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Updated – Malta News Briefing – 1st July 2022

1745- Latest News update Times of Malta says Construction tycoon Charles Polidano was arrested on Friday morning and taken in for questioning over suspected money laundering and corruption. MaltaToday says Police have released new images of Karmenu Fino, the missing 83-year-old, on...

Malta News Briefing – 30th June 2022

Industrial dispute in Police Force Police officers have been ordered by their union not to carry out fixed point duties with barriers during feasts and other events as part of an industrial dispute over work conditions. The directive is one of several issued to police officers by the Malta Polic...

Close to 6,000 active Covid-19 cases – Malta News Briefing – 29th June 2022

Covid-19 Temporary Permits for Outdoor catering cancelled Temporary permits issued to restaurants and cafes to extend their outdoor seating have been revoked, Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo said. “All catering establishments which had this temporary permit have received a letter informing them...

Housing prices double since 2013 / Malta News Briefing – Tuesday 28 June 2022

Updated 1230 US couple to sue Maltese government over abortion denial: A US couple who was denied a request to terminate a non-viable pregnancy while holidaying in Malta and had to be airlifted to Spain intends to sue the Maltese government for “the heartbreaking ordeal” it had to go through. “O...

Yorgen Fenech’s lawyers cleared of bribery on technicality: / Malta News Briefing – Monday 27 June 2022

Updated 1240 Yorgen Fenech's lawyers cleared of bribery on technicality: The Court ruled that the Attorney General had not specified the appropriate sort of bribery, clearing Yorgen Fenech's attorneys of trying to bribe a Times of Malta reporter. Gianluca Caruana Curran and Charles Mercieca were...

Malta’s 2022 deficit grows to €373 by end of May

By the end of May 2022, the Government’s Consolidated Fund reported a deficit of €373.2 million, the NSO said today. In the first five months of 2022, Recurrent Revenue amounted to €2,129.4 million, 16.2 per cent higher than the€1,831.7 million reported a year earlier. The largest increase was r...

Jobsplus data shows 10,000 jobs created in January

In January 2022, registered full-time employment increased by 4.6 per cent while part-time employment as a primary job increased by 6.0 per cent when compared to the corresponding month in 2021.Administrative data provided by Jobsplus show that, over a period of one year, the labour supply (excludi...

Malta: Unemployment rate down to 3.1%

The unemployment rate for April 2022 stood at 3.1 per cent, the NSO reported today, therefore declining by 0.1 percentage points when compared with the previous month and by 0.3 percentage points from April 2021. During April 2022, the number of unemployed persons was 8,834, with the unemployed ...

Malta: Services push GDP up by almost 7% in first quarter

During the first quarter of 2022, Malta's GDP rose by 10.8 per cent in nominal terms and 6.9 per cent in volume terms, when compared to the corresponding quarter of 2021, as a strong recovery builds strength. Data by the NSO shows that this growth was fuelled by the services sector, which has contr...

Malta’s finances €388 million in the red after four months

By the end of April 2022, Government has already accumulated a deficit exceeding 388 million euro, data released by the NSO has shown. In the first four months of 2022, Recurrent Revenue amounted to €1,595.3 million, 16.5 per cent higher than the €1,369.7 million reported a year earlier. The lar...

Malta: Injured migrant testifies from hospital bed

A migrant injured in a two-storey fall and allegedly dumped on the road by his employer is to testify from his hospital bed in the case. Lamin Jaiteh is being treated for spinal and arm injuries at Mater Dei after the incident last week. Source Times of Malta Updated 1745

Malta: Study to see if mask-wearing at school can be scrapped, Chris Fearne says

The health authorities will be conducting a study during October-November in schools to determine whether masks need to be worn in during the second semester, Health Minister Chris Fearne announced on Thursday. Fearne said that although mask-wearing in schools "seems necessary", the he...

Malta: Drug mule lands at MIA with €120,000 worth of cocaine

A 25-year-old woman was arrested at the Malta International Airport upon her arrival from Madrid, Spain. In a statement the police said that a joint operation between the Drugs Squad and Customs Department, the woman from the Dominican Republic was arrested on Monday. Source: Newsbook ...

