Malta News Briefing

Malta: Yorgen Fenech accused of ordering weapons on dark web

The Times leads with a statement in court by the deputy attorney general accusing businessman Yorgen Fenech of purchasing a number of weapons, hand grenades, and ammunition on the dark…

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Malta: Marsascala mayor stunned by marina proposal

The Malta Business Weekly publishes an interview with Marsascala mayor Mario Calleja who expressed shock at the plans for a marina in the seaside town proposed by Transport Malta. The…

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Malta: PN wants authorities to scrap Marsascala project

In-Nazzjon says that the Nationalist Party is requesting Transport Malta to withdraw plans for the Marsascala marina project and to start a consultation exercise with residents and stakeholders on a…

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Malta: Alleged drug trafficker granted bail

The Independent reports that alleged drug kingpin Jordan Azzopardi has been granted bail after two years in preventative custody. The 31-year-old was ordered to pay a personal guarantee of €150,000…

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Malta: Messages on prison cells declare revenge

L-Orizzont publishes pictures of angry messages vowing revenge scrawled on the walls of a prison cell where an inmate who was recently interviewed by a paper was allegedly held. The…

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Malta: Tax crime investigations set for longer time windows

The Times says that the government is planning to extend the time window for tax crime investigations and prosecutions. Authorities are proposing a minimum five-year period, up from the current…

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Prisoner Dies After Attempted Suicide/ Malta News Briefing – Tuesday 17 August

Afternoon Portal Review All major portals report that a prisoner has died in hospital, eight days after his attempted suicide sparked an inquiry into mental health procedures in prison. This is…

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Malta: Commercial vessel companies breaking employment laws

It-Torċa reports breaches in employment law by companies operating commercial vessels paying their crew members around $20 daily including overtime. An investigation showed that some employees are denied visas because…

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Malta: PN criticises Marsascala marina project

Il-Mument quotes PN spokesperson Peter Agius that authorities issued a tender for a marina in Marsascala behind the residents’ backs. He said that the plans failed to conduct proper consultation…

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Malta: Longer waiting times reported at hospital emergency service

Illum reports a sharp increase in waiting times at the Mater Dei emergency department with patients spending as many as 10 hours to receive treatment. New safety protocols and a…

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Health minister believes Covid-19 is here to stay

The Independent on Sunday quote Health Minister Chris Fearne that it is likely that the Covid-19 virus will become an epidemic and populations will need to learn to live with…

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Malta: Record growth in aviation registry in 2020

Kullħadd reports a record increase in Malta’s aviation registry last year, climbing by almost 52 per cent above the year before. The Civil Aviation Directorate said that there are currently…

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Malta: Former inmate describes dire situation at Corradino

The Sunday Times speaks with a man who has just been released from prison. Anthony Borg describes a culture of vindictiveness and inhumane practices inside Corradino where inmates are treated…

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Malta: Significant rise in temperatures in less than a century

Malta Today says that air temperatures in Malta rose by 1.4 per cent since the 1940s as average-highs increased by 2 per cent. Sea surface temperatures went from an average…

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Malta: Highest number of new daily Covid-19 cases in two weeks

The Independent reports that new daily Covid-19 cases rose to 101 on Friday, the first time to reach over a hundred in a fortnight. Meanwhile, 119 recoveries lowered the number…

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Malta: Olympic-level athlete aiming to race for Malta in 2024

The Times reports that Australian-born athlete Jared Micallef is hoping to represent Malta in the Paris Olympics in 2024. The 23-year-old qualified for this year’s Olympics but skipped the events…

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Malta: Students receive their O Level and A Level results

In-Nazzjon says that more than 9,000 students will receive their O Level and A Level exam results in the coming days. English, maths, and physics were the most popular O…

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Malta: Case begins against man who threw Somalian into the sea

L-Orizzont follows the case against Deelian Mifsud, charged with injuring Mohamed Hassan in Mġarr Gozo. A witness told the court that the defendant picked up the Somali man “like a…

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Malta: President keeps a clear conscience

In-Nazzjon quotes President George Vella that he is following his conscience and that not all his actions can be made public. The President was responding to questions on whether he…

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Malta: IMF recommends phasing out of Covid-19 financial support

