Malta Headline

Malta: Covid-19 vaccine expected to arrive in January

Health Minister Chris Fearne said a Covid-19 vaccine should be administered to the entire country six months after it is issued. The government predicts that Malta should have an injection…

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Malta: EC takes formal steps against golden passports

The Times says that the European Commission will start infringement procedures against Malta and Cyprus over their respective cash for passports schemes. EC Vice-President Marcos Sefcovic said the Commission has…

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Malta: Opposition Leader expected more from the Budget

In-Nazzjon quotes Opposition Leader Bernard Grech in his first reaction to the 2021 Budget. Grech said that the measures announced by the Finance Minister do not look ahead and that…

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Malta: Ban on imports of single-use plastics from January

The Independent says that imports of single-use plastics will be banned from 1 January, one of the 2021 budget measures. The paper says Monday’s budget will guide the country through…

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Malta: COLA increased to €1.75

L-Orizzont follows the Budget speech and highlights a cost of living adjustment of €1.75 and the extension of the Covid-19 wage supplement until March. The Finance Minister announced compensation for…

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Malta: Raise in children’s allowance and pensions

Malta Today covers social measures announced in the budget on Monday, including a raise in pensions and higher children’s allowance. The paper says that Prime Minister Abela's first budget is…

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Malta: Covid-19 related decisions should be in the hands of health authorities – PN

The government should leave the necessary decisions related to the coronavirus pandemic in the hands of the health authorities, Partit Nazzjonalista said on Monday The PN’s action team on coronavirus…

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Malta: Marsa Junction Project sees opening of three new flyovers

Infrastructure Malta has announced yesterday’s opening of three new flyovers at the Marsa Junction Project. The three flyovers are providing new direct connections from Aldo Moro Street, Marsa, to two…

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Malta: Government proposes increase in retirement age for judges and magistrates

The Minister for Justice is expected to present a motion and a Parliamentary Bill related to the extension in the retirement age of Judges and Magistrates. The motion has already…

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Malta: Too little, too late – Forum Unions Maltin about COVID-19 measures

The authorities should implement stronger COVID-19 measures, such as the temporary closure of establishments where people have to congregate indoors, Forum Unions Maltin said on Monday. On Friday, the government said that…

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Malta: Bernard Grech urges investment in Green Economy

In-Nazzjon covers an TV interview with PN Leader Bernard Grech who said the party is planning for a more diverse and high-quality economy. Grech said he wants to move away…

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Malta: PM indicates stronger direct incentives in 2021 Budget

The Times quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that today’s Budget includes measures that will leave some €100 million in people’s pockets. He said that the amount will be…

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Malta: ELT downturn could wipe €88M off the economy

The Independent quotes a Deloitte report which projects that an optimistic 30 percent decrease in English Language student arrivals this year would translate into a loss of €88 million to…

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Malta: Lowest unemployment rate among eurozone states

L-Orizzont quotes a report by the International Monetary Fund which finds that Malta has the lowest rate of unemployment in the euro area and predicts that the country’s economy will…

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Malta: Second PL MEP touted to become House Representative

Il-Mument claims that Prime Minister Robert Abela is seeking to co-opt MEP Josianne Cutajar to the House, following the appointment of fellow MEP Miriam Dalli and chief of staff Clyde…

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Malta: Former sex traffic victim warns about decriminalisation of prostitution

The Independent on Sunday speaks to Rachel Moran, a victim of sex trafficking and prostitution, who said that decriminalisation of sex work without the necessary controls would be disastrous for…

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Malta: Five percent increase in GDP

Kullħadd says that GDP grew by five percent in the last six months, stimulated by the government’s financial package. The paper says the economy in Malta outpaced the EU average…

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Malta: ITU situation leading to cancellation of 50 operations daily

Illum quotes nurses’ union president Paul Pace who said that around 50 operations are being cancelled every day to keep up with the demand of the ITU. Nurses are being…

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Malta: Abela leads Grech by 28 points in trust ratings

It-Torċa leads with survey findings showing a 28.8 point gap in trust rating between the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader. Robert Abela enjoys a trust rating of 52.9 percent…

