Newspaper Review

Malta: Authorities scramble to save air routes

The Times says that authorities are holding talks with major airlines to save routes to Malta. Carriers are believed to cut back on their flights over the coming months, with…

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Malta: Businesses see surge in sales over Christmas

L-Orizzont speaks to SME Chamber CEO Abigail Mamo who said she is confident that moderate expectations for the retail sector will be reached this holiday season. Mamo said that sales…

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Malta: Covid-19 deaths reach 200 since start of pandemic

The Independent reports that the number of deaths from Covid-19 rose above 200 on Wednesday after five casualties were announced. Three of the victims died at Mater Dei hospital, aged…

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Malta: Malta Air to release 40 cabin crew

The Independent says that General Workers Union and Malta Air could not reach a deal on an emergency agreement for employees, resulting in the termination of 40 cabin crew with…

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Malta: Bernard Grech says PM lacks courage to suspend junior minister

Malta Today speaks to Opposition Leader Bernard Grech who said that the Prime Minister lacked the courage to suspend Parliamentary Secretary Rosianne Cutajar until investigations into allegations against her are…

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Malta: Doctors demand complete ban on UK arrivals

The Times quotes the Medical Association which is urging the government to impose a total ban on flights from the UK. Currently, citizens and residents are being allowed in from…

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Malta: Union defends its position in Malta Air case

L-Orizzont leads with a statement by the General Workers Union rejecting claims by Malta Air that it did not deliver on an emergency agreement. The union said that it had…

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Malta: PN leader says domestic abuse has to be stamped out

In-Nazzjon reports that the PN’s women wing presented gifts to Dar Merħba Bik which welcomes victims of domestic abuse. The delegation was led by party leader Bernard Grech who said…

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Malta: Rosianne Cutajar case brought before Standards Commissioner

The Independent reports that the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life is evaluating a request for an investigation into allegations that junior minister Rosianne Cutajar received a cut on a…

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Malta: Bernard Grech calls for extension of travel ban

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who urged the government to impose a travel ban on other countries where the new Covid-19 strain has been detected, beside the UK. Grech…

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Malta: Flights from the UK suspended: The Headline – L-Orizzont

L-Orizzont reports that flights from the UK have been suspended after a new variant of the Covid-19 virus was discovered in Britain. Maltese nationals may still return to Malta, but…

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Malta: No cases of new Covid-19 variant detected

The Times asks Health Minister Chris Fearne whether the new Covid-19 strain discovered in the UK has also been found in Malta. The minister said that no cases have been…

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Malta: PN Leader calls for Rosianne Cutajar’s resignation

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who said that Junior Minister Rosianne Cutajar should step down after allegations of a financial transaction over the transfer of a property to businessman…

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Malta: Government ordered to return expropriated land in Qajjenza

The Times reports that the European Court of Human Rights has ordered the government to return a parcel of land in Qajjenza to its original owners. The plot was expropriated…

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Malta: PM says he will protect Caruana Galizia public inquiry

The Independent quotes Primes Minister Robert Abela who said he looks forward to the final report by the Caruana Galizia public inquiry, adding that he will protect the process. Abela…

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Malta: Pfizer vaccine set to be delivered on Saturday

L-Orizzont says that the Covid-19 vaccine is expected to arrive in Malta on Saturday 26, with the first inoculations starting the day after. Prime Minister Robert Abela said that development…

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Malta: Government planning new employment policy

It-Torċa carries an interview with Finance Minister Clyde Caruana who said that the future of Malta’s economic growth depends on productivity and high-value workers. Caruana revealed that consultation on a…

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Malta: 10 MPs representing a quarter of 2017 votes will not contest again

The Independent on Sunday says that ten MPs who pulled a combined 24 percent of first-preference votes in the last election will not contest another election. Another three veteran MPs…

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Malta: Junior Minister chased for finder’s fee refund

The Sunday Times reveals that a property seller who signed a promise-of-sale with Yorgen Fenech is chasing Parliamentary Secretary Rosianne Cutajar to return a €50,000 broker’s fee she was paid…

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Malta: Air Malta’s weary situation exacerbated by Covid-19

