BeInformed

Malta: Government to ditch IIP passport scheme

The Independent reports that the government published amendments to the Citizenship Act on Friday that will scrap the current cash-for-passports scheme and introduce a new residence by investment system. Another…

Read More Here

Malta: Joseph Muscat found in breach of ethical behaviour

The Times reports that a parliamentary committee could impose sanctions on MP Joseph Muscat for receiving expensive gifts from businessman Yorgen Fenech. The former Prime Minister said he disagreed with…

Read More Here

Malta: Murder suspect arraigned in court twelve years from the case

L-Orizzont reports that John Paul Woods has been arraigned in court accused of the murder of Charlene Farrugia, twelve years ago. The remains of the victim’s body, aged 25 at…

Read More Here

Malta: Witness says no due diligence in hospitals deal was conducted

In-Nazzjon follows the case in court into the deal to privatise three state hospitals. Nexia BT partner Manuel Castagna, who sat on the evaluation and adjudication board of the deal,…

Read More Here

Malta: PM upbeat about upcoming Moneyval deadline

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who said he was confident that Malta will pass the Moneyval test. Addressing the PL General Conference, Abela said the government will be focused…

Read More Here

Malta: Former economic crimes head transferred to another unit

In-Nazzjon reveals that Assistant Police Commissioner Ian Abdilla, who has been removed from the Economic Crimes Unit, has now been appointed director of the IT and Communications department. Another story…

Read More Here

Malta: Report on gifts received by Joseph Muscat finalised

The Times reports that the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life submitted the findings of an investigation into gifts from Yorgen Fenech to former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. A parliamentary…

Read More Here

Malta: Owen Bonnici reiterates his trusts in the judiciary over Konrad Mizzi

The Independent asks Owen Bonnici whether he had any concerns over deals made by Konrad Mizzi while he was Justice Minister. The now Education Minister said he has faith in…

Read More Here

Malta: Retail sector in dire straits

Business Today reports that retail business is struggling to survive, and some workers have already been laid off. Business in Valletta is down to around 15 percent of last year…

Read More Here

Malta: First commercial flights since travel ban

The Malta Business Weekly reports on the arrival of the first commercial flight in Malta since the airport was shut down in March. More than 80 flights are expected this…

Read More Here

Malta: Satabank loses banking licence

The Independent reports that Satabank has had its licence withdrawn by the European Central Bank on recommendation of the Malta Financial Services Authority, Satabank has been under charge of Ernst…

Read More Here

Malta: Attorney General denies claims made in court

L-Orizzont carries a statement by Attorney General Peter Grech who rejected claims that he had ordered the police to ‘tread carefully’ in their Panama Papers investigations and accused PN MP…

Read More Here

Malta: Caruana Galizia public inquiry probes former top investigator

The Times follows the Caruana Galizia public inquiry during which former police assistant commissioner Ian Abdilla failed to reply when asked about reasons why Keith Schembri and Konrad Mizzi were…

Read More Here

Malta: Employers’ body warns about grey-listing threat

In-Nazzjon picks up comments by Employers’ Association president Doris Sammut Bonnici who said that Malta should never have found itself risking grey-listing by Moneyvay. She warned that the consequences would…

Read More Here

Malta: 700,000 visitors expected by end of year

Malta Today quotes Tourism Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli who said that the authorities are expecting 700,000 tourists by the end of the year. Last year, Malta attracted 2.7 million tourists.…

Read More Here

Malta: Five traffic police officers indicted

The Times says that the court declared that was enough evidence to place five traffic police officers under a bill of indictment. The accused superintendent, two inspectors, and two sergeants…

Read More Here

Malta: Finance Minister contradicts Moneyval extension reports

The Independent quotes Finance Minister Edward Scicluna who categorically denied claims that the government is seeking an extension on the Moneyval deadline. The minister is part of the task-force implementing…

Read More Here

Malta: PN daily paper turns 50

In-Nazzjon carries an interview with PN secretary general Francis Zammit Dimech to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the paper. The first edition was published under the title ‘In-Nazzjon Tagħna’ on…

Read More Here

Malta: Jason Azzopardi will not retract breach of privilege claim

L-Orizzont reports that Opposition MP Jason Azzopardi was found in breach of privilege by the House Speaker over claims the former Prime Minister knew of the Caruana Galizia murder plot.…

