Malta News Briefing

Malta: Auditor in fuel smuggling operation under arrest

L-Orizzont reports that an auditor has been held on preventive arrest, accused of falsification of documents and money laundering in connection to a fuel smuggling operation involving former international footballer…

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Malta: Robert Abela says he never defended Keith Schembri

The Independent says that Opposition MPs used their time in parliament on Monday to discuss the events that led to the arrest of Keith Schembri. PN MP Beppe Fenech Adami…

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Malta: Sports minister says studies on motorsport track are nearing finish line

L-Orizzont speaks to Sports Minister Clifton Grima who announced that studies about a motorsport track are at an advanced stage. He said that a proposed racetrack will strike a balance…

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Malta: PN parliamentary group renews commitment to fight corruption

In-Nazzjon reports on an urgent meeting of the PN parliamentary group on Sunday discussing the charges against Keith Schembri and ten other people. The group said that good governance remains…

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Malta: Robert Abela distances Keith Schembri charges from PL

The Times quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who pointed out that former chief of staff Keith Schembri is no longer “an integral part” of the Labour Party while appealing for…

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Malta: Moneyval report within coming two weeks

The Independent says that Malta’s Moneyval review is expected to be delivered within the next two weeks. In January, Prime Minister Robert Abela expressed confidence that the country would not…

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Malta: PN Leader calls for fresh start after multiple charges in court

Il-Mument PN Leader Bernard Grech who described the development in court on Saturday as a “moment of reckoning” for the country to turn a new leaf. Gerch said that wrongdoing…

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Malta: Police investigating claims of fraud by Allied Group directors

Illum says that the police are investigating allegations of fraud running into the hundreds of thousands by the directors of Allied Group when they conducted business with Keith Schembri while…

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Malta: Tourism operators confident about Covid-19 passport

It-Torċa carries an interview with a source from the tourism sector who said that the plans for an EU Covid-19 passport is expected to be launched by summer, despite disagreements…

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Malta: Magisterial inquiry concludes that Keith Schembri paid bribes

The Independent on Sunday says that Keith Schembri pleaded not guilty to charges of money laundering and corruption. A magisterial inquiry concluded that he had paid former Allied Group director…

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Malta: Former chief of staff remanded in police custody

Keep in the know with the latest edition of CorporateDispatchPro Malta Today says that Keith Schembri was kept in custody at Corradino after he was denied bail on Saturday. He…

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Malta: Keith Schembri charged with criminal activity

The Sunday Times reports that former chief of staff Keith Schembri was among 11 persons charged with corruption and money laundering on Saturday following the outcome of a magisterial inquiry…

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Malta: Laferla Cross chapel in danger of caving in

In-Nazzjon says that the chapel at the Laferla Cross point on the outskirts of Siġġiewi has developed deep cracks and is in danger of collapsing. The chapel is the property…

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Malta: Speaker refuses to provide Prime Minister’s tax assessment

The Times reports that a request to the House Speaker to provide the tax assessment filed by Prime Minister Robert Abela in 2017 has been turned down. The office of…

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Malta: Activist backs removal of time-barring on sexual abuse cases

The Independent speaks to Women’s Right Foundation director Lara Dimitrijevic who said that time-barring should be removed from all cases of sexual abuse. The human rights lawyer said that it…

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Malta: Free medication for persons with Cystic Fibrosis

L-Orizzont says that the government will provide free medicine for persons with Cystic Fibrosis with an annual investment of €3 million. 26-year-old Mandy Vella, who has the condition, has made…

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Malta: Opposition holds urgent meeting with President over Interpretations Act

In-Nazzjon reports that Opposition Leader Bernard Grech led a delegation of MPs in a cordial visit to President George Vella where they raised concerns about amendments to the Interpretations Act…

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Malta: UK strain makes three-fourths of current Covid-19 infections

L-Orizzont quotes Prof. Charmaine Gauci who said that the UK variant of the virus now accounts for three in every four Covid-19 cases, a rise of almost 15 percentage points…

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Malta: Keith Schembri files Constitutional case for breach of rights