Illum says that the government is expected to take ‘drastic measures’ to avoid having to shut down Air Malta. The paper says that the dire financial situation of the national…

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Malta: Economy reached EU average in 2019

Kullħadd quotes a Eurostat report which shows that Malta reached the wealth per capita EU average in 2019, rising by 13 percent since 2013 and 17 percent since 2004. The…

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Malta: Yorgen Fenech sought to acquire Mdina property last year

Malta Today says that Yorgen Fenech signed a promise-of-sale for a property in Mdina last year with a fiduciary company run by Pierre Lofaro, the husband of a public inquiry…

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Malta: PN announces social dialogue exercise

Il-Mument speaks to the Nationalist Party’s outreach chief, Ivan J. Bartolo, and political research president, Martina Caruana, who announced a new consultation exercise with organisations that will inform the PN’s…

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Malta: Ambulance Department planning to overhaul fleet

L-Orizzont says that the Ambulance Department has issued contracts for new vehicles that will change the current fleet shortly. Sources within the department told the paper that a new collective…

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Malta: Public Health Superintendent urges caution over Christmas

The Independent quotes Professor Charmaine Gauci who urged people to observe Covid-19 restrictions over the festive period. The Public Health Superintendent said that we are close to a vaccine, but…

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Malta: St Vincent de Paule resident dies from Covid-19

In-Nazzjon reports on the death of a 92-year-old man from Covid-19 on Friday. The 183rd victim of the disease was being treated at St Vincent de Paule home. The paper…

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Malta: Vaccine to reach elderly homes by end of year

The Times quotes Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci who said Covid-19 vaccinations will start being administered to residents and carers at homes for the elderly before the end of the…

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Malta: Court fines Attorney General and Police over delays

In-Nazzjon says that the courts fined the Attorney General and the Police €5,000 for delaying procedures against a man charged with fraud for six years. The defendant’s lawyer argued that…

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Malta: Minister reverses resignation request for Book Council Chair

The Independent quotes Book Council chairman Mark Camilleri who said that the Education Minister withdrew a request for his resignation, after he apologised for using foul language in a message…

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Malta: GWU and gaming company reach deal on discharged employees

L-Orizzont reports on an out-of-court settlement between the General Workers Union and Evolution Gaming, which agreed to compensate 324 employees that were dismissed without notice last week. The paper reports…

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Malta: Vaccinations to start on December 27

The Times leads with an announcement by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that Covid-19 vaccinations in the EU will begin on Sunday 27. Health Minister Chris Fearne said…

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Malta: Farsons Group denies sacking employees because of the pandemic

Business Today speaks to Farsons Group CEO Norman Aquilina who rejected social media messages claiming that the company had to downsize because of the pandemic. Aquilina said that the management…

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Malta: PN Leader calls out Prime Minister over inquiry comments

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who said that the Prime Minister’s criticism of the Caruana Galizia public inquiry board is not only misplaced, but dangerous too. Grech accused Robert…

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Malta: Lands Authority chief to stay on despite police probe

The Times says that Lands Authority CEO James Piscopo will not face suspension despite being the subject of a police investigation following claims of bribery and corruption. Economy Minister Silvio…

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Malta: Former Chief Justice laments case overload

L-Orizzont carries an interview with Chief Justice Emeritus Joseph Azzopardi who said that the judiciary in Malta have three times the cases that counterparts in other countries have. He said…

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Malta: Covid-19 vaccinations entirely administered by public healthcare system

The Independent speaks to St James Hospital CEO Maria Bugeja who said that the administration of the Covid-19 vaccine will solely be managed by the state and the public will…

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Malta: More than 20,000 inspections at bars and restaurants

The Malta Business Weekly publishes an interview with Environmental Health Director Clive Tonna who said that some 20,000 inspections have been carried out at bars and restaurants by Covid-19 task…

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Malta: Education Minister does not take questions about the Cottonera university

In-Nazzjon says that Education Minister Justyne Caruana declined questions by the paper about the American University of Malta, which reported a loss of over €11 million in the period between…

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Malta: Customs acquiring new bag-scanner for airport

