morning headlines

Keith Schembri waives libel suit against newsroom: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent reports that former chief of staff Keith Schembri dropped a libel suit he had filed against the newspaper over a story alleging that €750,000 were transferred into a…

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Minister to retain Jason Micallef as cultural agency chief: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent speaks to Minister for Culture and the Arts Jose Herrera who said that he is not considering removing Jason Micallef from chairperson of the Valletta Cultural Agency. Micallef’s…

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Doctors miffed by Muscat presence in Steward meeting with government: The Headlines – The Times

The Times quotes the president of the Medical Association Martin Balzan who expressed disappointment at the news that former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat is lobbying his successor on behalf of…

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Shortage in prison officials piling pressure on staff: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon says that officials at the Corradino Correctional Facility are being forced to work overtime because of a shortage of staff, leading to ‘exaggerated’ long hours. The paper claims that…

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Over 200 migrants brought safely to port: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont reports that the Armed Forces and NGOs saved six boats carrying migrants in the space of a few hours between Sunday afternoon and night. More than 200 people have…

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Robert Abela clears the decks at OPM: The Headlines – The Sunday Times

The Sunday Times reports that Prime Minister Robert Abela is cutting loose OPM staff who have close ties to Keith Schembri. The powerful role of ‘chief of staff’ has also…

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Joseph Muscat bridges talks between Steward Healthcare and government: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today says that former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat attended a meeting with his successor and the Health Minister alongside the president of Steward Healthcare International. The US group is…

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Justyne Caruana discusses her resignation: The Headlines – The Independent on Sunday

The Independent on Sunday publishes an interview with Justyne Caruana who said that resigning from Minister for Gozo was the hardest decision she ever had to take in her political…

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Louis Galea proposes new name for the PN: The Headlines – Illum

Illum reveals that Louis Galea is proposing renaming the PN as the National Popular Party but says that the idea might not even make it to the party’s General Council.…

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New method for judiciary appointments to be announced: The Headlines – It-Torċa

It-Torċa carries an interview with Justice Minister Edward Zammit Lewis who said that one of his top priorities is the reform in the system of appointments of the judiciary. The…

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Over 200 people applied for government home ownership scheme: The Headlines – Kullħadd

Kullħadd reports that more than 200 applicants have signed up to the Equity Sharing Scheme announced by the government. The Housing Authority helps individuals over 40 years who cannot secure…

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Adrian Delia calls for end to institutional crisis: The Headlines – Il-Mument

Il-Mument quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that ‘playing musical chairs’ in the Cabinet will not solve the institutional crisis and warns that the country needs sweeping reforms that…

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Arts Minister defends censorship of controversial carnival float: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent speaks to Minister for the Arts Jose Herrera after a carnival float featuring the archbishop was banned. Herrera said that the state has an obligation to protect citizens…

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Former Police Commissioner lands consultancy job at ministry: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reveals that former Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar has been put on a consultancy position with the Home Affairs Ministry on matters related to public safety and logistics. His…

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PM wants compensation mechanism for damage caused by developers: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that a mechanism is needed to respond to cases of damage to third-party property during construction works. He said he wants to…

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Minister dodges question about Police Commissioner selection: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon asks Minister Ian Borg on whether the government intends to seek the advice of the Venice Commission on the newly proposed system to appoint a Police Commissioner. The paper…

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Corruption Perceptions Index raises fresh concerns about Malta: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent reports on the publication of the annual Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International which warns that Malta’s democracy is being undermined and weakened by lack of political integrity.…

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Authorities monitoring coronavirus situation: The Headlines – The Times

The Times quotes Superintendent for Public Health Charmaine Gauci who said that Malta’s exposure to the deadly coronavirus is low since there are no direct flights from China. A national…

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Former Police Commissioner touted for ministry consultancy role: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon claims that ousted Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar is expected to be offered a consultancy role with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security. The paper says that sources…

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Studies confirm Paceville violence against LGBTIQ: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont says that studies by the Malta Gay Rights Movement and the Allied Rainbow Communities confirmed reports of violence against LGBTIQ in Paceville. The associations have put a series of…