Malta: Hugo Chetcuti lost around two litres of blood after knife stabbing

One of the doctors that took care of Hugo Chetcuti after he was stabbed explained that the entrepreneur lost around two litres of blood. Doctor Jonathan Joslin was a witness in court as 38-year-old Bojan Cmelik was found accused with the murder of Chetcuti Source TVM Updated 1745

Malta: Man, 25, injures 70-year-old man in violent robbery in Birkirkara

A man of foreign nationality, aged 25, will be arraigned in Court this morning and charged with injuring a 70-year-old man while carrying out a violent robbery on 19 September. The Police said the man was arrested following a joint effort between the Violent Crimes Unit and the Birkirkara Police...

After Snake Island retreat, Russian missile attack kills 21 near Ukraine’s Odesa

SERHIIVKA, Ukraine, July 1 (Reuters) - Russia flattened part of an apartment building while residents slept on Friday in missile attacks near Ukraine's port of Odesa that authorities say killed at least 21 people, hours after Russian troops abandoned the Black Sea outpost of Snake Island....

Power cut protests hit Libyan cities, showing anger at factional leaders

TRIPOLI, July 1 (Reuters) - Protests over Libya's chronic power cuts hit several cities on Friday, as people braved the wrath of armed factions to voice their anger at a failure of government that has made life insufferable during the sweltering summer months. In Tripoli's Martyr...

EXCLUSIVE-Ukraine requests Turkey detain Russian-flagged ship it says carrying Ukrainian grain

LONDON/ISTANBUL, July 1 (Reuters) - Ukraine has requested that Turkey detain and arrest the Russian-flagged cargo ship Zhibek Zholy carrying a cargo of Ukrainian grain taken from the Russian-occupied port of Berdyansk, according to a Ukrainian official and document seen by Reuters. ...

Ukraine and Russia: What you need to know right now

July 1 (Reuters) - Russia rained missiles down near Ukraine's Black Sea port of Odesa on Friday, Ukrainian officials said, hitting an apartment building and a resort and killing at least 18 people. Russia denied the accusation. FIGHTING * The Kremlin denied targeting civil...

Japanese asked to save power as country’s east sizzles

TOKYO, July 1 (Reuters) - The highest temperatures for the season since record-keeping began have scorched much of eastern Japan for a week, prompting the government to ask citizens to cut power use as much as possible, while running air conditioners to stay safe. The region around...

29th June 2022

Special Public Transport Service for Lewis Capaldi concert at the Floriana Granaries

Lewis Capaldi’s concert on July 2nd is expected to attract large crowds to the Floriana Granaries, prompting Malta Public Transport to take extra measures to ensure passengers' safe journey. A special service schedule to facilitate high accessibility and safe travel back home for those attending the Scottish singer-songwriter’s performance ...

27th June 2022

AI, ESG transformation can provide opportunities for business growth – accountants

AI, ESG transformation can provide opportunities for business growth - accountants As economies seek to renew themselves in a post-pandemic scenario, firms can capitalise on the opportunities arising from changing norms, structures and technologies, including the mainstreaming of Artificial Intelligence and Environmental, Social and Governance ...

27th June 2022

Roderick Camilleri with ‘Ecotopias’ at il-Kamra ta’ Fuq

Visual artist Roderick Camilleri is currently presenting 'Ecotopias' at il-Kamra ta' Fuq in Mqabba. The exhibition which opened to the public on the 15th of June, is being curated by Melanie Erixon for Art Sweven and will remain open until the 11th of July. This body of works constitutes one of the facets which characterises Camilleri’s artisti...

24th June 2022

Malta’s 2022 deficit grows to €373 by end of May

22nd June 2022

Special Public Transport Service for Valletta Pageant of the Seas

As a major crowd puller, the forthcoming edition of The Valletta Pageant of theSeas, due on Saturday 25th June, inside Valletta’s Grand Harbour, is bound toattract many people to Valletta’s waterfront. The Valletta Pageant of the Seas has prompted Malta Public Transport toorganise a special service schedule to facilitate accessibility and t...

