Newspaper Review

Malta: Schools to reopen on Monday

The Times says that the government is set to announce the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions starting with the reopening of schools on Monday. Sources said that Public Health Superintendent Charmaine…

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Malta: Medical Association calls for tourism safety precautions

The Independent publishes the reactions of the president of the Medical Associations to plans by the government to reopen tourism in June. Martin Balzan warned that all visitors must be…

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Malta: Former chief of staff to face trial

In-Nazzjon says that the courts have declared that there is enough evidence for Keith Schembri to face trial over charges of money laundering, fraud, and falsification related to sales of…

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Malta: Government MP laments state of pavements

L-Orizzont speaks to government MP Oliver Scicluna who said that pavements remain a serious challenge for people with mobility disabilities and called for greater enforcement by authorities to clear walkways…

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Malta: Keith Schembri granted bail

The Times says that former chief of staff Keith Schembri and two of his associates are expected to be released from jail today. Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech said that the…

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Malta: Court decision on compilation of evidence against Keith Schembri

In-Nazzjon says that former chief of staff Keith Schembri is expected back in the courts today as a decision will be made on whether there is prima facie evidence against…

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Malta: Two-fifths of adult population vaccinated

L-Orizzont quotes Health Minister Chris Fearne who said that the government will soon begin to ease Covid-19 measures. The minister noted that four in every ten adults have been given…

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Malta: Educator’s union wants schools to reopen next week

The Independent speaks with the president of the Union of Professional Educators, Graham Sansone, who declared his support for the reopening of schools on April 11. Sansone said that the…

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Malta: Police investigating bitcoin transactions by Yorgen Fenech

The Times reveals that the police Counter Terrorist Unit is investigating bitcoin transactions by Yorgen Fenech. The businessman is believed to have traded on a dark web marketplace selling illegal…

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Malta: Economic sentiment rises to pre-pandemic heights

Kullħadd quotes an EU Commission survey which finds that economic sentiment in March reached pre-pandemic levels. Industries and businesses in Malta registered a higher rate of confidence than other member…

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Malta: Young couples struggle with home loan deposit

It-Torċa speaks with young couples about obstacles in becoming homeowners. A man said that the 10 percent deposit requirement for home loans is the greatest challenge faced by most young…

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Malta: Pitkalija halts operations after dead-end in ministry negotiations

Il-Mument speaks to Pitkalija Association president, Jan Bonello, who said that members have been forced to stop their operations after discussions with Agriculture Minister Anton Refalo collapsed. The paper says…

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Malta: Nexia International distances itself from Brian Tonna

The Independent on Sunday asks Nexia International about Brian Tonna’s affiliate company in Malta, Nexia BT. A spokesperson said that the company is no longer a member of the network…

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Malta: Catering establishments to reopen in May

Illum says that the government plans to reopen restaurants and bars towards the beginning of May, giving first priority to schools and retail stores which are scheduled to reopen within…

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Malta: PL gearing up for general election

The Sunday Times says that the Labour Party set up a strategy team led by former OPM spokesperson Kurt Farrugia to start planning the election campaign. No date has been…

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Malta: Macbridge owner had fingers in visa residency scheme

Malta Today reveals that the owner of Macbridge, Cheng Chem, was directing the government on the development of a visa residence programme for individuals who could not apply for the…

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Malta: Three organisations raise concerns over cannabis reform

In-Nazzjon says that Oasi Foundation, Caritas Malta, and the Association of Psychiatrists expressed concerns about the proposals included in the government’s White Paper on reforming laws about the use of…

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Malta: Herd immunity likely by end of summer

The Times says that every person eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine should get at least the first jab by the first week of June with the country on track to…

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Malta: Pharmacists angered by Health Minister’s comments

The Independent quotes a statement by the Chamber of Pharmacists demanding that the Health Minister retract “insulting” comments he made declaring that pharmacists will not be involved in the distribution…

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Malta: Over 200,000 people vaccinated

L-Orizzont reports that more than 200,000 people have been inoculated with the Covdi-19 vaccine while around 55,000 have received both doses. Malta has the highest vaccination rate in the EU.…

