Malta: PM announces new housing scheme

Prime Minister Robert Abela and Minister for Social Housing Roderick Galdes addressed a conference today that announced a scheme whereby people with medical conditions can borrow money to become owners…

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Malta: Marsa footpaths project to be inaugurated soon

L-Orizzont says that the first pedestrian paths are now complete and will be opened to the public this week. Infrastructure Malta designed a series of safe passages and block an…

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Malta: PN sets up green policy working group

In-Nazzjon reposts that the PN established a new working group to focus on environmental policy. Headed by electoral candidate Janice Chetcuti, the group will seek the input of different stakeholders…

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Malta: MCESD proposes trial for four-day working week

The Independent says that social partners have submitted a pre-budget document containing over 200 recommendations. The proposals include introducing a four-day-week pilot and reopening of trade schools. Read more: https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2021-08-31/local-news/Pilot-four-day-week-projects-reopening-trade-schools-frontliner-bonus-among-MCESD-budget-proposals-6736236360…

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Malta: Pope may visit Malta in November

Malta Today says that Pope Francis may visit Malta towards the end of November, though no plans are confirmed. Sources told the paper that the pontiff could combine the trip…

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Malta: Pilatus Bank slapped with multimillion fine

The Times reports that the FIAU imposed a €4.9 million fine on Pilatus Bank for systemic neglect of anti-money laundering procedures. A statement by the unit said that the now-shuttered…

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Malta: Comino’s campsite ‘stolen’ by perma-campers

Semi-permanent tents at Comino’s camping site have left other campers unable to find any space to pitch their own tents in the limited area, while these structures remain largely unoccupied.…

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Malta: PN launches an environmental working group

The Nationalist Party has launched an environmental working group dubbed PN Greens which will be led by general election candidate Janice Chetcuti. During a press conference on Tuesday, party leader…

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Malta: First soup kitchen in Valletta opens its doors for vulnerable people

The Valletta Soup Kitchen, run by the Franciscan Friars, has opened its doors five years after refurbishments began. Works to restore the old refectory, which was built in 1584, began in July…

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Malta: New scheme to address commercial rents of 400 small businesses

A new scheme was announced to treat the revision of commercial rents from the Lands Authority and the recognition of the same rents aimed at addressing a number of commercial…

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Malta: PBS insiders describe atmosphere of suspicion

In-Nazzjon says that employees at the Public Broadcasting Services claimed interference from Castille and mistrust between management and workers. The report says that the national broadcaster has been found in…

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Malta: Lifeguards appeal for caution with children at the beach

The Times quotes Robert Brincau from Red Cross Malta warning parents to keep vigilant on the beach. He said that near-drowning incidents involving children occur frequently during the summer months.…

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Malta: Yorgen Fenech faces money laundering charges

The Independent reports that Yorgen Fenech has been charged with money laundering and misappropriation of property from a gaming company, Glimmer Ltd. The businessman is the majority shareholder of the…

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Malta: Central Bank employees take industrial action

L-Orizzont reports that the General Workers Union has ordered industrial actions at the Central Bank after negotiations about a new collective agreement failed. The courts struck down a mandate of…

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Malta: Yorgen Fenech to face fresh financial crime charges

The man accused of conspiring to murder Daphne Caruana Galizia is expected to also face charges linked to financial crime on Monday. Yorgen Fenech is due to be arraigned in…

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Malta: “Even I was target of fake emails” – PM

Prime Minister Robert Abela announced that he was also a victim of fake emails sent in his name. Abela claimed that the incident happened on the 15th August. In a…

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Malta: No changes to Year 11 assessment marks, inquiry report finds

No changes were found in the assessment marks for annual Year 11 examinations, according to an inquiry board appointed by the Ministry for Education. The inquiry board was set up…

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Malta: Community Police close beach bags in an attempt to ward off pick-pocketers

The crime of pick-pocketing on beaches is very common during the summer months. That is why at the end of last week, a number of community police officers were seen…

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Malta: PM confident about economic recovery

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela that the upcoming budget will give a clear vision of the new prosperity that the government wants to achieve. Abela said that the economy…

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Malta: PN Leader says country is ready for change

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech that the public is expressing a need for change and urged supporters to work together to achieve that goal. He was reacting to survey…

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Malta: Tax specialists targeting corporate tax loopholes

The Times says that a team of experts has been set up to review Malta’s corporate tax regime and is working on a series of measures to close loopholes in…

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Malta: Budget speech set for October 11

