Morning Briefing

Cottonera residents hold another protest against AUM plans: The Headlines – The Malta Independent

The Independent reports on a protest in Senglea organised by a Cottonera residents action group on Sunday against plans by the American University to expand its footprint. Activists said they…

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State school teachers worried by ongoing survey: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont says that teachers in primary and secondary state schools are concerned about a survey making the rounds to assess the possibility of shifting them to the public sector from…

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Sadeen lost millions since AUM was set up: The Headlines – Illum

Illum reports that Sadeen Education, the company behind the American University of Malta, registered losses of more than €4 million in its first three years. The paper says that the…

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Alarm over state of school: The Headlines – The Independent of Sunday

The Independent on Sunday says that parents of children who go to the Mtarfa school are worried by the dangerous state of the building. The paper says that parts of…

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Waste facilities possibly in breach of EU directive: The Headlines – The Sunday Times

The Sunday Times speaks to senior members of the Environment and Resources Authority who cast doubts on Malta’s ability to manage the waste situation. Sources told the paper that waste…

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MCESD satisfied with rhythm of productivity: The Headlines – It-Torċa

It-Torċa quotes a report on productivity in Malta drawn by the Council for Social and Economic Development. The paper says that the document, which was prepared by experts, expresses satisfaction…

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PL deputy leaders disagree over Keith Schembri: The Headlines – Il-Mument

Il-Mument claims that the two deputy leaders of the Labour Party, Chris Fearne and Chris Cardona, clashed over Keith Schembri’s role after the Chief of Staff dropped a libel suit…

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Bill regulating bouncers delayed by two years: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today reveals that regulations for bouncers in entertainment spots were originally proposed two years ago but have been put off. A spokesperson for the Home Affairs Ministry said that…

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Regulator endorses IIP due diligence: The Headlines – Kulħadd

Kulħadd claims that a report by the by the IIP regulator ‘certifies’ the due diligence mechanisms adopted by the process, consequently dismissing criticism by the Nationalist Party. A second article…

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Woman caught taking drugs into prison: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont reports on a case of a young woman caught trying to smuggle drugs into prison. The paper says that the substance was discovered in the woman’s jacket after it…

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PN Secretary General urges local councillors to join protest: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Secretary General Clyde Puli who encouraged party local councillors to join an anti-corruption protest on Saturday evening. Puli said that the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff must…

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Malta has no jurisdiction over Hurd’s Bank: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent speaks to the Foreign Affairs Ministry about claims of ship-to-ship transfers between Russia and Venezuela at Hurd’s Bank. A spokesperson for the Minister said that Malta has no…

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New members on Caruana Galizia public inquiry board: The Headlines – The Times

The Times leads with the appointment of two new members on the public inquiry into the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia. Chief Justice Emeritus Joseph Said Pullicino and Judge Abigail…

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Russia-Venezuela transfers suspected off Malta: The Headlines – The Independent

Russia-Venezuela transfers suspected off Malta: The Headlines – The Independent The Independent leads with US investigations into claims of ship-to-ship transfers between Russian and Venezuelan vessels at Hurd’s Bank, just…

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Government ministers disagree on Keith Schembri: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon claims that the Cabinet is divided over the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Keith Schembri, saying that many disagree with the way the situation is being handled following his…

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Testaferrata street shooting over romance: The Headlines – The Times

The Times carries a story about a man who was shot by another man when he was looking for his girlfriend in Testaferrata street, Gżira. The victim says that the…

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PN supporters call out absent Opposition MPs: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont says that only a third of opposition representatives were present in parliament for a speech by MP Simon Busuttil this week. The paper picks up social media posts by…

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More than 8,000 AirBnB properties in Malta: The Headlines – Business Today

Business Today carries a Central Bank study showing that there are more 8,700 properties in Malta listed on AirBnB. The report says that the sharing platform earns hosts as much…

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Steward Health Care loses millions to fuel expansion: The Headlines – The Malta Business Weekly

The Malta Business Weekly quotes a report by The Boston Globe claiming that Seward Health Care registered a loss of €592 million over two years, following an expansion exercise. The…