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Malta: Bank employees union says lessons must be drawn from Moneyval experience

The Malta Business Weekly takes reactions from business leaders following a positive draft report by Moneyval. The president of the Bank Employees Union, William Portelli, said institutions must learn from…

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Malta: PN Leader calls for national effort to restore reputation

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who said that people want to take their country back from corrupt politicians. In a social media post on Freedom Day, Grech said everyone…

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Malta: Covid-19 measures come into effect

L-Orizzont says that new measures restricting gatherings in public spaces to two people came into effect on Wednesday. The police said on Facebook that they are doing all they can…

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Malta: Degiorgio brothers want pardon in exchange for information on ministers

The Independent says that the lawyer representing the Degiorgio brothers have “direct evidence” of former and sitting Cabinet ministers involved in criminal activity. They are also prepared to reveal a…

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Malta: Request for Adrian Hillman’s extradition issued

The Times reports that authorities in Malta have sent a request to counterparts in Britain to extradite former the managing director of Allied Group Adrian Hillman. The process could take…

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Malta: PN demands taxpayer money back from wind farm project

In-Nazzjon follows a PN press conference calling on government to retrieve taxpayers’ money from the Enemalta investment in the Montenegro wind farm. MP Therese Comodini Cachia said that the Prime…

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Government launches consultation on cannabis use reform

L-Orizzont reports on the launch of a consultation process on recreational drug use. The government is proposing the decriminalisation of up to seven grams of cannabis for the exclusive use…

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Malta: Prime Minister urges police to investigate Macbridge reports

The Times says that Prime Minister Robert Abela called on the Police Commissioner to investigate reported claims that Chen Cheng, the Chinese negotiator in the Enemalta deal, is the owner…

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Malta: Health authorities reject rumours about vaccinations from pharmacies

The Independent speaks to health authorities who dismissed claims that the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine will be administered privately by pharmacists. Some pharmacies are reportedly setting up waiting lists…

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Malta: Tourism to reopen in June

Malta Today says that a plan announced by the Tourism Ministry seeks to attract free, independent travellers to Malta by June. Minister Clayton Bartolo said that tourists will be allowed…

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Malta: Three recoveries for every new Covid-19 infection

L-Orizzont says that there were three times as many recoveries from Covid-19 in the last week than new registered cases. Prime Minister Robert Abela noted the positive results but called…

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Malta: NGO raises alarm over Comino roadworks

The Independent quotes a statement by Friends of the Earth calling out roadworks in Comino’s Blue Lagoon as illegal. The NGO said that the outline application for the works is…

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Malta: Investigators flag payments linked to Keith Schembri

In-Nazzjon follows the police testimony in the case against Keith Schembri on Tuesday. The court heard that company BTI Management Ltd. received payments marked as ‘KS’ or ‘Loft’ as well…

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Malta: Owner of once-secret company Macbridge identified

The Times reveals that secret company Macbridge is owned by Chen Cheng, a Chinese negotiator involved in multi-million projects by Enemalta. The company was listed as a target client by…

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Malta: PN Leader calls to national effort to rebuild country’s reputation

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who expressed his confidence that, with everyone’s contribution, Malta will restore its reputation. He said that the situation requires serious and mature politics. View…

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Malta: Buġibba car bombing case to be reopened after five years

The Times says that investigators are taking a second look at a car bombing case that killed businessman John Camilleri in Buġibba in 2016. State witness Vince Muscat is said…

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Malta: Prime Minister appeals for caution amid pandemic

L-Orizzont quotes Prime Minister Robert Abela who warned against letting the guard down with the Covid-19 situation and called for vigilance as he announced new measures coming to effect over…

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Malta: Group gatherings restricted to two people

The Independent reports that public gatherings will be limited to two people from Wednesday as authorities introduce new measures for public safety. People caught in groups of more than two…

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Malta: Gaming sector raises alarm over country reputation

Il-Mument quotes a statement by the network of igaming companies warning that blows to Malta’s reputation is damaging to the sector. The network urged authorities to serve justice in all…