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Bomb suppliers attempted to buy Caruana Galizia hitman’s silence

The Sunday Times reveals that the suspected suppliers of the bomb used in Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder have offered one of the hitmen €1,500 a month after they learnt he…

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Malta: Caruana Galizia murder suspect named bomb suppliers

Malta Today claims that murder suspect Vincent Muscat told the police that the bomb used in the Caruana Galizia plot was supplied by Jamie Vela and Robert Agius who gave…

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Malta: Electrogas investors helped themselves to success bonuses

The Times reveals that Electrogas shareholders used government-guaranteed loans to pay themselves ‘success and development’ fees. Yorgen Fenech was paid €2.5 million for his work on the power station project.…

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Malta: New rules make masks mandatory out of home

The Independent reports on new coronavirus measures requiring masks to be worn at all times outside of home, including at places of work. Police officers will start issuing fines to…

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Malta: PM promises new measures to support jobs

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who admitted that Covid-19 cases have increased but said that the situation is under control. Abela announced that the government will introduce a new…

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Malta: PN sets up pandemic task force

In-Nazzjon reports an announcement by PN Leader Bernard Grech that he is setting up a Covid-19 Action Team to assess the situation and make recommendations. Grech said the team will…

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Malta: ‘Govt kept 65% of budgetary promises despite Covid-19’ – Scicluna

Minister for Finance and Financial Services Edward Scicluna outlined how the Government kept 65% of its 2020 budget promises despite Covid-19 disruptions. Scicluna was presenting the publication of the 2020…

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Malta: PN to draw up COVID-19 action

The Nationalist Party will be launching an action plan, in light of “the government’s incompetence” in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Opposition leader Bernard Grech said the party has launched…

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Malta: No one allowed to disembark from cruise liner on which there is a possible case of COVID-19

Tourism Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli said this morning that Maltese authorities were informed that on a cruise liner which was on its way to Malta there was a possible case…

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Malta: Authorities turn to students, retired health workers for contact-tracing help

Authorities have turned to students, trainees and retired health workers asking them to help with contact tracing as the numbers of COVID-19 cases reach record highs. And they have brought…

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Malta: Europol warned local investigators about Caruana Galizia case

The Times claims that Europol threatened to pull out of the Caruana Galizia murder investigation last year unless action was taken against Melvin Theuma. Investigators in Malta were hesitant to…

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Malta: Voucher scheme generated €52 million

The Independent quotes Economy Minister Silvio Schembri who said that the Covid-19 voucher scheme produced a €52.6 million injection in the economy. Over 80 percent of the vouchers were redeemed…

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Malta: Law enforcement carrying out hundreds of inspections weekly

L-Orizzont quotes Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri who said that officers are conducting hundreds of inspections every week to enforce Covid-19 measures. He appealed for more responsibility and discipline to…

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Malta: Record number of active Covid-19 cases

In-Nazzjon reports that the number of active cases on Thursday soared to 1,009, the highest since the start of the pandemic. A record number of 112 new cases were registered…

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Malta: Country welcomes human trafficker arrest in Libya

Malta has welcomed the arrest militia leader under the Libyan Government of National Accord, Abdulrahman Milad known as Al Bija. In his comments to Newsbook.com.mt, Foreign Affairs Minister Evarist Bartolo congratulated…

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Malta: Robert Abela keeping cards to his chest as Labour co-options rest solely with him

Robert Abela can co-opt whoever he wants to parliament since the Labour Party statute does not require any such decision to be brought before it. The Prime Minister is said…

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Malta: Data on third parties from Yorgen Fenech’s phone should not be public – lawyers

Yorgen Fenech’s lawyers are requesting the court, presiding over journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder compilation, to ensure that electronic data concerning third parties who are unrelated to the case, is…

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Malta: Budget to include reward scheme for private investment

Business Today quotes government sources who reveal that the budget on Monday will include fiscal advantages and grants for businesses that invest their capital. Meanwhile, discussions on VAT reductions are…

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Malta: Opposition moves for power station public inquiry

In-Nazzjon reports that the Opposition filed a motion in the House asking for a public inquiry into the Electrogas deal. The motion was presented by Opposition Leader Bernard Grech who…