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Central Link works make archaeological find: The Headlines – The Times

The Times says that works on the Central Link project have been temporarily suspended by Infrastructure Malta after archaeological remains were unearthed in Attard. The roads agency said the discovery…

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PM committed to Malta’s corporate tax system: The Headlines – Business Today

Business Today says that Prime Minister Robert Abela dismissed reports that he favoured a change in the tax regime for foreign companies. Abela said that it would be ‘suicidal’ for…

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IIP applicants decrease by almost 6%: The Headlines – The Malta Business Weekly

The Malta Business Weekly reports that applications for Malta’s Individual Investor Programme fell by almost six percent between July 2018 and June 2019, compared to the previous year. The Malta…

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Giovanni Bonello questions new system to appoint Police Commissioner: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent speaks to former ECHR Judge Giovanni Bonello about the new system to appoint a Police Commissioner. He said that the ‘bottom line remains the same’, with the power…

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Airport seeking guidelines on Coronavirus: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont says that the Malta International Airport management will abide by guidelines issued by health authorities on the Coronavirus. Nine people have died so far in China with the virus…

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Dar Tgħanniqa t’Omm opens in Mosta: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon reports the opening of Dar Tgħanniqa t’Omm in Mosta, welcoming pregnant women going through challenging times. PN Leader Adrian Delia was present for the inauguration and thanked volunteers for…

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New system to appoint Police Commissioner launched: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today says that the Cabinet approved a new method for selecting the Police Commissioner. A public call will be issued, and candidates will face a grilling in parliament, in…

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Malta downgraded for the first time in the Democracy Index: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reports on the results in the Democracy Index and says that Malta is the only one among 167 countries to drop from a ‘full democracy’ to a ‘flawed…

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NGOs praise Aaron Farrugia’s proposal for transparency register: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent reports that several organisations have voiced their support for a transparency register proposed by Environment and Planning Minister Aaron Farrugia, promising to log meetings with lobbyists. A second…

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Anton Refalo takes oath of office: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont reports on the oath of office of Anton Refalo as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights. The new Minister said that the sector is very important to Malta…

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PN insists on two-thirds vote for new Police Commissioner: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon quotes the PN’s reaction to the new selection process for Police Commissioner arguing that the choice will still rest in the hands of the Prime Minister. The party criticised…

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Minister for Gozo steps down: The Headlines – The Times

The Times leads with the resignation of Gozo Minister Justyne Caruana following reports that her husband, former Deputy Police Commissioner Silvio Valletta, kept a friendly relationship with Yorgen Fenech after…

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Former FIAU chief hints at government interference: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent follows the testimony of former FIAU director Manfred Galdes before the Caruana Galizia public inquiry board. He said that there had been ‘indirect influence’ by the government in…

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Prime Minister says government follows high ethical standards: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that the resignation of Justyne Caruana on Monday sends a ‘clear and concrete signal’ of the ethical level expected by the government.…

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Opposition files bill on choice of Police Commissioner: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon reports that the opposition submitted a bill in parliament proposing changes in the method of appointment of the Police Commissioner. The bill recommends that nominations are approved by a…

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Government has plan for police corps reform: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that the government has a vision for the police reform, including the method to appoint the Commissioner. He warned, however, that the…

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Silvio Valletta filmed by Yorgen Fenech: The Headlines – The Times

The Times reveals that investigators found a video of former Deputy Police Commissioner Silvio Valletta on Yorgen Fenech’s phone. Valletta was ‘fooling around’ pretending to be driving the businessman’s Rolls…

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PD MPs file motion on e-scooter legislation: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent reports that PD MPs Godfrey Farrugia and Marlene Farrugia have filed a parliamentary motion to revise the legal notice governing e-kickscooters issued in December. They argue that that…

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Adrian Delia urges Prime Minister to act on Silvio Valletta revelations: The Headlines – In-Nazzjom

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Adrian Delia who said that this is the moment of truth for Robert Abela, following revelations that the husband of Gozo Minister Justine Caruana was on…

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Ministers say Muscat should have resigned earlier: The Headlines – Malta Today

