Morning News

Malta: Debarred PN candidate submits nomination for MP seat

Malta Today leads with Ryan Mercieca’s nomination to fill the vacant PN parliamentary seat in the 13th District, despite the party disassociating itself with him. The PN took the decision…

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Malta: New investment in niche industry

L-Orizzont quotes Economy Minister Silvio Schembri who announced new investment by companies in the drones industry. Schembri said that drones are a new growing niche within the wider aviation industry.…

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Malta: Record number of new Covid-19 cases in 24 hours

The Independent says that the daily number of new Covid-19 cases reached a record of 218 on Monday, surpassing the 204 cases registered on 17 October. Authorities said that a…

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Malta: Joseph Muscat dismisses reports on relocation plans

L-Orizzont speaks to former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat about reports that he is planning to relocate his family to the UAE. Muscat denied the rumours and said that the ‘speculations’…

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Malta: Silvio Valletta saw no harm in travelling with Yorgen Fenech

The Times reports on the Caruana Galizia public inquiry on Monday during which former Police Assistant Commissioner Silvio Valletta confirmed that he had travelled with businessman Yorgen Fenech but did…

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Malta: Police Assistant Commissioner felt obliged to answer to Keith Schembri

In-Nazzjon follows the testimony of former Police Assistant Commissioner Silvio Valletta who said that chief of staff Keith Schembri used to call him for information about his work, and he…

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Malta: PN leader calls for widespread Covid-19 rapid testing

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who criticised the government for its ‘indifference’ in the face of the pandemic. Grech insisted on rapid testing across all testing centres, not just…

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Malta: SME Chamber demands help for closed-down businesses

The Independent publishes an interview with SME Chamber CEO Abigail Mamo as bars and clubs begin a 30-day shutdown period until the end of November. Mamo said that a month…

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Malta: Cuschieri was a witness in a casino case when he holidayed with Fenech

The Times says that suspended MFSA chief Joseph Cuschieri had travelled to Las Vegas with Yorgen Fenech while he was a witness in a lawsuit against the businessman’s casino business…

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Malta: PM against regulators holding positions in the private sector

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who declared that he disagrees with persons heading regulatory authorities who also operate in the private sector. He said that he will give directions…

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Malta: Suspected hitman alleges criminal involvement of senior politician in HSBC bank heist in 2010

The Sunday Times says that one of the suspected hitmen in the Caruana Galizia assassination is claiming that a former high-ranking PL politician was involved in the 2010 HSBC bank…

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Malta: Enemalta left with €400,000 hole after failed project

Malta Today reports that Enemalta has been left with €400,000 in unpaid bills by a video streaming company that set up shop in Malta in 2017 before disappearing. The paper…

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Malta: Joseph Cuschieri sits on ECB supervisory board

The Independent on Sunday says that suspended MFSA CEO Joseph Cuschieri is a representative of Malta on the European Central Bank’s supervisory board. Asked about any actions against him, a…

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Malta: Covid-19 test not administered on all arrivals

Il-Mument says that the Covid-19 rapid swab test is not being conducted on every arriving passenger at the airport. The paper says that, meanwhile, inmates in quarantine at the Gozo…

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Malta: Immigrant population at around 3,500 in centres

Kullħadd says that there are currently around 3,500 immigrants in Malta held at detention centres and other five open centres. The paper says despite a low number of arrivals this…

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Malta: UN proposals on children’s rights become the law

Illum says that Malta is transposing into law proposals by the UN convention about the rights of children. The recommendations, which were ratified in 1990, cover rights related to change…

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Malta: Two-thirds of people who lost their jobs this year back in employment

It-Torċa reports the 60 percent of people who lost their jobs in March have found new employment and that Eurostat figures for September show that Malta registered the lowest rate…

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Malta: MFSA CEO and general counsel suspend themselves

The Times leads with the self-suspension of financial services authority CEO Joseph Cuschieri and general counsel Edwina Licari following news that they travelled to Las Vegas in 2018 in a…

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Malta: PN lashes out at PM’s defence of MFSA chief