The Independent publishes parts of a public post by Keith Schembri claiming that a magisterial inquiry against him breaches his fundamental rights. Schembri announced that he filed a Constitutional case…

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Malta: Keith Schembri expecting criminal charges against him

The Times picks up a social media post by Keith Schembri declaring that he expects to face charges for criminal activity. The former chief of staff said that a magisterial…

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Malta: EU funding programmes created over 1,900 jobs in seven years

Business Today says that EU funds between 2014 and 2020 have generated over 1,900 jobs in Malta and contributed an estimated €662 million to the country’s GDP. A report published…

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Malta: Prime Minister says decisions by government based decisions on science

L-Orizzont follows a TV interview with Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that all decisions related to the pandemic taken by the government were based on science. Abela said that…

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Malta: PN Leader calls on Prime Minister to put country’s reputation first

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who said that the Prime Minister has a responsibility to protect Malta’s reputation, urging him to take the necessary steps to verify claims about…

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Malta: Brexit commissioner sees potential in EU-UK relations

The Malta Business Weekly publishes an interview with Mario Vella, Commissioner for Trade Relations with the UK. Vella said that the agreement between the EU and the UK provides a…

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Malta: Private gatherings restricted to two households

The Times says that a new measure will limit gathering in private properties to two households. Explaining the move, the Public Health Superintendent said that the highest number of cases…

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Malta: Most sport activities banned by authorities

The Independent reports that health authorities have banned any form of organised sport and competition. Some activities such as walking, running, fitness classes, and archery are permitted as long as…

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Malta: Covid-19 vaccine given to 80 percent of people at highest risk

The Independent says that 86 percent of people over 80 years and 80 percent of people considered vulnerable have received the Covid-19 vaccine. Nine in ten of medical front-liners have…

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Malta: Opposition demands Cabinet minister mentioned by Vince Muscat to be identified

In-Nazzjon says that state witness Vince Muscat said that a serving Cabinet minister was involved in an important crime. Opposition spokesperson for justice Karol Aquilina called on the Prime Minister…

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Malta: Vince Muscat reveals abandoned plan to murder Caruana Galizia

The Times follows the testimony of self-confessed hitman Vince Muscat who revealed an aborted plot to gun Daphne Caruana Galizia down with a rifle in 2015. The plan fell through…

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Malta: Local council presents alternative to new Qormi flyover

Malta Today says that the Qormi local council proposed plans for an underground tunnel beneath the Mrieħel bypass for fast-moving traffic through the area, leaving the surface road for slow-moving…

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Malta: Researcher dismayed at fine for man with dementia

L-Orizzont speaks with Prof. Charles Scerri, an expert in the field of dementia, who said he was saddened by a recent case of a man with the condition being fined…

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Malta: Doctors’ association president says health decisions are clouded by politics

In-Nazzjon speaks with the president of the Medical Association, Martin Balzan, who said that it is clear that the government is placing political considerations before health priorities in its management…

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Malta: Over 1,700 fines handed out last week

The Independent reports that enforcement officers have fined more than 1,700 people for breaching Covid-19 measures last week. Around 1,450 of offenders were caught without a mask while 180 people…

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Malta: Online schooling presents new challenges for parents

L-Orizzont speaks to parents who said that, while online schooling is good for children, it creates new challenges. Parents of siblings said that they need to set up connected devices…

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Malta: Supermarket workers demand vaccine

The Times says that hundreds of supermarket employees have signed a petition demanding to be vaccinated as soon as possible. The deputy CEO of Pama supermarket, Malcolm Camilleri, said that…

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Malta: PN leader wants bigger role for health authorities

In-Nazzjon covers an interview with PN Leader Bernard Grech on national television. Grech insisted on declaring a national health emergency to transfer power from politicians to the Superintendent of Public…

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Malta: Trapping season for protected birds set to reopen

The Times reports that the government has informed the European Commission that it will open the trapping season for seven protected songbirds this spring, claiming it is part of a…

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Malta: Government announces new centres for essential workers

