CDE News

Malta: Robert Abela says PL ready to govern for years to come – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont reports on a PL political rally on Monday addressed by Prime Minister Robert Abela. He described the party as the only political force capable of renewing the country in…

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Malta: Bernard Grech addresses Independence Day event

In-Nazzjon features parts of a speech by PN Leader Bernard Grech during the Independence Day celebration in Floriana on Monday. He urged the public to unite as fellow Maltese and…

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Malta: Prime Minister hints at plans for metro project

The Times leads with an announcement by the Prime Minister that the government wants to start a national discussion about a metro system in Malta. He said that the country…

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Malta: PN Leader criticises Labour Party’s methods

In-Nazzjon follows an interview with PN Leader Bernard Grech by One News reporter Colin Deguara on Sunday. Grech criticised the Labour Party’s tactics and said the party knows the price…

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Malta: Plans to extend pharmacy opening hours on Sundays

L-Orizzont quotes Health Minister Chris Fearne that the government is conducting a consultation to keep pharmacies on the Sunday roster open all day, not just in the morning. He said…

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Surge in Covid-19 infections among the elderly

The Times reports that the rate of Covid-19 infections among elderly people stood at 235 per 100,000 in the last 14 days, rising higher than that in younger age groups…

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Malta: Local Councils want to end door-to-door waste collection

The Independent says that the local councils’ association is proposing a gradual shift to point-based waste collection. Association president Mario Fava said that the current system of door-to-door collection creates…

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Malta: PN hints at education reform proposals

Il-Mument quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech that the party is soon launching proposals for the education sector. Grech said the policies include a reform of the salaries and conditions for…

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Malta: Father of suicidal inmate to initiate legal procedures

The Sunday Times says that the father of a woman who died after attempting suicide in her prison cell is expected to take legal steps against Corradino Correctional Facilities. Martin…

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Malta: Roads agency awarded over €40 million in direct orders in 30 months

The Independent on Sunday says that Infrastructure Malta has awarded nearly €42 million in direct orders in two and a half years. A spokesperson for the agency said direct orders…

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Malta: Robert Abela opens 20-point lead in trust ratings

It-Torċa publishes survey results showing that the Prime Minister enjoys a trust rating of 52 per cent, 20 percentage points more than the Opposition Leader. Robert Abela gained 1.2 points…

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Malta: Dramatic decline in lampuki catches this season

Malta Today says that lampuki catches have fallen drastically this year, raising prices per kilogram by almost a third. A fisherman said the industry normally delivers more than 1,000 crates…

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Malta: Nearly all young adults feel there is too much development

Illum publishes survey results showing that 85 per cent of people believe that there is too much development going on. The sentiment was shared among all age groups, but it…

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Malta: Top unionist says policy should seek careers not jobs

L-Orizzont follows a speech by General Workers Union secretary-general Josef Bugeja who urged policymakers to focus on the creation of careers, rather than jobs. Bugeja said that the pandemic has…

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Malta: Prime Minister says PL ready to mend ways

The Independent quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela that the Labour Party will address mistakes made in the last years. Speaking at a PL event on Friday, Abela said that the…

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Malta: PN announces national conference on the environment

In-Nazzjon says that the PN will hold a national conference on the environment on September 29. Party leader Bernard Grech said that environmental issues must be at the top of…

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Malta: Keith Schembri’s wife charged with money laundering

The Times reports that businesswoman Josette Schembri Vella has been charged with money laundering offences arising from transactions between 2008 and 2020. The 45-year-old is the wife of former chief…

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Malta: PN proposes changes to VAT exemption rules for businesses

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech that a Nationalist government would raise the VAT exemption ceiling to €60,000. Grech said that thousands of businesses are exceeding the current €30,000 limit…

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Malta: Government to issue tax refund cheques

L-Orizzont says that the public will start receiving cheques from today as part of a tax refund scheme. Announcing the exercise, the Prime Minister said that more than 250,000 people…

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Malta: Inmate who attempted suicide had broken ribs