The Times says that the International Monetary Fund advised Malta to gradually start scaling down its Covid-19 financial support. Representatives of the UN body met with government officials this week…

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Malta: Doctors call for caution with Covid-19 medicines

L-Orizzont says that a medical research lab in Tel Aviv claims to have developed medicines that are 93 per cent effective in the cure against Covid-19. Doctors in Malta said…

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Malta: Fire engulfs Eden Cinemas

The Independent reports on a fire that broke out at the Eden Cinemas complex on Thursday, causing extensive damage to movie theatres. No one was injured in the incident and…

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Malta: Anger at power cuts amid heatwave

In-Nazzjon says that people vented their anger on social media after more households experienced power outages on Wednesday, leaving them without electricity on a day of intense heat. Read more:…

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Malta: Mobile clinic reaching more unvaccinated persons

L-Orizzont speaks with the coordinator of the vaccination programme Jorgen Souness who expressed confidence that Malta will reach its vaccination goals. He said that the spontaneous jabs offered by mobile…

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Malta: Nearly 600 students repatriated this summer

The Times reveals that Malta paid almost €300,000 to repatriate 579 students following new coronavirus restrictions this summer. Two flights carried students stranded in Malta while another three were chartered…

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Malta: Government planning new regulations for caravans

The Independent says that the government is working on a nationwide regulatory framework for caravans. Minister for Local Councils Jose Herrera said the rules will strike a balance between the…

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Malta: Gozo Tourism Association recommends an airlink as an alternative to tunnel

The Malta Business Weekly speaks with Gozo Tourism Association CEO Joe Muscat who said that increased accessibility between the islands with the fast ferries and a proposed airlink would make…

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Malta: Couple vouch for Covid-19 vaccine effectiveness

L-Orizzont shares the experience of a couple who travelled to Greece while cases were increasing. Writing on social media, they said that the vaccine can never guarantee against Covid-19, but…

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Malta: Enemalta lays plan to address electricity demand during heatwave

The Independent speaks to Energy Minister Miriam Dalli who said that a short-term distribution plan is being put in action by Enemalta to respond to electricity demands as temperatures continue…

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Malta: Health authorities warn over excessive heat

The Times leads with warnings by the health authorities about the heatwaves as temperatures are expected to reach 43 degrees in these days. The public is being asked to stay…

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Malta: New outpatients block approved by Planning Authority

Malta Today reports that the Planning Authority has approved the development of a new outpatients centre at Mater Dei hospital. The €170 million investment will be built on the site…

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Malta: PN calls for change in Corradino top brass

In-Nazzjon covers a PN press conference demanding the removal of the prison management following the reported suicide attempt by an inmate on Sunday. The spokesperson for Internal Affairs Beppe Fenech…

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Malta: New board to review prison procedures

The Independent says that the government set up a three-person board to assess procedures at the Corradino Correctional Facility and their impact on the mental and physical wellbeing of inmates.…

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Malta: Yorgen Fenech allegedly paid for Degiorgio brothers’ lawyers

L-Orizzont follows the compilation of evidence against Yorgen Fenech on Monday. Self-confessed middleman Melvin Theuma told the court that the businessman was funding the legal fees of brothers George and…

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Malta: Climate Action Ambassador raises alarm over desertification

The Times leads with the publication of a climate report by a United Nations panel that warned of drastic rises in temperatures in the coming decades. Climate Action Ambassador Simone…

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Malta: Popular pharmaceutical brands low on stock

The Times reports that a range of popular pharmaceutical products imported from the UK are running out of stock as a result of Brexit. Pharmacists said that if the products…

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Malta: Suicide attempt at Corradino prison

In-Nazzjon reports that a prison inmate attempted suicide in his cell at the Corradino Correctional Facility on Sunday. The 30-year-old was rushed to Mater Dei hospital and remains in critical…

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Malta: Elderly people flag lay-offs without compensation

L-Orizzont says that the Commissioner for the Elderly received several complaints from people aged over 65 who were dismissed from their employment during the pandemic without receiving due compensation. Another…

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Malta: Two unvaccinated people die from Covid-19