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Opposition demands removal of Keith Schembri: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reports that the Opposition filed a motion in parliament seeking the dismissal of Chief of Staff Keith Schembri. A PN statement said that the party’s parliamentary group unanimously…

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PN to join Saturday demonstration against corruption: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon says that the Nationalist Party is calling for people to join a national protest on Saturday calling for action by the government which remains ‘idle’ before corruption. The demonstration…

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Over 500 people reported missing this year: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent quotes Home Affairs Minister Michael Farrugia who said that 565 people were reported missing this year, with 51 of them still not found. The minister was answering to…

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GWU Secretary General supports Gozo-Malta tunnel: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont quotes General Worker Union secretary general Josef Bugeja who said that the disruptions in the ferry service this week demonstrate the importance of the Gozo-Malta tunnel. He said that…

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IIP regulator clears legal firm of wrongdoing: The Headlines – Malta Today

Another article carries a speech in parliament by opposition MP Simon Busuttil on Tuesday who said that Keith Schembri’s dropping of a libel case against him was proof that the…

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Prime Minister’s chief of staff defends libel withdrawal: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent speaks to Chief of Staff Keith Schembri about his withdrawal of the libel case against former Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil. Schembri said that he wants the truth to…

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Konrad Mizzi gives press event a miss: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon says that Minister Konrad Mizzi skipped a press conference at the last minute on Tuesday ‘to avoid questions’ from journalists. The paper said that the conference was addressed by…

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Nurses’ demand for occupational insurance accepted: The Headlines – The Times

The Times says that the government has agreed to offer insurance for nurses working in high-risk environments such as the Emergency Department. The nurses’ union was threatening actions unless its…

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New insulin product for people with diabetes: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont says that a new type of insulin will be provided free of charge to people with diabetes. Health Minister Chris Fearne announced that around 2,000 people will benefit from…

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Sex worker argues against the Nordic Model: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent speaks to an unnamed sex worker and activist who does not agree with the Nordic model to prostitution laws. She argues that not all sex workers are victims…

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Cases of Huntington Disease higher in Malta than region average: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont speaks to genetics consultant Professor Christian Scerri who said that Malta’s rate of Huntington disease is more than double the average observed in the Mediterranean region, affecting 12 people…

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Keith Schembri drops court case to dodge cross-examination: The Headlines – The Times

The Times leads with the withdrawal of a libel case by the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Keith Schembri after the court ordered him to face cross-examination about 17 Black.…

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PN Leader calls for Keith Schembri’s removal: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon covers a PN press conference in reaction to Keith Schembri’s refusal to answer questions about 17 Black in the witness stand. PN Leader Adrian Delia called on the Prime…

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Nurses’ Union orders action at Emergency Department: The Headlines – The Times

The Times leads with actions by nurses at the Mater Dei emergency department and Mount Carmel hospital amid demands for occupational insurance. The instruction by the nurses’ union follow am…

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Keith Schembri to witness in court today: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon says that the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Keith Schembri is today expected to take the witness stand in the case about 17 Black. The paper says that Schembri…

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Hotel group objects to Paceville road plans: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent says that International Hotel Investments ‘strongly objects’ to the proposed road and tunnel network in Paceville. The company, which operates three hotels in the area, argued the plans…

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Libyan Dinars passing through Malta were not authorised: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont speaks to sources close to the Libyan government after reports of containers heading to Libya carrying Dinars were seized by the Customs Department in Malta. The paper says the…

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Neville Gafa’ involved in secret AFM-Libya deal: The Headlines – The Sunday Times

The Sunday Times claims that a secret agreement between the Armed Forces and the Libyan Coast Guard was brokered by OPM official Neville Gafa’ to intercept migrant boats headed towards…

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Missing person had business links to Caruana Galizia murder suspects: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today says that a man who has been missing since 2012 after having just disposed of the shares he owned in business with two brothers from Żebbuġ who were…

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Man wanted in Sweden accused of pilfering funds to Malta: The Headlines – The Independent on Sunday

