Morning Briefing

Government ordered to pay €500,000 to Valletta property owners: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent leads with a decision by the European Court of Human Rights ordering the government to pay €500,000 in compensation to the owners of a property in Valletta which…

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Police officer managed protection money for the unit: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon reports on the investigation into traffic police corruption and says that construction and transport companies were bribing the unit by funnelling money into an account held by one officer…

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Industrial actions at asylum seekers agency: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont announces industrial actions ordered by the General Workers Unions at the Agency for the Welfare of Asylum Seekers after employees raised the alarm over safety issues in the Marsa…

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Today’s Maltese Editors’ Viewpoints

The Editors of today’s six local newspapers making their way to the newsstands have focused on completely different stories in their op-ed. The Malta Independent expresses its shock at the…

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Expats make almost a quarter of workforce: The Headlines – Business Today

Business Today reports that the workforce in Malta grew by 59,000 people between 2012 and 2018. Almost 70 percent of new workers were non-Maltese, increasing the total share of expat…

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Strong Economic Sentiment in Q3 2019: The Headlines – The Malta Business Weekly

The Malta Business Weekly quotes figures by the Central Bank showing that during the third quarter last year the Economic Sentiment Indicator grew from 96.7 to 101.6. The retail sector…

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Businessman touted for new PN role: The Headlines – The Malta Independent

The Independent says that businessman Ivan Bartolo is expected to fill one of the top positions to be created in the PN once the internal reforms recommended by Louis Galea…

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Police internal investigation extends to other units: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reports that the police are widening an investigation into false overtime claims beyond the Traffic Control Unit. Sources told the paper that as many as 300 officers are…

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Court decision upholds Central Link project: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont leads with a court decision turning down an appeal against the Central Link project filed by objecting NGOs and residents. Transport Minister Ian Borg welcomed the decision and said…

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Adrian Delia invokes politics of persuasion: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon covers an interview on national television with PN Leader Adrian Delia who said he believes in the politics of persuasion. Delia said that he was elected by PN members…

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PN €34 million in the red: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today reports that the Nationalist Party has accumulated €34 million in debt to banks and major businesses. A former official says that the situation has made it difficult for…

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Francis Zammit Dimech elected PN secretary general: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon says that Francis Zammit Dimech has been voted interim PN secretary general by the party’s councillor on Tuesday evening. The Executive Committee is expected to convene again on Saturday.…

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Contingency plan for traffic police section: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent quotes a statement by the police which said that a contingency plan has been put in place to make up for the suspended traffic police officers. Addressing parliament,…

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30 police officers involved in overtime conspiracy: The Headlines – The Times

The Times leads with an investigation into 30 police officers from the traffic control unit, including one superintendent, who are being accused of fraudulent overtime claims. The unit numbers around…

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Chantelle Chetcuti case starts in court: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont reports on the compilation of evidence against Justin Borg, charged with the murder of ex-partner Chantelle Chetcuti in Żabbar. One of the witnesses said that he found the woman…

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PN Councillors to discuss top party posts: The Headlines – The Times

The Times says that a meeting of the PN’s Executive Council this evening will not directly discuss Adrian Delia’s leadership but will prepare for an election process to fill top…

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Robert Arrigo’s resignation letter published in full: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon publishes the resignation letter by PN Deputy Leader Robert Arrigo, who says he will step down on March 29. Arrigo stated his intention to contest the next general election…

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Pope Francis to visit Malta on May 31: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent reports that Pope Francis is visiting Malta and Gozo on May 31. President George Vella made the announcement on Monday after attending mass in Valletta celebrating the feast…

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Laws professor says President has right to remove Opposition Leader: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont speaks to Professor Kevin Aquilina who said that the political future of Adrian Delia depends on the parliamentary group, not party members. He argues that if the Opposition Leader…

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Adrian Delia mentions detractors within parliamentary group: The Headlines – The Times

