Malta News

Malta: PM says EU will not add financial services tax

Malta Today asks Prime Minister Robert Abela whether the EU will introduce any taxes on financial services to raise money for the new Covid-19 recovery fund. Abela replied that this…

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Malta: Henley & Partners cut out of new citizenship programme

The Times reveals that a newly planned citizenship-by-investment scheme to replace the IIP will no longer include a concessionaire. The government is set to be held liable for losses incurred…

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Malta: Robert Abela says EU package double 2013 allocation

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela at the end of the EU Council discussion over the bloc’s new budget. Abela said that the €2.25 billion financial package secured by Malta…

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Malta: Government silent of Vitals MoU

The Independent says that a freedom of information request for the publication of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the government and Vitals Global Healthcare went unanswered by the OPM.…

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Malta: PN Leader aiming for action in Thursday’s Executive Committee meeting

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that decisive action needs to be taken by the party’s Executive Committee on Thursday to rebuild public trust. Delia said that the…

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Malta-24 News Briefing Wednesday 22nd July 2020

Updated 1235 - Coronavirus in Malta There were two new coronavirus cases in Malta during the past 24 hours, the Health Department said, adding that these cases were not related…

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Maltese Editors’ Perspectives

Four editorials in print today, discussing trucking reform, freedom of information, business recovery and greening of our open spaces. The Times of Malta in its Editorial looks into the recent…

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“Exceptional EU package for Malta” – PM Robert Abela as Govt announces allocation of €2.25bn

€2.25bn is the allocation of EU funds for Malta and Gozo for the next seven years. Prime Minister Robert Abela announced this on Twitter this morning, saying this will double the…

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Malta: Standards Commissioner to introduce new ethical guidelines for MPs

The Times reports that Commissioner for Standards in Public Life George Hyzler is to unveil an updated code of ethics for MPs in response to anomalies about acceptance of gifts.…

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Malta: Public Health Superintendent calls for caution

The Independent speaks to Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci after reports of large crowds celebrating village feasts. Prof Gauci said that the threat of the virus is still present and…

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Malta: Five pending cases in the 2013 oil scandal

L-Orizzont quotes the Attorney General who confirmed that there are currently five cases associated with the oil scandal that came to the fore during the 2013 general elections. The Attorney…

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Malta: Disagreement between Qala mayor and councillor

In-Nazzjon writes about a ‘growing rift’ between Qala mayor Paul Buttigieg and councillors Joseph Buttigieg, both elected on the PL ticket. The mayor is close to former minister Justyne Caruana…

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Malta-24 News Briefing Tuesday 21st July 2020

Updated 0832: Newspaper Review The Times leads with a decision by a court of appeals to award a family €67,000 in compensation for a building accident that left a woman…

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More than 30% Maltese cannot afford a one-week holiday – Eurostat

In 2019, 30.6% of Maltese said that they could not afford paying for an annual one-week holiday away from home. This was slightly more than the EU average, which stood…

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Maltese Editors’ Perspectives

Rather unusually, art and history make their way in the editorials of the two English-language papers in print today, with their Maltese counterparts focusing on education and economic regeneration. The…

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Malta: US diplomat says it is not too late to pass Moneyval test

The Times publishes an interview with Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy, Mark Schapiro, who said that there is still a slim chance for Malta to escape grey-listing by Moneyval.…

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Malta: Work Safety watchdog says accidents are going down

The Independent carries an interview with Occupational Health and Safety Authority CEO Mark Gauci who said that accidents at work are on the decrease despite greater coverage by the media,…

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Malta: Migrants find new way out of the country

L-Orizzont says that police have been alerted to a new method used by migrants to escape the country, by hooking themselves up to the underside of trailers carrying containers to…

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Malta: Adrian Delia remains resolute in his position

In-Nazzjon quotes Nationalist Leader Adrian Delia who said that he is more determined to turn the PN into the people’s party following attempts to oust him. Delia said he has…

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Malta-24 – News Briefing – Monday 20th July 2020

Updated 1455 - One new coronavirus case, two recoveries The Health Department announced one new coronavirus case today, defined as a close contact to a previously reported case. Two persons…