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Malta: Administrator to be appointed for Keith Schembri’s companies

L-Orizzont says that a court ruling will appoint an administrator to control the companies owned by Keith Schembri. The decision by Justice Lawrence Mintoff came after the former chief of…

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Malta: Nine in ten want voucher scheme re-run

The Independent says that a national survey finds that 85 percent of people believe that the Covid-19 voucher scheme helped the economy while 96 percent want the system to be…

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Malta: Daily number of Covid-19 cases hits new record

The Malta Business Weekly reports that 111 Covid-19 cases were registered on Wednesday, the highest number in a single day since the start of the pandemic. At 940, the number…

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Malta: Man changes murder plea to guilty

The Times says a man pleaded guilty of killing his colleague and former girlfriend Shannon Mak in Santa Venera in 2018. Dutchman Jelle Rijpma changed his plea after repeatedly denying…

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Malta: Man admits to the brutal 2018 murder of Shannon Mak

A Dutch man has admitted to killing his former colleague and girlfriend, Shannon Mak, who in 2018 was found dead in a pool of blood between a parked car and…

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Malta: 14-day quarantine period should be reconsidered, Malta Chamber says

Optimised testing, contact tracing, and quarantine leave are needed to ensure the survival of viable businesses, the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry said. During the chamber's pre-budget document…

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Malta: 6 medieval chapels scheduled at Grade One Level

6 medieval chapels which have historical importance have been scheduled for protection at Grade 1 level. Two of these are chapels (Santa Duminka in Dingli (Ħal Tartani) and Santa Marija…

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Malta: PN calls for inquiry into Electrogas deal

The Nationalist Party (PN) is calling for an Inquiry Board to be appointed to look into the Electrogas deal, Newsbook reports The PN is proposing that due to the reasons…

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Malta: Bernard Grech discusses tourism with MHRA

In-Nazzjon reports on a meeting between PN Leader Bernard Grech and the Hotels and Restaurants Association. Grech said that operators in the tourism sector should not bear the brunt of…

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Malta: Justice Minister open to extending arrest limit

L-Orizzont quotes Justice Minister Edward Zammit Lewis who said that the government is considering extending the arrest limit during police interrogations. The paper carries an interview with the wife of…

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Malta: Miriam Dalli agrees to parliament co-option

Malta Today says that MEP Miriam Dalli has accepted to be co-opted to parliament after election candidates failed to submit their nominations to fill the seat vacated by Joseph Muscat.…

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Malta: Adrian Delia turns down shadow cabinet offer

The Times says that Adrian Delia has rejected the PN leader’s offer to join the shadow cabinet. Sources told the paper that discussions between the former leader and Bernard Grech…

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Malta: BirdLife appeals against trapping season

The Independent speaks to Birdlife Malta CEO Mark Sultana who warned against opening the trapping season for protected songbirds, which he said will roll back environmental results achieved in the…

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Malta: No immediate plan to reduce 14-day quarantine period, health ministry says

Malta has no plans to make changes to its two-week quarantine rules unless advised otherwise by the World Health Organisation and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the health…

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Malta: Birdlife says Abela given wrong advice to challenge EU & European Court

Hunters and trappers are once again being granted with privileges on completely wrong premises and this is unacceptable, said Birdlife Malta during a press conference in front of Castille. The…

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Malta: Over 17,000 live in overcrowded households, living conditions survey finds

Malta’s overcrowding rate continued to rise in 2019, standing at 3.7% of the population (estimated at just over 17,600) living in private households, up from 3.4% in 2018, a new EU-SILC report…

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Malta: Customs intercepts 23 containers carrying boats on their way to Libya

In recent months, the Customs Department seized no less than 23 containers at the Free Port, which it said were each carrying a ‘power boat’. The Malta Customs said in…

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Malta: PN Leader meets KSU

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who said that students deserve the best quality of education from the primary to the tertiary level. Grech was meeting representatives from the University…

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Malta: Quarantine could be shortened to one week

L-Orizzont quotes Health Minister Chris Fearne who said that new evidence suggests that quarantine may be reduced from 14 days to seven day in certain cases. The minister said Malta…

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