The Times speaks with the father of the 29-year-old inmate who died in July after attempting suicide in her cell. He said that the young woman suffered abuse and bullying…

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Malta: EU Commission chief calls for end to passport programme

The Independent quotes the President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, that Malta’s passport-selling scheme must be scrapped. She raised concerns about the effects on other EU members…

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Malta: More than nine in ten persons fully vaccinated

L-Orizzont says that 91 per cent of the eligible population is fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as a programme for booster jabs is underway in nursing homes. Health Minister Chris Fearne…

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Malta: Visit by Pope Francis expected in first week of December

In-Nazzjon says that Pope Francis is expected to visit Malta on December 4 and 5, following a two-day trip to Cyprus. The church in Malta has not yet confirmed the…

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Malta: Restaurants can relax rules on certain conditions

The Times quotes Health Minister Chris Fearne that catering establishments will be allowed to relax certain Covid-19 restrictions such as opening hours and distance between tables if they limit the…

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Malta: Public Life Commissioner sets out two-year plan

The Independent says that the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life launched a two-year project to raise the quality of administration. The initiative includes reviewing the code of ethics for…

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Malta: Internet speeds among world’s top performers

Business Today quotes an international study that places broadband speed in Malta as the 21st-fastest in the world, ahead of other EU members such as Germany and Italy. Jersey ranks…

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Malta: Maritime sector urges exploration of untapped potential

The Malta Business Weekly speaks with the CEO of the Malta Maritime Forum, Kevin J. Borg, who said that the sector is not given enough attention by policymakers. The body…

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Malta: Budget to give priority to the environment and pensioners

L-Orizzont leads with the opening of the pre-budget consultation period by the government. Speaking at the launch, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana said that the 2022 Budget prioritises the environment and…

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Malta: At least €120 million lost to VAT evasion every year

The Times says that the government plans to target tax evaders in the upcoming budget. Conservative estimates by the Finance Ministry calculate that the country loses between €120 and €150…

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Malta: PN pledges parliamentary scrutiny on ODZ applications

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech promising to introduce laws requiring a two-thirds majority in parliament before any development of ODZ land is approved. The party said that the environment…

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Malta: Transport Minister says PL holds firm on Gozo tunnel

The Independent asks Transport Minister Ian Borg whether he would consider a referendum on the proposed Gozo-Malta tunnel. He said that the PL stands by its promise to develop the…

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Malta: New quarantine requirements to be unveiled today

Malta Today says that changes to travel restrictions and quarantine requirements are expected to be announced today. Health Minister Chris Fearne said that the current regime has been reviewed in…

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Malta: Public approval of Covid-19 management eclipses EU average

L-Orizzont quotes the latest Eurobarometer survey findings showing that 69 per cent of people in Malta approve of the Covid-19 measures adopted by the government. The average rate in the…

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Malta: PN pledges free cancer treatment in EU hospitals

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech that new a new government led by him would fund all cancer treatment given at EU hospitals outside of Malta. Grech said that patients…

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Malta: President visits Daphne Caruana Galizia murder site

The Independent reports that President George Vella visited the site of Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination in Bidnija, laying a wreath and condemning the killing. The Office of the President said…

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Malta: International consortium shortlisted for Gozo tunnel project

The Times says that Infrastructure Malta has shortlisted the sole bidder that made it through the initial tendering process of the Gozo-Malta tunnel project. The international consortium was one of…

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Malta: PN calls for investment in Gozo Channel fleet

In-Nazzjon says that the PN is proposing two new vessels for Gozo Channel, one of which is to be used exclusively for cargo shipments. In a statement, the party said…

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Malta: Former prison employee says support services are underreported

L-Orizzont speaks with a former employee at Corradino Correctional Facility who said that news reports give prominence to suicide attempts in prison but do not report on support offered to…

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Malta: Campaign raises awareness about suicide

The Independent says that a suicide awareness campaign was launched by Crisis Resolution Malta in collaboration with Transport Malta. The non-profit organisation said it received four requests for assistance within…