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Malta: AG advised against sealing of Pilatus Bank

The Sunday Times reveals that the Attorney General advised the police against sealing Pilatus Bank in Ta’ Xbiex, the night that Daphne Caruana Galizia reported that the secret company Egrant…

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Malta: Equal trust in Adrian Delia and Therese Comodini Cachia

Malta Today publishes survey results showing that Therese Comodini Cachia’s current trust rating among PN voters stands at 31 percent, similar to leader Adrian Delia at 32.7 percent. Nationally, both…

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Malta: PN Leader blames poor polling on internal division

The Independent on Sunday publishes an interview with PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that he would only be prepared to resign if he felt that his leadership was going…

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Malta: Adrian Delia set to present new plans for the PN this week

Il-Mument follows an interview with PN Leader Adrian Delia of 103 Radio where he said that he will continue to take decisions in the best interest of the party. Delia…

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Malta: Constitutional law scholar says President’s decisions should not be challenged

It-Torċa quotes Constitutional Law academic Miguel Balzan who said that the President’s decision on the Opposition Leader cannot be challenged before the Constitutional Courts because it would undermine the Presidency…

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Malta: Healthcare deal was handled by Konrad Mizzi

Illum reviews that National Auditor’s report on the privatisation of three public hospitals which found a lack of due diligence and poor feasibility processes. The paper says that the concession…

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Malta: Public assets make €172M in profits since 2013

Kullħadd quotes figures by the National Statistics Office which show that the value of public entities increased threefold since 2013, with profits amounting to a combined €172 million in seven…

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Malta-24 – News Briefing – Sunday 19th July 2020

Updated 1455 - One coronavirus case is confirmed The Health Department confirmed one new case of coronavirus throughout the previous 24 hours. Though not specified in the daily update, it…

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Malta-24 – News Briefing – Saturday 18th July 2020 UPDATE

Update 1902 - Second case reported A second coronavirus case of the day has been detected. A migrant who was among a group of 63 rescued and brought ashore on…

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Malta Development Bank provides lifeline to 251 businesses safeguarding more than 15,000 jobs through Covid-19 Guarantee Scheme

By the end of June, more than 250 businesses and the livelihoods of more than 15,000 employees and their families were provided with a crucial lifeline of €200 million in…

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Malta: MDA proposes reimbursement for third-party fees

The Independent covers a press conference by the Developers Association which is proposing that members pay for architect fees for third-party neighbours adjacent to construction sites. The paper follows the…

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Malta: Standards Commissioner says Muscat did not pay for Dubai trips himself

The Times leads with a report by the Standards Commissioner on a trip to Dubai by Joseph Muscat in December. The investigation contradicted claims by the former Prime Minister that…

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Malta: Migrant boat brought to shore

L-Orizzont says that 63 migrants disembarked in Malta on Friday after finding themselves in distress in Malta’s Search and Rescue zone. NGO Alarm Phone first reported a boat in distress…

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Malta: Kurt Farrugia recalls seeing Yorgen Fenech in Castille

In-Nazzjon quotes Kurt Farrugia who told the Caruana Galizia public inquiry that he saw Yorgen Fenech in Castille once “possibly for a meeting with Keith Schembri”. The only other occasion…

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Maltese Editors’ Perspectives

Four papers in print today, with Editorials focusing on issues which are perhaps generally overlooked in leading op-eds, such as ODZ reform, poverty, bureaucracy and the increase in Malta's population.…

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Malta: Melvin Theuma denies paying Police Commissioner to be granted pardon

The Times leads with the cross-examination of state witness Melvin Theuma who denied that he paid former Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar €30.000 to recommend his pardon. The paper says that…

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Malta: Fenech defence says missing recordings could be decisive

In-Nazzjon reports that Yorgen Fenech’s defence is arguing in court that a missing file from the audio recordings recorded by Melvin Theuma could prove that the state witness was not…

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Malta: PN MPs says new statute rules are not in effect yet

The Independent quotes PN MPs who dismissed party leader Adrian Delia’s argument that the new statute imposes a two-year time bar between one vote of confidence and another. They argue…