22nd June 2022

EU survey finds Maltese prioritise price stability over freedom and democracy

According to the latest Eurobarometer survey, Europeans are much more likely to consider that the defence of freedom anddemocracy must be a priority even if it impacts prices and cost of living. Nearly six out of ten respondents agree (59%), against 39% who would prioritize price stability. This picture also holds true at the country level, where ...

21st June 2022

Financial crime: 7,218 suspicious reports filed to FIAU in 2021

In 2021, 7,218 suspicious reports were filed by subject persons (SPs), marking an increase of over 2,000 STRs over 2020, the FIAU revealed today. In its Annual Report tabled in Parliament this afternoon, the Unit said that the Unit had shared 8,443 intelligence reports with both national and international competent authorities, and with co...

20th June 2022

National Lottery plc Concludes Agreement With Lottery Agents

National Lottery plc a subsidiary of the IZI Group and the new operator of the National Lottery of Malta as from July 5th, 2022, has announced in a joint statement with the representatives of the national lottery agents, that it has concluded an agency agreement that will regulate the business relationship between the parties for the next 10 y...

18th June 2022

Malta Institute of Accountants welcomes Malta’s grey-list exit, appeals for vigilance

The Malta Institute of Accountants expresses its satisfaction that the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has taken Malta off its grey-list. A timely exit from the grey-list, which the Institute had immediately called for, was imperative to limit the impact of this decision and offer the jurisdiction the opportunity to get back on track in ...

17th June 2022

Malta officially removed from the FATF Grey List

Malta has officially been removed from the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) grey list, and the FATF has encouraged Malta to 'strongly focus' on continuing to strengthen its systems and measures to tackle money laundering and terrorist financing. The FATF is a global anti-money-laundering body. Malta was placed on the list of jurisdictions u...

16th June 2022

GO To Sign 6 New Television Productions; Commitment To Support Production of Maltese TV Content

Following last April’s announcement of the return of the popular TV series Iċ-Ċaqqufa’s fourth season exclusively to GO Originals, GO is announcing a new production - l-iSpettur Leonard, a spinoff from the popular series Simpatici which had enjoyed enormous popularity years ago. “This latest production which will also be made availabl...

14th June 2022

MDB launches €150 million emergency liquidity support to businesses in response to the Ukraine crisis

The Liquidity Support Guarantee Scheme is targeted towards all impacted business, with specific measures aimed at fuel and oil importers The Malta Development Bank (MDB) has launched the Liquidity Support Guarantee Scheme (LSGS) which is the second emergency liquidity support measure as part of an aid package in response to the Ukraine crisis.&...

13th June 2022

Jobsplus data shows 10,000 jobs created in January

9th June 2022

Malta amongst new countries elected on the U.N. Security Council

The United Nations General Assembly elected Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique and Switzerland to the U.N. Security Council on Thursday (June 9) for a two-year term starting on Jan. 1, 2023. All five countries ran unopposed for a spot on the 15-member body, which is charged with maintaining international peace and s...

9th June 2022

MIA’s SMP Conference enables discussion on the Next Leap Forward

The Small and Medium Practices (SMP) Conference, hosted by the Malta Institute of Accountants, brought together experts, industry leaders, representatives of constitute bodies and other stakeholders in diverse fields including financial crime, forensic accounting and taxation to discuss and share their views on several factors that are having or w...

8th June 2022

Young people in Malta buy more fake products and continue to access pirated content

The 2022 edition of the Intellectual Property and Youth Scoreboard, released today by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), provides an update on the behaviours of young people towards intellectual property infringement in a post-pandemic context. The survey looks at the two sides of IP infringement: the trends in young...

8th June 2022

Public Lecture On Malta’s Largest Renaissance Artwork In Malta

Two Renaissance paintings survive in the Franciscan Observant church of Ta’ Ġieżu in Rabat. Both paintings were the central images of the main altarpiece of the church from the early sixteenth century until 1785. Yet, the altarpiece consisted of another fifteen paintings and an elaborately gilded framework, making it the largest Renaissance ar...

31st May 2022

Malta: Unemployment rate down to 3.1%

30th May 2022

Microsoft Hosts Partners Meeting, Microsoft To Keep Investing In Malta and In Its Partner Ecosystem

“Despite the uncertainty we have experienced, Microsoft is seeing a faster growth rate here in Malta and we want to keep investing more in the country’s economy. Malta is very partner-focused and as Microsoft grows, we want our partners to keep growing with us.” This was stated by Theodosis Michalopoulos, General Manager of Microsoft Greece...