The Independent reports that two unvaccinated people died from Covid-19 on Sunday while being treated at Mater Dei hospital. Meanwhile, the number of active cases fell below 1,000 for the…

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Malta: Moody’s revises outlook to negative

Il-Mument reports that credit rating agency Moody’s has downgraded its outlook for Malta from stable to negative. The agency warned of pressures on the economy if the country does not…

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Malta: Marine biologist raises concern about changes to sea habitat

Illum speaks with marine biologist Alan Deidun who warned that the Mediterranean Sea is becoming increasingly tropical, making it more favourable for invasive alien marine species and which could have…

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Malta: Minister says PBS reform seeks higher quality

It-Torċa speaks with Minister Carmelo Abela about the planned reform at the Public Broadcasting Services. He says that TVM and TVM News+ will have distinct identities but they will be…

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Malta: Grand Harbour regeneration project eyes new economic activity

Kullħadd reports on the unveiling of the Grand Harbour regeneration project by Capital Projects Minister Ian Borg. The plan seeks to open new public spaces along the shore, incentivise new…

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Malta: Police mulling steps against Assistant Commissioner

The Sunday Times reveals that the police are reviewing the Caruana Galizia inquiry report to assess whether there are enough grounds to act against former Assistant Commissioner Ian Abdilla, who…

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Malta: Government preparing plan to respond to grey-listing

The Independent on Sunday says that the government has drafted plans to retake Malta off the FATF grey list. Finance Minister Clyde Caruana said that discussions about the strategy are…

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Malta: Edward Zammit Lewis vows to stay on

Malta Today speaks with embattled Justice Minister Edward Zammit Lewis who apologised for describing voters as fools in private messages with Yorgen Fenech. During the interview, he dismissed calls to…

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Malta: Enemalta supplied generators to ease power issues

In-Nazzjon follows a press conference by Enemalta in the wake of a series of power outages. CEO Jason Vella said that the company supplied generators to power certain areas after…

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Malta: Prison sentence for two mothers overturned on appeal

The Times says that a court has overturned a prison sentence handed down to two women caught travelling with false documents. Judge Aaron Bugeja said the original sentence was not…

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Malta: Government announces Grand Harbour regeneration plans

L-Orizzont says that Capital Projects Minister Ian Borg presented plans for the rehabilitation of the Grand Harbour area. Focusing on nine zones from Fort St Elmo to Fort Ricasoli, the…

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Malta: Electricity cuts caused by glitches in distribution network

The Independent quotes Enemalta CEO Jason Vella that Marsascala, Mosta, and Naxxar were the localities most affected by power interruptions, caused by malfunctions in the distribution system. He added that…

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Malta: Shortened quarantine for vaccinated contacts

The Independent says that the quarantine period for fully vaccinated people who come into contact with Covid-19 patients will decrease to seven days. Announcing the change, Health Minister Chris Fearne…

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Malta: PN demands compensation for sustained power cuts

In-Nazzjon quotes a statement by the PN calling for compensation for those affected by long periods of power cuts in the last few days. Energy spokesperson Ryan Callus criticised the…

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Malta: Vaccine booster drive targets selected cohorts

The Times says that a Covid-19 vaccine booster programme for people in nursing homes and vulnerable persons is expected to be rolled out in mid-September. Meanwhile, health authorities are urging…

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Malta: Outcry against imprisonment of two women

L-Orizzont reports on a demonstration outside the courts on Thursday, objecting to a prison sentence handed down to two Turkish mothers last week. Joining the action, Former President Marie-Louise Coleiro…

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Malta: Rise in work-related complaints filed with Commissioner for Persons with Disability

L-Orizzont says that the Commissioner for Persons with Disability registered 475 complaints last year, a decrease of 24 per cent from 2019. Cases related to the place of work, however,…

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Malta: Proposed ban on permanent caravan parking fizzles out

The Independent reports that a by-law to prohibit caravan and camper owners from parking their vehicles permanently along the Coast Road fell through as the government failed to enact it.…

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Malta: Prime Minister discusses public inquiry report with Caruana Galizia family

The Times says that the Prime Minister met members of the Caruana Galizia family on Wednesday. It is understood that the main subject of discussion were the recommendations of the…

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