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Malta: Justice Minister says law amendments align with Venice Commission

L-Orizzont quotes Justice Minister Edward Zammit Lewis who warned the opposition that if it voted against a series of bills, it would be voting directly against the recommendations of the…

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Maltese Academic Uncovers New Insights Into Painted Crucifix Attributed to Antonio de Saliba at London’s V&A

The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) touts itself as “the world's leading museum of art, design and performance housing a permanent collection of over 2.3 million objects that span over…

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Malta-24 – News Briefing – Friday 17th July 2020

Updated 1241 - No new cases of coronavirus The Health Department said that there were no new coronavirus cases in Malta. Another person recovered, meaning only three active cases remain…

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EU Commission approves €108 million Maltese scheme to support companies affected by coronavirus outbreak

The European Commission has approved a €108 million Maltese scheme to support companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. The public…

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Maltese Editors’ Perspectives

Three Editorials call for PN Leader Adrian Delia's head this morning, while the business papers share their concerns on the slow economic recovery constrained by limited numbers in tourism. The…

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Malta: EC targeting sweetheart tax countries

The Malta Business Weekly says that the EU Commission intends to put pressure on low-tax members, including Malta. The Commission says that advantageous corporate tax regimes create distortions in the…

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Malta: Air Malta operating 22 routes on three planes

Business Today reports that Air Malta is currently operating three of its 10 aircraft to serve 22 destinations. The airline predicts that it will take two years to reach the…

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Malta: Yorgen Fenech pardon request threw out

The Times reports that Yorgen Fenech, a suspect in the Caruana Galizia murder case, had his challenge to a pardon request decision turned down by court. The Judge upheld a…

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Malta: €14 million recouped from Panama Papers probes

In-Nazzjon reports that the tax authorities have recovered over €14 million from investigations into 163 cases linked to the Panama Papers. Finance Minister Edward Scicluna said that there are another…

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Malta: Louis Galea tells PN Leader to go

The Independent quotes Louis Galea, who was tasked by the PN Leader Adrian Delia to head an internal reform process. Galea said that the party needs a new leader after…

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Malta: Industrial dispute at Water Services Corporation

L-Orizzont announces that the General Workers Union registered an industrial dispute with the Water Services Corporation over delays in the finalisation of a new collective agreement for employees. The paper…

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Malta-24 – News Briefing – Thursday 16th July 2020

Updated 0859 - Newspaper Review The Malta Business Weekly says that the EU Commission intends to put pressure on low-tax members, including Malta. The Commission says that advantageous corporate tax…

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Maltese Editors’ Perspectives

The President's assessment of the Constitution takes centre stage in today's Editorials. The Times of Malta notes how PN Leader Adrian Delia will not save down to save his party…

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Malta: Government finds misplaced agreement document

Malta Today says that the Office of the Prime Minister has located the missing agreement document with Vitals Global Healthcare and handed it over to the National Auditor Office. The…

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Malta: Adrian Delia loses confidence vote in party’s executive council

In-Nazzjon reports that PN Leader Adrian Delia lost a vote of confidence in the party’s Executive Council on Tuesday night. 47 members voted against his leadership and 36 voted in…

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Malta: Former PN Leader urges new leadership race

The Times follows the PN Executive Committee meeting on Tuesday evening which was also attended by former leader Lawrence Gonzi and deputy leader Tonio Borg. The paper says that Gonzi…

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Malta: Lost VGH agreement handed over to Auditor General

The Independent says that Prime Minister Robert Abela had ordered an agreement between the Muscat administration and Vitals Global Healthcare to be found after an NAO investigation reported that it…

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Malta: PN executive holds tense meeting on Tuesday night

L-Orizzont reports on a ‘tense’ PN executive meeting on Tuesday after Adrian Delia was retained as Opposition Leader by the President. The paper says that several people have been engaged…

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Louis Galea says Malta needs a credible Opposition with a new leader

Former PN Minister asks Adrian Delia to "stop abusing loyalty of paid-up members" In a lengthy statement, Galea, who was appointed by Adrian Delia himself to drive reforms in the…

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