L-Orizzont quotes Education Minister Justyne Caruana who announced the opening of four new centres for essential workers with children. The minister said the service will give workers in healthcare and…

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Malta: Covid-19 cases third highest in the EU

The Independent publishes data by the European Centre for Disease Control which show that Malta registered a rate of 720 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants last week, the third highest…

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Malta: Mater Dei emergency section faces growing pressure

Il-Mument speaks with staff at the Mater Dei emergency section who said that the pressures on the healthcare system have increased as Covid-19 cases continue to grow. The sources said…

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Malta: Nine days’ backlog on contact tracing

The Independent on Sunday says that Covid-19 contact tracing is nine days behind as workers at the department are inundated with cases. Health Minister Chris Fearne told parliament this week…

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Malta: Working parents in a bind as schools close

Illum says that hundreds of nurses will go on leave from tomorrow to stay with their children as schools remain closed. Concerned parents in other professions said that employers are…

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Malta: Former gaming watchdog suspected of ties to Yorgen Fenech

The Sunday Times says that former Malta Gaming Authority chief Heathcliff Farrugia colluded with Yorgen Fenech to keep anti-money laundering breaches at Tumas Gaming casinos under wraps. Another story quotes…

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Malta: Doctor says rate of Covid-19 casualties comparable to other countries

It-Torċa carries an interview with doctor Jean Karl Soler who expressed worry at deaths related to Covid-19 but said that the rate of casualties in Malta has never risen to…

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Malta: Public concern about virus almost doubles in three months

Malta Today publishes survey findings showing that eight in every ten people in Malta identify the coronavirus pandemic as their major concern. The rate stood at 46.2 percent in December.…

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Malta: Average age of Covid-19 fatalities going down

L-Orizzont quotes Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci who said that the average age of people dying from the Covid-19 virus is becoming lower and appealed to the public to follow…

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Malta: Five people die from virus on Friday

The Independent reports that the number of active Covid-19 cases rose to 3,188 after more than 300 new infections were registered on Friday. Five people, aged between 38 and 85,…

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Malta: PN demands new Covid-19 board for scientists

In-Nazzjon reports on an interview with PN Leader Bernard Grech who said that the Prime Minister has much to explain following the revelations by Vince Muscat in court, implicating senior…

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Malta: Men named by Vince Muscat deny claims

The Times says that former minister Chris Cardona, former chief of staff Keith Schembri, and lawyer David Gatt have dismissed claims by hitman Vince Muscat that they were involved in…

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Malta: Union hold conference on education equity

L-Orizzont cover a conference on equal education organised by the General Workers Union. Secretary General Josef Bugeja said that the union has a role to play in the development of…

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Malta: Opposition Leader accuses Prime Minister to lowering people’s guard

In-Nazzjon quotes Opposition Leader Bernard Grech who said that the government tried to create a sense of false security over the pandemic, and the country is not suffering the consequences…

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Malta: Vince Muscat implicates former Minister Chris Cardona

The Independent follows the compilation of evidence against the Degiorgio brothers. Vince Muscat told the court that, on one occasion, he had driven one of the men to meet former…

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Malta: Caruana Galizia hitman testifies in court

The Times reports on the testimony in court by hitman Vince Muscat who said that the killers were prepared to proceed with plans to blow up Daphne Caruana Galizia even…

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Malta: PN Leader calls for national emergency

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who urged the government to call a national emergency to bring the spread of the virus under control. New positive cases reached a record…

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Government announces new Covid-19 measures

L-Orizzont reports that schools will shut down from Monday until April 11 and go back to online teaching. Announcing the new measures, Prime Minister Robert Abela thanked the public for…

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Malta: Six in every ten cases are UK variant infections

The Times quotes Health Minister Chris Fearne who said that Covid-19 variant first discovered in the UK now accounts for more than 60 percent of new cases in Malta. The…

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Malta: Travel to Gozo restricted to essential trips

The Independent says that travel from Malta to Gozo will be restricted to residents and other essential trips as part of a broader effort to reduce contact between people. The…

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