Read More Here

Malta: Dar Tal-Providenza director out temporarily

L-Orizzont leads with appeals for help by Dar tal-Providenza following a decrease in donations. Director Fr Martin Micallef will also be step temporarily aside for health treatment and the organisation…

Read More Here

Malta: Government may seek extension from Moneyval

The Times reveals that Malta is set to request a six-month extension on its Moneyval assessment deadline. The original review has already been postponed by three months to October because…

Read More Here

Malta: Authorities eye UK travel safe list

The Independent reports that authorities are holding talks with the British government to include Malta in the UK travel ‘green list’ which exempts Britons from going into quarantine upon return…

Read More Here

Malta: Adrian Delia says PN can be government-in-waiting

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia during a fundraising effort on Monday who said that the party’s renewal document adopted last week will transform it into an alternative government. Keep…

Read More Here

Malta: Prime Minister denies information on Macbridge ownership

The Independent reports on an interview with Prime Minister Robert Abela who denied any knowledge of the ownership of Macbridge. The company was listed along with 17 Black as a…

Read More Here

Malta: Enemalta refuses freedom of information request on direct order

The Times says that a freedom of information request into a direct order given by Enemalta to local company Beat Ltd. was turned down by the energy company. Beat Ltd.…

Read More Here

Malta: Prime Minister calls for prudence by MPs

L-Orizzont quotes the Prime Minister who appealed for House representatives to exercise prudence with their parliamentary privilege, Robert Abela said that MP’s privilege has served Malta’s democracy well. Another story…

Read More Here

Malta: PN Leader suggests extra paid leave for front liners

In-Nazzjon reports that PN Leader Adrian Delia called on the government to grant front liners in the coronavirus pandemic three days of paid leave as a sign of gratitude for…

Read More Here

Malta: Yorgen Fenech offered police information on corruption

Malta Today reveals that murder suspect Yorgen Fenech told police he was prepared to reveal information about corrupt deals involving Electrogas, the Montenegro deal and a Hong Kong transaction, in…

Read More Here

Malta: Joseph Muscat to exit politics in October

The Sunday Times claims that former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat is set to resign from parliament around October. The paper says that plans to step down this month were delayed…

Read More Here

Malta: Enemalta denies paying €10 million for Mozura project

The Independent on Sunday speaks to Enemalta representatives who defended the price paid for shares in a Montenegro wind farm which, the company insisted, was €3 million not €10 million.…

Read More Here

Malta: Increase in online fraud cases

Illum carries an interview with the Police Cyber Crime Unit which said there were more than 200 reports of online fraud since the beginning of the year, a ‘substantial increase’…

Read More Here

Malta: Rule of law reform to be presented this week

It-Torċa quotes Justice Minister Edward Zammit Lewis who said that the government is going to present a bill to reform the rule of law in parliament this week. The minister…

Read More Here

Malta: Upgrading project for Wied iż-Żurrieq

Kullħadd reveals that the government is set to announce a major embellishment plan for Wied iż-Żurrieq. The paper says that the destination attracts around half a million visitors every year.…

Read More Here

Malta: Adrian Delia hails party statute reform

Il-Mument quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that reform in the party statute adopted this week was an historic moment for the party. Delia added that he will not…

Read More Here

Malta: FIAU investigations to bypass police

The Times reveals that the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit will be given investigative powers to be able to launch probes into reports independently of the police. The results would then…

Read More Here

Malta: Finance Minister says government focused on FATF deadline

The Independent quotes Finance Minister Edward Scicluna who said that Malta is doing its best to avoid being grey-listed by the Financial Action Task Force and that the government is…

Read More Here

Malta: Changes to employment law guarantees leave for IFV procedure

L-Orizzont reports that a new legal notice now guarantees 60 hours leave for persons undergoing an assisted procreation process. Minister Carmelo Abela announced the amendments to the Employment and Industrial…

Read More Here

Malta: Swimmer completes Sicily-to-Malta challenge

In-Nazzjon says that a large crowd gathered in St Julian’s to welcome swimmer Neil Agius, who crossed successfully from the south of Sicily. The paper says that the initiative shows…

Read More Here

Malta: PN adopts new statute

In-Nazzjon leads with the amendments to the PN statute adopted by the General Council on Thursday. New articles concern the governance, financial administration, and policy-making of the party. Keep in…