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Malta: Roberta Metsola considering EP Presidency

The Times says that MEP Roberta Metsola is assessing support for a potential bid for President of the European Parliament. She currently serves as First Vice President and the current…

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Malta: Notarial Council seeking greater assurance for public

The Malta Business Weekly publishes an interview with the president of the Notarial Council, Clinton Bellizzi, who said that the body is holding talks with the state advocate to increase…

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Malta: Corinthia withdraws from Dubai project

Business Today reveals that Corinthia has pulled out of a luxury hotel project in Dubai after its partner sold its interest to another investor. The development in Meydan Beach would…

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Malta: School activities permissible with some restrictions

The Times says that classroom activities including fieldwork, physical education, and lessons in science labs will be permissible with certain restrictions from the new scholastic year. Parents and guardians will…

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Malta: PN says school protocols long overdue but ease concerns

In-Nazzjon says that the Nationalist Party welcomes new protocols for schools announced by the government on Tuesday. PN spokesperson for Education Clyde Puli said the delay in guidelines was creating…

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Malta: Yorgen Fenech to answer money-laundering charges

The Independent says that Yorgen Fenech has been indicted on money laundering charges after the court found sufficient prima facie evidence. The businessman’s uncle, Ray Fenech, and business associate, Nicholas…

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Malta: Special safety recommendations for kindergarten teachers and LSEs

L-Orizzont says that education authorities are recommending that kindergarten teachers and LSEs wear both a facemask and a visor in class when schools reopen at the end of the month.…

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Malta: Facemask rule in schools remains in place

Malta Today says that a decision by the Education Ministry to require facemasks in schools was taken to avoid discriminating between vaccinated and unvaccinated persons. Almost three-fourths of children aged…

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Malta: PN expresses concern about de-scaling by businesses

In-Nazzjon follows a PN press conference which said that at least 24 companies ceased operations in Malta have renounced the Maltese license since the FATF grey-listing. The party called for…

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Malta: Money-laundering case against Yorgen Fenech begins

The Independent reports on the hearing of a money-laundering case brought against Yorgen Fenech. The prosecution presented chat exchanges between the businessman and his associates, discussing transfer of monies. Read…

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Malta: Former EU Commissioner to face charges

The Times leads with the criminal charges filed against former EU Commissioner John Dalli over allegations that his aide at the time requested a €60 million bribe from a Swedish…

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Malta: Fewer people sought shelter at Dar il-Hena in 2020

L-Orizzont quotes a report by Dar il-Hena foundation indicating that the number of persons who stayed at its shelters decreased by almost two-thirds during 2020, compared with the previous year. …

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Malta: Mayor pleads with MPs to grant bay protection status

The Independent says that the mayor of Qala, Paul Buttigieg, is seeking parliamentary intervention for Ħondoq ir-Rummien Bay, insisting that the location should be granted public domain status to protect…

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Malta: PN proposes 400-bed hospital in Gozo

In-Nazzjon says that the PN is proposing a new 400-bed hospital in Gozo. The party said the facility is part of a range of investments in the island’s healthcare system…

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Malta: Commissioner for Persons with Disability endorses home-loan guarantee scheme

L-Orizzont speaks with the Commissioner for Persons with Disability, Samantha Pace, about the New Hope Scheme offering guarantees for persons with health conditions seeking home loans. Pace welcomed the initiative…

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Malta: Company associated with PL offered consultancy services to Yorgen Fenech

The Times reveals that B.E.D. Limited, a company linked with the Labour Party, has invoiced Tumas Group at least twice in 2018. A draft three-year agreement for consultancy services was…

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Malta: Bernard Grech decries Marsascala marina plans

Il-Mument quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech denouncing a yacht marina project in Marsascala during an event in the town. He said that the proposed plans are unacceptable and called for…

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Malta: GWU rebuffs criticism by educators’ union

It-Torċa speaks with a representative of the education section within the General Workers Union who called on teachers’ unions to work together. His comments follow criticism by the Union of…

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