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Tax refund scheme for 250,000 persons announced / Malta News Briefing – Friday 17 September 2021

Updated 0845 Newspaper Review The Independent quotes the President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, that Malta’s passport-selling scheme must be scrapped. She raised concerns about the effects on other EU members states. The Times speaks with the father of the 29-year-old inmat...

EC President von der Leyen pays tribute to Daphne Caruana Galizia / News Briefing – Thursday 16 September 2021

Eu Commission President Ursula von der Leyen paid her tribute to murdered journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia when she pqid a visit to the site where she was assassinated. The EC President said that Daphné Caruana Galizia made the ultimate sacrifice for democracy.We must protect those who speak trut...

Increased tourist arrivals in July, but levels below half of 2019 / Malta News Briefing – Wednesday 15 September 2021

Covid-19 Update - Malta's 450th death: 32 new cases of coronavirus were reported on Wednesday, while 60 patients recovered. This means that there are now 718 active cases of Covid in Malta, with 25 patients being treated at Mater Dei Hospital. The number of persons in intensive care has gone up...

EU Commission President to visit Malta / News Briefing – Tuesday 14 September 2021

Updated 1740 - Newsportal Review The Times of Malta reports that Health Minister Chris Fearne has promised to modify Malta's strict travel restrictions following calls to allow residents arriving from 'dark red countries' to quarantine at home. More information will be announced in a news co...

Malta’s President visits Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder site / Malta News Briefing – Monday 13 September 2021

Latest Update- News Portal Briefing Times of Malta says data from Keith Schembri's mobile phone is still subject to an ongoing magisterial inquiry that is secret and confidential in terms of law, the police commissioner said in court on Monday, but that phone is not the same one allegedly "lost"...

Malta: Unemployment registers significant drop in July

The job market registered a positive improvement in July, with the number of persons registering for work decreasing by 2,439 when compared to the corresponding month in 2020. It not stands at 1,542. Data provided by Jobsplus for July 2021 indicates a year-on-year decrease of 2,238 persons regis...

Malta: Tourists from the UK make less than 5% in June

Total visitors from arriving from France reached nearly 13,000 in June this year, the highest number of tourists from any single country. Figures by the National Statistics Office show an inflow of 70,300 travellers during the first month of summer, with EU travellers making 88 per cent of total arr...

Malta: Women in long-term unemployment increase by 10 per cent

The overall rate of unemployment among women fell from 1,698 in June 2020 to 569 in the same month this year. Figures by the National Statistics Office show that the number of women listed on the unemployment register for under 21 weeks dropped by 81.5 per cent year-on-year. On the other hand, the r...

Malta: Producer goods sustain monthly rise

Industrial producer prices in June rose for the fourth consecutive month, registering an increase of 0.36 per cent from May. The total producer price index stood at 110.88 in June, up from 108.90 in February according to figures by the National Statistics Office. In the last year, the index has onl...

Malta: Internal tourism accounts for 90% of Gozo visitors in 2020

Domestic tourism between Malta and Gozo rose to 360,460 in 2020, an increase of 52 per cent from 2019. Data by the National Statistics Office shows that nearly 97 per cent of tourism flowed towards the Gozo region which includes Comino. The number of tourists from Malta to Gozo rose to 348,000, hig...

Malta: PN proposes changes to VAT exemption rules for businesses

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech that a Nationalist government would raise the VAT exemption ceiling to €60,000. Grech said that thousands of businesses are exceeding the current €30,000 limit marginally. Read more: https://netnews.com.mt/2021/09/16/gvern-gdid-nazzjonalista-jgholli-l-limit...

Malta: Government to issue tax refund cheques

L-Orizzont says that the public will start receiving cheques from today as part of a tax refund scheme. Announcing the exercise, the Prime Minister said that more than 250,000 people are set to be eligible for a total €17 million. Read more: https://talk.mt/illum-jibdew-jitqassmu-c-cekkijiet-tar-ri...

Malta: Inmate who attempted suicide had broken ribs

The Times speaks with the father of the 29-year-old inmate who died in July after attempting suicide in her cell. He said that the young woman suffered abuse and bullying in prison and a scan found that she had suffered three broken ribs. Read more: https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/they-drove...

Malta: EU Commission chief calls for end to passport programme

The Independent quotes the President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, that Malta’s passport-selling scheme must be scrapped. She raised concerns about the effects on other EU members states. Read more: https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2021-09-16/local-news/Malta-s-golden-passport-...

Malta: More than nine in ten persons fully vaccinated

L-Orizzont says that 91 per cent of the eligible population is fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as a programme for booster jabs is underway in nursing homes. Health Minister Chris Fearne said that countries will need to learn to live with the virus. Another story says that the General Workers U...

