Morning News

Malta: Bernard Grech makes maiden speech in parliament

In-Nazzjon quotes Opposition Leader Bernard Grech in his first speech in parliament on Tuesday. Grech expressed concern about the rising number of Covid-19 cases and said that the country cannot…

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Malta: A quarter of investors find country no longer attractive

The Independent reports that Malta registered a drop of 15 percentage points in Foreign Direct Investment attractiveness from last year. An annual EY survey shows that 25 percent of investors…

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Malta: Coronavirus vaccine expected in three months

L-Orizzont reports on a statement by Health Minister Chris Fearne who said that the first Covid-19 vaccines are expected to arrive in January. The minister said that rapid testing kits…

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Malta: EC takes formal steps against golden passports

The Times says that the European Commission will start infringement procedures against Malta and Cyprus over their respective cash for passports schemes. EC Vice-President Marcos Sefcovic said the Commission has…

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Malta: Opposition Leader expected more from the Budget

In-Nazzjon quotes Opposition Leader Bernard Grech in his first reaction to the 2021 Budget. Grech said that the measures announced by the Finance Minister do not look ahead and that…

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Malta: Ban on imports of single-use plastics from January

The Independent says that imports of single-use plastics will be banned from 1 January, one of the 2021 budget measures. The paper says Monday’s budget will guide the country through…

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Malta: COLA increased to €1.75

L-Orizzont follows the Budget speech and highlights a cost of living adjustment of €1.75 and the extension of the Covid-19 wage supplement until March. The Finance Minister announced compensation for…

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Malta: Raise in children’s allowance and pensions

Malta Today covers social measures announced in the budget on Monday, including a raise in pensions and higher children’s allowance. The paper says that Prime Minister Abela's first budget is…

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Malta: Bernard Grech urges investment in Green Economy

In-Nazzjon covers an TV interview with PN Leader Bernard Grech who said the party is planning for a more diverse and high-quality economy. Grech said he wants to move away…

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Malta: PM indicates stronger direct incentives in 2021 Budget

The Times quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that today’s Budget includes measures that will leave some €100 million in people’s pockets. He said that the amount will be…

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Malta: ELT downturn could wipe €88M off the economy

The Independent quotes a Deloitte report which projects that an optimistic 30 percent decrease in English Language student arrivals this year would translate into a loss of €88 million to…

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Malta: Lowest unemployment rate among eurozone states

L-Orizzont quotes a report by the International Monetary Fund which finds that Malta has the lowest rate of unemployment in the euro area and predicts that the country’s economy will…

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Malta: Second PL MEP touted to become House Representative

Il-Mument claims that Prime Minister Robert Abela is seeking to co-opt MEP Josianne Cutajar to the House, following the appointment of fellow MEP Miriam Dalli and chief of staff Clyde…

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Malta: Former sex traffic victim warns about decriminalisation of prostitution

The Independent on Sunday speaks to Rachel Moran, a victim of sex trafficking and prostitution, who said that decriminalisation of sex work without the necessary controls would be disastrous for…

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Malta: Five percent increase in GDP

Kullħadd says that GDP grew by five percent in the last six months, stimulated by the government’s financial package. The paper says the economy in Malta outpaced the EU average…

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Malta: ITU situation leading to cancellation of 50 operations daily

Illum quotes nurses’ union president Paul Pace who said that around 50 operations are being cancelled every day to keep up with the demand of the ITU. Nurses are being…

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Malta: Abela leads Grech by 28 points in trust ratings

It-Torċa leads with survey findings showing a 28.8 point gap in trust rating between the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader. Robert Abela enjoys a trust rating of 52.9 percent…

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Bomb suppliers attempted to buy Caruana Galizia hitman’s silence

The Sunday Times reveals that the suspected suppliers of the bomb used in Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder have offered one of the hitmen €1,500 a month after they learnt he…

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Malta: Caruana Galizia murder suspect named bomb suppliers