In-Nazzjon quotes a PN statement calling for Prime Minister Robert Abela to shoulder responsibility for defending suspended MFSA CEO Joseph Cuschieri a day after revelations about his trip to Las…

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Malta: Covid-19 casualties rise to 61

The Independent reports on the death of a 68-year-old man on Friday who was infected with Covid-19. The man is the 61st victim of the disease and tested positive on…

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Malta: Girl scurried out of country tracked down in Germany

L-Orizzont reports that a girl in foster care who was taken out of Malta by her mother has been tracked down in Germany after a joint operation with Europol. The…

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Malta: OPM official joined LA trip paid for by Yorgen Fenech

The Times reveals that former OPM official Charlene Bianco Farrugia joined a trip to Las Vegas funded by businessman Yorgen Fenech in 2018. The travelling party included financial services authority…

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Malta: Government joins appeal case again EU trucking directive

L-Orizzont says that Malta has filed a joint appeal with six other EU members before the European Court of Justice against a new directive regulating conditions for truck drivers. MEP…

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Malta: Gozitan cardinal-elect promises simplicity after elevation

The Independent publishes an interview with cardinal-elect Mario Grech who said he was surprised to be named for the rank in the Church. Fr Grech said that he wants to…

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Malta: Covid-19 victims rise to 60

In-Nazzjon says that the number of Covid-19 casualties rose to 60 on Thursday after three more patients died from the virus. There are currently 1,937 active cases as consultants urge…

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Malta: French bankers ordered to appear in Maltese court

The Malta Business Weekly reports that the CEO and the Chairman of French bank BNP Paribas have been ordered to appear before a Maltese court in a case filed by…

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Malta: Panama Papers investigation making progress

The Independent quotes Economic Crimes Unit head Alexandra Mamo who said that a judicial probe into the Panama Papers is at a ‘crucial stage’. Mamo was testifying before the Caruana…

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Malta: Bars want revision of Covid-19 regulations

Business Today says that bar owners are hoping for the government to reconsider its decision to close down clubs and bars. They say that the new Covid-19 measures are ‘discriminatory’…

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Malta: PN calls for sacking of MFSA chief

In-Nazzjon quotes a statement by the Nationalist Party demanding the sacking of the head of the Finances Services Authority, Joseph Cuschieri, after it emerged that he had accepted a holiday…

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Malta: First Covid-19 rapid-testing centre opens

L-Orizzont reports that a the first Covid-19 rapid testing centre was inaugurated in Floriana yesterday after Malta received its first 20,000 kits for the purpose. Another centre is expected to…

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Malta: ITU consultants concerned about volume of cases

The Times says that consultants at the intensive care unit have spoken out for the first time about the pressures of the pandemic, warning political leaders that the system is…

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Malta: Fire at Marsa WasteServ plant

The Independent reports on a fire that broke out at a WasteServ facility in Marsa on Tuesday morning. There were no injuries, but the Civil Protection Department warned people in…

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Malta: Lawyer demands PM recusal on client’s pardon decision

Malta Today speaks to Vincent Muscat’s lawyer who said that the Prime Minister should recuse himself on the pardon request by his client after it emerged that Abela was the…

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Malta: Covid-19 victims climb to 55

In-Nazzjon says that an 80-year-old woman and a 70-year-old man died of Covid-19 on Tuesday, raising the number of casualties to 55. Active coronavirus cases on Tuesday stood at more…

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Malta: Finance Minister to step down

The Times reveals that Finance Minister Edward Scicluna will retire from politics in November after seven years. The paper says that newly co-opted MP Clyde Caruana is touted to replace…

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Malta: Government eyeing economic restart in March

L-Orizzont follows the Budget reply by Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that the government is looking at March as the month when the country will leave the pandemic behind…

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Malta: Environment minister downplays incinerator fears

The Independent speaks to Environment Minister Aaron Farrugia who after NGOs criticised plans for a waste incinerator. The minister said that modern waste-to-energy facilities are efficient enough that they can…

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Malta: Opposition Leader calls for new direction for country