L-Orizzont says that the Customs Department is investing in new technology that scans luggage going through the airport. Customs head Joseph Chetcuti said that frequent flight from the UK after…

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Malta: Christmas sales expected to fall by up to half from last year

The Independent speaks to Chamber of SMEs CEO Abigail Mamo who said that, while retail sales over Christmas will be better compared with the rest of the year, businesses anticipate…

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Malta: Government says public inquiry will have to bear the consequences of extension

The Times quotes a government statement in reaction to the decision by the Caruana Galizia public inquiry board to extend beyond the December deadline set by the Prime Minister. The…

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Malta: Caruana Galizia public inquiry to go past original deadline

In-Nazzjon says that the Caruana Galizia public inquiry board announced that it will continue to assess the proof presented in the testimonies beyond today’s deadline. The inquiry has heard over…

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Malta: PM inaugurates fibre optic cable to Gozo

L-Orizzont reports on the inauguration of the second fibre optic cable to Gozo by Prime Minister Robert Abela. The paper says the €4 million project will increase connectivity and business…

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Malta: Surgeons raise concerns about industrial actions by nurses

The Times quotes a statement by the association of surgeons warning that industrial actions by nurses will have ‘tragic consequences’ for patients. The union of nurses issued directives reducing the…

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Malta: Keith Schembri says Joseph Muscat knew who 17 Black belonged to

The Independent reports on the Caruana Galizia public inquiry sitting during which Keith Schembri said that he had informed Joseph Muscat who the owner of 17 Black was, but he…

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Malta: Economic performance above euro zone average

L-Orizzont quotes Eurostat figures which show that Malta’s economic recovery in the second and third quarter this year was higher than the average in the euro area, and the fifth…

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Malta: Opposition to present amendments to divorce law

In-Nazzjon quotes PN Leader Bernard Grech who said that reforms to the divorce law proposed by the party are directed at the wider implications on children and their parents. Grech…

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Malta: President says that Caruana Galizia investigations are a national priority

The Independent quotes President George Vella in his Republic Day address who said that the primary challenge for Malta was to ensure that justice is served for those behind the…

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Malta: Magisterial inquiry into Pilatus Bank handed to State Prosecutor

The Times reports that a magisterial inquiry into Pilatus Bank has been concluded earlier this month and is now being assessed by the State Prosecutor. The paper says that the…

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Malta: Opposition disagrees with new appointment of former finance minister

Il-Mument says that the Opposition is against the appointment of former Finance Minister Edward Scicluna as Central Bank Governor, arguing that his track record of inaction is harmful to Malta’s…

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Malta: Customs seize almost €180M in drugs since 2017

Kullħadd reports that the Customs Department has intercepted just under €180 million worth of drugs since 2017. The paper says that the success follows investment in new technology and equipment…

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Malta: Young man forced out of home for wearing pink bag

It-Torċa follows the story of a 20-year-old man who has been forced out of the house by his mother and her partner after going out with a pink bag. His…

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Malta: Public holiday brings boost in sales

Illum speaks to SME Chamber CEO Abigail Mamo who said that the retail sector performed well on the December 8th public holiday, when Christmas shopping traditionally begins in Malta. Mamo…

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Malta: American University registers €11M loss in two years

The Independent on Sunday says that the American University of Malta lost more than €11 million between 2018 and 2019. AUM Provost Professor Narcisa Roxana Mosteanu told the paper that…

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Malta: Pharma company says government breached EU procurement rules

Malta Today reveals a letter by pharmaceutical company Novartis to Prime Minister Robert Abela, accusing the government of flouting EU regulations by ignoring stockpiles by local importers and procuring similar…

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Malta: Keith Schembri claims Lands Authority chief has offshore account

The Sunday Times says that former chief of staff Keith Schembri alleged that Lands Authority CEO James Piscopo hid over €600,000 in an offshore account. Sources told the paper that…

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PN announces proposals for National Youth Policy: The Headline – In-Nazzjon

In-Nazzjon quotes Opposition spokesperson for youth Robert Cutajar who said that young people are an important element in society. The Nationalist Party presented new proposals for the National Youth Policy. …

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