Malta Today claims that murder suspect Vincent Muscat told the police that the bomb used in the Caruana Galizia plot was supplied by Jamie Vela and Robert Agius who gave…

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Malta: Electrogas investors helped themselves to success bonuses

The Times reveals that Electrogas shareholders used government-guaranteed loans to pay themselves ‘success and development’ fees. Yorgen Fenech was paid €2.5 million for his work on the power station project.…

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Malta: New rules make masks mandatory out of home

The Independent reports on new coronavirus measures requiring masks to be worn at all times outside of home, including at places of work. Police officers will start issuing fines to…

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Malta: PN sets up pandemic task force

In-Nazzjon reports an announcement by PN Leader Bernard Grech that he is setting up a Covid-19 Action Team to assess the situation and make recommendations. Grech said the team will…

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Malta: PM promises new measures to support jobs

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who admitted that Covid-19 cases have increased but said that the situation is under control. Abela announced that the government will introduce a new…

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Malta: Europol warned local investigators about Caruana Galizia case

The Times claims that Europol threatened to pull out of the Caruana Galizia murder investigation last year unless action was taken against Melvin Theuma. Investigators in Malta were hesitant to…

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Malta: Voucher scheme generated €52 million

The Independent quotes Economy Minister Silvio Schembri who said that the Covid-19 voucher scheme produced a €52.6 million injection in the economy. Over 80 percent of the vouchers were redeemed…

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Malta: Law enforcement carrying out hundreds of inspections weekly

L-Orizzont quotes Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri who said that officers are conducting hundreds of inspections every week to enforce Covid-19 measures. He appealed for more responsibility and discipline to…

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Malta: Record number of active Covid-19 cases

In-Nazzjon reports that the number of active cases on Thursday soared to 1,009, the highest since the start of the pandemic. A record number of 112 new cases were registered…

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Malta: Budget to include reward scheme for private investment

Business Today quotes government sources who reveal that the budget on Monday will include fiscal advantages and grants for businesses that invest their capital. Meanwhile, discussions on VAT reductions are…

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Malta: Administrator to be appointed for Keith Schembri’s companies

L-Orizzont says that a court ruling will appoint an administrator to control the companies owned by Keith Schembri. The decision by Justice Lawrence Mintoff came after the former chief of…

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Malta: Nine in ten want voucher scheme re-run

The Independent says that a national survey finds that 85 percent of people believe that the Covid-19 voucher scheme helped the economy while 96 percent want the system to be…

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Malta: Daily number of Covid-19 cases hits new record

The Malta Business Weekly reports that 111 Covid-19 cases were registered on Wednesday, the highest number in a single day since the start of the pandemic. At 940, the number…

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Malta: Man changes murder plea to guilty

The Times says a man pleaded guilty of killing his colleague and former girlfriend Shannon Mak in Santa Venera in 2018. Dutchman Jelle Rijpma changed his plea after repeatedly denying…

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Malta: Opposition moves for power station public inquiry

In-Nazzjon reports that the Opposition filed a motion in the House asking for a public inquiry into the Electrogas deal. The motion was presented by Opposition Leader Bernard Grech who…

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Malta: Bernard Grech discusses tourism with MHRA

In-Nazzjon reports on a meeting between PN Leader Bernard Grech and the Hotels and Restaurants Association. Grech said that operators in the tourism sector should not bear the brunt of…

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Malta: Justice Minister open to extending arrest limit

L-Orizzont quotes Justice Minister Edward Zammit Lewis who said that the government is considering extending the arrest limit during police interrogations. The paper carries an interview with the wife of…

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Malta: Miriam Dalli agrees to parliament co-option

Malta Today says that MEP Miriam Dalli has accepted to be co-opted to parliament after election candidates failed to submit their nominations to fill the seat vacated by Joseph Muscat.…

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Malta: Adrian Delia turns down shadow cabinet offer

The Times says that Adrian Delia has rejected the PN leader’s offer to join the shadow cabinet. Sources told the paper that discussions between the former leader and Bernard Grech…