The Times follows the speech by PN Leader Adrian Delia on Sunday during which he said that it was time for party members to make choices. Delia asked the audience…

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PN Leader says party belongs to members: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that the party belongs to the supporters and paid-up members. He said the doors are open to new people with new ideas…

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Gender pension gap bigger than EU average: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent reports on Eurostat figures which show that Malta had the second-highest gender pension gap among EU states in 2018. Women over 65 in Malta earned 42 percent less…

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New Domestic Violence Commissioner appointed: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont announces the appointment of Audrey Farrugia as the new Commissioner for Domestic Violence. Prime Minister Robert Abela warned that unless serious action is taken, the problem of domestic abuse…

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Vitals dug €36 million hole in company accounts: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today reveals the Vitals Global Healthcare had amassed some €36 million in debt over the years that it was running the three state hospitals, without any investment to show…

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PN MPs expect vote of confidence in Delia this week: The Headlines- The Sunday Times

The Sunday Times says PN MPs are holding off calls to the President to remove Adrian Delia from Opposition Leader until a meeting of the party Executive Council on Tuesday.…

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Official charged with corruption made compliance chief: The Headlines – The Independent on Sunday

The Independent on Sunday reveals that a former Enemalta official charged with corruption for accepting gifts from a trader was appointed Head of Compliance within the Tourism Authority. The Tourism…

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A turbulent week for the Nationalist Party: The Headlines – Illum

Illum reports on a “surreal” situation within the Nationalist Party following Adrian Delia’s declaration to hang on as party leader despite a series of resignations by top officials and calls…

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Rise in problematic domestic cases among adolescents: The Headlines – It-Torċa

It-Torċa speaks to secondary school teachers who say they have witnessed an increase in students in difficult situations at home. The educators report growing neglect from parents, lack of nourishment…

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Teachers Union calls for school facilities audit: The Headlines – Il-Mument

Il-Mument reports that the president of the Teachers Union, Marco Bonnici, is demanding an independent audit of all school facilities to understand the real needs. The paper says that there…

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PN officials planning to oust Adrian Delia: The Headlines – Kullħadd

Kullħadd says that PN members opposing Adrian Delia’s leadership have been holding meetings to plan their next moves. The paper says that, on Saturday, a secret meeting was held at…

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Clyde Puli resigns from PN Secretary General: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reports on the Clyde Puli’s resignation, following those of Deputy Leader Robert Arrigo and General Council President Kristy Debono. The outgoing secretary general said he understood the message…

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Revamped Ta’ Qali Crafts Village to open soon: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent reveals that the renovated Crafts Village in Ta’ Qali will be inaugurated in the coming weeks. Economy Minister Silvio Schembri said that a government scheme will be introduced…

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Adrian Delia pledges party reforms by March: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon covers an interview with PN Leader Adrian Delia on TV programme Xarabank on Friday. He said that his mission is to return the party to the people and promised…

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GWU launches campaign against food waste: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont announces a national campaign against food waste by the General Workers Union. Secretary General Josef Bugeja said that the year-long initiative seeks to deliver a “strong message” in favour…

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Adrian Delia urged to step aside by party reform chief: The Headlines – The Times

The Times says that PN Leader Adrian Delia has lost confidence of the majority of MPs in the parliamentary group. Louis Galea, who was appointed by Delia to draw up…

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Major resignations within the PN: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent reports on the resignations of PN Deputy Leader Robert Arrigo and General Council President Kristy Debono. The former said it had become impossible to work with the party’s…

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PN Leader calls for broad party reform: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who called on party members to play their part in bringing internal changes and take the party forward. Delia said that anyone with “genuine…

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GWU embraces international anti-abuse guidelines: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont publishes an interview with General Workers Union secretary general Josef Bugeja who welcomed the ratification of international anti-abuse employment guidelines by EU members. Bugeja said the union has zero…

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Tourist private accommodation on the rise: The Headlines – Business Today