Glasgow climate summit at risk of failure, U.N. chief warns

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres said a critical meeting on climate change later this year in Scotland is at risk of failure due to mistrust between developed and developing countries and a lack of ambitious goals among some emerging economies. The U.N. COP26 conference in Glasgow aims ...

Italy makes COVID health pass mandatory for all workers

The Italian government approved on Thursday some of the strictest anti-COVID measures in the world, making it obligatory for all workers either to show proof of vaccination, a negative test or recent recovery from infection. The new rules will come into force on Oct. 15 in the latest effort ...

U.N. says world likely to miss climate targets despite COVID pause in emissions

ZURICH, Sept 16 (Reuters) - The pace of climate change has not been slowed by the global COVID-19 pandemic and the world remains behind in its battle to cut carbon emissions, the United Nations said on Thursday. The virus-related economic downturn caused only a temporary downturn in CO2 emis...

‘No journalist should die’: EU calls for better media safety

The European Union’s executive arm asked its member countries Thursday to better protect journalists amid a rise of physical attacks and online threats against media professionals. According to the European Commission, 908 journalists and media workers were attacked across the 27-nation bloc...

North Korea says it tested new railway-borne missile system to strike ‘threatening forces’

The missiles fired by North Korea on Wednesday were a test of a new "railway-borne missile system" designed as a potential counter-strike to any forces that threaten the country, state news agency KCNA reported on Thursday. The missiles flew 800 km (497 miles) before striking a target in the...

17th September 2021

Malta: PN proposes changes to VAT exemption rules for businesses

17th September 2021

Malta: Government to issue tax refund cheques

17th September 2021

Malta: Inmate who attempted suicide had broken ribs

17th September 2021

Malta: EU Commission chief calls for end to passport programme

16th September 2021

Malta Chamber wants Opposition to advocate accountability, transparency and governance

The Malta Chamber presents its pre-budget recommendations to the Opposition “We believe that in the current economic climate, the Opposition has a stronger role to play not least in advocating the key principles of accountability, transparency and governance by those in the driving seat.” These were the words of Ms Marisa Xuereb, Preside...

16th September 2021

Maltese Editors Perspectives

The Times of Malta says that the pandemic has disrupted educational systems and this it was crucial that authorities urgently assess the impact of the pandemic on education and design and implement policies and interventions that engage with such impact. The Independent expresses hope that the recent judgements related to online hate speech...

16th September 2021

Malta: More than nine in ten persons fully vaccinated

16th September 2021

Malta: Visit by Pope Francis expected in first week of December

In-Nazzjon says that Pope Francis is expected to visit Malta on December 4 and 5, following a two-day trip to Cyprus. The church in Malta has not yet confirmed the dates but the Pope named Malta in his next journey plans during a radio interview. Another story covers a meeting between the PN and the Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday. Party Leade...

16th September 2021

Malta: Restaurants can relax rules on certain conditions

The Times quotes Health Minister Chris Fearne that catering establishments will be allowed to relax certain Covid-19 restrictions such as opening hours and distance between tables if they limit the number of customers at any one time. Read more: https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/watch-live-health-minister-announces-changes-to-quarantine-proto...

16th September 2021

Malta: Public Life Commissioner sets out two-year plan

The Independent says that the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life launched a two-year project to raise the quality of administration. The initiative includes reviewing the code of ethics for politicians and introducing transparency checks on lobbying. Read more: https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2021-09-15/local-news/Ministers-by-and-l...

16th September 2021

Malta: Internet speeds among world’s top performers

Business Today quotes an international study that places broadband speed in Malta as the 21st-fastest in the world, ahead of other EU members such as Germany and Italy. Jersey ranks first while Turkmenistan registered the slowest internet. The paper reports on the presentation of the pre-budget document by the Chamber of Commerce. President Mar...

16th September 2021

Malta: Maritime sector urges exploration of untapped potential

The Malta Business Weekly speaks with the CEO of the Malta Maritime Forum, Kevin J. Borg, who said that the sector is not given enough attention by policymakers. The body recently presented its pre-budget proposals. Another story says that a project by the Commissioner of Standards in Public Life to establish new practices for the political cla...

15th September 2021

Maltese Editors Perspectives

The Times of Malta says that quarantine hotels must stop, adding that while we cannot let down our guard, we should stop resorting to extreme measures that risk alienating law-abiding citizens that have patiently obeyed all instructions. The Independent questions recent changes in data provided by health authorities relating to Covid-19 tes...

15th September 2021

Malta: Budget to give priority to the environment and pensioners

L-Orizzont leads with the opening of the pre-budget consultation period by the government. Speaking at the launch, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana said that the 2022 Budget prioritises the environment and pensioners. Another story reports that banknote printing company De La Rue announced an expansion project that will create around 100 new jobs...