Read More Here

Malta: Gozo tourism body cautious on numbers this summer

The Independent publishes an interview with Gozo Tourism Association Joe Muscat who said that, while local tourism is expected to increase this summer, it will not make up for the…

Read More Here

Malta: Child protection law to come into force on Wednesday

L-Orizzont speaks to the CEO of the Foundation for Social Services, Alfred Grixti, about the new child protection law that comes into effect on July 1. Grixti said new measures…

Read More Here

Malta: Hundreds of accompanied children arrived in Malta last year

The Times quotes a United Nations report saying that 768 children arrived in Malta unaccompanied last year. Among its recommendations, the UN calls for better physical barriers to separate children…

Read More Here

Malta: Investigators found details of middleman’s pardon on Yorgen Fenech

The Times follows the testimony of Inspector Kurt Zahra before the Caruana Galizia inquiry where he said that Yorgen Fenech had photos of the terms and conditions of the pardon…

Read More Here

Malta: Yorgen Fenech knew about early election six months in advance

The Independent quotes Inspector Kurt Zahra who told the Caruana Galizia inquiry that businessman Yorgen Fenech knew from as far back December 2016 that an early general election was going…

Read More Here

Malta: PN General Council reviewing party statute

In-Nazzjon reports that the PN General Council will convene today to discuss proposed amendments to the party’s statute. The paper says the changes will renew the political party to reflect…

Read More Here

Malta: Government aims for 700,000 tourists this year

L-Orizzont quotes Tourism Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli who told parliament that the government is aiming for a target of 700,000 tourists by the end of the year. The minister said…

Read More Here

Malta: US embassy official raises spectre of gray-listing

The Malta Busines Weekly quotes a legal advisor with the US embassy, Richard Daynes, who warned that Malta could end up on the gray-list of the Financial Action Task Force…

Read More Here

Malta: Konrad Mizzi removed from PL parliamentary group

The Times reports that the Labour Party executive voted to expel former minister Konrad Mizzi from the PL parliamentary group. Mizzi said that he was ‘side lined’ and not given…

Read More Here

Malta: PL executive votes against Konrad Mizzi

L-Orizzont says that Prime Minister Robert Abela presented a motion in the PL executive for the ejection of Konrad Mizzi from the party’s parliamentary group. In a secret vote, 71…

Read More Here

Malta: Robert Abela met Joseph Muscat before PL executive vote

In-Nazzjon says that former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat did not attend the PL executive meeting which voted to oust Konrad Mizzi, but Prime Minister Robert Abela held a meeting with…

Read More Here

Malta: New police chief promises to investigate wrongdoing claims

The Independent follows a press conference by newly-appointed Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà who gave assurances that all corruption allegations will be investigated by the police. The Independent picks up a…

Read More Here

Malta: Enemalta investigating Montenegro deal

Malta Today quotes a statement by Enemalta which rejects allegations that the company had any prior knowledge of 17 Black’s involvement in the Montenegro wind farm deal. The energy company…

Read More Here

Malta: Keith Schembri was instructed by Joseph Muscat to contact Yorgen Fenech

The Times leads with the testimony of Keith Schembri in court who said that he was told by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat to persuade Yorgen Fenech not to leave Malta,…

Read More Here

Malta: Police chief nomination approved by parliament committee

The Independent reports that the parliamentary public appointments committee endorsed Angelo Gafà as the new Police Commissioner. His nomination was unanimously approved by the four members representing the government while…

Read More Here

Malta: Keith Schembri claims that the PN Leader sought to thwart re-election of own MEP

L-Orizzont quotes Keith Schembri who claimed in court that PN Leader Adrian Delia asked businessman Yorgen Fenech for €50,000 to undermine the re-election campaign of MEP David Casa in 2019.…

Read More Here

Malta: Investigator says that Yorgen Fenech’s claims were not corroborated

In-Nazzjon follows the testimony in court of inspector Kurt Zahra who said that claims by Melvin Theuma were corroborated while those made by Yorgen Fenech were not. The former’s request…

Read More Here

Malta: PN general secretary confident about party’s finances

The Independent publishes an interview with PN secretary general Francis Zammit Dimech who said that the party’s finances are in a stable situation. Zammit Dimech said he is encouraged by…

Read More Here