The Independent on Sunday reports on a Swedish investigation into a head of a school in Gothenburg thought to have been funnelling state funds to Malta and Saudi Arabia. The…

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Equality laws in Malta will be a European first: The Headlines – It-Torċa

It-Torċa speaks to Equality Minister Edward Zammit Lewis who said that Malta will become the first EU state to elevate equality to the status of human right. Parliament this week…

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Investigations into Charlene Farrugia case ongoing: The Headlines – Illum

Illum follows the case of Charlene Farrugia whose remains were discovered by the police in Valletta four months ago. The paper says that investigators have not found enough evidence against…

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A million a month for exceptional medicines: The Headlines – Kulħadd

Kulħadd says that the government spends around a million euros every month on medicinal products considered ‘exceptional’. The Committee that evaluates demands for these types of products received some 2,500…

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PN Leader raises alarm about capture of institutions: The Headlines – Il-Mument

Il-Mument covers an interview with PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that the institutions that were set up to protect the interests of the public have been transformed to protect…

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Illegally made concrete used for public roadworks: The Headlines – The Times

The Times claims that the Gozo Ministry procured concrete for road repairs in Nadur from a batching plant that has been operating illegally and in defiance of a PA enforcement…

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Brexit would hit manufacturing the hardest: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont quotes the director of International Affairs at the Customs Department who said that the effects of Brexit will impact the manufacturing sector most because prime material imports from the…

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Infrastructure Malta defends Wied Qirda project: The Headlines – The Malta Independent

The Independent speaks to Infrastructure Malta after the Żebbuġ local council spoke out against the building of a country road in Wied Qirda. The state agency said that the council…

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Magħtab waste complex in ‘dire state’: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon says that the Wastserv site in Magħtab is in a ‘disastrous state’ and that the government is attempting to keep the situation under wraps. The paper says that Environment…

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NGOs lose appeal against Central Link: The Headlines – The Malta Independent

The Independent leads with a vote in the Environment and Planning Tribunal against the Central Link appeal filed jointly by several NGOs. The lawyer representing the applicants, Claire Bonello, said…

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Gozo Innovation Hub inaugurated: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont reports on the inauguration of the Gozo Innovation Hub, a ‘prestigious address’ for business in the technology sector. The €9 million project is expected to create around 120 jobs…

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Illegal batching plant ignores enforcement order: The Headlines – The Times

The Times says that an illegal batching plant in Gozo has been connected to the power grid and is in full 24-hour operation. The Planning Authority had imposed an enforcement…

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PN does not support recent nominations at MGA, MCA: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon announces that the Nationalist Party will vote against the nominations of the acting chairpersons at the Gaming Authority and the Communications Authority. The party said that these roles must…

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Cyprus to rescind citizenships of passport buyers: The Headlines – Business Today

Business Today leads with steps by Cyprus to revoke the citizenship of 26 individuals who have obtained passports via the country’s investment scheme. The Cypriot citizen scheme came under scrutiny…

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Malta pursuing MICE tourism strategy: The Headlines – The Malta Business Weekly

The Malta Business Weekly publishes an interview with Conventions Malta Director Christophe Berger who said that the country wants to carve a niche in MICE tourism. Berger referred to the…

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Criminal investigation into Vitals deal to include government ministers: The Headlines – The Malta Independent

The Independent says that the court upheld a request by civil society group Repubblika for fresh claims involving three ministers to be included in an ongoing inquiry into the government’s…

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Amnesty for illegal buildings considered: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reveals that a panel tasked with the ODZ planning reform stalled over a debate about the introduction of an ‘amnesty’ for illegal constructions erected in the countryside. The…

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ODZ construction policy out ‘within weeks’: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont reveals that a new policy regulating construction in ODZ has been handed to the Laws Faculty Dean for review. Minister Ian Borg said he expects the bill to be…

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Minister shows support for rural policy: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon quotes Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg who defended the 2014 Rural Policy which allowed the Planning Authority to approve the Qala development. The Minister said that the policy helps agricultural…

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