Business Today quotes National Statistics Office figures showing an increase of 13.5 percent in private accommodation by inbound tourists last year. Services such as Airbnb contributed to 46 percent of…

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Gaming company changes expansion plans: The Headlines – The Malta Business Weekly

The Malta Business Weekly says that gaming company Leo Vegas has cancelled plans to expand operations in Malta and decided to restructure its UK business instead. The company said that…

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Police needs UAE collaboration on 17 Black: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent follows the testimony of two Economic Crimes Unit veterans in the Caruana Galizia public inquiry who said that due to lack of cooperation by the UAE, the police…

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Silvio Valletta and Keith Schembri were leaking information: The Headlines – The Times

The Times follows the compilation of evidence against Yorgen Fenech during which self-confessed middleman Melvin Theuma said that former Assistant Police Commissioner Silvio Valletta and Keith Schembri were leaking information…

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Government dodges questions about hospitals deal: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon says that the government is trying to avoid questions about the hospitals’ concession. The paper reports that government Whip Glenn Bedingfield attempted to block the Leader of the Opposition…

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Prime Minister agrees with mandatory unionisation: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont reports on a meeting between the Prime Minister and the General Workers Union, in which Robert Abela declared his support for the union’s proposal to introduce mandatory membership in…

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Former partner of Chantelle Chetcuti charged with murder: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today leads with charges brought against Justin Borg, 33, accused of murdering his former partner Chantelle Chetcuti, 34, stabbing her repeatedly in the head on Sunday evening. Borg pleaded…

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Chantelle Chetcuti reported domestic violence in 2013: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont follows the case in court in which Justin Borg is facing additional charges of carrying a knife without licence, being in possession of cocaine and public disorder. The paper…

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Anti-femicide protest in Valletta: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon covers a protest outside parliament on Tuesday as NGOs appealed authorities to treat the killing of Chantelle Chetcuti as an ‘urgent national situation’ and not a private case. The…

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New energy system to limit ship emissions in harbour: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent covers the launch of a shore-to-ship energy project by Infrastructure Malta that is estimated to cut cruise liner emissions in the Grand Harbour by 90 percent. The system…

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PN MPs to speak up internally following dismal survey results: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reveals that PN MPs are expected to raise concerns about the party leadership in a parliamentary group meeting this evening. An unnamed MP told the paper that there…

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MFSA did not conduct spot checks on Pilatus Bank: The Headlines – The Times

The Times quotes MFSA chief supervisory officer Marianne Scicluna who told the Caruana Galizia public inquiry board on Monday that the authority did not conduct ‘surprise visits’ at Pilatus Bank.…

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Woman dies from stabs to the head by ex-partner: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont reports that the Chantelle Chetcuti from Żabbar has lost the battle for her life caused by critical wounds to her heads following an argument with her former partner. The…

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Minister says tap water is completely safe to drink: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent speaks to Energy and Water Minister Michael Farrugia who assured the public that tap water is perfectly safe for drinking. He said that the chemicals used in the…

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Official says FIAU recommended investigations into Konrad Mizzi: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon reports on the testimony of FIAU official Alfred Zammit before the Caruana Galizia public inquiry board. He said that the unit had passed files on Konrad Mizzi to the…

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Roads agency spent millions on ‘urgent’ Direct Orders: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent reveals that Infrastructure Malta has issued €8 million worth of Direct Orders in the final six months of last year. The paper says that there were almost 100…

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PM says that IIP will be improved, not scrapped: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont quotes the Prime Minister who said that the government will revise the Individual Investor Scheme and seek to strengthen its regulatory framework but does not intend to cancel the…

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Former PL secretary general to face corruption charges: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reports that the police have concluded an investigation into former Labour Party general secretary Jimmy Magro for demanding a cut from suppliers on a €250,000 government tender in…

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Adrian Delia denounces Vitals ‘plunder’ in healthcare: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that the Vitals hospitals contract shows how corruption robs the country. He accused the government of using the healthcare sector to give…

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