The Independent says that the 2022 Budget will be submitted in parliament on October 11. Speaking on One Radio, Prime Minister Robert Abela said on Sunday that the government has…

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Malta: Registered unemployment reaches record low

Kullħadd says that registered unemployment last month fell to its lowest historical numbers. At 1,1542, there were 74 fewer people on the unemployment register than in the previous lowest month…

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Malta: Union demands more appreciation of early school educators

It-Torċa quotes a statement by the education section within General Workers Union calling for equal recognition of educators in early schooling years. The union called out salary gaps between professionals…

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Malta: Government MP says PL does not support Marsascala marina

Illum speaks with government MP Jean Claude Micallef who criticised the proposed yacht marina project in Marsascala. He said that the concept was neither endorsed by the Labour Party nor…

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Malta: Preparations underway for November election

Il-Mument says that the general election is being planned for the second half of November. The paper says that ministries are relaying instructions to government departments to impose a stop-leave…

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Malta: Roads agency dished out 95 direct orders in six months

The Independent on Sunday says that Infrastructure Malta awarded 95 direct orders with a combined value of €10.4 million in the first half of this year. By contrast, the agency…

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Malta: Inquiry finds systemic favouritism at MCAST

Malta Today reveals that an unpublished ministerial inquiry completed in 2018 warned about a culture of clientelism for teaching staff at MCAST. The president of the board of governors at…

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Malta: Gap between parties narrows by six points

The Sunday Times leads with survey results showing that the PL’s lead over the PN fell from 15 percentage points in July to 9 points this month. Meanwhile, Robert Abela…

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Malta: Airline ordered to compensate passengers for delay

L-Orizzont reports that the European Court ordered Ryanair to compensate passengers travelling from Malta to Poznan after a four-hour delay in departure. A decision by the Tribunal said that the…

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Malta: Baby of six months dies from incident at private residence

The Times reports that a six-month-old baby died after being found unconscious in a bath in a private residence. Medics rushed to the site and performed CPR on the girl…

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Malta: Former inmate blames director for uneasy environment at Corradino

In-Nazzjon carries an interview with a former inmate who accused prison director Alexander Dalli of managing by fear. The unidentified man said that several prisoners were driven to desperation because…

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Malta: E-scooter accidents prompt insurance firms to consider raising premiums

The Independent says that insurers are mulling a hike in policy premiums to cover for increased accidents involving e-kickscooters. A statement by the insurance association said that members have registered…

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Permanent link, electric public transport among Gozo Chamber’s budget proposals

A permanent link project linking Gozo and Malta and a complete shift of Gozo’s public transport system to smaller and more frequent electric buses and among the budget proposals made…

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Malta: Baby girl hospitalised after near-drowning incident at home

A baby girl was rushed to Mater Dei hospital on Friday afternoon, after she was found drowning in a private residence, the police have confirmed. The condition of the child…

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Malta: Two historic chapels in Għarghur restored

Two 17th century chapels in Għargħur have been restored by the Cultural Heritage Foundation of the Archdiocese of Malta, with EU funds covering 80% of the bill. The two chapels share…

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Malta: 22-year-old arrested after being caught with 100 gr of cocaine in Pietà

A 22-year-old man, a Floriana resident, has been arrested in connection with trafficking of cocaine. The man was arrested yesterday after being stopped at Pietà and found in possession of…

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Malta: Teachers sceptical of Chamber proposals for school system

L-Orizzont says that the union of teachers is warning against changes to the educational system to accommodate businesses. The union was reacting to a proposal by the chamber of commerce…

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Malta: PN promises a flat rate for EV charging

In-Nazzjon says that the Nationalist Party is pledging a flat rate of 10.5c per unit for the charging of electric vehicles. Party spokesperson for Energy Ryan Callus said that the…

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Malta: Fake emails try to dupe newsrooms

The Independent reports that newsrooms were copied into an email thread pretending to be an exchange between opposition MP Jason Azzopardi and journalist Manuel Delia. The paper tracked the source…

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Malta: Yorgen Fenech charged with purchasing weapons from dark web

The Times says that Yorgen Fenech has been charged with buying weapons and ammunition from the dark web. Investigators believe the businessman paid for the equipment using cryptocurrency, but it…

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Malta: Speaker says he is powerless to remove MP from parliamentary committee

The Independent asks Speaker Angelo Farrugia whether he will advise Minister Edward Zammit Lewis to recuse himself from the upcoming sittings of the parliamentary ethics committee. Farrugia said that the…

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