30th May 2022

Malta: Services push GDP up by almost 7% in first quarter

30th May 2022

FerroVault Inaugurates Malta’s Only Safe Deposit Box Compound

“As local banks continue to reconsider some of their services, new opportunities have been created for private operators such as FerroVault’s safe deposit box service – a service which has fallen beyond most banks’ risk appetite and has been discontinued. The need, however, is still there and this is why we set up FerroVault in Malta,” stated Jean...

27th May 2022

Malta’s finances €388 million in the red after four months

26th May 2022

National Lottery plc Unveils New Brand Identity To Replace Maltco Lotteries

National Lottery plc a subsidiary of the IZI Group today unveiled its corporate brand that will replace Maltco Lotteries. In a symbolic event organised at the Mdina Ditch, the company unveiled its plans to launch a lottery brand that is truly national and that above all a truly represents the Maltese and their deep-rooted connection with the N...

25th May 2022

Malta: Unemployment levels drop below 1,000

In April, the number of persons registering for work stood at 963 decreasing by 1,285 when compared to the corresponding month in 2021, the NSO said today. Data provided by Jobsplus for April 2022 indicate a year-on-year decrease of 1,200 persons registering under Part I, and an additional drop of 85 persons registering under Part II of the une...

24th May 2022

Malta: Early school leavers drop by a half over a decade

The share of 'early school leavers,’ a term that refers to early leavers from education and training (aged 18-24), has steadily decreased in the EU over the last 10 years, from 13% in 2011 to 10% in 2021. Malta's early school leaving rate has practically been halved in this period, dropping from 21.4% to 11%, according to details released by Euros...

19th May 2022

MDB launches first support measure as part of a package in response to Ukraine crisis

First measure seeks to ensure security of supply of grains – further measures to be introduced in the coming weeks The Malta Development Bank has launched the MDB Subsidised Loans Scheme following the approval of the European Commission under the Temporary Crisis Framework for State Aid. This support measure is intended to ensure the security o...

19th May 2022

EU to take Malta to court on higher taxes on imported cars

The European Commission has today decided to refer Malta to the Court of Justice of the European Union for taxing used cars imported from other Member States more heavily than used cars purchased on the Maltese market. In the absence of harmonisation of car taxes, each Member State can arrange its tax measures in accordance with its own assessm...

18th May 2022

Malta: Domestic demand fuel economic growth, exports’ contribution marginal – CBM

Domestic demand was the main driver behind GDP growth during the last three months of 2021, the CBM has found. In its quarterly review, it said that the contribution of net exports, while positive, was marginal. Sector data show that the expansion was primarily driven by the services sector, especially the sector comprising wholesale and retail...

18th May 2022

GO plc Announces Appointment Of New Chairman

GO plc today announced the appointment of Mr Lassaad Ben Dhiab as Chairman of the Company with immediate effect. Mr Ben Dhiab has been an active Board Member of GO plc since May 2019. Commenting on his appointment, Mr Ben Dhiab said, “I am very proud to assume this new position at GO plc. I have worked alongside the Board for the past three...

18th May 2022

Malta: Food prices drive inflation levels above 5%

In April 2022, the annual rate of inflation as measured by the HICP edged up further, reaching 5.4%, up from 4.5% March, the NSO said. As a result, the 12-month moving average rate for April stood at 2.1%. The highest annual inflation rates in April 2022 were recorded in Food and non-alcoholic beverages (9%) and Housing, water, electricity, ga...

18th May 2022

IZI Finance plc celebrates bond listing with MSE bell ringing ceremony, €30 million bond issue fully subscribed

IZI Finance plc celebrated the listing of its €30,000,000, 4.25% unsecured bond listing, with the traditional bell ringing ceremony event held at the Malta Stock Exchange. In his welcome speech, Malta Stock Exchange Executive Chairman, Joseph Portelli, congratulated IZI Finance plc on their success of their bond issue noting how a string of...