15th September 2021

Malta: At least €120 million lost to VAT evasion every year

The Times says that the government plans to target tax evaders in the upcoming budget. Conservative estimates by the Finance Ministry calculate that the country loses between €120 and €150 to VAT evasion every year. Read more: https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/vat-evasion-costs-at-least-120-million-annually.900560 The paper follows a speec...

15th September 2021

Malta: PN pledges parliamentary scrutiny on ODZ applications

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech promising to introduce laws requiring a two-thirds majority in parliament before any development of ODZ land is approved. The party said that the environment needs long-term protection. Read nire/l https://netnews.com.mt/2021/09/14/gvern-gdid-nazzjonalista-jipprotegi-l-art-odz-biz-zewg-terzi-tal-parlament-...

15th September 2021

Malta: Transport Minister says PL holds firm on Gozo tunnel

The Independent asks Transport Minister Ian Borg whether he would consider a referendum on the proposed Gozo-Malta tunnel. He said that the PL stands by its promise to develop the project. Read more: https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2021-09-14/local-news/PL-committed-to-Gozo-tunnel-pledge-Ian-Borg-says-as-he-skirts-around-question-on-refere...

15th September 2021

Malta: New quarantine requirements to be unveiled today

Malta Today says that changes to travel restrictions and quarantine requirements are expected to be announced today. Health Minister Chris Fearne said that the current regime has been reviewed in the biweekly meeting with the Public Health Superintendent. Another story reports that the partner of trans social media personality Terry Muscat is f...

14th September 2021

Malta Chamber calls for budget addressing immediate needs while paving way for long-term vision

The Malta Chamber has presented its pre-budget proposals to the Prime Minister and members of the cabinet, calling for a budget which addresses immediate business needs which also pave the way for a long-term vision. “Next month’s budget needs to determine the country’s foreseeable future by addressing immediate challenges the country is cu...

14th September 2021

Maltese Editors Perspectives

The Times of Malta says that is up to our political leaders to save the local agriculture industry from extinction. They should start with a strategy aimed at compensating the owners of agriculture land more equitably while guaranteeing farmers the security of tenure that they need to invest in their future. The Malta Independent discussed ...

14th September 2021

Malta: Public approval of Covid-19 management eclipses EU average

L-Orizzont quotes the latest Eurobarometer survey findings showing that 69 per cent of people in Malta approve of the Covid-19 measures adopted by the government. The average rate in the EU is 53 per cent. Read more: https://talk.mt/66-tal-maltin-u-l-ghawdxin-jemmnu-li-s-sitwazzjoni-ekonomika-fpajjizna-hija-tajba/ The paper reports on a set of ...

14th September 2021

Malta: PN pledges free cancer treatment in EU hospitals

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech that new a new government led by him would fund all cancer treatment given at EU hospitals outside of Malta. Grech said that patients and their families should not have to beg for money to receive treatment. Read more: https://netnews.com.mt/2021/09/13/gvern-gdid-nazzjonalista-jhallas-kull-trattament-tal-k...

14th September 2021

Malta: President visits Daphne Caruana Galizia murder site

The Independent reports that President George Vella visited the site of Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination in Bidnija, laying a wreath and condemning the killing. The Office of the President said the gesture helps a national process of healing. Read more: https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2021-09-13/local-news/President-and-First-Lady-pa...

14th September 2021

Malta: International consortium shortlisted for Gozo tunnel project

The Times says that Infrastructure Malta has shortlisted the sole bidder that made it through the initial tendering process of the Gozo-Malta tunnel project. The international consortium was one of four that originally bid for the offer. Read more: https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/single-bidder-shortlisted-for-gozo-tunnel-project.900305 T...

14th September 2021

Inefficiencies in cooperation with non-EU countries limits return of irregular migrants

The EU’s cooperation with non-EU countries has not been efficient in ensuring that migrants illegally present on EU territory return to their own countries, according to a special report published by the European Court of Auditors (ECA). During the 2015-2020 period, the EU only achieved limited progress in concluding readmission agreements wit...

13th September 2021

Malta’s President visits Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder site / Malta News Briefing – Monday 13 September 2021

13th September 2021

Malta: Concern on late re-opening of schools

L-Orizzont leads with an interview with an experienced educator who shares a concern that public schools will be opening a week later compared to Church and independent schools. L-Orizzont reports that the European Court of Auditors is expected to present later today its findings regarding an investigation on the repatriation of migrants. ...

13th September 2021

Malta: Bernard Grech says PN offers choice for people wanting a change for the better

In-Nazzjon quotes the appeal by PN Leader Bernard Grech from Sunday's address that the Nationalist Party welcomes all those who want a change for the better for Malta. The PN paper also reports that the party had positive feedback following the recent launch of its proposals for support towards industry.