Malta Today speaks to an unnamed senior PL MP who said that Cabinet ministers felt ‘used and deceived’ by Joseph Muscat when revelations about Keith Schembri came out in November.…

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Deputy Police Commissioner took holiday with Yorgen Fenech: The Headline – The Times

The Sunday Times reveals that former deputy Police Commissioner Silvio Valletta went away on holiday with Yorgen Fenech in September 2018, when the businessman had already been identified as a…

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Planning Minister to register all meetings with lobbyists: The Headlines – The Independent on Sunday

The Independent on Sunday says that the new Minister for the Environment and Planning Aaron Farrugia vowed to publish all meetings he holds with stakeholders in the Transparency Register. He…

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Justine Caruana resisted Education Ministry: The Headlines – Illum

Illum claims that new Prime Minister Robert Abela wanted to hand Justyne Caruana the education portfolio in his Cabinet but accepted to keep her as Minister for Gozo after ‘long…

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Neil Harrison touted as new Police Commissioner: The Headlines – It-Torċa

It-Torċa claims that Neil Harrison has been consistently named as a possible new Police Commissioner. Harrison served as Assistant Commissioner and led the anti-drug trafficking squad. The paper also carries…

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Opinion leaders impressed by new Prime Minister: The Headlines – Kullħadd

Kullħadd speaks to academics and political commentators about the first week in office of the new Prime Minister. The paper says that they were impressed by the ‘strong start’ to…

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Opposition Leader calls for two-thirds vote on Police Commissioner: The Headlines – Il-Mument

Il-Mument quotes Opposition Leader Adrian Delia who said that the new Police Commissioner should be appointed by a two-thirds majority in parliament to ‘rebuild trust’ in the police corps. Your…

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Police Commissioner resigns: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent reports that Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar resigned on Friday. Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri accepted the resignation and Carmelo Magri is temporarily replacing Cutajar as Acting Police Commissioner.…

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Prime Minister hints at police corps reform: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont says that the government welcomes the resignation of Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar and quotes the Prime Minister who said that this is the beginning of a wider reform that…

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Cabinet to discuss new method for appointment of Police Commissioners: The Headlines – The Times

The Times quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that the Cabinet will next week discuss a ‘transparent and serious’ proposal on how Police Commissioners are elected. Meanwhile, Abela said…

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David Gatt denies involvement in the Caruana Galizia murder: The Headlines – The Times

The Times speaks to criminal lawyer David Gatt after a leaked letter allegedly authored by Keith Schembri accused him of coordinating the Caruana Galizia murder for then Economy Minister Chris…

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Teachers welcome new Education Minister Owen Bonnici: The Headlines – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont reports that the unions representing teachers have both welcomed the appointment of Owen Bonnici as Education Minister. The MUT and the UPE agreed that the government needs to address…

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David Thake eyeing Simon Busuttil’s seat: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent speaks to David Thake who confirmed that he will contest the by-election for the parliamentary seat that will be vacated by Simon Busuttil. Thake noted that the PN…

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State broadcaster now falls under Prime Minister’s office: The Headlines – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon reports that the Public Broadcasting Services will now fall under the responsibility of Minister Carmelo Abela who will be posted at the OPM. The paper says that the new…

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New Economy Minister relishes Air Malta challenge: The Headlines – Business Today

Business Today speaks to new Economy Minister Silvio Schembri about his new responsibilities, including Air Malta. Schembri said that he is looking forward to meeting the challenge of the national…

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UK-based company obtains MGA licence: The Headlines – The Malta Business Weekly

The Malta Business Weekly reports that UK software company 1X2 Network has obtained a B2B supplier licence from the Malta Gaming Authority, in line with its strategy to establish itself…

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No clues yet on the future of the Police Commissioner: The Headlines – The Independent

The Independent says that Robert Abela has not given any indication as to whether he will retain or remove the current Police Commissioner and Attorney General. He said, however, that…

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Robert Abela presents new Cabinet after reshuffle: The Headlines – The Times

The Times covers the unveiling of a new Cabinet of 17 ministers and eight parliamentary secretaries. Among the new faces, Byron Camilleri was appointed Home Affairs Minister and Silvio Schembri…

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