14th May 2022

3.7 magnitude earthquake recorded near Malta

A 3.7 magnitude earthquake was registered in the Central Mediterranean region on the west to Malta. The earthquake was also recorded by the Maltese University's Seismic Monitoring and Research centre. The was recorded at 12.40pm.

14th May 2022

Fitch affirms Malta at ‘A+’; outlook stable

Fitch Ratings - Frankfurt am Main - FitchRatings has affirmed Malta's Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'A+' with a Stable Outlook. Malta's rating is supported by high per-capita income levels, a large net external creditor position and a pre-pandemic record of strong growth and sizeable debt reduction. These strengths are ...

13th May 2022

Blue Skills Brought to the Fore in Conference held by Malta Maritime Forum and Westmed National Hub for Malta on European Maritime Day

Today, the Malta Maritime Forum in collaboration with the organised an event entitled “Blue Skills: Bridging the Skills Gap through Education and Ocean Literacy”. Through the partnership between the MMF and the Westmed initiative, the event was successful in bringing together the views of the captains of industry and academia who identified ski...

13th May 2022

Malta retains top spot for ‘Rainbow Europe’ rights

A new dynamic has emerged in protecting the rights of the LGBTQ+ communities across Europe, but significant difficulties remain and youngsters are particularly vulnerable, activists said. Malta retained its top spot on the "Rainbow Europe" for 2022 for respect of human rights and full equality, while Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia and Armenia w...

10th May 2022

McDonald’s becomes Malta’s first Autism Friendly Restaurant

McDonald’s becomes the first restaurant in Malta to be accredited with the Autism Friendly Label with its new Quiet Space @ McDonald’s, a room at its Malta International Airport restaurant designed to meet the sensory needs of people on the Spectrum. The room’s design is a collaboration with Prisms Malta and the Autism Parents Association, and ...

10th May 2022

More than 700 firms secure financial backing through the Malta Development Bank

Since the inception of the Malta Development Bank (MDB), more than 700 firms in Malta and Gozo, across the economic spectrum, have secured over €600 million in guarantees and loans backed by the MDB, a significant figure reflecting almost 14% of all outstanding business loans in Malta. These figures were disclosed in MDB’s 2021 Annual Report, tabl...

6th May 2022

Malta: French, German and Italian tourists push tourism upwards in March

Total inbound tourists for March 2022 were estimated at 110,938, while total nights spent amounted to 739,194, the NSO said today, signalling the best March in three years. During the month under review, a total of 95,395 inbound tourists visited Malta for holiday purposes, followed by 8,562 tourists for business purposes. The largest share of...

3rd May 2022

EP greenlights George Hyzler’s Court of Auditors Nomination

The European Parliament has endorsed the nominations of George Hyzler for Malta Lefteris Christoforou for Cyprus and to the European Court of Auditors. Mr Hyzler was supported by 551 votes to 45 and 33 abstentions, Mr Christoforou by 549 votes to 69 and 11 abstentions. Nationalist MEP David Casa expressed his satisfaction for the strong vote...

30th April 2022

MDB supporting SMEs through new schemes

Following the European Commission’s announcement of the approval of MDB’s Guaranteed Co-Lending Scheme (GCLS) under the COVID-19 Temporary Framework for State Aid, the MDB has also received a positive opinion by the State Aid Monitoring Board on the GCLS under the De Minimis and GBER state aid regimes. Multiple state aid regimes allow additional f...

This Day in Photos – CDE News Daily Photos Dispatch

Today's salient news in pictures as taken by the pool of photographers of EPA/EFE for CDE News. ...
Crisis-hit Ghana changes its mind and turns to IMF for help

ACCRA, July 1 (Reuters) - Ghana, one of West Africa's largest economies, will hold formal...
Sainz puts Ferrari on top in British GP practice

SILVERSTONE, England, July 1 (Reuters) - Ferrari's Carlos Sainz kept crowd favourite Lewi...
After Snake Island retreat, Russian missile attack kills 21 near Ukraine’s Odesa

SERHIIVKA, Ukraine, July 1 (Reuters) - Russia flattened part of an apartment building whi...
Power cut protests hit Libyan cities, showing anger at factional leaders

TRIPOLI, July 1 (Reuters) - Protests over Libya's chronic power cuts hit several cities o...