13th September 2021

Malta: Nadur block mired in controversy downsized and re-activated

The Malta Independent reveals that a controversial apartment block application in Nadur has been downsized and re-activated. In another front page story, The Malta Independent says the Prime Minister has described Malta's current economic recovery from the pandemic as strong, attributing such result to Government's schemes, saying that 6,0...

10th September 2021

Malta must address its insularity issues for Maltese businesses to be competitive – SME Chamber

The Malta Chamber of SMEs has been highlighting the big problem Maltese businesses have with the inability to compete both outside Malta and in Malta itself, with online purchases. The weakness in being competitive with prices comes as a result of the high level of addition...

9th September 2021

Maltese Editors Perspectives

The Times defends the decision to select Marsa as Malta's first capital of culture. However, the Editor argues that the people of Marsa, like those of any other town or village in Malta, deserve to feel safe from urban crime and surrounded by an environment that is pleasant and welcoming. The Independent calls for solutions for the future o...

9th September 2021

Malta: PN calls for investment in Gozo Channel fleet

In-Nazzjon says that the PN is proposing two new vessels for Gozo Channel, one of which is to be used exclusively for cargo shipments. In a statement, the party said the recommendations are part of a wider plan for improved connectivity for Gozitans. Read more: https://netnews.com.mt/2021/09/08/gvern-gdid-nazzjonalista-jinvesti-bis-serjeta-fil-pot...

9th September 2021

Malta: Former prison employee says support services are underreported

L-Orizzont speaks with a former employee at Corradino Correctional Facility who said that news reports give prominence to suicide attempts in prison but do not report on support offered to inmates. Another story says that a 41-year-old man was fined €8,000 after admitting guilty of neglecting dogs on a farm in Żebbuġ. Animal welfare officers la...

9th September 2021

Malta: Campaign raises awareness about suicide

The Independent says that a suicide awareness campaign was launched by Crisis Resolution Malta in collaboration with Transport Malta. The non-profit organisation said it received four requests for assistance within hours of putting out the first billboards. Read more: https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2021-09-08/local-news/World-Suicide-Prev...

9th September 2021

Malta: Roberta Metsola considering EP Presidency

The Times says that MEP Roberta Metsola is assessing support for a potential bid for President of the European Parliament. She currently serves as First Vice President and the current President is set to end his term in January. Read more: https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/roberta-metsola-touted-as-candidate-for-ep-presidency.899002 The pa...

9th September 2021

Malta: Notarial Council seeking greater assurance for public

The Malta Business Weekly publishes an interview with the president of the Notarial Council, Clinton Bellizzi, who said that the body is holding talks with the state advocate to increase protection for clients. The paper says that the police have filed a criminal case against former EU Commissioner John Dalli over allegations that h...

9th September 2021

Malta: Corinthia withdraws from Dubai project

Business Today reveals that Corinthia has pulled out of a luxury hotel project in Dubai after its partner sold its interest to another investor. The development in Meydan Beach would have seen 300 bedrooms with 60 serviced apartments and other facilities. Another story reports on the publication of a booklet alerting people to possible scam tec...

8th September 2021

Malta: School activities permissible with some restrictions

The Times says that classroom activities including fieldwork, physical education, and lessons in science labs will be permissible with certain restrictions from the new scholastic year. Parents and guardians will not be able to attend school events for the time being. Read more: https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/new-covid-19-school-rules-to-b...

8th September 2021

Malta: PN says school protocols long overdue but ease concerns

In-Nazzjon says that the Nationalist Party welcomes new protocols for schools announced by the government on Tuesday. PN spokesperson for Education Clyde Puli said the delay in guidelines was creating uncertainty among educators and students. Read more: https://netnews.com.mt/2021/09/07/il-pn-jitlob-lill-kummissarju-tal-pulizija-jinvestiga-kif-qed...

8th September 2021

Malta: Yorgen Fenech to answer money-laundering charges

The Independent says that Yorgen Fenech has been indicted on money laundering charges after the court found sufficient prima facie evidence. The businessman’s uncle, Ray Fenech, and business associate, Nicholas Cachia, have also been placed under a bill of indictment. Read more: https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2021-09-07/local-news/WATCH-N...

Spain to give third vaccine dose to care-home residents, infections fall

Spain will give a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine to nursing home residents and other vulnerable...
Dutch to introduce ‘corona’ pass despite strong opposition

AMSTERDAM, Sept 16 (Reuters) - The Netherlands will require proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or ...
EU launches health crisis body to prepare for future pandemic

The European Commission launched a health crisis body that will coordinate EU spending of almos...
Malta: PN proposes changes to VAT exemption rules for businesses

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech that a Nationalist government would raise the VAT exempti...
Tax refund scheme for 250,000 persons announced / Malta News Briefing – Friday 17 September 2021

Updated 0845 Newspaper Review The Independent quotes the President of the EU Commission, Urs...