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Malta: BirdLife appeals against trapping season

The Independent speaks to Birdlife Malta CEO Mark Sultana who warned against opening the trapping season for protected songbirds, which he said will roll back environmental results achieved in the…

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Malta: PN Leader meets KSU

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who said that students deserve the best quality of education from the primary to the tertiary level. Grech was meeting representatives from the University…

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Malta: Quarantine could be shortened to one week

L-Orizzont quotes Health Minister Chris Fearne who said that new evidence suggests that quarantine may be reduced from 14 days to seven day in certain cases. The minister said Malta…

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Malta: MUMN retracts directives

The Independent reports that the nurses’ union has withdrawn all directives after declaring that its demands over benefits were met. On Saturday, the union instructed members not to administer the…

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Malta: Final report submitted to Moneyval

The Times reveals that Malta sent its final report to the Council of Europe’s Moneyval last week. The body will assess the changes implemented since the last test and give…

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Malta: Accountants body acting against rogue professionals

The Times quotes the president of the Malta Institute of Accountants who said that the organisation is doubling down on members involved in inappropriate professional conduct and following up investigations…

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Malta: Unease in the logistics sector over Brexit plans

L-Orizzont says that logistics companies are concerned about plans by the British government to set up new verification centres for goods coming in and out of the country. Drivers will…

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Malta: Bernard Grech slams government’s economic vision

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who discussed the party’s pre-budget document in a TV interview. Grech said that the government had no economic plan other than making the few…

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Malta: PM rejects calls to close airport

The Independent follows a political event by the PL and quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that the government is not planning to close the airport. Abela said that…

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Malta: Trust gap between party leaders narrows down

Malta Today publishes results of the first trust rating survey since Bernard Grech was elected Opposition Leader. Grech enjoys a 30.9 percent rating while Robert Abela’s ratings stand at 46.6…

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Malta: Plans for new facility to combat organised crime

It-Torċa announces that plans are underway to build a new state-of-the-art facility for the confiscation of assets and fight organised crime. Works on the building in Ħal Far will start…

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Malta: Union instructs nurses to withhold flu vaccinations

The Sunday Times reports that nurses have been directed by their union not to administer the flu vaccine amid a dispute with the government over allowances and extra leave. Health…

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Malta: August results show signs of economic recovery

Kullħadd says that Malta’s economy registered positive results for the thirds consecutive months in August with lower unemployment, higher reported sales, and more bank deposits. The paper says the government’s…

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Malta: Bernard Grech set out vision for PN

Il-Mument quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who said that new courage and energy will make the party the choice of the electorate again. Grech speaks about his vision to strengthen…

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Malta: Chamber of Advocates encouraged by reduction in court delays

The Independent on Sunday speaks to the president of the Chamber of Advocates, Louis de Gabriele who said that court delays have been reduced, but there is still more to…

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Malta: Jason Micallef appeals for less restrictions in Valletta

Illum speaks to Valletta Cultural Agency chairperson Jason Azzopardi who warned that the business community in the capital city will go belly up if authorities keep rejecting initiatives for events…

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Malta: NGOs denounce government’s deal with hunters

The Times reports that eight NGOs have filed court action against the government agreement handing the Miżieb and Aħrax woodland areas to the hunters’ lobby. The signing ceremony, originally planned…

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Malta: GWU meets PM to discuss budget proposals

L-Orizzont reports on a meeting between the Prime Minister and the General Workers Union, ahead of the budget. GWU secretary general said that the balance between the economy and health…

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Malta: PN launches pre-budget document

In-Nazzjon leads with the presentation of the pre-budget document by the Nationalist Party. Party leader Bernard Grech said that the pandemic presents an opportunity for the country to revisit its…

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Malta: Former police minister says he could not order Panama Papers investigation

The Independent follows the testimony of OPM Minister Carmelo Abela before the Caruana Galizia public inquiry on Friday. He said that it was not his role to order an investigation…

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