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Malta: Finance minister tight-lipped on anti-money laundering assessment

Illum says that the government is lobbying the Financial Action Task Force over a report on the anti-money laundering infrastructure in Malta. Finance Minister Clyde Caruana said that it is…

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Malta: New online space for start-ups

It-Torċa announces the inauguration of a new online platform for start-ups, startinmalta.io. Malta Enterprise CEO Kurt Farrugia said that entrepreneurs could benefit from up to €200,000 in financial assistance. Another…

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Malta: Moneyval committee expected to give clearance on Malta report

The Sunday Times says that Malta is expected to pass the Moneyval test when the members of the anti-money laundering committee vote next month. Malta handed it its report by…

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Malta: Yorgen Fenech had implicated Keith Schembri in Caruana Galizia murder

Malta Today says that businessman Yorgen Fenech had complained that the police ignored his claims, that former chief of staff Keith Schembri repeatedly asked him to find a way of…

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Malta: People jumping the queue in vaccination programme

The Independent on Sunday leads with reports that some people are being offered the Covid-19 vaccine earlier than they should, jumping ahead of more vulnerable cohorts. There have been over…

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Malta: Former chief of staff accused of evading taxes

In-Nazzjon follows the testimony of financial crime police officers who told the courts that Keith Schembri evaded taxes on the sale of printing equipment to Progress Press, while making illegal…

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Malta: Covid-19 cases fall under 2,000

L-Orizzont says that the number of active Covid-19 cases have decreased to below 2,000. Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci said that controls in communities are helping to contain the spread. …

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Police lift document planning illegal payments by Keith Schembri

The Independent says that the police discovered a spreadsheet compiled by Keith Schembri on his company’s servers, detailing how a profit from the sale of printing equipment to Progress Press…

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Malta: Keith Schembri paid millions in backhanders to Allied Newspapers seniors

The Times follows the testimony in court of police inspector Joseph Xerri who said that former chief of staff Keith Schembri defrauded a total of €5.5 million from progress press…

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Malta: Melvin Theuma positive for Covid-19

In-Nazzjon says that state witness in the Caruana Galizia murder case, Melvin Theuma, has tested positive for Covid-19 and is being kept in isolation at Mater Dei. He was rushed…

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Malta: Almost 1,700 dumping complaints since January

L-Orizzont says that the Cleansing Department has received close to 1,700 complaints about waste dumped in public space and bays, this year. The department has resolved over 90 percent of…

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Malta: NGO accuses roads agency of operating without permit

The Independent covers a press conference by Graffitti, four days into a protest blocking works on the construction of a new road in Dingli. The NGO said that Infrastructure Malta…

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Malta: Police exhibit 50 documents in court as evidence of kickbacks

The Times follows the compilation of evidence against Nexia BT partner Brian Tonna. Police inspector Anne Marie Xuereb presented some 50 documents with evidence of kickbacks and commissions from the…

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Malta: Air Malta chairman backs digital travel certificate

The Malta Business Weekly speaks to Air Malta chairman David G. Curmi who welcomed the proposal by the European Commission to introduce a Digital Green Certificate, allowing citizens to travel…

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Malta: Chamber of Commerce president regrets knock-on effects of political events

Business Today publishes an interview with outgoing president of the Chamber of Commerce, David Xuereb, who said that the recent developments related to the Caruana Galizia case are damaging to…

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Malta: Opposition Leader calls for President’s intervention

In-Nazzjon quotes Opposition leader Bernard Grech who called on President George Vella to guide the country through these “unprecedented times” and avoid a constitutional crisis. Gerch said that the country…

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Malta: Minister denies links to bank robber

The Times asks minister Carm Abela about allegations that he may have been involved in an attempted bank robbery in 2010. Abela dismissed the insinuations by Opposition MP Jason Azzopardi…

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Malta: Government extends moratoria by six months

L-Orizzont announces an extension of moratoria from 12 months to 18 months and a tax exemption of capital gains from properties. Finance Minister Clyde Caruana said the measures will give…

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