In-Nazzjon reports on the Budget response by Opposition Leader Bernard Grech on Monday where he said the country needs to change its direction to overcome the challenges of Covid-19 and…

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Malta: Bars closed in new safety measures

The Times leads with new health measures announced by the government ordering the closure of bars and clubs until the end of November. Snack bars and kiosks may still open…

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Malta: Taxi drivers considering unionisation

L-Orizzont says app-based taxi drivers are approaching the General Workers Union to seek employment protection. Drivers told the union that they do not have a work contract and most of…

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Malta: Pope Francis names Mario Grech Cardinal

The Independent leads with an announcement by Pope Francis naming former Gozo Bishop Mario Grech a cardinal. A ceremony will elevate 13 churchmen to the rank of cardinal at St…

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Malta: PN Leader insists Opposition has duty to criticise government

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who said that the constitutional role of the Opposition is to voice the concerns of all people. Grech will this evening deliver his reply…

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Malta: PM hails ‘principled’ decisions announced in Budget

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who described the Budget as ‘principled’. Abela explained the measures and said that, in a difficult situation, the government chose to increase state support.…

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Malta: Dairy farmers concerned about dwindling demand

The Times says that dairy farmers have been informed by Malta Dairy Products that demand for milk is falling with the disruption of the pandemic and a fifth of their…

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Malta: Covid-19 patients under 50 years in ITU

In-Nazzjon reports that 121 new Covid-19 infections were registered on Friday, raising the number of active cases to 1,775, The paper says that two patients under the age of 50…

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Malta: Joe Gasan says Yorgen Fenech denied 17 Black reports

The Times follows the testimony of businessman Joe Gasan in the Caruana Galizia public inquiry. The Electrogas investor said that Yorgen Fenech had denied reports that he was the owner…

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Malta: Immigration tops EU concerns in Malta

L-Orizzont says that the rate of Covid-19 infections in Malta stands at 320 per 100,000 inhabitants, the ninth-highest in the EU. The paper says that contagion in family clusters is…

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Malta: PM not a fan of public inquiries

The Independent quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who says he is not in favour of public inquiries because they give the message that institutions do not function as they should.…

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Malta: Covid-19 claims two more lives

The Independent reports that new Covid-19 cases have risen to over 100 for nine days in a row. On Thursday, a woman aged 72 and a man aged 82 died…

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Parliament debates Electrogas inquiry motion: The Headline – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon follows a debate in parliament discussing a motion by the Opposition for a public inquiry into the Electrogas power station. Opposition Leader Bernard Grech appealed to government MPs to…

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GWU applauds compensation measure for drydocks workers: The Headline – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont quotes the General Workers Union official responsible for construction and metal, Jesmond Marshall, who welcomed the compensation to former drydock workers announced in the Budget. He said public recognition…

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Malta: MEPs demand outright ban on sale of passports

The Times follows a plenary debate in the European Parliament during which MEPs called for a ban on golden passport schemes in member states and criticised the European Commission for…

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Malta: Developers chief pleased with Budget measures

L-Orizzont speaks to the president of the developers’ association, Sandro Chetcuti, who said that the budget present by the government is a ‘cure’ for the Covid-19 situation. Chetcuti expressed satisfaction…

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Malta: Opposition Leader calls collaboration with EU partners on migration

In-Nazzjon quotes Opposition Leader Bernard Grech who urged the government to adopt a more collaborative approach on migration with EU states. He said that a confrontational attitude will not reap…

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Malta: First volume of flu vaccines depleted

The Independent says that a second batch of influenza vaccines has been ordered by the government after the first batch of 100,000 units has been used up. Health Minister Chris…

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Malta: Passport scheme CEO set to resign

The Times reveals that the CEO of the Individual Investor Programme plans to step down and has applied for a number of positions in the last days since news of…

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Malta: French bankers resist summons by Maltese court

Business Today reports that two senior executives of BNP Paribas bank are opposing a summons in a Maltese court in a lawsuit launched by a Malta-based company. The chairman of…

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